Manhattan Beach festival returns to the coast

The third annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine festival will return Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, bringing chefs from across Southern California and beyond to a new location at westdrift Manhattan Beach.

Festival founder and producer Shelby Russell and culinary curator and host chef Neal Fraser announced the lineup for the two-night event, which will feature grand tasting celebrations with food, wine, spirits, cocktails, craft beer, nonalcoholic beverages and live entertainment.

The chef lineup includes Fraser of Redbird and Vibiana; Vartan Abgaryan of Momed; Deau Arpapornnoparat of Holy Basil; Brendan Collins of BOA Steakhouse; Susan Feniger of Alice B., Border Grill and Socalo; Ray Garcia of Broken Spanish Comedor; Joel Hammond of Uchi West Hollywood; Ludo Lefebvre of Petit Trois; David LeFevre of Fishing with Dynamite, MB Post, The Arthur J, Ryla and AttaGirl; Lord Maynard Llera of Kuya Lord; Raphael Lunetta of Lunetta; Michael Reed of Poppy + Rose and Poppy & Seed; Steve Samson of Rossoblu; Aarón Sánchez of Johnny Sánchez; John Sungkamee of Emporium Thai and Sherry Yard of Bakery by the Yard.

Other participating chefs represent restaurants and culinary businesses in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, San Pedro and other communities, as well as establishments outside California.

The event will benefit the Culinary Careers Program, or C-CAP, a workforce development nonprofit that helps teenagers pursue careers in the restaurant and hospitality industries. The organization provides culinary, employment and life skills programs in schools across the United States, including Los Angeles.

The festival is open to guests ages 21 and older. VIP early entry runs from 6-7 p.m., followed by general admission from 7-10 p.m. each night.

The event will be held at westdrift Manhattan Beach, 1400 Parkview Ave., Manhattan Beach.

For information, hotel packages and tickets, visit manhattanbeachfoodandwine.com.

Summer sizzles at the Original Farmers Market

The Original Farmers Market is participating in Dine LA through Aug. 28, with merchants offering $25 lunch and $35 dinner menus alongside the return of Lotería and the market’s free Thursday night Summer Music Series.

Participating merchants are offering a range of fixed-price meals during Dine LA. The $25 lunch selections include a sandwich, chips and drink from All’Antico Vinaio; a Gruyere and caramelized onion burger with fries, lemonade and a cookie from Gott’s Roadside; and Gumbo Yaya with salad, beignets and iced tea from The Gumbo Pot.

Other merchants offering $25 lunch menus include Charlie’s Coffee Shop, Du-par’s, Hoki Sushi, Noodle Art, Oh My Dumpling, Singapore’s Banana Leaf and Stara Pierogi & Sausage.

The market also has $35 dinner specials from Hoki Sushi, SAVTA, BHC Chicken, Patsy D’Amore’s Pizza, Phil’s Deli & Grill and Stara Pierogi & Sausage, among other participating businesses. Dine LA runs through Aug. 28.

The market has also welcomed the return of chef and restaurateur Jimmy Shaw’s Lotería, which originally developed a following at Third and Fairfax as Lotería Grill. The new Lotería Marketplace is open in Stall 126.

Inspired by neighborhood markets in Mexico City, the concept offers grab-and-go dishes, groceries, specialty ingredients and housewares. Food selections include housemade tamales and salsas, prepared meats, aguas frescas and paletas. An avocado and corn bar offers five made-to-order guacamoles.

The Original Farmers Market’s free Summer Music Series continues Thursdays through Sept. 3 from 7-9 p.m. on the Market Plaza. Performances feature styles including jazz, Motown and salsa.

The Original Farmers Market is located at Third Street and Fairfax Avenue.

For information, visit farmersmarketla.com.

 

Uchi joins Dine LA Restaurant Week

Uchi West Hollywood is offering a seven-course prix-fixe menu for Dine LA Restaurant Week, which runs through Friday, Aug. 28.

The Japanese restaurant and sushi bar from James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole is offering the special menu for $55 per person, plus tax and 20% gratuity.

The meal begins with hama chili, made with yellowtail, ponzu, chili and orange supreme. Other courses include a chef’s choice temaki, or hand roll, with seasonal fish and Szechuan sweet soy; broccoli katsu with shiro dashi and white chili aioli; and a chef’s choice nigiri selection.

The menu continues with pork belly served with Japanese pumpkin and pepper rose gastrique, followed by grilled salmon with candied citrus, ponzu and myoga. Dessert is an olive oil cake served with amazake and strawberry.

Uchi West Hollywood is located at 9001 Santa Monica Blvd.

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

 

Chado serves up matcha tea

Chado Tea Room is offering a limited-time matcha-focused tea service beginning Saturday, Aug. 15, at its Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Torrance and Pasadena locations.

The tea service features matcha in savory dishes, desserts and beverages. The experience begins with a sparkling yuzu matcha refresher and mixed greens salad, followed by tea sandwiches, pastries and a choice of traditional matcha or one of Chado’s premium loose-leaf teas. The service is priced at $78 per person.

Savory selections include a smoked salmon tea sandwich with matcha dill cream, cucumber tea sandwich with matcha cream cheese, chicken salad tea sandwich and egg salad tea sandwich.

Desserts include matcha tiramisu, matcha pistachio macarons and matcha madeleines. A matcha float combines matcha with vanilla ice cream and a strawberry garnish. Freshly baked classic scones are served with matcha cream and strawberry preserves.

Guests may pair the food with traditional matcha or select from Chado’s premium loose-leaf teas.

The limited-time offering follows Chado’s recent introduction of premium matcha.

Chado Hollywood is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Suite #209.

 

Telefèric gives Dine LA a Spanish twist

Telefèric Barcelona is participating in Dine LA Restaurant Week through Friday, Aug. 28, with prix-fixe menus at its Brentwood location.

The Spanish tapas restaurant is offering $35 and $55 prix-fixe menus featuring selections from its regular offerings. Dishes include Wagyu empanadas, crab croquetas and a selection of paellas.

Telefèric Barcelona is located at 11930 San Vicente Blvd.

For information, visit telefericbarcelona.com.

 

Dine LA returns to West Hollywood

Restaurants throughout West Hollywood will participate in Dine LA Restaurant Week from Aug. 14-28, offering special lunch and dinner menus.

The regional dining program is held twice a year and highlights restaurants throughout Los Angeles County. Tickets and passes are not required. Customers can visit participating restaurants and request their Dine LA menus, though reservations are recommended.

West Hollywood participants include Ardor at The West Hollywood EDITION, 9040 Sunset Blvd.; BOA Steakhouse West Hollywood, 9200 Sunset Blvd.; Bottega Louie West Hollywood, 8936 Santa Monica Blvd.; Boxwood at The London West Hollywood, 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.; Casa Madera at The Valorian, 8440 Sunset Blvd.; Darling, 631 N. Robertson Blvd.; Gracias Madre, 8905 Melrose Ave.; Granville West Hollywood, 8701 Beverly Blvd.; Izakaya Tora, 8908 Santa Monica Blvd.; Jinpachi, 8711 Santa Monica Blvd.; Katana, 8439 Sunset Blvd.; La Bohème, 8400 Santa Monica Blvd.; Ladyhawk at Kimpton La Peer, 623 N. La Peer Drive; Pizzana, 460 N. Robertson Blvd.; Riot House at Andaz West Hollywood, 8401 Sunset Blvd.; Saltie Girl, 8615 Sunset Blvd.; Sushisamba, 639 N. La Peer Drive; The Roof at The West Hollywood EDITION, 9040 Sunset Blvd.; Uchi, 9001 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 101; and Zinqué, 8684 Melrose Ave.

Additional restaurants and menus may be added during the event. Prices and available meal periods vary by restaurant and do not include beverages, tax or gratuity.

For information and a complete list of participating restaurants and menus, visit dinela.com.

 

Lucia raises a glass for earthquake relief

Lucia, a modern Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Los Angeles from restaurateur Sam Jordan, will host a fundraiser for Colombia earthquake relief on Thursday, Aug. 20, during its weekly Sobremesa Latin night.

The restaurant is partnering with Colombian-American talent manager and PIZA founder Stephanie Piza and media producer Daniela Salazar for the fundraiser. Lucia will donate 100% of proceeds from beverage purchases during the evening to All Hands & Hearts, a nonprofit organization that assists communities recovering from disasters.

Sobremesa is Lucia’s weekly Latin music night, featuring salsa, bachata and merengue. Guests can order from the restaurant’s à la carte menu or select a $50 prix-fixe option featuring an entrée and side.

Prix-fixe selections include the Burger Cubano Sando, Tagliatelle & Mushroom Picadillo and Tamarind Caesar Salad. The menu also includes one Mojito Martini, with a choice of classic, passion fruit or tropical fruit blend.

Lucia is located at 351 N. Fairfax Ave.

For information, visit luciala .com.