New Spring Menu

Chef Joseph Gillard at Napa Valley Grille is highlighting spring’s freshest produce and handcrafted products for his lunch, dinner and brunch menus. Known for his weekly walks at the Santa Monica and Westwood farmer’s markets, Gillard’s new dishes include housemade mint noodles with cultivated mushrooms, sugar snap peas and basil nage, braised beef short ribs with colorful spring carrot mash, and burnt orange crème caramel with tarragon crème fraiche. 1100 Glendon Ave # 100, (310)824-3322.

Caviar 101

General Manager Christopher Klapp and his team of caviar experts offer diners an opportunity to learn about caviar in a festive atmosphere on the first Thursday of every month. Starting on April 7 from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests may sample up to three types of caviar, paired with either a flute of champagne vodka.  Chef Giselle Wellman will prepare small plates showcasing caviar. The class is $35 per person. 321 N. Robertson Blvd. (310)271-0576.

Sweets at Milk

Looking for a late night treat? Milk, the corner ice cream parlor stays open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays serving warm ooey gooey chocolate sundaes ($6.50) to black cherry floats ($6) and tasty ice cream sandwiches ($4.50). 7290 Beverly Blvd. (323)939-6455.

Free Cooking Event

Irish chef Stuart O’Keefe, known as the chef to high profile Los Angeles clients and star of the popular Food Network’s show Private Chefs of Beverly Hills, will appear at the newly remodeled Le Creuset store at the Citadel Outlet on April 2, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. O’Keefe will show the versatility of the Le Creuset multifunction pan by preparing some of his signature dishes. 100 Citadel Dr. (next to Ruby’s Diner), (323)725-6336.

Snickers Icebox Pie

Craving something sweet? Magnolia Bakery offers an array of baked goods from pies, cupcakes and delicious cookies. Their Snickers Icebox Pie is $4 a slice. Mini Key Lime Cheesecake is $5.50 and any of their 19 flavors of cupcakes are between $2.75 – $3.25. 8389 West Third St., (323)951-0636.

Earth Day Celebration

Learn how to “live lightly” on Sunday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market. Known for providing the community with the finest in California-grown fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables, juices, breads and specialty items, admission to the weekly Farmers’ Market and this special Earth Day event is free. Booths offering the most up-to-date methods for conserving and efficiently using energy, managing water consumption and recycling batteries will be available. Free compost is also offered. 9300 Civic Center Dr., (310-285-6832) or visit www.beverlyhills.org/farmersmarket.

Free Cutie Pie

Simplethings sandwich anad pie shop is offering tableside dinner service in April.  Chef Carrie Cusack is whipping up savory pot pie entrees such as steak and lager ($10), portabella mushroom ($10) and chicken curry ($10). Each pot pie is served with dressed greens and a complimentary cutie pie. Pie flavors rotate on a weekly basis with six varieties to choose from daily. Candlelit table service begins after 6 p.m. The free cutie pie offer is good from April 1 to April 30. 8310 W. Third St. (323)592-3390.

Reality Rocks for Foodies

A few local celebrity restaurateurs will be appearing at Reality Rocks, billed as “the ultimate TV fan experience”, on April 9-10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Meet chef/owner of Grub Betty Fraser from Top Chef Season 2 and Eric Greenspan from the Next Iron Chef show and now chef at The Foundry. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. To learn more, gotowww.realityrocks.net/index.html. 1201 S. Figueroa St. (213)741-1151.

Melting Pot Tours

Sample food from around the world and enjoy stories about Los Angeles while walking along Third St. from the Farmers Market to the Beverly Center. While at the Farmers Market, participants will meet owners of family businesses that have existed as far back as the 1930s. The tour will stop at restaurants, cafes, gourmet grocery stores and establishments frequented by celebrities. Food tastings include dishes from ethnic eateries, New York style deli/bakeries, doughnut shops, a handmade candy kitchen, and European style bakery. There are eight stops for food tasting and one stop for tea tasting. The tour lasts 3.5 hours and costs between $42 to $49 depending on the day and time. For tickets and additional information, go to www.meltingpottours.com or call (800)979-3370.