Umami Burger at The Grove

The Grove is celebrating their 10th anniversary with the opening of a new dining venue, Umami Burger. Named “Burger of the Year” by GQ magazine, this is Adam Fleishman’s 12th Umami Burger restaurant. A new exclusive item on the menu is The Grove Truffle burger made with a beef patty, parmesan fondue and truffle sauce. Burgers, shakes, Umami chips and hot dogs are all on the menu. Located across from the Whisper restaurant and lounge, this is the only Los Angeles location that offers a children’s menu. There is an indoor dining area and covered patio. Umami Burger opens at 11 a.m. 189 The Grove Dr. (323)954-8626.

Rooftop Party

Tonight at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites, 94.7 The WAVE’s Rooftop Plaza party features saxophonist Mike Phillips. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dine on gourmet BBQ dishes and drink specials while grooving to Phillips’ sultry sounds. The buffet dinner is $35 per person. Phillips has toured with Babyface and Brian McKnight. Boyz II Men and Prince. He is currently working on the Michael Jackson The Immortal Tour by Cirque. 404 S. Figueroa St. (213)624-1000.

SIMPLY Divine

On August 18 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., enjoy the “Simply diVine” food, wine and cocktail festival benefitting the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center. Walk along the tree lined Melrose Place with wine, beer or a cocktail in-hand and sample food from some of LA’s top chefs. LAGLC board member and event co-chair, Susan Feniger, will be one of the celebrity chefs and will be signing copies of her latest cookbook. Twenty-eight restaurants will be represented. General tickets are $100. Located near the corner of N. Alfred St. and Melrose Pl. To buy tickets, go to  https://secure2.convio.net/laglc/site/Ticketing?view=Tickets&id=120721&JServSessionIdr004=dqif8x6jz3.app209b

Afternoon Tea

Bring a friend to Afternoon Tea in the Living Room at The Peninsula Hotel where you’ll hear a classical harpist while choosing an array of 30 loose-leaf teas. The Royal Tea includes five tea sandwiches, pastries, scones, a pot of tea and a glass of champagne. The Mikimoto Tea is everything the Royal Tea offers plus Savory Caviar Cake and a Peninsula Page Boy Cap Cake wrapped to take home. A Japanese cookie, a copy of the Mikimoto book and a sterling silver Mikimoto pen. Served with a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rose, the tea is $67. Now through the end of August, a portion of the proceeds from the Mikimoto Tea will be donated to the non-profit A Window Between Worlds organization, which aims to end domestic violence. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd. (310)975-2736.

Auntie Em’s Kitchen is Peachy

Known for their scrumptious breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and early dinner menu, Auntie Em’s is including peaches into its summer menu. Enjoy a grilled peach and burrata salad or peach baked French toast. Daily rotating bakery items include a fresh peach pie, peach custard tart and peach whoopie pies. Their peaches ’n cream cupcakes are $1.25 for the mini and $3.25 for a large one. 4616 Eagle Rock Blvd. (323)225-0800.

Obika Dinner

On Tuesday, August 21, enjoy a multi-course Emila-Romagna regional dinner at Obika in Century City. Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma and Balsamic Vinegar all come from this region. Eat an exquisite Italian dinner featuring tortellini, ravioli and lasagna. The multi-course dinner can be paired with wine. Dinner is $38 and an extra $15 for the wine pairing. A special guest and wine sommelier initiate conversations about the region, flavors and products. Reserve a space now. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (310)556-2452.

Lindy & Grundy

The custom-cut butcher shop on Fairfax Ave. is offering complimentary hors d’oeuvres and refreshments on August 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The owners of Lindy & Grundy have partnered to host the launch of writer Joseph Shuldiner’s book, “Pure Vegan: 70 Recipes for Beautiful Meals and Clean Living”. The event is open to the public. 801 N. Fairfax Ave. (323)951-0804. RSVPs are required at rsvp@purevegancookbook.com.

Free Burgers

On August 20 at Haven Gastropub + Brewery, an in-house pop up shop will prepare juicy grass-fed burgers, sides, shakes and homemade sauces. The first 100 people standing in line will receive one free burger. These burgers go great with one of their craft beers. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. 42 De Lacey Ave. (626)768-9555.

New Cocktail Menu

Chef Mohan Ismail of Rock Sugar Pan Asian Kitchen collaborated with Top Chef alumni Arnold Myint to create a new cocktail menu. Each new cocktail infuses Southeast Asian spices and flavor. The cocktails range in price from $6 during Rocktail Hour to $13 during lunch and dinner. Chef Mohan also has included some new desserts that include a Vietnamese coffee Affogato. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (310)552-9988.

New Cheesecake Flavor

The brand new Oreo Dream Extreme cheesecake made its debut last week at any Cheesecake Factory restaurant. Celebrate one of America’s favorite desserts. This new cheesecake is available is the restaurants and on the website www.TheCheesecakeFactory.com. 364 N. Beverly Dr. (310)278-7270 and 189 The Grove Dr. (323)634-0511.

Artisanal Craft Coffeehouse

Joachim Splichal assembled a dream team from The Patina Restaurant Group to open C+M (Coffee and Milk) at LACMA. After strolling around the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, stop in for a “pick me up” espresso drink or enjoy a frozen and creamy milk sorbet. It’s made from cream and milk, organic sugar and Tahitian vanilla bean. Try the milk sorbet sandwich or hand-mixed milk sorbet shakes. Alcohol varieties of the handshakes use premium spirits from small batch distilleries. Hand-crafted sandwiches are made on custom baguettes baked daily. Chef Graves also prepares bacon date or lemon lavender pie-in-your-hand tarts. His cakes include the “Elvis” cake and black velvet cake. 5905 Wilshire Blvd. (323)857-6180.

Roy’s Restaurant

A summer three-course prix fixe menu includes Bulgogi chicken satays, rock shrimp & peaches, Heirloom tomato & crispy mozzarella salad. Entrées consist of Teppanyaki Mahi Mahi, Steelhead trout and porcini dusted Hangar steak. For dessert, choose from white peach mousse or Roy’s melting hot chocolate soufflé. This fusion style menu is $36.95 per person. 800 S. Figueroa St. (213)488-4994.

Osteria Drago Opens

Master Chef Celestino Drago opens his newest venture on the Sunset Strip. In the old Il Sole space, Drago will feature a well-balanced selection of Italian dishes such as Tonno with salsa verde and eggplant caviar, carrot risotto with chard and oregano and cioppino with Sardinian couscous. Chef de Cuisine Evan Gotanda makes a terrific pappardelle with roasted pheasant and morel mushrooms. 8741 Sunset Blvd. (310)657-1182.