Halloween Costume Contest

Friday night until Halloween, the Burger Kitchen will stay open until 2 a.m. with a unique Ghoul and Vampire menu featuring Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde sliders. There will be an adult costume contest on Friday and Saturday evenings with hundreds of dollars in prizes, gift cards, DVDs and movie tickets. On Halloween, come for brunch between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In the evening, there will be a kid’s costume contest at 6 p.m. Treats and prizes will be awarded for the scariest, cutest and most original costumes. 8048 W. Third Street, (323)944-0503.

Top 5 Spooky Cocktails

Before haunting a Halloween party, try one of these fun and festive libations at the following restaurants around Los Angeles. Xino in Santa Monica is serving a sweet and spicy “Smoking Pumpkin” featuring Hangar spiced pear, Kahula, pineapple juice and dry ice ($11). 395 Santa Monica Pl. #308 (310)755-6220.

In Beverly Hills, creep into Mani’s on Maple for a “Pisco Maleao” (Spanish Badass) consisting of Barsol Pisco, fresh lemon and lime, agave nectar, egg whites, cucumber and mint ($12). 345 N. Maple Drive, (310)247-0009

In West Hollywood, stroll into Dominick’s for a “Corpse Reviver “ featuring Hendrick’s gin, cointreau, Lilet Blanc, lemon juice and Absinthe ($12). 8715 Beverly Blvd. (310)652-2335.

At Drago Centro Downtown, try a “Remedy for the Crazy”. It contains Zaya rum, Cynar, fresh sage, white peppercorns, fresh orange and lime juice ($12). 525 S. Flower Street, (213)228-8998.

In the Sliverlake area, Malo is offering the “Island of the Dead” with 4 Copas Reposado, fresh lemon juice, ginger agave and tapaptio. 4326 W. Sunset Blvd., (323)664-1011.

Sweet Treats

Pick up Sprinkles BOO box to take to your Halloween party. Vanilla, milk chocolate, red velvet, black and white, and caramel apple cupcakes are topped with ghost and BOO sugar decorations. 9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd. (310)274-8765.

Lunch at JiRaffe’s on Fridays

From now until the end of the year, JiRaffe in Santa Monica will be open for lunch on Fridays from 12-2 p.m. serving JiRaffe classics, as well as their prime burger with aged gouda, butternut squash soup and a chicken taco plate with Spanish rice. Save room for their sticky toffee pudding with vanilla bean ice cream. 502 Santa Monica Blvd. (310)917-6671.

New Chef at Casa Cocina y Cantina

Executive Chef Alex Moreno debuts a new menu inspired by Los Angeles’ iconic neighborhood Mexican kitchens. Casa offers a true Mission-style taqueria lunch menu starting from $6.95. Dinners include a revamped cocktail menu, totopos (shareable bites), antojitos (taqueria-inspired snacks), tacos, enchiladas and platos especiales. All dishes are under $20. 350 S. Grand Ave. (213)621-2249.

Cooking Class Rescheduled

Chef Andreas Nieto has moved his next cooking class to November 6. Learn how to spice up your Thanksgiving meal with the right combination of spices and techniques to create a meal everyone will talk about this Thanksgiving. Arrive before 1 p.m. at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites. The cost is $40. RSVP to Claudia.lambaren@westin.com. 404 S. Figueroa Street.

New Italian Restaurant

Award-winning chef, Scott Conant, opened Scarpetta at Montage Beverly Hills on October 25. Described as “modern, earthy and refined”, Scarpetta features seasonally inspired Italian signature dishes like his famous spaghetti with tomato and basil, and creamy polenta with fricassee of truffled mushrooms. www.montagebeverlyhils.com. 225 N. Canon Drive (310)860-7970.