Patina’s Cooking Class Series

On Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Patina Chef Olalia walks 10 guests through an intimate process of preparing a complete meal, from appetizer to dessert, utilizing French techniques. The three-course menu begins with a classic dish of sardines; followed by veal osso bucco with cornmeal dumplings, served with French style peas and lemon gremolata; and toffee soufflé with banana ice cream. Now  through May 9, 2014, fans may enter the “Patina Celebrates 25” online sweepstakes by “liking” the Patina Facebook page. Participants are entered in a random drawing to win two tickets to a cooking class of their choice. The classes will be held the first Saturday of April, June, August, October, and December. Classes are $95 per person. 141 S. Grand Ave. (213)972-3331.

Cooking Class at Fig & Olive

Executive Chef Pascal Lorange, former private chef to Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and Princess Stephanie of Monaco, is hosting a springtime cooking class on Wednesday, April 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. for $85. Guests will prepare and feast on a four-course French Riviera-inspired meal side-by-side with Chef Pascal. Participants will learn about cooking with local seasonal ingredients and signature olive oils. The menu includes chilled cucumber soup, zucchini carpaccio, Chilean sea bass papillote and an apple tart. Guests will toast to the afternoon with a Piscine cocktail, composed of sparkling wine and organic strawberries, while enjoying the dishes. Space is limited. 8490 Melrose Pl. (310)360-9100.

Culinary Masters Series

The Strand House welcomes renowned Chef John Sedlar of Rivera back to Manhattan Beach for a special five-course wine dinner on April 7. Sedlar is the creator and founder of Museum Tamal, and former chef of critically acclaimed Saint Estèphe restaurant. He will take over Executive Chef Greg Hozinsky’s kitchen for a five-course dinner. Sedlar, named the “father of modern Southwest cuisine” by Gourmet Magazine, will recreate some of his most popular dishes from his historically famous Manhattan Beach Saint Estèphe eatery, which took Los Angeles by storm with its bold and innovative flavors more than three decades ago.  Each dish will be paired with wines from Trefethen Family Winery, Ceja Vineyards, Comstock Wines, Faust by Huneeus Vintners and Robert Mondavi Vineyards. Winemakers and winery associates will be in attendance to comment on each pour. The night begins with a 30-minute reception at 6:30 p.m. featuring a selection of tray-passed hors d’oeuvres paired with wine from Mumm Napa. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. The price of the dinner is $100 per person plus an additional $50 for the wine pairings. 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd. (310)545-7470.

Café del Rey

Tonight at 6:15 to 9 p.m., CAFE del REY debuts the third varietal, from the restaurant’s own Tavistock Reserve Collection at the monthly wine dinner series. Tavistock Reserve is comprised of boutique wines with exceptional quality and value, and is sold exclusively at Tavistock restaurants. Octopus salad is served with the brand’s newest varietal, a 2013 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Executive Chef Chuck Abair’s halibut is paired with a 2012 Reserve Chardonnay. The beef short rib is served with a 2012 Pinot Noir and with the Wagyu New York strip  a Cabernet Sauvignon is poured. This five-course prix-fixe dinner menu is $90 per person. Finish the evening with a pear semifreddo with chocolate tuile paired with a prosecco. There is a cocktail reception at 6:15 p.m. followed by dinner in the Regatta Room from 7 to 9 p.m. 4451 Admiralty Way (310)823-6395.

Adoteca

Come try a special four-course sea urchin menu prepared by Chef Antonio Mure on Monday, April 7 and Tuesday, April 8 that includes sea urchin and Mediterranean sea bass carpaccio with green onions, olive oil, lemon and volcanic salt. The black ink tagliolini has Manila clams and sea urchin with tear drop tomatoes. Enjoy a butter-poached lobster served with burrata cheese, sea urchin, and mâche salad in a pomegranate sauce. An array of desserts are offered as the last course. This multi-course dinner is $75. Each individual course is also available à la carte for $18 for the appetizer, $23 for the pasta and $33 for the main course.  Adoteca’s regular à la carte dinner menu will also be available. 11712 San Vicente Blvd. (310)826-9222.

Upper West

Tonight at 7 p.m., enjoy a five-course delicatessen dinner paired with Graham Woods Hudson Distillery whiskey. Start with yellow curry matzo balls with Hudson’s Baby Bourbon, a truffled potato knish with a Manhattan Rye, smoked salmon with four-grain bourbon, corned beef and cabbage with single malt whiskey and sour cream cheesecake with New York corn whiskey. This special dinner is $60 per person. 3321 Pico Blvd. (310)586-1111.

Veggie Roll at Kabuki

Vegetarian diners are enjoying the plant-based and gluten-free dishes at Kabuki’s such as the veggie rainbow roll (made with thinly vegetables instead of fish), spicy tofu on crispy rice, tofu steak, and veggie ramen. Corporate Executive Chef Masa Kurihara, created these dishes to add to enhance the vegetarian option on the menu: vegetable rolls, edamame, tempura vegetables and miso soup. Master Sake Sommelier, Yuji Matsumoto – one of two Master Sake Sommeliers in the U.S., recognized by the Sake Service Institute of Japan offers sake and food combinations. 1545 N. Vine St.
 (323)464-6003.

Scottish Fare with a Twist

Tam O’Shanter, a member of the Lawry’s family of restaurants and one of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles, is creating a new take on the Scottish delicacy, Haggis. Executive Chef Mark Kalenderian, will feature a delicious mixture of ground beef and beef liver with flavorful fresh herbs, onions, and a delicate, flaky homemade piecrust that’s baked to perfection. It is served with frisée salad and spicy mustard and will be made in limited quantities on the Tam’s daily menu. 2980 Los Feliz Blvd. (323)664-0228

Café Rockenwagner

Hans Rockenwagner has crafted a menu offering the “best in breakfast and lunch dishes,” showcasing international flavors. The menu includes a “Cobb” Benedict with organic poached eggs, heirloom tomatoes, avocado, black forest ham and blue cheese Hollandaise. There is also corned beef hash and a Cubano sandwich made with pork belly on a soft roll. Other savory and sweet plates are the avocado crostini, grilled Weisswurst, brioche French toast custard, a pretzel burger and steak salad. Craft beer, wine and cocktails will be available for both. Brunch hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1168 S. Barrington Ave. (310)478-6313.

Ciboteca

Formed by Piccolo Group’s Chef Bobo Ivan and Restaurateur Vittorio Viotti, a new fast-casual gourmet marketplace opened on Thursday, March 27 in Santa Monica. The menu boasts paninisto insalates, seasonal sides and take-away creations. Save room for the whimsical pastries with a European style coffee from Caffe Luxxe. The retail collection sells housemade and imported goods. 606 S. Broadway (310)458-3366

W Los Angeles – Westwood

Launching a new Thursday Night program “Turn Down Service Thursdays” in the hotel’s Whiskey Blue lounge from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. every Thursday with live DJ beats by DJ William Reed of Pleasure Principal and Los Angeles Deejay Company. The lounge is turned into a disco with house music and craft cocktails. Executive Chef, Dakota Weiss, is rolling out new menus for NINETHIRTY and The Backyard this spring. Come to a Cabana Brunch every Saturday and Sunday until Memorial Day. Guests who book the brunch can choose from a choice of entrees off the new brunch menu and one or two bottles of Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label, depending on the size of the group. Reservations are required (310)443-8218.

Spring and Summer Escape

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club is offering $35 per person Sunday Jazz Brunch from noon to 4 p.m. featuring Grammy Winner saxophonist Tom Scott, pianist virtuoso Roger Kellaway, with Clayton Cameron. Nearby at Milano’s Italian Restaurant bluegrass musicians from Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara play on the new sun deck during Happy Hour daily from 3 to 7 pm. Stay overnight this summer at the Ventura Harbor Village’s Four Points by Sheraton starting at $119 per night, Sunday-Thursday from June 1 through August 28, 2014. Be sure to mention package code 4239. The free Ventura Downtown-Harbor Trolley runs Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (805)658-1212 x1290.