Oscar Themed Dishes

This week, the Beverly Hill’s Polo Lounge will serve a creative menu for lunch and specialty cocktails late into the evening that are inspired by this year’s Best Picture nominees. Start with a “The Kids Are All Right” salad and a “True Grit” meal of slow cooked “Texas-style” baby back ribs with Mattie’s polenta corn bread, jalapeno coleslaw and LeBoeuf bourbon whiskey glaze. The special cocktail to accompany this meal is the Rooster. For dessert, experience the “Black Swan” with a light and weightless white and black parfait with chocolate almond streusel and flourless chocolate cake. The menu will be served through the eve of the Academy Awards on Feb. 26. 9641 Sunset Blvd. (310)877-2777.

Hollywood Roosevelt’s New Star

Public Kitchen and Bar opens on Feb. 28 offering an eclectic menu of American fare. Located near the historic lobby, the grand dining room features a 1920s theme with plush banquettes, a restored mural on the ceiling and a private garden room. The majority of the menu will feature entrées under $30. Some of the highlights are crispy oxtail galette with poached farm egg and frisée, cote d’boeuf for two with marrow bones, potato tart with caramelized onions and pancetta, and spiced duck steak leg confit with caramelized turnips. Open for lunch and dinner. 7000 Hollywood Blvd. (323)466-7000.

New Café in Town

Located at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) the Patina Restaurant Group is opening Ray’s Restaurant and Stark Bar on Friday, March 4. Executive Chef Kris Morningstar has prepared a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Open for lunch from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Stark Bar will serve seasonal cocktails, a California-centric wine list and artisan beers and spirits. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant and bar is closed on Wednesdays.  5905 Wilshire Blvd. (323)857-6180.

Fig & Olive West

New York based Fig and Olive will make its Los Angeles debut on March 2 at Melrose Place. Executive Chef and three-star Michelin-rated Pascal Lorange will prepare French Riviera and coastal Mediterranean dishes with olive oil, instead of butter. Each meal begins with a taste of three distinctive extra virgin olive oils that accompany freshly baked rosemary olive oil fougasse bread. Some of his specialties include a fig Gorgonzola tartlet, steamed lemon sole papillote with a sweet and delicate olive oil from the French Riviera and a crisp green apple sorbet with mint, citrus, lemon and a green fruit olive oil from Provence. The wine list will feature a diverse selection from the South of France, Spain and Italy. 8490 Melrose Pl. (310)360-9100.

Cameo Bar Happy Hour

The Viceroy is offering a 7 before 7 special on all drinks and appetizers until 7 p.m. on weekdays. Some of the 7 bites include chef Tony DiSalvo’s crispy saffron risotto balls, steamed mussels and meatballs. Finish with peanut butter cookies with JAM red wine. The Cameo Bar serves $7 cocktails, well drinks, imported premium beers and wines by the glass. 1819 Ocean Ave. (310)260-7500.

Cocktail Fundraiser

Enjoy French tapa hors d’oeuvres at La Cachette Bistro on March 1 with a special “26 Miles of Concern” cocktail made with Vodka, fresh rhubarb purée and organic jasmine liquor. Served in a martini glass, this tasty libation will sell for $20 with all proceeds going to the Concern Foundation for Cancer Research team running in the Los Angeles Marathon. Happy Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the special drink will be served from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  The cocktail will continue to be served until the Los Angeles Marathon, which is March 20. 1733 Ocean Ave. (310) 434-9509.

Dom’s Mardi Gras

New Orleans native and chef of Dominick’s and Little Dom’s restaurants, Brandon Boudet, has created a special Cajun-inspired menu for March 5 through March 8. Some of his specialties for dinner include muffaletta sandwiches, jambalaya, crayfish pie, beignets and mini king cakes. Most of the dishes range from $4 to $8. Dominick’s – 8715 Beverly Blvd. (310)652-2335. Little Dom’s – 2128 Hillhurst Ave. (323)661-0055.

Sofitel L.A. Neighborhood Card

Apply online for a neighborhood card to receive a 20% dining discount at Simon LA, 20% discount on valet parking, 15% discount at the Stone Rose Lounge, 15% discount at LeSpa and 10% discount on room accommodations. 8555 Beverly Blvd.  www.simonlarestaurant.com.

Roy’s Prix Fixe Mondays

You choose any appetizer, entrée and dessert off Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine menu and pay $35.95 on Mondays. Lobster potstickers, Hawaiian style Misoyaki butterfish and chocolate soufflé are one of the winning combinations. This special starts from Feb. 28 to April 18. 800 S. Figueroa St. (213)488-4994.

Jar Cooking Class

Join an interactive cooking class led by Jar’s Executive chef Suzanne Tracht, Pastry chef Sandra Bustamante and sommelier Rob Harpest on March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tracht teaches guests how to prepare some of Jar’s favorite recipes such as black mussels with ong choy, lobster béarnaise and fennel salt. Learn how to prepare haricots vert with roasted shiitakes, proscuitto, and whole grain mustard dressing. For the entrée, guests will learn how to make braised beef ribs with Shanghai noodles and finish with a crème brulee. Harpest pairs wines with each course. The cost is $125 per person for this intimate class. 8225 Beverly Blvd. (323)655-6566.