Jazz Nights at Whisper Restaurant & Lounge

Straight from The Carlyle in New York, the Loston Harris Trio performs tonight, Sept. 14, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Whisper Restaurant & Lounge at The Grove. Starting on Wednesday, Sept. 20, the “Hollywood Jazz Nights” entertainment series features screenings of classic Hollywood movies complemented by jazz inspired by the films. The series will be held on five Wednesday evenings. Food specials start at 4 p.m. and include the new Whisper Classic Burger with butter lettuce, heirloom tomato, Irish cheddar, house pickles and brined peppercorn aioli for $6, and elote street corn with salsa blanca, gochujang mole and ricotta salata for $5. Enjoy drink specials and signature happy hour dishes before the movies start at 7 p.m. On Sept. 20, guests will enjoy listening to musicians who performed in the movie “La La Land.” On Sept. 27, the movie “Rebel Without a Cause” will be featured. 189 The Grove Drive, Ste. F-90B, (323)931-0202.

Church & State celebrates ‘9’

Restaurateur Yassmin Sarmadi and executive chef Tony Esnault are celebrating Church & State’s ninth anniversary by offering a special classic French dinner menu with 2008 pricing. Start with an onion tart or soupe à l’oignon before enjoying a toasted baguette with herbed goat cheese, lavender and honey, and salad Lyonnaise made with frisee, soft egg, lardon and sherry vinaigrette. Entrées include moules mariners or slow-cooked Scottish salmon with du puy lentil and pickled red onion. Esnault will also serve his famous poulet à la bourgeoise with fingerling potato, carrot, bacon, jus and hearty boeuf bourguignon. All entrées are less than $25. Finish with a traditional crème brulée for $8. The special menu is available today, Sept. 14, from 6 to 10 p.m., and on Friday, Sept. 15 from 6 to 11 p.m. Church & State’s happy hour is held every Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 1850 Industrial St., (213)405-1434.

Mexican fiesta for Independence Day

The Grand Central Market will host its inaugural Mexican Independence Day fiesta on Saturday, Sept. 16, honoring the city’s Mexican heritage and the market’s history. Vendors will offer food and drink specials and music will fill the market’s halls, which will be decorated in red, white and green. Villa Moreliana is serving two carnitas tacos with a michelada prepared with lime juices, assorted spices and peppers, and served in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. Chiles Secos will feature a pop-up station offering homemade empanadas with traditional mole sauce from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other participating vendors include La Tostaderia, offering shrimp pastor tacos; Olio Wood Fire Pizzeria, serving Dia de Independencia pizza quesadillas with shrimp, mangoes and chili lime sprinkle; Golden Road serving Mexican street corn; and Horse Thief offering a choice of brisket, pulled pork or bacon breakfast tacos. A mariachi band will perform throughout the Market during the afternoon followed by Tres Souls, a three-piece ensemble performing Bolero music from 5 to 7 p.m. Children are invited to join in the festivities at the Little Jonebugs craft station. 317 S. Broadway, (213)624-2378.

Barilla to open at USC Village

Employees from the newly announced Barilla restaurant serve up a taste at USC Village’s open house last Saturday. (photo courtesy of USC/Gus Ruelas)

Barilla, one of the world’s most popular pasta makers, is opening a fast casual restaurant in Los Angeles at the USC Village. The 1,800-square foot location features an open kitchen where diners can watch chefs making wholesome Mediterranean dishes by Barilla’s executive chef Alfonso Sanna. The lunch and dinner menu features pasta, pizza, panini and salads. Different pastas combined with fresh ingredients will be featured daily. Classic Italian recipes include spaghetti al pomodoro and lasagna, as well as healthy options such as penne estive with organic pasta and cherry tomatoes. Wholegrain, gluten-free, organic and protein-plus pasta options are available. Pizzas are made with Barilla’s blend of wheat and whole grain dough with toppings such as mozzarella, salame (pepperoni), prosciutto di Parma, Italian sausage, and roasted yellow and red bell peppers. The menu also has eight salads, including five with fish or meat and three vegetarian options. Sanna’s soups feature seasonal ingredients, and paninis include vegan, vegetarian and whole grain versions. Breads include focaccia and two piadina (Italian flatbread) topped with mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma, tomatoes and arugula, or mozzarella, roasted chicken, portobello mushrooms and mixed greens. Desserts include tiramisu, caramel and fruit pannacotta, and torta del giorno, all available to enjoy with authentic Italian espresso. Italian wines, as well as imported and domestic beers, are also available. 3301 S. Hoover St., news.usc.edu.

Prank in DTLA

Walk through downtown L.A.’s bourgeoning South Park neighborhood to the counter at Prank, L.A.’s first walk-up bar by Dave Whitton incorporating cocktails with cured terpenes (legal cannabis-derived oils that are believed to offer medicinal properties). Additionally, all of Prank’s dishes are organic and non-GMO. They pair nicely with cocktails, beer, wine and other beverages. Prank also features karaoke booths and an upstairs photo booth. 1100 S. Hope St., (213)493-4686.

Hot Hot Food

With fun 1980s decor and a jukebox, Hot Hot Food offers playful dishes such as Fun-Pow! Chicken, L.A. Fried Rice, Goldfish Mac N’ Cheese, and Bananagram vegan milkshakes made with toasted marshmallow coconut milk and strawberries. Bring a bottle of wine from Vinovore, which is scheduled to open nearby on Friday, Sept. 22. Vinovore is owned by Coly Den Haan, one of LA’s first female sommeliers, and Dean Harada, who also own Hot Hot Food. Customers can purchase wines hand-chosen by Haan, gift boxes and specially curated items at Vinovore. 654 N. Hoover St., (323)522-6927.

Breakfast all day

Nighthawk in Venice welcomes breakfast lovers with elevated fare and cocktails served all day. The fun destination features breakfast burgers, Benedict fries, duck confit hash and homemade brandy-infused French toast. The menu also includes adults-only spiked cereal milk cocktails with Cinnamon Toast Crunch and spiced rum; Honey Nut Cheerios, Fruit Loops and bourbon; and Cocoa Puffs with vanilla vodka. Also, enjoy bloody Marys and alcoholic coffee drinks. 417 Washington Blvd., (424)835-4556.

Budget conscious brunch

Baldoria in Little Tokyo offers a $30 brunch that includes bottomless mimosas or glasses of rosé with an entrée, pizza and side dish. Enjoy spicy chicken and apple-cinnamon waffle tacos with WhistlePig maple syrup. The Mrs. Croque pizza is made with black forest ham, Grand Cru Gruyere, browned butter béchamel and Chino Valley eggs. 243 S. San Pedro St., (213)947-3329.

Gaming fun at Brack Shop Tavern

Gaming enthusiasts gather in downtown L.A. to drink, dine and play ping-pong, shuffle board, Nintendo64 and other games at Brack Shop Tavern. Order a pink Oaxacan Negroni or a Southern peach iced tea. Menu highlights include fresh falafel sliders with sumac onions, avocado hummus, arugula, tomato, naan and spicy tahini. The patty melt has melted jalapeno pimento cheese, pickled green tomato and red onion onions. 525 W. Seventh St., (213)232-8657.

EMMY Awards Governors Ball

On Sept. 17, the world’s largest sit-down dinner party by Sequoia Productions will be held following the 69th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The “Golden Grandeur” three-course dinner menu was created by Joachim Splichal, master chef and founder of Patina Restaurant Group. Also participating are executive chef Gregg Wiele, of Patina Restaurant Group; executive pastry chef Frania Mendivil and executive chef Alec Lestr, of Patina Catering; and Ernest Rich, of Rise Up! Café at The California Endowment, along with 250 onsite chefs. The menu includes heirloom tomato salads, pan roasted filet mignon and chocolate brownies. Sterling Vineyards will debut Iridium, a Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon, in the Winner’s Circle while Emmy winners have their statuettes personalized. Bartender Charles Joly also makes a signature Emmy cocktail with The Hilhaven Lodge Blended Whiskey, and Ferrari Trento offers sparkling wines. 1201 S. Figueroa St., emmys.com.