A Taste at The Grove

This Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Grove is offering a culinary event that includes live cooking demonstrations with top chefs. Guests may purchase tickets to sample bites from selected restaurants in “The Park” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cadillac’s latest model will be available for drive and rides. Guests who test drive a Cadillac at The Grove’s valet circle receive a $10 gift card and admission to the evening’s exclusive VIP party. At 11 a.m. the Executive Chef of Maggiano’s will offer a cooking demonstration. 189 The Grove Dr. (323)900-8080.

Cooking with Top Chef’s Fabio Viviani

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chef Fabio will be teaching guests how to make his famous bread tapenade, dressings and spreads at Firenze Osteria. The class includes a two-course lunch for $40 per person and $70 for couples. 4212 Lankershim Blvd. (818)760-7081.

Stone Fruit Cocktail

Basement Tavern at The Victorian is offering “first pick” cocktails made with seasonal fruit, hand-picked fresh from its own farmer’s market on property. Mixologist Brad Twigg highlights the juicy flavors of stone fruits like donut peaches, cherries, and plums on the $10 menu. A daily Happy Hour Monday-Saturday and all night on Sunday includes $5 well cocktails, $5 house red and white wines, $3 bottled beer and $5 Delia’s Elixir – the signature cocktail named for the house apparition. Half-priced food items are available when the doors open at 5 p.m. There is no cover charge to listen to the live band on Tuesday through Saturday. 2640 Main St., Santa Monica (310)392-4956.

Sundown Soirée

Cafe del Rey partners with the Surfrider Foundation-West L.A./Malibu chapter to celebrate its 20th anniversary on June 25 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sip complimentary Perrier-Jouet champagne, nibble on appetizers, and listen to live Mediterranean music to support a great cause.  4451 Admiralty Way, (310)823-6395.

Hatchi Truck Stop

Century City’s artisanal bakery-bistro Breadbar, hosts a farmer’s market-driven gastrotruck for an eight-dish menu highlighting local, seasonal ingredients on June 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The one-night-only menu offers $8 items. Chef and owner Timothy Mark Abell (formerly of Hungry Cat, Joe’s, Water Grill and Wilshire) takes his internationally-inspired menu featuring sustainable seafood, fresh meats and local produce from Coleman Family Farm and Ruiz Family Farms. Some of the dishes include red snapper crudo with stone fruits, flatiron steak with potatoes and chicken and waffle cupcake with maple bourbon ice cream. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. R-2, (310)277-3770. Reservations are recommended.

Chef Harutaka Kishi

On Tuesday, June 28, Angeleno magazine and Snyder Diamond present Chaya Brasserie’s Chef Kishi for a decadent evening of Japanese/French cuisine paired with award-winning wine. Cocktails begin at 6:30 p.m. and the cooking presentation begins at 7 p.m. The event costs $40 per person and takes place at the Snyder Diamond showroom. Proceeds benefit Santa Monica Farmers Market. 1399 Olympic Blvd. (310)450-1000.

Anniversary at Casa Vega

Casa Vega turns 55 years old this month and, to celebrate, guests who order the House Combination on June 28  will receive it for $2.15 – the price Casa Vega charged when the restaurant first opened its doors in 1956. The $2.15 price is valid for both lunch and dinner. The house combination comes with Spanish rice, refried beans, and a choice of two items from a list of traditional Mexican dishes, including chile relleno, chicken taco, beef enchilada, vegetable tamale, and more, and has been the most popular item on the menu since the restaurant opened 55 years ago. 15501 Ventura Blvd. (818)788-4868.

Light Summer Cooking Class

Executive Chef Brian Moyers at BLT Steak Los Angeles is offering a cooking class on Sunday, June 26 at 12:30 p.m. Learn about fish butchery and how to prepare light summer cooking. Classes are $80 and include a 90-minute instructional demo, followed by a 3-course meal in the private dining room. 8720 W. Sunset Blvd. To book a seat, or to inquire about future cooking classes, call Nicole Porche at (310)360-1950.

Chocolate Cooking Class

Join Chef Jean Francois Meteigner in his kitchen on June 25 for a class on how to prepare a luscious chocolate divine cake using cocoa berry chocolate, truffles and soufflés. Class starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. with lunch and wine included in the $126 fee. All cooking levels are welcome. 1733 Ocean Ave. (310)434-9509.

Buy 9, Get the 10th Free

Pick up a Summer Thirst Quencher card at M Café to earn a free drink. Purchase 9 of their signature summer beverages and the 10th beverage is free. Enjoy a cool 18-hour cold processed iced coffee, crimson berry iced tea, organic white tangerine tea, Japanese pineapple papaya green tea, fresh watermelon juice, green tea lemonade and M Café crafted lemonade. These drinks are available for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 9433 Brighton Way (310)858-8459, 7119 Melrose Ave. (323)525-0588.

New Restaurant at Farmers Market

Veggie Grill offers a variety of sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups and desserts. All are 100% plant-based and free of cholesterol, animal fat and trans fat. Located at the North market. 110 S. Fairfax Ave. (323)993-3997.

Island Style Cook-Off

Come watch Roy Yamaguchi from Roy’s Restaurant and Ed Kenney from Town Kaimuki compete for the title of Hawaiian Islands Master Chef. Sip umbrella drinks and nibble on gourmet pupus as the chefs battle it out in a friendly culinary competition. It’s a perfect Hawaiian moment in Los Angeles. June 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. 101 Wilshire Blvd. To purchase a ticket, go to www.lamag.com/pupu/party.

New Chalkboard Menu

Il Sole unveils a new affordable menu that is available from Tuesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to closing. Chef Issac Rivera offers a three-course menu with many of II Sole classic items for $35. 8741 W. Sunset Blvd. (310)657-1182.

Farmers Market Summer Family Fun

Tonight, listen to the modern jazz sounds from the Paul McDonald Quartet. On June 26, families will enjoy the culture of the Islands by attending a lei-making workshop with Art 2 Go from noon to 3 p.m. Afterwards, watch a hula show with the Manea Dancers from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Both events are free. 6333 W. Third St. (323)933-9211.  Visit www.farmersmarketla.com.