Mr. C Beverly Hills

Mr. C Beverly Hills is launching an extravagant five-course dinner series on Thursday, May 21 from 7 to 9 p.m., featuring award-winning Antinori wines paired with dishes by executive chef Giuseppe Manco. Antinori’s Alessia Botturi will provide information on the winery’s history and offer giveaways such as bottles of wine, truffle shavers and a gift certificate for two for a tour and tasting at Antica, Antinori’s winery in Napa Valley. Botturi will also pour signature wines such as Roero Arneis 2012 and Barolo Bussia 2007 to pair with braised short ribs with soft polenta and caramelized shallots. The dinner is $97 per person. 1224 Beverwil Dr. (310)226-6245.

Harvey Milk Day at The Abbey

The Abbey is celebrating Harvey Milk Day on Friday, May 22 at 4 p.m. with $5 Harvey Milk shots and Religious Freedom cupcakes. Guests can also kick off Memorial Day weekend with $8 Absolute mules and $150 bottles of Moet Ice. DJs will provide music all weekend. On Sunday and Monday, May 24 and 25, the fun starts at 1 p.m. 692 N. Robertson Blvd. (310)289-8410.

Katana’s Red Sun BBQ

Katana’s annual Red Sun BBQ will be held on Sundays from May 24 through Sept. 6. The summer series features a three-course menu for $45 that includes yakiniku tableside grilling over charcoal. Diners can add supplemental items, such as Hokkaido scallops for $5 per piece and New Zealand lamb chops for $7, as well as Japanese wagyu beef. Guests can also enjoy signature cocktails and musical selections by rotating guest DJs such as DJ Richie Rich, DJ Crash, DJ Ameri, and DJ Francesca. Katana’s regular menu will be served in addition to the Red Sun BBQ offerings. 8439 W. Sunset Blvd. (323)650-8585.

Downtown Johnny’s

Downtown Johnny’s is observing Memorial Day on Monday, May 25 with happy hours running from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight, and discounts on specialty cocktails, wine, beer and snack plates. Bar manager Daniel Ponsky will serve cocktails and pints of beer from a list of 20 drafts and more than 40 bottled brews. Guests can enjoy a Downtown Swing, a refreshing recipe of gin, mixed berries, basil, lime, rhubarb and a splash of simple syrup. The beverages can be paired with executive chef Marc Johnson’s fried chicken and shareable mussels steeped in lemongrass, ginger, cilantro and coconut milk. The beers go well with Downtown Johnny’s big pretzels, made in-house and served with maple mustard. Guests can also enjoy sports on six flat screen televisions. Downtown Johnny’s will be open for Memorial Day from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. 14649 Ventura Blvd. (818)205-1616.

FIN

Diners can rejuvenate with Fin’s happy hour specials from 5 to 7 p.m., and late night happy hour from 10 to 11 p.m. FIN serves hot and cold sake, as well as icy Sapporo bottled beers for $4, and house wines and well drinks for $6 each. Managing partner and beverage director Kenneth Whang also makes a spa-water inspired elixir of Rock sake, vodka, lime juice, muddled cucumber and shiso leaf. A menu of 11 small plates is also available, including baked crab hand rolls and three tiger prawn tacos. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m., with happy hours from 5 to 7 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m. 12223 W. Washington Blvd. (310)398-8611.

Magnolia House

Magnolia House in Pasadena encourages diners to drop the grilling tools and ditch the backyard barbecue for “neighborhood hour” from 4 to 6:30 p.m., with delicious discounted dishes from executive chef Kyu Yi. Guests can enjoy margherita flatbreads, chilled marinated shrimp and Gus’ fried chicken sandwiches paired with $5 draft beers, $6 red and white wines and Magnolia’s house sangria. Magnolia House is open on Memorial Day from 4 p.m. to midnight; “neighborhood hour” is from to 6:30 p.m. 492 S. Lake Ave. (626)584-1126.

Rascal

Happy hour on Memorial Day is an all-night affair at Rascal, which is offering $6 food and drink specials. Chef Andy Lee’s signature burger is topped with beer-deglazed caramelized onions, sharp cheddar, wild rocket arugula, vine ripened tomato, herb remoulade and field greens. He also makes veggie burgers with a crispy corn polenta patty. Plentiful pints of pilsner are the perfect pairing, and Rascal’s red sangria is a housemade favorite. Diners can also enjoy Moscow mule cocktails crafted with Gruven vodka, lime juice and Reed’s ginger beer, and indulge with shaken margaritas. Rascal will be open on Memorial Day from 5 to 11 p.m. 801 S. La Brea Ave. (323)933-3229.

Tipple & Brine

Tipple & Brine is serving $1 oysters all night on Memorial Day, and diners can sample a trio of oyster shooters for $7. Executive chef Marc Johnson will also serve seafood specials including mussels and fries with white ale, fennel and crème fraiche. His risotto fritters are served with spicy pancetta tomato sauce and parmesan, which can be paired with cocktails from bar manager A.J. Korchak. The classic copper-mug Moscow mule is a favorite at Tipple & Brine, which is open on Memorial Day from 4:30 to 11 p.m., with the bar remaining open until 1 a.m. 14633 Ventura Blvd. (818)528-2550.

Venice Whaler

Executive chef Nick Liberato of Venice Whaler is serving a trio of gourmet burgers. The succulent Whaler burger is topped with cheddar and slaw on toasted sourdough bread or a soft brioche bun. Diners can also double down with the Dogtown burger, a double cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and special sauce; and enjoy a Venice burger with caramelized onions, arugula and blue cheese. Avocado, bacon, cheese and a fried egg can be added to any burger for $2 each. The burgers can also be paired with a side of fried pickles. Bar director Anthony Settecase makes ice cold cocktails such as “snowgronis”, a grown-up version of the icy treat crafted with Bulldog gin, Campari, Antica Carpano and shaved ice. The Venice Whaler takeaway window provides gourmet grub such as baskets of Belgium beer battered fish and chips and grilled sourdough bowls of homemade clam and corn chowder soup with bacon. Ice-cold old-fashioned bottled sodas are also available such as Orange Fanta, Mexican Coca-Cola and Henry Weinhard root beer. Venice Whaler is open on Memorial Day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. 10 W. Washington Blvd. (310)821-8737.

Palm Springs Desert Resorts Restaurant Week

The “Eat. Stay. Play.” culinary event starts on Friday, May 29 and runs for 10 days in Palm Springs. Diners can indulge in three-course, prix fixe dinner menus priced at $26 or $38 per person at more than 90 participating restaurants. Guests can enjoy the Coachella Valley’s specialty rates, packages and deals at luxury desert hotels and spas, as well as discounted tickets to popular area attractions. To extend the spirit of the AMC hit show “Mad Men” one week after the series finale, select restaurants will offer Mad Men inspired cocktail programs toasting the “end of an era,” with refreshing, classic cocktails resonant of the desert’s heyday. For information, visit www.palmspringsrestaurantweek.com.