Santa Monica Grand Tasting

Evian, BADOIT, Whole Foods Market Santa Monica and The St. Regis Monarch Beach present The Santa Monica Grand Tasting on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Santa Monica Pier. Chef Susan Feniger, of Border Grill, will lead the festivities featuring approximately 100 top chefs and restaurateurs from Los Angeles including Phillip Frankland Lee, of Scratch Bar; Raj Dixit, of Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern; Adam Fleischman, of Tacoteca; David Hands, of Bouchon; Kimmy Tang, of 9021pho; Matt Dhillon, with Fattoria del Vicario;  and many more. The festival highlights and celebrates the diverse culinary offerings in Los Angeles. Free rides will be offered by Uber.com to event participants. General admission tickets are $100; $150 for VIP tickets. The event supports the Chill Foundation. 200 Santa Monica Pier. http://santamonicagrandtasting.com.

Malibu Movie Night

The Malibu Country Mart presents the return of a favorite tradition — its free annual summer movie series. Throughout June and July, the Mart invites audiences of all ages to enjoy screenings of family-friendly movies on the lawn. “The Karate Kid” will be shown on Saturday, June 13 at 7:45 p.m., followed by “E.T.” on Saturday, June 27 and “Ghostbusters” on Saturday, July 11. Families, shoppers and movie fans are encouraged to bring blankets and picnic baskets. Audience members can also order food from Taverna Tony’s, Mr. Chow-Malibu and Tra di Noi. 3835 Cross Creek Road. (310)826-5636 ext. 222.

Beer Festival with a Surf Twist

The Trek Bikes of Ventura Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, June 13 at Ventura Harbor Village. More than 45 top craft breweries will be featured at the event, as well as the bands Rising Son, After the Smoke and DJ Hecktik. VIP tickets, priced at $65 per person, allow guests entry at 11:30 a.m. and an opportunity to sample specialized beers not available to general admission ticket holders. General admission tickets are $50 and allow guests entry at 12:30 p.m. All guests will receive a complimentary souvenir logo glass and samples from more than 45 breweries. Designated driver tickets are $20. Free trolley service from the nearby Amtrak station is available. 1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura. www.surfbeerfest.com.

Cooking Classes

Beverly Hills-based chef Elana Horwich, an expert on simple cooking and easy entertaining, teaches students how to make interactive dishes in her upcoming cooking classes. A non-pasta class will be held on Monday, June 15, followed by a Thai paradise class on Monday, June 22, and a pool party food class on Monday, June 29. The classes are held from 6 to 9 p.m., and are open to cooks of all levels. Students prep, chop and stir, and are taught how to make five to six items, from appetizers to desserts. Participants also eat as they cook, and leave with many new recipes. The classes, which are held in a private home near Sunset Boulevard and Doheny Drive in Beverly Hills, are $100 per course. For information and scheduled, call (310)228-7565, or visit http://mealandaspiel.com/class-type/all.

National Lobster Day

On Monday, June 15, the “Maine” culinary attraction in Los Angeles will be lobster. At West Hollywood’s Barton G. L.A., the chefs are re-imagining classic comfort foods such as tater tots and Pop-Tarts by combining them with upscale ingredients in a creative presentation. The restaurant’s lobster Pop-Tarts are made with Maine lobster, gruyere and Pernod mornay sauce baked in flakey phyllo pastry with a sprinkling of Tabasco hollandaise and tarragon aioli. The lobster trap truffle mac and cheese is made with a one-pound Maine lobster and pasta spirals in black truffle three-cheese lobster sauce. The whimsical lobster tater tots are made with lobster with cheese, chives and potatoes that are fried into croquettes. Other dishes include lobster apicius made with a one pound Maine lobster, garlic seared shrimp and roasted and grilled market vegetables served with lobster butter. 861 N. La Cienega Blvd. (310)388-1888.

Lobster in Manhattan Beach

The Vietnamese restaurant Little Sister is serving its signature salt and pepper lobster with butter fried shallots, fried chilies and garlic. Guests can also enjoy lobster fried rice made with lobster, lobster roe, lap cheong (Chinese chicken and pork sausage) and sweet shrimp with jasmine rice. 1131 Manhattan Ave. (310)545-2096.

Lobster at BOA Steakhouse

In addition to serving modern-day steakhouse fare, the IDG hot spot BOA Steakhouse uses lobster to elevate nostalgic side dishes such as lobster mac and cheese and lobster mashed potatoes. For the devoted lobster purist, the restaurant also offers its Nova Scotia lobster tail entrée. 9200 W. Sunset Blvd. (310)278-2050.

Innovative Katana

Diners can celebrate National Lobster Day at Katana in West Hollywood. The Robata-Yaki concept restaurant incorporates Asian influences and flavors with lobster in dishes such as lobster tempura, lobster medallions and baked lobster sushi roll with avocado, asparagus and soy paper. 8439 W. Sunset Blvd. (323)650-8585.

Detour Bistro Bar

Guests can enjoy a new happy hour with new menu items and extended hours on Mondays from 3 to 11p.m. at the Detour Bistro Bar. Diners can celebrate with shrimp tacos, open face BBP toast (burrata, bruschetta and prosciutto), watermelon salads and Philly steak flatbreads priced at $5 to $10. For the ultimate happy hour experience, cocktails are specially priced at $8, including honey Old Fashioneds and Summer Splashes. The bar also offers 22 beers priced from $4 to $6.50, and six wines priced from $6 and $8. The happy hour menu changes weekly and incorporates the freshest ingredients. 12473 W. Washington Blvd. (424)289-8191.

Barrel Down is Now Open

Barrel Down, an American beer hall located downtown, offers 40 American craft handles, nitro taps, killer cocktails, wines and extraordinary bar cuisine. The new communal watering hole serves market-driven cuisine created by chef Derrick de Jesus, formerly of Alma, Allumette and Union. His menu includes sandwiches and salads and shared plates. Diners can enjoy crispy cauliflower popcorn with ginger aioli and chili lime vinaigrette, and the K-town wings with heat from Jesus’ five-chile sauce. The Barrel Down burger is made with dry-aged sirloin and smoked white cheddar, zucchini pickles, caramelized onion and red leaf lettuce. Desserts include apple pie and Bourbon Street bread pudding with chocolate, banana, brown sugar pecans and bourbon. The rotating beer list offers craft beers such as Almanac Beer Company’s Delores Farmhouse Ale, Bell’s Brewing Amber Red Ale and Left Hand Brewing’s Milk Stout. Barrel Down is open daily at 4 p.m. Lunch service coming soon. 525 W. Seventh St. (213)232-8657.