Birdie G’s Fried Chicken

The “Fried Pickle Chick” is back until July 29. Birdie is offering a Birdie’s Dozen of organic half fried chickens for on-site dining only. They are gluten free and dairy free, and are brined and coated in rice flour, organic potato flakes, dusted in dehydrated dill pickle powder and served with pickle brine hot sauce. Indoor and outdoor dining is available and reservations are encouraged. Enjoy with Champagne or one of Birdie G’s cocktails. 2421 Michigan Ave., (310)310-3616.

Wood & Vine Chef’s Market Menu

This week’s Chef’s Market Menu features Mediterranean fish and farm grown tomatoes. Enjoy a signature cocktail with an heirloom tomato, arugula, mozzarella and balsamic salad. The main entrée is a sautéed Loup der Mer over tomato risotto with truffle oil and parmesan. Finish with a choice of dessert for $80 per couple. This week the restaurant is also offering a burger and brew special. Chef Roberto makes his own burger patty using short rib, chuck and a brisket blend and then tops it with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheddar cheese and Thousand Island dressing in-between a brioche bun. It’s served with fries and a choice of beer for $16. 6280 Hollywood Blvd., (323)334-3360.

photo courtesy of HiHo Cheeseburger

New Pastrami HiHo sandwich

The new Pastrami HiHo is now available at HiHo Cheeseburger in Miracle Mile, Santa Monica and the new location in Marina del Rey. HiHo Cheeseburger restaurant exclusively serves 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef from a cooperative made up of 61 farmers in New Zealand. It’s sustainably raised, certified humane and both antibiotic and GMO free. HiHo’s beef is lower in saturated fat, and higher in heart-healthy Omega 3s, vitamins and antioxidants. The new 1,350 sq.ft. space in Marina del Rey was designed by Marmol Radziner and features red concrete, exposed wood, and Douglas fir drop lap wood siding. Views overlook the boats in the marina. In addition to cheeseburgers, housemade pickles and hand-cut fries, the new location also serves house-made banana cream pie, key lime pie and cheesecake, as well as milkshakes from a family run farm-to-table creamery. The Vegetarian HiHo is made with a house-made gluten-free vegan patty from a blend of grains, legumes, and spices and can be served on a bun or lettuce-wrapped. The menu also includes “The Willie Mae” – a fried chicken sandwich created in collaboration with the James Beard Award winning Willie Mae’s Scotch House. Hours are Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. and weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.4625 Admiralty Way, Suite 109, (424)317-7858. The Miracle Mile address is 6245 Wilshire Blvd., (323)642-6467 and 1320 2nd St., Ste. B in Santa Monica (310)469-7250.

Patxi’s Pizza specials

Weekly Patxi’s Pizza special deals are available now on Monday through Wednesday through September. Enjoy traditional thin crust pizza and Chicago style deep dish pizza throughout the week, however on Mondays, buy one Piadina “taco style” and get the second for 50% off. This deal can be used for both dine in and take out meals, however it cannot be combined with any other offers, discount codes or third party delivery vendors. Guests must use code PIA50. On Takeout Tuesday, guests can enjoy 20% off takeout orders using the code TOT21. The offer can be redeemed for takeout or when ordering online using code TOT21. Discount not valid for dine-in or delivery. Guests can dine-in and enjoy any bottle of wine for 50% off on Wednesdays. There is no promo code needed. 1011 S. Figueroa St., (213)999-9414.

Daphne’s fresh Mediterranean

The fast casual concept has launched limited time salad plates now through October 4. Both salads spotlight the freshest ingredients that summer has to offer, such as Daphne’s classic strawberry salad, featuring spring mixed greens tossed with honey vinaigrette dressing, topped with candied walnuts, feta, freshly sliced strawberries, and grilled chicken. It’s served with warm pita and tzatziki sauce. The protein salmon kale-quinoa salad offers shredded kale tossed with quinoa, sweet lemon tahini dressing, topped with tomato, cucumber, red onion, red cabbage, and wild caught Alaskan salmon. This is also served with warm pita and tzatziki sauce. daphnes.biz. 7100 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste 130, (323)969-8225 and 3573 E. Foothill Blvd., (626)351-5005.

UOVO opens in Marina del Rey

The soft opening of UOVO is this week at the Boardwalk Marina del Rey at Pier 44. Like its other locations, UOVO Marina del Rey provides the same high-quality, hand-made pasta, just like the pasta they make every day in Italy. This new location offers indoor and outdoor seating and pretty harbor and waterfront views. Currently their alcohol license is under review and cannot be served or allowed on-premise at this time. Online ordering is now available during the soft opening period. The daily soft opening hours are Monday through Friday for dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. On the weekends, UOVO is open at 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other locations include 6245 Wilshire Blvd., (323)642-6386 and 1320 2nd St., Ste A,. (310)425-0064.

photo courtesy of KazuNori

Kazu Nori now open in Marina del Rey

Sushi Nozawa Group, the Los Angeles and New York restaurant group known for SUGARFISH, KazuNori and Nozawa Bar, opened KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar at Boardwalk Marina del Rey at Pier 44. The new waterfront location is right off the bike path and overlooks boats in the marina. Named after celebrated sushi chef Kazunori Nozawa, who introduced the cylindrical-style hand roll to the United States over 40 years ago, KazuNori serves the freshest fish in their hand rolls with specially harvested seaweed, house made sauces, and their signature warm rice. “Marina del Rey is home to the first SUGARFISH that opened in 2008, so for us it’s exciting to bring KazuNori to our same audience who has been so great to us over the years,” co-founder Lele Massimini said. “We look forward to seeing our guests enjoying Nozawa style hand rolls with a great view of the water.” KazuNori Marina del Rey is offering delivery exclusively through Postmates, as well as pick-up from both Postmates and KazuNori Mobile. Hours are Monday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. 4635 Admiralty Way #107, (424)334-1644.

Rustic Canyon’s Guest Chef Series

On July 30 and July 31, executive chef Liwei Liao from The Joint Eatery in Sherman Oaks is cooking at Rustic Canyon restaurant. He is known for his beautiful, dry-aged fish – a technique more commonly found in Japan – gives a unique tenderness, texture and flavor to the dish. A few of his signature, dry-aged fish preparations will be served à la carte, in addition to their regular dinner menu. Reservations are through Resy and are strongly encouraged. 1119 Wilshire Blvd., (310)393-7050.

Panda Express and Beyond Meat

Panda’s world-famous original orange chicken is now offered in a plant-based version. Starting July 26, Beyond – The Original Orange Chicken is available at select Panda Express locations in L.A. It’s designed to replicate the signature dish’s iconic taste and texture. Panda Express is the first national Asian restaurant concept to serve Beyond Meat. To find a participating location near you, visit pandaexpress.com/BTOOC. 2011 Westwood Blvd., (310)474-1397.

Masters of Taste returns to Rose Bowl

The Fifth Annual Masters of Taste Returns with host Chef Vanda Asapahu as on the field of the Pasadena Rose Bowl on Sunday, April 3, 2022 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Asapahu, the chef and owner of Ayara Thai Cuisine , has participated in Masters of Taste since its inception in 2016. 100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2022 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, nonprofit organization committed to helping men, women and children experiencing homelessness, rebuild their lives. In the last four years Masters of Taste has raised over $2 Million in support of Union Station’s life-saving programs. Masters of Taste will offer the finest fare from over 100 culinary masters and restaurants and delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top pastry masters. Signature handcrafted cocktail tastings from over 25 spirit brands and bars, a premier 50-yard-line cocktail bar featuring top mixologists from four of L.A.’s most distinguished drinking destinations, select wineries, local craft breweries, cold-pressed juices, cold brew coffee, live entertainment will be offered. A VIP hour will be held from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Tickets  go on sale Sunday, Aug. 1. For more information visit MastersofTasteLA.com.