Category: Food/Drink

Dog Haus Opening in Burbank

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date November 19, 2014

The popular hot dog chain Dog Haus which is originally from Pasadena expands into nearby Burbank.

Dog Haus is quickly making plans to have multiple franchises across the Valley and soon across the nation. They have set their sets on having their next location in Burbank.

Dog Haus Burbank is opening on Saturday, November 22 on Olive Avenue across from the Warner lot, stuffed with communal tables, bar stools and a few booths around the perimeter. The space will also offer some outdoor seating, for those who prefer to sit outside, especially on the warm days California has to offer.

You can expect the usual blend of all-beef skinless franks, housemade sausages and burgers served up on grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls. There will also be seasonal-themed dogs such as, Thanksgiving-themed turducken sausage, running through the end of the month. People can also enjoy pints of local beer from Golden Road, Eagle Rock Brewery, Stone and more.

To celebrate the impending opening this Saturday, Dog Haus Burbank will be giving away their simple Haus dogs to anyone who stops by. Check it out for yourself!

Dog Haus Burbank
3817 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank, CA 91505
Open daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
doghaus.com

Hello Kitty Hungry Hunt

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date October 24, 2014

#457009948 / gettyimages.com

In celebration of Hello Kitty’s 40^th anniversary, Los Angeles will be a location for a Hello Kitty “hungry hunt.” The hungry hunt is in conjunction with the highly anticipated Hello Kitty Convention taking place at MOCA at the Geffen Contemporary on Oct. 30, and the Japanese American Museum’s Hello! Exploring The Supercute World of Hello Kitty exhibit which is running now till April 26.

Starting this Friday, Oct. 24 and running till November 21st, restaurants in L.A. will be getting festive with the Hungry Hunt involving Hello Kitty, it looks like it will be a popular and great scavenger event featuring food and drink items inspired by the iconic Hello Kitty. To participate, people can simply go to each of the eleven restaurants and order their Kitty items. Each dish or drink comes with a collectible pin of Kitty holding the representative food from that restaurant.

Pins are different for each location and are while supplies last only. Be sure to check out the different locations to snag a pin for yourself! They are expected to go fast.

To check out the different locations that are participating and to take a look at the different pins for each location go to: http://www.sanrio.com/hungryhunt/

2nd Annual Sriracha Festival

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date October 13, 2014

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The 2nd Annual L.A. Sriracha Festival is back, by popular demand, taking place this Sunday, Oct. 19, at Chinatown’s historic Central Plaza from 3- 6 p.m.

There will be multiple stations of different chefs and restaurants that are showcasing there dishes. It will allow guests to enjoy a variety of Sriracha-themed dishes, including desserts, at their own pace. Not all dishes will include Sriracha in it but for the most part you can be sure to experience different dishes showcasing the hot sauce. Guests can also enjoy local craft beer, cocktails, sodas, iced coffee and iced tea while also enjoying music from a live DJ set.

You can expect to find dishes from different chefs including EGGSLUT’s Alvin Cailan & Johnny Lee. Also, MENDOCINO FARMS Judy Han – Peruvian Steak Sandwich with Spicy Aji Amarillo (includes Sriracha), Oaxacan Cheese, Herb Aioli, Red Onions, Tomatoes, and Shredded Romaine on panini grilled Drago Bakery’s Torta Bun

TICKET INFORMATION: General Admission tickets are $59 per person in advance, and $69 per person at the door, if still available. VIP Tickets for the event are $90 in advance, and $100 per person at the door, if available. They include reserved seating and one-hour early admission from 2 pm to 3 pm.

Tickets are only available for people 21+ and are for sale at http://sriracha.nightout.com.

Location: Chinatown’s Central Plaza, 943-951 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Purchased a Red Bull since 2002? You can get $10 cash!

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date October 9, 2014

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Yesterday, it was announced that Red Bull settled a false advertising lawsuit, and now owes anyone who bought one of its drinks between Jan. 1, 2002, and Oct. 3, 2014, either $10 cash or $15 worth of Red Bull products with no proof of purchase.

The false advertising lawsuit comes from a group of Red Bull customers who took the company’s “It Gives You Wings” slogan a little too literally. The lawsuit stated, “Such deceptive conduct and practices mean that [Red Bull’s] advertising and marketing is not just ‘puffery,’ but is instead deceptive and fraudulent and is therefore actionable.”

They were able to sue the drink maker for false advertising, which in turn led to Red Bull paying back anyone who has bought Red Bull in the past 12 years.

Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation. However, Red Bull maintains that its marketing and labeling have always been truthful and accurate, and denies any and all wrongdoing or liability.

The problem with the settlement is Red Bull didn’t actually promise to give everyone who applied $10 to $15. Instead, they capped the handouts at $13 million. As Buzzfeed reported, if too many people make claims, the settlement will be diluted so it can be split evenly. Not everyone will get the $10 if more than 1.3 million people requested the $10 cash or $15 worth of Red Bull Products.

The site crashed yesterday but you can still try to receive your claim here: http://energydrinksettlement.com/claim

California’s first Cat Cafe is coming!

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 29, 2014

#452637026 / gettyimages.com

The “Catfe” is coming to Los Angeles in October. Carlos Wong announced half a year ago his Kickstarter to fund California’s first cat café.

From Oct. 2-5, Wong will partner with Chinatown BID and Best Friends L.A., a no-kill shelter, for four days of pure cat fun. There will be cats at the cafes to pet and also to adopt. (You will need to be 18 years or older to adopt.) According to LA Weekly, there will be costumed maids and there will be butlers. DJs and entertainment will also be present.

The location is in the center of Chinatown, at the Far East Plaza, and guests are encouraged to bring rice bowls from Chego, ice cream from Scoops and boba milk tea from Ten Ren.

On Oct. 5, which is the last day of the pop up, LACatfe will operate during CicLAvia. So cyclists can swing by if they want in on the cat action. The bike route passes the Catfe pop up shop.

The event will serve as the kickoff party to the second round of fundraising for the actual Catfe.

The hours of the upcoming Catfe pop-up will be from 4-9 p.m., all four days.

Catfe Pop-Up: Far East Plaza, 727 N. Broadway, Chinatown.
Read more at: laweekly.com

Tags coffee, boba, downtown los angeles, Downtown LA, cafe, ice cream, cat, kitten, Los Angeles, cat cafe, kittens, adopt, cat lover, kitty, adopt a cat, cat lovers, little tokyo, adopt a pet, cats, scoops, animal, chego, animal lover, chinatown, animals, ciclavia, best friends la

Food/Drink Music/Concerts Hollywood News

LA Beer Fest

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 23, 2014

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LA has something to rejoice about. We are in the middle of the 6th annual L.A. Beer Week. The event started on Sept. 20 and will be filled with nine days of appreciation for Los Angeles’ craft beer scene. The event is being organized by the Los Angeles County Brewers Guild this year. But that didn’t stop other local places to host their own appreciation events.

Many breweries, restaurants, bars and even music venues across LA are having non-Guild-organized events. Each establishment has added their own twist, highlight or special tapping.

Here are two events that might just be worth your time. For a full schedule, visit labeerweek.com/events or check your local craft beer bar as they probably have something scheduled too. Happy L.A. Beer Week!

WHAT: Beer and Whiskey Brunch
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 21; 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. ($70, buy tickets here)
WHY: It’s never too early for whiskey, we say, so why not start here, at Boneyard Bistro’s annual pairing of beer, whiskey and brunch food. This year they’ve teamed up with Firestone Walker, Deschutes and Golden Road for the occasion, featuring six courses paired with six beers and three different whiskeys.
WHERE: Boneyard Bistro, 13539 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

WHAT: Musical Beer Crawl
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 23; 5 p.m.
WHY: An L.A. Beer Week favorite is back again with another year of stumbling up and down Sunset Blvd. for all the beer, music, dancing and discounts Echo Park has to offer. The Bruery is pouring special kegs of its “sessionable” version of the infamous Black Tuesday at beer establishments along the strip and everywhere from Two Boots Pizza to Origami Vinyl are offering deals to crawlers who stop by. End the night at Short Stop where the dance party goes until closing time.
WHERE: Various locations down Sunset Blvd., starting at Sunset Beer Co.

Read the full story and check out more events here: laweekly.com

Tags beer establishment, club, craft beer, Los Angeles, festival, Bar, la beer fest. beer festival, beer on tap, la beer festival, Beer Week, music venue, alcohol, musical beer crawl, beer, sunset beer co, beer and whiskey brunch, sunset strip, beer crawl, tap

Food/Drink

Ramen Festival comes back to Los Angeles!

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 18, 2014

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For those that missed the Ramen festival in August, you can catch them again next month at the Pomona Fairplex. The Los Angeles festival will be one two-day weekend, on October 18-19.

Also, Keizo Shimamoto is coming with a new creation, his Burger Ramen, which is different than his popular Ramen Burger.

Instead this is his take on abura soba, or soupless ramen. The dish is composed of a thick tare, or the concentrated seasoning at the bottom of a ramen bowl, with warm noodles placed on top. In this case, there’s also some greens and an actual cheeseburger.

The wildly popular Little Tokyo establishment, Daikokuya, will be there. They will present a mild Tonkotsu.
Don’t be surprised that this ramen festival will be a massive event as all the other events have been. You can expect long lines so make sure you aren’t starving when you attend the event. The hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Admission will run $5, and all bowls of ramen will be $8, although kids 12 and under are free.

Get your appetites ready to chow down on some ramen! Hopefully it will not be as hot as it is right now in Los Angeles!

Tags burger ramen, daikokouya, los angeles event, october, october event, food, pomona fairplex, Los Angeles, ramen, food festival, ramen bowl, Pomona, ramen burger, food trucks, ramen festival, foodies

Food/Drink Music/Concerts

Final 626 Night Market of the Summer

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 11, 2014

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This weekend marks the final 626 night market in Arcadia that ends their 2014 summer series. It starts this Friday night, September 12 at 4pm- 1am and runs through Sunday, September 14. If you have no other plans this weekend head on over to the 626 night market and enjoy 200+ food vendors to choose from along with crafts, music, and games.

You can expect to find interesting, tasty food including a Ramen Burger, potted plant ice cream, scallion pancakes, and much more. Performances will also be held all weekend long including a special cosplay costume contest on Sunday from 8 to 9pm. (Some vendors will be giving discounted rates for those dressed up in cosplay costumes on Sunday). YouTube sensations The Fung Bros with special guest A.J. Rafael and Jason Chen will be performing over the weekend.

The 626 night market is the largest Asian-themed market in the United States. It drew in over 50,000 people during their July weekend event. The event takes place at Santa Anita Park at 285 W. Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91007.

Admission is $3, but children under 6 years old get in free. Parking is also free.

Hollywood News Food/Drink

Mixologists Go Head to Head

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date October 9, 2013

The Covenant House California hosted the All-Star Mixology Competition last week in Los Angeles. Edwin Cruz of The Spare Room in Hollywood was crowned the winner.

Los Angeles – With the popularity of cooking contests and specialty chefs going head to head in cook-offs on television, it is no surprise that the men behind the bars wanted to compete as well. Last week Covenant House California hosted an All-Star Mixology Contest in Culver City where mixologists competed to make the best drinks. Some contestants were cocktail makes at L.A. bars such as ShoreBar, Eveleigh and The Spare Room, while others were liquor brand ambassadors. Contestants competed in three rounds that increased in difficulty until only the final three contestants were left for the final round. In this round, the three mixologists were given a secret ingredient, pears, and asked to make a drink. Edwin Cruz of The Spare Room in Hollywood blew the judges away and was named the winner.

The judge panel for the event included Georgia Hardstark and Alie Ward, co-hosts of the Cooking Channel’s Tripping Out with Georgia and Alie and co-contributors to the channel’s Unique Sweets. Other judges included A-list stylist and interior designer Estee Stanley, Paramount Pictures vice president Liza Pano, and publisher and executive editor of The Tasting Panel magazineMeridithMay. The event was held in Unici Casa in Culver City.

Covenant House California operates centers in Los Angeles and Oakland, which provide housing, health benefits, education and employment help to homeless youth. Last year, Covenant House California helped over 5,000 children that are homeless due to various circumstances. The benefit event was co-sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter and ABC-7.

HPC News Hollywood News Food/Drink

HPC’s Food Truck Festival

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 23, 2013

The Hollywood Production Center is hosting the 2nd Annual Food Truck Festival this Tuesday, September 24 at HPC 1 in Hollywood.

Hollywood – The Hollywood Production Center is proud to announce their 2^nd Annual Food Truck Festival will be taking place this week! The Food Truck Festival will take place tomorrow, Tuesday September 24 at the flagship Hollywood location, Hollywood Production Center 1. The event will feature various food trucks that will set up and be ready to serve you for your every lunchtime craving. Enjoy a delicious sandwich from The Grilled Cheese Truck, a wild meal from The Hurricane Kitchen or grab an ice cream from King Kone to cool you down. All the trucks will be stationed on the HPC lot, which is located at 1149 N. Gower St. in Hollywood, just off of Hollywood Blvd. This event is open to our building as well as the surrounding community, so come out and enjoy a delightful lunch with us!

The Hollywood Production Center specializes in turnkey, fully-furnished executive offices that cater to the entertainment industry, as well as to the professional community. The Hollywood Production Center offers beautiful offices, but they also believe in staying involved in the community. Located in Hollywood and Glendale, you will constantly find HPC throwing events as a way to get people to come out and enjoy Los Angeles with us.

Tags Los Angeles, food truck, food festival, Hollywood, food tasting, Food Truck Festival, Hollywood Happenings, Gower, Grilled Cheese Truck, Hollywood Production Center, HPC 1, Hollywood Production space, Hurrican Kitchen, King Kone, food, lunch time

Hollywood News Food/Drink Music/Concerts

Want to Have a Sleepover at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 20, 2013

Airbnb is putting on a contest in LA where 5 lucky winners will win an overnight stay at one of five iconic LA locations.

We all love the iconic Los Angeles spots, but what if you could spend the night there? Airbnb is coming to Los Angeles, and in true Hollywood style, they are coming in with a bang. Airbnb is putting on a contest where 5 lucky winners will have the chance to stay overnight at places frequented by the die-hard Angelino, but never before with an overnight invitation. The only requirement to enter into the contest is to go onto their Facebook page and tell them in 10 words why you love Los Angeles. The 5 best stories will win a day and night to experience the iconic Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Viper Room, Arts District Downtown LA, The Grove or The Cook’s Garden by HGEL.

Even if you don’t win one of the fantastic location, there are a plethora of events and activities to keep you active and happy. The first event kicks off on Friday, September 27 and will continue through Monday, September 30 and will take place at each of the 5 locations every day.

Airbnb was founded in 2008 in San Francisco. They are a trusted community marketplace for people to list and find unique accommodations around the world. In more than 33,000 cities and 192 countries, Airbnb can allow you stay in an apartment for a night or a castle for a week.

Want to learn more about the contest and events? Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/airbnb/app_201026173405270?ref=ts.

Tags food tasting, The Grove, Airbnb, Viper Room, Arts District Downtown LA, Hollywood, contest, Hollywood Happenings, Facebook, Hello LA, HGEL, Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Love LA, San Francisco, food, sleepover, Los Angeles, The Cook's Garden

HPC News Glendale News Food/Drink Music/Concerts

Pop Up! Concert Series in Glendale

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 13, 2013

Glendale Arts is hosting Pop Up!, an outdoor concert series throughout the month of September.

Downtown Glendale – Glendale keeps the summer month going strong by hosting the Glendale Art’s Pop Up! Concert series this month. Pop Up! is a month long event that brings in different musical talent every Thursday night during the month of September. The free outdoor concerts take place at the Glendale City Center and each week they bring out a different restaurant to provide appetizers, such as BJ’s, Olive Garden and California Pizza Kitchen.

The concerts kicked off on September 5^th when crowds listened to some great music by Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat. This week, crowds gathered around to listen to Rock Bottom Betty play fantastic music. The series will continue on for the next two weeks, with the next concert taking place Thursday, September 19, featuring Shane Henry. The month long concerts will come to an end on September 26 with The Essentials playing for Glendale.

The event is absolutely free and has been a great way for the Glendale Arts to stay involved in the community as their current project is underway. The Glendale Arts have been behind the Alex Theatre renovation project that started earlier this summer. The expansion project is set to finish in November when they will have a grand re-opening.

Find more information about these concerts here: http://www.glendalearts.org/event/glendale-arts-presents-pop-up.

Glendale News Food/Drink Hollywood News

LA Beer Week

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 11, 2013

Beer Week is back in Los Angeles just in time as everyone realizes their summer festivities are coming to an end. LABW was founded by a group of beer enthusiasts and members of the Los Angeles and Orange County beer communities. This week and a half-long event is run by a volunteer group that brings together various breweries and restaurants to allow Los Angeles to enjoy a delicious beer and learn all there is to know about their favorite brew.

Beer Week runs from Thursday, September 19 to to Sunday, September 29, and will be kicking off at the Opening Gala that will take place at the LA Union Station. This event will feature over 50 local breweries that will offer unlimited sampling of their best beers. The event will take place on Sunday, September 22 and starts at 11am and will continue until 3pm in the iconic art deco ticketing hall of the Union Station.

The 11-day festival will take place in locations all over Los Angeles as participating companies create their own events to be a part of Beer Week. The fun part about this festival is that while there is a volunteer group facilitating the entire event, it is really up to each individual company or brewery to bring something to the table for Angelinos to enjoy. Such an interesting concept has allows them to get creative and offer something new to people who are excited to learn more about beer. To learn more about the happenings check out: http://labeerweek.com.

Tags Downtown LA, Los Angeles, food festival, beer tasting, Beer Week, breweries, Hollywood, LABW, Hollywood Happenings, Opening Gala, Union Station

Hollywood News Food/Drink

LA’s Thai Food Festival

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 11, 2013

As summer truly comes to an end in September, chef Jet Tila tries to ease Angelinos into the winter months by hosting LA’s first Thai Food Festival. The Thai Food Festival will take place at Paramount Studios on Sunday, September 29. The event will allow attendees to taste authentic regional cuisines from the four regions of Thailand. The national dishes and delicacies will be accessible from street food vendors and authentic Thai restaurants alike. In addition to food, the festival will feature Thai cultural events, such as Muay Thai martial arts, classical and folk dancing, umbrella painting, Thai fruit carving and much more!

Chef Jet Tila is a nationally celebrated chef specializing in all styles of Asian cuisine, and managing partner of The Charleston in Santa Monica, CA. Jet has appeared on various television programs, including “The Best Of,” “Food Finds” and “The Secret Life Of” on the Food Network, and “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” on the Travel Channel. Other chefs that will be featured and cooking at the festival are: Andy Ricker, Sang Yoon, David LeFevre, Kris Yenbamroong, Susan Feniger and Evan Kleiman.

The Thai Food Festival begins Sunday, September 29 at 3:30pm and will continue until 6pm. Tickets for the event are available here: http://thaifoodfest.eventbrite.com.

Food/Drink Music/Concerts

The L.A. County Fair is in Town

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 3, 2013

The L.A. County Fair opened on Friday, August 30 and will continue through September until closing day on Sunday, September 29.

Los Angeles experienced the L.A. County Fair opening weekend, with the festivities that started on Friday, August 30. The 31-day fair will go on throughout the month of September, until its closing day on Sunday, September 29. Adults, children and families will be flocking to the Fairplex in Pomona, just down the 10 freeway. The fair will include carnival rides, food, vendors, shopping and so much more!

A popular attraction this year will be the End of Summer Concert Series, which will take place 20 of the nights that the fair is going on. There is a huge concert lineup ready for all of the fans, and free concert tickets will be given away during the day-of the event at the fair each day. Some of the big names performing this year are: Ke$ha, Demi Lovato and Trace Adkins. Other special attractions at this year’s fair will be the exhibitions, which include ‘Star Trek: The Exhibition,’ ‘Pencil 2 Pixels – The Art of Animation,’ ‘Beneath the Sea: An Underwater Adventure’ and ‘Esmeralda’s Traveling Circus.’

The L.A. County Fair continues to bring in families to enjoy the day or an entire season of fun and entertainment, and it continues to grow every year. To find more information about the fair, please visit: www.lacountyfair.com

Tags Ke$ha, outdoor concerts, L.A. County Fair, food, LA County Fair, carnival rides, Pomona, petting zoo, summer concert series, Circus, Trace Adkins, Demi Lovato, End of Summer Concert Series, Exhibitions, Fairplex, fried food

Hollywood News Food/Drink

The Rusty Mullet for Burgers and Shots

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 3, 2013

The Rusty Mullet in Hollywood offers an extensive list of custom burgers and shots.

Hollywood – The Rusty Mullet in Hollywood has made a name for itself. This restaurant doubles as a place to watch sports with its 24 flat screens, while being a great restaurant. What really draws people in are the custom-blended burgers and extensive list of shots. The Rusty Mullet gets creative with their burger combinations, such as adding a fried egg or pulled pork. In addition, their very interesting menu items are the 50 varieties of shots. The Rusty Mullet offers fun concoctions of alcoholic shots, each one only costing $5. The 50 different shots come mixed to make taking the drink easier and tastier.

Actor Vincent Laresca remade an old spot into a drinking den with high-chaired seating in a large, exposed-brick room. The entire place has a laid-back feel with murals painted right onto the walls. Rusty Mullet offers great happy hours daily with a buy one, get one for $1 deals until 8pm, and an additional late-night deal from 10pm to midnight Sunday through Thursday.

The Rusty Mullet is located in Hollywood at 1708 N. Las Palmas, just two blocks east of the Hollywood & Highland Center.

Tags food, Los Angeles, Burgers, custom burgers, Hollywood Blvd., Las Palmas, Rusty Mullet, Hollywood, Shots, Hollywood Happenings, sports bar

Food/Drink Music/Concerts

Good Food Fridays Continues

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 28, 2013

Good Food Fridays is back on August 30 for a night of food, drinks and entertainment in Santa Monica. Good Food Friday is a fun, free community event that is put on to support local businesses and allow residents to come out and enjoy the area. This week there is a special “Back to School” theme, and the event will be starting earlier at 5pm. The night will include food sampling, local high school musicians, face painting, wine tasting and an array of local vendors with pop-up shops. The whole night is sure to please and is made for the whole family to enjoy!

The event takes place at Santa Monica Place, an open air shopping and dining destination just steps away from the Third Street Promenade. Good Food Friday takes over The Market, which is the third-floor Dining Deck of Santa Monica Place. Special guests include the Almond Milk LA, Gindo’s Spice of Life, Green Brooms Music Academy, KRAVE Jerky, KIND Bars, Go Green Nopal Foods, ZYL Collections, Naam Yoga and more. The event will take place on the last Friday of every month through October.

To get the latest news about the new Santa Monica Place, visit www.santamonicaplace.com.

Tags wine tasting, food tasting, Back to School, Community Event, Good Food Friday, Santa Monica Place, The Market, food, Los Angeles, Santa Monica

Hollywood News Food/Drink

The LA Times Brings Us The Taste

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 26, 2013

The Los Angeles Times presents The Taste this Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1.

Labor Day marks the end of summer in Los Angeles, but The Los Angeles Times tries to ease Angelinos’ sadness by hosting The Taste this Labor Day Weekend. The Taste is a three-day gastronomic adventure featuring five events that will highlight distinct aspects of food culture in Southern California. The events feature unlimited food and drink tastings from more than 40 of the area’s top restaurants, cooking and mixology demonstrations, wine seminars and panel discussions.

The Taste starts Friday, August 30 and will continue through Sunday, September 1. Friday gets started with their ‘Opening Night’ where you will get a focused collection of tastings, distinctive cocktail and wine offerings and live entertainment. Festivities continue into Saturday with ‘Field to Fork’ with Russ Parsons, The Times’ Food Editor, who hosts an event inspired by fresh, local ingredients and the pleasure of cooking seasonal dishes. The day then turns to ‘Flavors of L.A.’ where Jonathan Gold, The Times’ Restaurant Critic, hosts a day full of authentic dishes from around the world – via Los Angeles’ best restaurants. Sunday brings the ‘Labor Day Block Party’ where Noelle Carter, The Times’ Test Kitchen Director, will host a holiday get-together designed to focus on one of summer’s favorite family pastimes – barbecue. Finally, the weekend festivities come to an end at ‘Cocktail Confidential’ where Jessica Gelt, The Times’ Food & Night Life Writer and Betty Hallock, The Times’ Deputy Food Editor host an evening dedicated to the culinary creations and libations that typify cocktail culture.

The Taste takes place in Los Angeles at the Paramount Pictures Studios. Learn more and purchase tickets at http://events.latimes.com/taste.

Tags Hollywood Happenings, Labor Day Block Party, Labor Day Weekend, Paramount Pictures Studios, food, The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, The Taste, wine tasting, Cocktail Confidential, Field to Fork, Flavors of L.A., food festival, Hollywood, food tasting

Food/Drink Music/Concerts

Time to Party in the Park

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 23, 2013

Culver City's Fiesta La Ballona will kick off Friday, August 23 and will conclude Sunday, August 25. — Culver City’s Fiesta La Ballona will kick off Friday, August 23 and will conclude Sunday, August 25.

Culver City’s annual Party in the Park will take place this weekend, August 23 through August 25 at Veterans Park. The weekend will include carnival rides and games, live performances, over 100 booths featuring artisan wares, a petting zoo and pony rides, beer and wine garden, food trucks and other fun contests and events, all open to the community.

This year’s Fiesta La Ballona will start Friday at 4pm until 10pm, on Saturday 11am to 10pm and will conclude on Sunday from 10:30am to 9pm. Entrance to the event is free, but food, carnival rides and attractions are extra. There will be various live entertainment performances ranging from a cover band playing AC/DC to a Mariachi band. Saturday night’s performances will end with a two-hour dance party by “The World’s Grooviest Live Disco Show” The Funky Hippeez with Disco Diva. Stilt walkers will also be gracing Culver City with their presence! This event focuses on being green by promoting recycling awareness during the event and has a specialized valet service if you ride your bike to the event.

More information about the weekend festivities can be found here: http://www.fiestalaballona.org/.

Tags contests, Culver City, Fiesta La Ballona, food truck, music festival, park, Party in the Park, petting zoo, Los Angeles, vendors, beer garden, Veteran's Park, booths, wine garden, carnival rides

Food/Drink

Depressed Cake Shop Spreads Awareness

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 22, 2013

Depressed Cake Shop is a pop-up cake show that spreads awareness about mental illnesses, and will be in LA this weekend.

Los Angeles – Love sweets and helping out a good cause? Then you’re in for a treat this weekend! Depressed Cake Shop is a pop-up cake shop that has done away with the conventional colorful desserts and instead sells baked treats that are grey. That’s right, Depressed Cake Shop sells only grey colored cakes and other baked goods that when cut into give you a fun, colorful surprise. The bakery is based on the goal of raising awareness of mental health issues by making each treat thematically tied to a mental illness. The proceeds from each pop-up cake shop will be donated to an organization that will further the cause.

On Friday and Saturday, August 23 and 24, the Buckwild Gallery in Venice will be transformed into the Depressed Cake Shop’s next pop-up bakery. Their opening night party will take place on Friday and will feature delicious grey baked goods, as well as themed artwork and photography from renowned artists, complimentary beer and wine, and much more. Saturday’s activities will include decorating classes throughout the day by a renowned sugar artist. All proceeds from this weekend’s events will benefit NAMI Westside LA.

To learn more about the event or to RSVP, please visit: www.depressedcakeshop.com/depressed-cake-shop-los-angeles/.

Tags Cupcakes, NAMI Westside LA, Venice, Los Angeles, baked goods, Buckwild Gallery, cakes, Depressed Cake Shop, dessert, good cause, grey, mental illness awareness

Food/Drink Glendale News

Glendale Tap has Made its Mark

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 8, 2013

Glendale Tap is a relatively new beer bar in Glendale that has 52 varieties of beer on tap and is a huge hit thus far.

The city of Glendale continues to grow, and to add to the long list of places you need to visit is Glendale Tap. Glendale Tap recently opened in Glendale and it has quickly become a hit. The friendly neighborhood beer bar has 52 different beers on tap, which include ciders as well as organic beers. The cozy bar also features a wide selection of bottled beers and a few old-fashioned soda pops to continue with the authentic feel the bar gives.

The current trends in Glendale have been craft beer bars that then fall into the ‘fancy gastro-pub’ category, but going against the current is Glendale Tap who are proud to have peanut shells on the floor and would be happy to heat you up a soft pretzel. Only open for 6 months, the owners wanted to be sure to give the restaurant an old look and feel, like a bar that your grandfather went to.

The bar located on San Fernando Road is only a short drive to two of the city’s most respected breweries, Golden Road Brewing and Eagle Rock Brewery, giving you the option to support your local beers. Glendale Tap is open Monday through Thursday 5PM to 2AM, and Friday through Sunday 1PM to 2AM. They are located at 4227 San Fernando Rd., Glendale, CA 91204, just north of Los Feliz Boulevard. Check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GlendaleTap.

Tags City of Glendale, Bar, beer on tap, cider, Eagle Rock Brewery, Glendale beer, Glendale Tap, Brand Boulevard, Golden Road Brewing, Glendale, organic beer

Food/Drink Music/Concerts Hollywood News

Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival Returns

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 8, 2013

The Third Annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival will start August 22 and continue on through August 25.

The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival is back in Southern California for its third consecutive year. The festival brings together some of the most celebrated culinary talent in the country for a four day event that takes place in various areas of Los Angeles. The festivities offer guests a chance to sample the cuisines and specialized products of the most prominent leaders of their industry. The entire event caters to nearly all of the human senses by also hosting the entertainment industry’s biggest talents during the live culinary demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, book signings and many more.

The first annual Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival took place in 2011 and brought in over 15,000 attendees to witness and taste firsthand food from140 celebrity chefs and almost 300 wineries. Hollywood celebrities filled the event lineup, such as Kathy Griffin and Randy Jackson. The entire five-day event raised $400,000 to support St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.

This year’s festival will take place August 22 through August 25, and will spread its events between Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Learn more about the festival and all the events that will be taking place later this month here: www.lafw.com.

Tags Downtown LA, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, wine, wine tasting, Beverly Hills, book signing, celebrity chef, culinary demonstrations, food, Hollywood Happenings, LA Food & Wine Festival, Los Angeles, Jazz, Santa Monica

Food/Drink Glendale News

A Guide to Happy Hours in Glendale

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date July 31, 2013

Dave's on Broadway offers a fantastic happy hour with inexpensive drinks and complimentary hot dogs. — Dave’s on Broadway offers a fantastic happy hour with inexpensive drinks and complimentary hot dogs.

With summer comes perfect weather, longer days and the need to feel like you are on vacation at all times. Happy hours are the perfect way to relax after a long day of work and we have provided a guide to a few great happy hours in Glendale.

Katsuya (702 Americana Way)

Katsuya located in the Americana offers a happy hour Monday through Friday from 5PM to 7PM. This modern Asian lounge is conveniently located in the mall, so you can enjoy a movie and shopping before sitting down to some drinks and snacks. The Burning Mandarin cocktail with Serrano chili is drink favorite here, partnered with their crispy Brussels sprouts and hand-cut sushi rolls. Something to note, happy hour is served on the outside patio.

Dave’s on Broadway (708 E Broadway)

Dave’s is one of Glendale’s most iconic bars and can be recognized by the vintage neon sign outside. This cozy dive bar was established in 1934 and can be heard playing your favorite from the 70s. Happy hour is daily from 4PM to 7PM, and during those three wonderful hours you can enjoy $2 beers, $3 well drinks and complimentary hot dogs.

Check in throughout the summer as we share more secrets of Glendale’s happy hours!

Tags City of Glendale, Dave's on Broadway, Happy Hour, Hot dogs, Katsuya, Summer happy hour, Sushi, Glendale

Glendale News Food/Drink

Cupcakes Galore in Glendale

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date July 3, 2013

Annette Starbuck won Cupcake Wars and used the cash prize to open a shop in Glendale.

Downtown Glendale — Annette Starbuck is the owner of Goodie Girls Cupcakes in Glendale, and is looking to expand her successful business by opening a second store in La Cañada Flintridge. The July store opening is following the requests from customers who drive from La Cañada Flintridge to order her tasty treats. She will opening up her new store along Foothill Boulevard, in the Plaza de La Cañada.

We saw Annette Starbuck on the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” as she competed against 3 other top cupcake bakers for the cash prize and the chance to showcase their cupcakes at a big event. Annette competed in the season 3 premiere in 2011, and was able to stomp out her competition. With the $10,000 grand prize, Annette opened up her first cupcake shop right here in Glendale. Since then, Annette has enjoyed serving the Glendale community and astounding everyone with beautifully crafted and absolutely delicious cupcakes.

Annette’s new store will not only offer her signature cupcakes topped with edible glitter, but you can also buy coffee, homemade hot chocolate, cupcake sundaes, miniature cakes, cookies and breakfast pastries. Unlike the Glendale location, the La Cañada Flintridge shop will have both indoor and outdoor patio seating. With this move, Annette will also be able to bake in her very own shop. Up until now, she has been renting out a commercial kitchen in Pasadena, so with this move she will be able to do all of her baking in her own store, and it will provide her Glendale location with treats as well.

Glendale has been enjoying the tasty Goodie Girls Cupcakes since it opened its doors two years ago. The store is located at 415 E. Broadway #100, Glendale, CA 91205, on the corner of Broadway and Jackson. Visit her website at www.thegoodiegirls.com to buy fun aprons, t-shirts, and of course, put in an order of delectable cupcakes.

Tags Annette Starbuck, Cupcake Wars, Cupcakes, Food Network, Goodie Girls Cupcakes, La Canada Flintridge, Glendale