Level 8 debuts new experiences, July 4 celebration

Level 8 in Downtown Los Angeles will mark the Independence Day holiday with a rooftop pool party while introducing new dining experiences at Lucky Mizu and Qué Bárbaro.

Golden Hour, the venue’s Fourth of July pool party, will be held Saturday, July 4, on the open-air rooftop pool deck. Australian DJ and producer Young Franco will perform an afternoon set featuring house, disco, hip-hop and dance music.

Lucky Mizu has introduced an all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink special, available Thursday through Saturday beginning at 6 p.m. The offering includes unlimited sushi and beverages during evening service.

Qué Bárbaro, chef Ray Garcia’s South American live-fire restaurant, has launched a new asado experience inspired by the traditional Argentine communal meal. Priced at $79 per person, the multi-course menu includes shared starters followed by a choice of three grilled proteins, including skirt steak, flanken short rib, chicken, pork sausage, mushrooms, lobster tail, prawns and other selections.

Reservations for Qué Bárbaro are available through OpenTable.

Level 8 is located at 1254 S. Figueroa St.

For information, visit level8dtla .com.

 

Desert 5 Spot throws Wild West July 4 party

Desert 5 Spot will celebrate Independence Day with its annual “Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots” Wild West Pool Party on Saturday, July 4.

The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the Hollywood rooftop venue and will feature a poolside cookout, music and views of the Hollywood skyline.

DJ Ariana Gavrilis will provide country-inspired music and other party favorites throughout the afternoon and evening.

The venue has also partnered with CINEHAUS to present Poolside Movie Nights, a rooftop cinema series featuring cult classic films under the stars. Guests can enjoy handcrafted cocktails, popcorn and concession snacks while watching movies against the Hollywood skyline.

The series continues on Thursday, July 2, with a screening of “Forrest Gump,” followed by “Point Break” on Thursday, July 9.

Desert 5 Spot is located at 6516 Selma Ave.

For information, visit desertfivespot.com.

 

Viceroy heats up July events

Viceroy Santa Monica will host two public events in July, including an Independence Day pool party and a hands-on cocktail-making class.

The hotel will partner with SHADES LA to present “The Dream,” a Fourth of July pool party from 2-8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. The event will feature music by DJ Veggi, poolside cocktails, lawn games and VIP cabanas available for reservation. Hotel guests staying July 4 will receive complimentary admission.

Later in the month, the hotel will host “Midsummer Mixes,” a mixology class from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. The interactive session will teach participants how to prepare seasonal cocktails inspired by summer flavors.

Viceroy Santa Monica is located at 1819 Ocean Ave.

For information, visit viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/santa-monica.

 

CUT hosts one-night seafood collaboration

CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Beverly Wilshire will host a one-night collaborative dinner with Chef Liwei Liao of The Joint Seafood on Friday, July 24.

The omakase-inspired dining experience will feature a multi-course menu highlighting dry-aged seafood and premium beef sourced from around the world. Chef Drew Rosenberg of CUT and Liao will prepare the meal together, with live culinary presentations throughout the evening.

Featured presentations include a bluefin tuna carving, live king crab, Japanese seafood, caviar and Australian Wagyu.

The dinner is priced at $450 per person, excluding gratuity and tax. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required.

CUT is located inside the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, at 9500 Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills.

For information, visit wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/cut-beverly-hills.

 

Dessert gets a luxe twist at Uchi WeHo

Uchi West Hollywood will celebrate National Caviar Day with a limited-time dessert and a selection of premium caviar offerings available July 13-31.

Created for the occasion, the dessert, Ice Cream and Pearls, features Moscatel ice cream layered with funnel cake, white chocolate pearls and a quarter ounce of Kaluga caviar. The dessert is priced at $26.

The restaurant will also offer a selection of caviar from The Caviar Co., including trout roe, Siberian sturgeon and osetra varieties. One-ounce tins are served with scallion pancake taiyaki and house-cultured butter.

Uchi West Hollywood is located at 9001 Santa Monica Blvd.

For information, visit uchi.uchirestaurants.com/location/west-hollywood.

 

Tocaya launches summer happy hour

Tocaya has introduced a summer happy hour menu featuring discounted beverages and new food offerings at its eight Southern California locations.

Available for a limited time, the happy hour is offered Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. Drink specials include $3 beers, with wine and margaritas starting at $6.

The seasonal menu introduces two new shareable dishes. Chicken Flaquitos feature chicken tinga, smashed pinto beans and Oaxaca cheese in crispy flour tortillas topped with creamy salsa verde. The Summer Shrimp Ceviche combines poached shrimp with a Tapatío and lime marinade, heirloom tomato and jalapeño sauce, and is served with tortilla chips.

“Summer is about slowing down and gathering over great food and good company,” said Oliver Plust, executive corporate chef for One Table. “These dishes were created with sharing in mind and are best enjoyed around the table with friends.”

Tocaya has also expanded its happy hour menu with two tortas: the Chicken and Potato Torta and the Birria Torta.

The new menu is available for a limited time at participating Tocaya locations.

Tocaya Hollywood is located at 6550 Sunset Blvd.

For information, visit tocaya .com.

 

The Northwind docks as dining experience in Marina del Rey

The Northwind Experience has opened in Marina del Rey, bringing a new dining and event venue aboard the historic yacht Northwind.

Permanently docked at California Yacht Club’s F-100 Dock, the 135-foot vessel offers dining, cocktails, weekend brunch, live entertainment and private events. The restored yacht features original maritime details, custom lighting, fire features and views of Marina del Rey Harbor.

Originally commissioned in 1930, the Northwind has hosted numerous prominent guests over the decades, including Sir Winston Churchill and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“Our vision was to create an experiential destination that strengthens Marina del Rey’s identity and connects Angelenos to the water,” said Jeff Weiss, co-owner and president of California Yacht Club. “From the moment guests step aboard, we want people to feel transported and part of a story that spans generations.”

The culinary program is led by chef Charles Voudouris, whose previous experience includes leadership positions at the Versace Mansion, Viceroy Anguilla and Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak. The menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients and coastal cuisine, with shareable dishes, handcrafted cocktails and a curated wine selection.

In addition to regular dining service, the vessel will host weddings, private celebrations, corporate events, brand activations, film productions and seasonal culinary and cultural programming.

Reservations and event information are available at northwindmdr.com.

California Yacht Club is located at 4469 Admiralty Way.