Plan Check Kitchen + Bar Burgers

Executive Chef Ernesto Uchimura is known for creating edible leathers to go with his burgers. The leathers are dehydrated squares of ketchup and sriracha, like jerky yet a little softer. His leathers incorporate intriguing Asian accents to American classics that zip up any burger. Other housemade condiments include apricot and peach ketchup. Pair this with the sweet potato fries or top it on a burger by request. His soy truffle baste is perfect with the truffle mushroom Swiss burger. For a real gourmet treat, try the chlorophyll mayo the Shillelagh burger, a Wagyu beef patty with pastrami bits and green Gruyere cheese. 351 N. Fairfax Ave. (310)288-6500.

Sunny Spot Sliders

Monday is slider night at Sunny Spot in Venice, available from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Choose from a selection of sliders including a tempura shrimp slider or pork belly slider. Mix one with a calamari slider or the Cuban Nugg slider on a brioche bun.  Weekend brunch is now 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 822 Washington Blvd. (310)448-8884.

National Burger Month

At The Counter Custom Built Burger, it doesn’t matter whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, paleo, low-carb, or simply on the “non-existing” diet, it is the destination for palates of all choices this month. The growing burger joint, which has over 35 locations, offers customizable choices for all tastes, from the protein and bun to toppings and sauces. 5779 Wilshire Blvd. (323)932-8900 and 7919 Sunset Blvd. (323)436-3844.

American Craft Beer Week

ACME Bar Group salutes craft beer with Happy Hour Roulette at three bars downtown now through May 18: Spring St. Bar, Sixth St. Tavern and Library Bar. Spring St. Bar offers a different craft beer featured on happy hour for $4 from 3 to 8 p.m. Tonight try the Craftsman Bay Laurel Sour; on May 16 sip a Stone Smoked Porter with Chipotle Peppers. Saturday they are serving Noble Ale Works Man’s Milk and Sunday is the Bruery Trade Winds Tripel. 626-B S. Spring St. (213)622-5859.

Library Bar

During Craft Beer week, Happy Hour is from 5 to 8 p.m. nightly with beer specials. Tonight try a Taps Irish Red Ale for $4. Tomorrow they will be serving Angel City IPA. Saturday is Saint Archer Blonde Ale and Sunday is delicious Bootlegger’s Golden Chaos Golden Ale. 630 W. 6th St. #116A, (213)614-0053.

Sixth St. Tavern

Happy Hour is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 3 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Selected beers for the evening are only $4. Tonight drink a Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Tomorrow night is a Stone Levitation Ale. Saturday sip a Angel City IPA and finish the week on Sunday with a Craftsman Heavenly Hefeweizen. 630 W. 6th St. (213)614-1900.

Annual Crawfish Boil

Dominick’s is having their New Orleans style crawfish boil on Saturday, May 17 and Saturday, May 24 from noon to 4 p.m. Executive Chef Brandon Boudet’s fifth annual crawfish boil encourages guests can order crawfish by the pound. Enjoy the grilled alligator meatballs with caramelized onions and creole mustard. He is also serving roast beef and soft shell crab Po’boys. Try a Hurricane or Pecan Bourbon Old Fashion cocktail. Shots of New Orleans Cajun spiced rum will be available. The regular menu is also available. Finish with a Creole cream cheese ice cream sundae with oven roasted strawberries or Sno Balls with a choice of housemade syrups. 8715 Beverly Blvd. (310)652-2335

Pretzel Happy Hour

Hans Rockenwagner is often referred to as the “Pretzel King”. Rockenwagner has been perfecting the pretzel since 1984 and is now introducing Angelenos to the first ever Pretzel Hour, exclusively at Café Rockenwagner in Brentwood. Café Rockenwagner will be serving up the classic pretzel burger with Gruyere, caramelized onions, lettuce, and tomato. They have also created a pretzel pizza, pretzel dog and pretzel grilled cheese, all for only $5. Pretzel Hour will also feature beer and wine specials and will be offered weekly Tuesday through Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m. 1168 S. Barrington Ave. (310) 478-6313. www.rockenwagner.com.

Dine & Ride at Yamashiro

In partnership with the Hollywood Bowl 2014 season, Yamashiro is providing a three-course prix-fixe menu, valet parking, and shuttle service for an inclusive price of $68 per person. The Yamashiro Dine & Ride menu features an edamame sampler, the popular jidori chicken breast and ice cream cookie sandwich. For $48 per person, guests may enjoy an appetizer and cocktail experience at the outdoor Pagoda Bar, located on the grounds of Yamashiro Hollywood. This year’s schedule includes shows such as Journey and Steve Miller Band on Friday, May 16, Billy Joel on Saturday, May 17, Thursday, May 22, and Tuesday May 27. Also, Bruno Mars and Pharrell Williams on Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1; One Republic Thursday, June 5, and James Taylor on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8. Visit http://www.dineandride.com. 1999 N Sycamore Ave. (323)466-5125.

The Grill at Hollywood & Highland

Ready-to-go picnic bags are available for the Hollywood Bowl, beach or a picnic in the park. Guests who pre-order picnic bags for pick-up at The Grill Hollywood will receive free parking (valued at $13). It comes in a reusable insulated tote bag with a starter, entrée and dessert made-to-order – for two to four people to share. It comes with their signature sourdough bread and butter, mixed nuts, table cloth, cutlery, wine opener and 30th anniversary plastic commemorative wine glasses. Price starts at $32.95 per bag depending on the picnic menu. 6801 Hollywood Blvd #407 (323)856-5530.

Patina Group at Hollywood Bowl

Not only can you purchase Box Seat service “Dining for Two” menus, but there is also a full service alfresco steakhouse, gourmet picnic baskets, a sushi bar, family-style platters and international street food at the Hollywood Bowl during the summer. The Wine Bar features curated wine, craft beer, shochu cocktails, and small bites in addition to large plates. New to the Wine Bar is an updated cocktail list by Patina Group Lead West Coast Mixologist Paul Sanguinetti, including specialty shochu cocktails on tap and a curated sherry bar featuring four varietals for pre-concert sipping. For box-seat ticketholders, the new “Dining for Two” menu makes for a perfect casual yet gourmet culinary date. The Market Café provides freshly prepared rotisserie chicken, artisan cheeses and a wide selection of wine to add the finishing touches to any basket. For those interested in stress-free dining, pre-made picnic baskets are available through online ordering or at a discounted price when purchased with an individual ticket through the Los Angeles Philharmonic website. Located on the west side of the Bowl, Market Place West offers authentic sushi at Nishi Sushi Bar, serving made to order specialty rolls and sushi platters. Guests can order at www.patinagroup.com/bowl 2301 N. Highland Ave. (323)850-2000.

Kabuki Restaurants

A sake tour arrives on May 15 at the Hollywood location. Led by Master Sake Sommelier Yuji Matsumoto, one of only two Master Sake Sommeliers recognized by the Sake Service Institute of Japan currently in North America, guests will have the opportunity to try seasonal selections, including exclusive tastings of new sakes from the 2014 Kabuki menu. Learn about sake pairings and tasting tips. In addition to sake tastings, patrons will have the opportunity to try “Ginza No Suzume” Premium Shochu and “Kawaba,” a unique craft beer and soon-to-be new addition to the Kabuki menu.  Yuji also pairs sushi, rolls and appetizers with each drink tasting for the ultimate Kabuki experience. This special event is $15.95 per person. 1545 N. Vine St. (323)464-6003.

littlefork

Enjoy a demitasse menu where guests can customize their menu with three dishes and a drink for $26 per person from 5 to 7 p.m. Dish options include smoked meats poutine with curds and gravy, beet chopped salad, kale salad, Brussels sprouts panzanella, chowder with clams, bacon, oyster cracker, chicken liver mousse and beef brisket with three mustards. Finish with chocolate pot de creme almond tuille with maple cream or maple pie with Chantilly cream and candied orange. You have to save room for the apple cider donuts with apple butter and salted caramel. Guests may choose between the house red and white wine, Canadian Molson or a 1 oz. Bourbon pour for this special menu. 1600 Wilcox Ave. (323)465-3675.

Food and Craft Beer Pairing Event

The Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce is launching the first annual Bite at the Beach food and beer-pairing event by Stella Artois on May 17 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the MBS Media Campus in Manhattan Beach. Some of the restaurants involved are MB Post, Fishing with Dynamite, Darren’s Restaurant and Paul Martin’s American Grill. Local breweries include Ballast Point, Firestone Walker, Sierra Nevada and Strand Brewing Co. 
A panel of top-notch chefs and experts will discuss food and beer. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation whose mission is to protect the world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. 1600 Rosecrans Ave, (310)545-5313.

Soleto Trattoria and Pizza Bar

The new menu highlights mussels cooked with Peroni beer; pan roasted Brussels sprouts with DaBecca bacon and a sunnyside egg and mustard vinaigrette. The new burger is made with half-beef and half-Italian sausage. The new bacon mac & cheese has smoked mozzarella, brocolini, sundried tomatoes and baby spinach. Try the Il Gigantesco with an impressive 28-inch “Big Z” pie. It must be ordered at least 12 hours in advance and serves either 16 or 32 slices. 801 S. Figueroa St. (213)622-3255.