Vegan Options

Zpizza offers healthy vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free pizzas, rusticas, pastas, calzones, sandwiches and salads. On May 1 from noon to 2 p.m. local author, Marilyn Peterson will have a book signing for her book, “Vegan Bite by Bite”. Free samples of the Zpizza’s Berkeley vegan pizza will be offered to celebrate the event. 123 N. Larchmont, (323)466-6969.

Brunch at Red O

Starting this Sunday, Chef Rick Bayless, cookbook author and television personality on the PBS series “Mexico – One Plate at a Time” offers a new Mexican brunch menu and specialty cocktails. Since brunch is one of Bayless favorite meals of the day, he prepares some of his personal favorites such as Hot Cakes Indigenas, Huevos a la Mexicana and Quesadillas Capitalinas.  All taste delicious with a glass of fresh squeezed Agua Frescas. Brunch begins at 10:30 a.m. 8155 Melrose Ave. (323)655-5009.

Margarita Countdown

Starting today until May 4, all the Border Grill locations are counting down to Cinco de Mayo with a special pomegranate margarita for $5. The way to receive this special is to give the code word “cinco de drinko” when you order. 445 S. Figueroa St. (213)486-5171 and 1445 4th St. (310)451-1655.

Hugo’s April Specials

To better serve customer’s nutritional and epicurean needs, Hugo’s Restaurant offers more than three million options. Some of their April specials include crispy fried Italian vegetables (gluten free), seared barramundi Nicoise salad, south of the border casserole and soul food plate. 8401 Santa Monica Blvd. (323)654-3993.

Culinary Challenge

Five local chefs will prepare a menu from heritage breed pigs, nose to tail, on May 1 at 5 p.m. at Vibiana in the Historic Cafe. This one-of-a-kind culinary competition will appeal to pork-loving epicureans. Guests sample wines from five small wineries and watch each of the celebrated chefs take a 175-pound heritage hog and demonstrate a whole pig breakdown, followed by sampling the roasted pig and dessert. Attendees and judges will vote for the “Prince or Princess of Porc.” The winning chefs will compete against other regional winners at the finale in Aspen, CO. Our local chefs are Susanne Tracht of Jar, Ben Ford or Ford’s Filling Station, Joshua Whigham of The Bazaar, Chad Colby of Mozza and Octavio Becerra of Palate Food and Wine. Tickets are $125. 214 S. Main St. (213)626-1507.

New Orleans Inspired Dishes

Chef Brandon Boudet boils up 300 lbs of Louisiana crawfish in a large pot with salt, garlic and cayenne pepper on Dominick’s patio every Saturday in May, starting May 7. From noon to 4 p.m. Boudet will make Po’Boys, ½ dozen oysters, crawfish boiled artichokes with creole remoulade, onion rings and New Orleans snow balls. Beer is $3 and Drago red, white and Prosecco wine is $12 a bottle. 8715 Beverly Blvd. (310)652-2335.

Chili Cookoff

As part of Barney’s Beanery 90th Anniversary, a Firefighter’s 5-Alarm Chili cook-off begins on April 30. Purchase a $10 wristband to watch ten talented firefighters compete to have their chili featured on the menu for 90 days. Starting at noon, the outdoor event will feature a live band while diners get to taste the pots of the chili contenders and vote on the “people’s choice” award. The proceeds for this fun event will benefit Alisa Ann Ruch Burn foundation. 8447 Santa Monica Blvd. (323)654-2287

Cinco de Mayo at Farmers Market

The original Farmers Market, corner of 3rd and Fairfax, is celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Thursday, May 5 with musical performances and a blood drive.

An all-female mariachi band, “Ellas Son”, will be strolling the Market from noon to 3 p.m., and Orquesta Charangoa will perform on the West Patio from 7 to 9 p.m. The bars at the Market will also be offering special festive drinks, while several of the restaurants will be serving Mexican cuisine.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to give blood at the Farmers Market/Cedars Sinai Blood Drive, running from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and repeating on Friday, May 6.

The original Farmers Market is located at 6333 W. 3rd St. For information, call (323)933-9211, or visit www.farmersmarketla.com.

Dining for Life

Eat out at participating restaurants throughout L.A. on Thursday, April 28th and  20% or more of your bill will be donated to Project Angel Food to support meals for people struggling with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Here is a list of some of the participating restaurants: Jar, Il Cielo, The Little Door Restaurant, Prosecco Trattoria, Ray’s and Taste on Melrose. For a complete list, go to www.diningoutforlifela.com

Tea for Two or More

Tea parties at the Bistro Garden are the ideal setting for birthday celebrations, graduation parties, bridal and baby showers and sweet 16 parties. They are less formal, great fun and usually cost less than a luncheon. Start with a selection of teas placed on the table with each guest receiving an individual teapot, honey jars, pitcher of curdled cream and a selection of sugars. Next, a tiered glass tray with 3 layers of house made sweets and tea sandwiches. Parties start at $32 per person. Champagne and wine may be ordered individually. 12950 Ventura Blvd. (818)501-0202.