Fourth of July Cruises from Ventura Harbor

Enjoy fireworks from sea while cruising the coast. Boats depart from Ventura Harbor at 6:50 p.m., 7:10 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., sailing to Oxnard Harbor for viewing of fireworks at 9 p.m. The boat returns to Ventura Harbor by 10 p.m. The snack bar will be selling food and beverages. The cruise fare is $36 for adults, $33 for seniors 55+ and $25 for kids 12 and under. Enjoy the shops and restaurants at Ventura Harbor Village before or after your cruise. 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105B (805)642-1393.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar’s Independence Day

Throw a fried chicken party this Fourth of July catered by Plan Check Kitchen + Bar. From 11a.m. to 5 p.m., Executive Chef Ernesto Uchimura is frying up batches of Plan Check’s buttermilk brined Jidori chicken for an exclusive fried chicken pack starting at $55. The packs of 12 to 24 pieces come with street corn and potato salad. Orders can be made in advance. Fourth of July sit-down service at Plan Check includes an All-American burger and smoky fried chicken with smoked milk gravy, yam preserves and spicy pickled okra. On July 6, Plan Check will celebrate National Fried Chicken Day at all locations, serving a Southern fry sandwich, the smoky fried chicken plate, and a spicy fried chicken sandwich with habanero cheese, spicy mayo and Sriracha pickles. 351 N. Fairfax Ave. (323)591-0094, 1111 Wilshire Blvd. Ste.103 (213)403-1616 and 1800 Sawtelle Blvd.(310)444-1411.

“Red, White & Beef” 4th of July Parking Lot Party

Chianina Steakhouse hosts a parking lot party in celebration of Independence Day complete with a variety of food, cocktails and live entertainment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. An energetic DJ will provide the soundtrack throughout the celebration and the venue will be decked out in red, white and blue décor. Patriotic appetizers, Chianina hamburgers and cheeseburgers will be served, along with garlic and spicy Italian sausages, potato salad, Hebrew National hot dogs, and canned beers and soft drinks. An assortment of cocktails, draft beer and wine will be available for purchase throughout the day.  5716 E. 2nd. St. (562)434-2333.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® annual Support At Home

Now through Sunday, July 5, commemorate military members, veterans, and their families both in stores and online. For every 12 oz. Support at Home ground coffee for $9.99 or 20-count Support at Home tea tin for $8.99, a contribution of $1 will be donated to Operation Homefront — a national nonprofit that provides financial assistance to military members and wounded warriors. Customers may also purchase Support at Home retail coffee and tea products for donation to military families throughout the U.S. Customers are encouraged to write a message of thanks on the blank label of each coffee bag and tea tin, as a way of personalizing their donations. 8789 W. Sunset Blvd. (310)659-1890, 735 Santa Monica Blvd.(310)659-8207 and 6333 W. 3rd St. (323)857-0461.

National Fried Chicken Day at Major Dave’s

On Monday July 6, family-owned Major Dave’s is giving away free drumsticks all day to fried chicken lovers. The quality chicken is ethically raised without added hormones, antibiotics, or GMO feeds, and never frozen. Owner Dave Caldwell created the chicken based on his Dad’s recipe. It’s a perfect blend of salty and juicy to pair with made-from-scratch side dishes that include Bourbon baked beans, roasted corn, whipped garlic cauliflower, mac n’ cheese and a roasted corn salad with tomatoes and feta. Get your free drumstick from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 163 N. Hill Ave. Pasadena (626)460-8730.

Taco Tuesday at Hyde Sunset Kitchen + Cocktails

Executive Chef Chris Crary, a “Top Chef” television show alum, marries sophisticated atmosphere with approachable California fare on Taco Tuesdays at Hyde Sunset. Taco Tuesday offers Italian, Asian and Spanish influenced tacos for $3. The both traditional and unique tacos include the chicken Tinga taco, a grilled beef carne asada taco, and an octopus taco with kimchi, miso, radish and mizuna. Tuesdays at Hyde Sunset also offer $3 house beers. 8117 W. Sunset Blvd.(323)940-1650.

EP, West Hollywood

EP, a newly opened multi-level modern Asian eatery, is serving Lou Dogg’s crispy skin chicken in honor of National Fried Chicken Day. Executive Chef Louis Tikaram uses Mary’s chicken seasoned with black vinegar, chili, and lemon for his fried chicken recipe. Open nightly from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd. (310)855-9955.

BOA Steakhouse Thursday’s Fried Chicken

Both the West Hollywood and Santa Monica locations serve Executive Chef Jose Melendez’s special fried chicken. The meal includes three pieces of white and dark meat fried chicken with coleslaw and potato salad. The steakhouse’s recently revamped lunch menu features daily specials. 9200 W. Sunset Blvd. (310)278-2050 and 101 Santa Monica Blvd. (310)899-4466.

Hakkasan Beverly Hills

For the month of July, the restaurant will offer a prix fixe menu for $45 per person in the  bar and lounge. Some of the unique menu items include crispy aubergine and shitake salad; stir-fry baby broccoli and preserved olive with crispy seaweed and pine nut; and Jasmine tea smoked pork ribs. To celebrate the launch of sister property – Ling Ling, come sip a Ling Ling Collins, a new signature cocktail. 233 N. Beverly Drive (310)888-8661.

National Ice Cream Month

Artisanal ice cream shop Sweet Rose Creamery celebrates national ice cream month with executive chef and co-owner Shiho Yoshikawa churning up flavors that celebrate the true essence of summer like fig jam swirl with salty crumble, lemon chamomile, stone fruit, melon, and candied lime sorbets. The creamery also offers dairy-free Horchata with house-made rice milk. Ice cream can be purchased as scoops starting at $4 or pints to go for $9.50. For something more decadent, sweet corn ice cream will make its annual return. It’s available by the scoop or as an ice cream sandwich with house-made vanilla cookies for $4.50. 7565 Beverly Blvd. (310)260-2663, 225 26th St. Ste. 51(310)260-2663 and 826 Pico Blvd.(310)260-2663.

Mastro’s Summer Seafood Tower

Enjoy summer’s freshest shellfish at Mastro’s. Seafood towers include freshly shucked oysters, chilled Alaska King crab legs, a whole split lobster, Dungeness crab, and giant shrimp cocktail with an array of delicious sauces and freshly shaved horseradish root on the side. These towers can be customized to each guest’s preference, and are presented with a dramatic icy cloud from the dry ice bed the seafood is arranged on. Add an icy martini with an extra swirl of dry ice cloud to cool off on a hot summer day. 246 N. Canon Drive (310)888-8782.

New Restaurant Chavela Opens in Hollywood

Jorge, Walter and Eduardo Rodriguez, owners of Los Balcones Peruvian restaurant in Hollywood, have announced the opening of their much-anticipated restaurant Chavela, located next door. The restaurant features a plant-based menu by executive chef Rachel Carr, formerly of Cru Restaurant and SunCafe in Los Angeles. Carr creates vegan dishes inspired by the flavors of Latin America with ingredients sourced locally and organically. The menu pairs perfectly with the four seasonal Chavelas offered – traditional Peruvian-style sangrias. Open Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11p.m., and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. 1358 Vine St. (323)871-8099.

Saturday Night at Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime Beverly Hills has added live music for their summer al fresco dining on the terrace.

Every Saturday night from 7 to 11 p.m., restaurant and bar guests can hear the acoustic sounds of Nick Boddington and James McNeiece. Both artists hail from popular televised singing competitions – Nick was on FOX’s “American Idol” in 2013 and James competed on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2015. 9595 Wilshire Blvd. (310)859-4818.

Stir Market’s Kid’s Menu

Executive Chef Stacy Rampton & Food Network personality and Chef/Partner Jet Tila prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch for pint-size patrons. Available all day, the neighborhood market hall offers families within the community a variety of options for children, ranging from classic kid favorites to dishes for gourmet diners alike. They serve Meyer Lemon pancakes Jr., Stir Market yummy bowl with chicken, and cheesy flatbread with burrata and Parmesan. Conveniently located just across the street from Pan Pacific Park, parents can also explore their artisanal marketplace for packaged snacks and drinks to feed little league and soccer teams on game day. The children’s menu also features a variety of specialty drinks that include coconut water, organic milk, and house-made lemonade. 7475 Beverly Blvd. (323)879-8283.