No Kid Hungry

Spend an evening feasting with friends and fighting childhood hunger tonight June 9 with chefs Michael Hung of Viviane and Alvin Cailan of Unit 120. The chefs will transform the mezzanine of Chinatown’s Far East Plaza into a DTLA party. Guests will experience an all-you-can-eat menu of Filipino-inspired dishes, beer and wine. Faith & Flower’s bartender Darwin Pornel will serve cocktails, and DJs will spin classic hip hop and modern disco. Tickets are $50 for 7 to 10 p.m.; $75 for an early 6 p.m. entrance and a chef’s meet and greet. The evening benefits No Kid Hungry, an organization working to end childhood hunger. 727 N. Broadway. www.universe.com/nokidhungryxunit120.

Celebrate LA Pride at Taste on Melrose

From Friday, June 10 through Monday, June 13, West Hollywood restaurants will serve Pride-themed cocktails and dishes. Taste on Melrose is offering a special rainbow cake created by executive pastry chef Katie Shyne. The layered rainbow cake symbolizes the Pride flag’s historic significance and has layers of vanilla chiffon cake with raspberry, matcha and yuzu fillings, as well as white chocolate and vanilla sprinkled ice cream bonbons. A portion of proceeds from the dessert sales benefit the Los Angeles LGBT Center. 8454 Melrose Ave., (323)852-6888.

Special LA Pride cocktail at Ivory

Enjoy an elevated view of Pride 2016 at “Top Chef” alum Brian Malarkey’s Ivory on Sunset, located at The Mondrian LA. During Pride weekend, the restaurant will offer an exclusive Oscar Wilde cocktail made with Bacardi, St. Germaine, raspberry syrup, lime juice and mint leaves. 8440 Sunset Blvd., (323)848-6000.

LA Pride weekend at La Bohéme

La Bohéme, located on Santa Monica Boulevard, offers a front row view of the LA Pride festivities on the outdoor patio. Enjoy special small bites and happy hour selections, including rainbow jello shots for $1 (only one per guest). Small bites for $4 include seared ahi tuna tacos, truffle risotto balls and sweet bourbon glaze pork belly sliders. Tiger shrimp ceviche and roasted beets with couscous and caraway vinaigrette are $8 each. 8400 Santa Monica Blvd., (323)848-2360.

Pride specials at Gracias Madre 

Head to Gracias Madre for LA Pride specialty cocktails by beverage director Jason Eisner and one-of-a-kind desserts from chef Chandra Gilbert. Cocktails include Pimp My Prides made with mezcal espadin, pineapple, muddled jalapeño, bitters and coconut foamed aqua faba. For dessert, enjoy Pride truffles made with a rainbow of fruit coulis including strawberry, mango, pineapple, kiwi, blueberry and raspberry layered between pecan shortbread. 8905 Melrose Ave., (323)978-2170.

Wildwood Ovens whole hog class

On June 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wildwood Ovens is holding a class at its Eagle Rock showroom with special guest butcher Jered Standing, who was head butcher at Belcampo Meet Co. and is currently the butchery instructor at the Institute of Domestic Technology. Guests will learn how to break down a whole hog using traditional butchery techniques, as well as tips for buying, selecting and cooking pork. During the evening, guests will feast on pork prepared by Wildwood Ovens owner and chef Michael Gerard using unique wood fire cooking methods, as well as side dishes and pizzas paired with wines. The class is $125 per person and the evening tasting party is $75; $150 per person for both events. 5020 Eagle Rock Blvd., (323)255-6578.

Fizzy drinks, tasty eats, summer beats

Every other Tuesday from June 14 to Aug. 23 at 5 p.m., Mr. C hotel is inviting guests and the public to enjoy the Venetian-inspired pool deck with an exclusive Italian spritzer menu featuring festive cocktails. Order Belvedere peach nectar spritzes along with signature Cipriani dishes. Fun activities such as corn hole, life-size Jenga, ping pong and classic board games are available. DJ Bobby French spins contemporary beats. Seating is first come, first served; reservations are available. 1224 Beverwil Drive, (310)277-2800.

Culver City’s ‘spiked’ lemonade tasting

Culver City’s downtown businesses are giving away “Third Wednesday Passports” on Wednesday, June 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. Visitors can have their passports stamped each time they sample “spiked” lemonade. Virgin options are available. Enjoy the cool jazz sounds of Neptune Cocktail on the way to the Kirk Douglas Theatre, where passports can be entered in a raffle with summer prizes. Culver City’s downtown also also offers a mix of historic buildings, boutiques, theaters, galleries and restaurants. The “Third Wednesday” series continues on July 20, when a summer “tini” tasting will be held, and on Aug. 17, when a spiked tropical punch tasting is offered. Admission is free. Culver City’s downtown is located between Culver and Washington Boulevards and Duquesne Avenue. Visit www.downtownculvercity.com.

National Lobster Day

On Wednesday, June 15, L.A. chefs are creating fantastic lobster dishes in celebration of National Lobster Day. At Roku off Sunset Boulevard, head teppan chef Mike Monzon takes teppanyaki to new heights by topping the highest quality Nova Scotia lobster tail with uni butter. Roku’s decadent lobster garlic noodles are also available. 9201 Sunset Blvd., (310)278-2060.

Lobster specials at BOA Steakhouse

BOA Steakhouse’s two locations will pair lobster with classic side dishes on June 15. Executive chef Jose Melendez elevates mashed potatoes and mac and cheese with lobster. 9200 Sunset Blvd., (310)278-2050; 101 Santa Monica Blvd., (310)899-4466.

Celebrate Lobster Day with a roll

Visit Cape Seafood and Provisions, chef Michael Cimarusti’s newest seafood shop and retail market. Live lobsters are kept in a tank so they stay fresh. A mainstay of the grab-and-go selections are the legendary lobster rolls made with mayonnaise, chives and celery on a housemade roll. 801 N. Fairfax Ave., (323)556-2525.

Lobster at Connie and Ted’s

Celebrating its third anniversary in June, Connie and Ted’s chefs are preparing inventive lobster dishes in addition to their signature lobster roll. As part of the restaurant’s newly launched “Something Special Every Day” menu, baked stuffed lobster is offered as a daily special on Mondays. During weekend brunch, the chefs put a spin on classic southern “biscuits and gravy” by adding Maine lobster, sunny side up eggs, housemade buttermilk biscuits and lobster gravy. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., (323)848-2722.

Lakeside Lounge

Every Wednesday through July 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., the Lakeside Lounge at Descanso Gardens invites visitors to relax with cold beer, music by The Flashdance DJ and picnic fare by Patina Group Catering. Guests can wander through the rose garden and oak woodland as the sun sets. Each week, a changing menu of craft beers is offered with gourmet hot dogs and other fun fare. Admission is free with purchase of a Descanso Gardens ticket. 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, (818)949-4200.

Summer fun at Boxwood on the Roof

Enjoy a social dining experience with friends and family and sweeping views of Los Angeles at Boxwood on the Roof. The restaurant is offering innovative mixology and a vibrant seasonal menu. Dine al fresco, as chef Anthony Keene’s menu reflects a laid back summer theme with dishes including king salmon nicoise, charcoal grilled skirt steak, tagliatelle pasta with short rib, dungeness crab toast and sticky lamb ribs with tikka masala. A new robata option features freshly grilled meats and fish including miso bass, salmon pesto, wagyu beef and vegetarian Japanese eggplant. Chef Keene’s imaginative Sunday brunch includes the Boxwood staple avocado toast and mezze plate, and will also introduce diners to granola French toast a la peach melba with vanilla bean ice cream, and huevos ranchero jars with layers of Spanish chorizo and avocado. Cocktails include elderflower mimosas and watermelon bellinis available by the glass or pitcher. Poolside cabana rentals are also available for a $300 rental fee and $500 food and beverage minimum. On Tuesdays, enjoy rosé specials all day. Use #roseallday @thelondonweho on Facebook and Instagram to receive a complimentary glass of rosé. 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, (310)358-7788.

New summer Umami burgers

Inspired by Campari’s Negroni Week, The Umami Negroni BBQ Burger is available through Sunday, July 31. It is part of the James Beard Foundation Blended Burger Project encouraging chefs to create healthier, more sustainable and flavorful burgers, and to introduce diners to the many benefits of beef and mushroom blended hamburger patties. Negroni Week is hosted annually by Campari to celebrate one of the world’s great cocktails. To celebrate the Umami Negroni, the BBQ Burger features a special patty made with half Umami Burger’s signature beef blend and half wild mushrooms. It’s topped with kale, apple and bacon slaw, smoked gouda and Campari barbecue sauce. The Negroni BBQ Burger is available at all participating Umami Burger locations for $14. During Negroni Week through June 12, a portion of proceeds from sales of the Negroni BBQ Burger will benefit The James Beard Foundation. Another new burger on the menu is the Manly Chick burger inspired by Umami Burger’s Manly Burger. The Manly Chick features a chicken breast patty, house beer-cheddar cheese, bacon lardons, smoked-salt onion strings, Umami ketchup and mustard spread. 738 E. Third St., (323)263-8626; 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., (323)469-3100; 189 The Grove Drive, Ste. C-10, (323)954-8626.