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It’s hard to say when exactly gluten became Public Enemy No. 1 in Los Angeles. Luckily there are a few establishments that run against the grain (or with it, depending on your point of view). Not necessarily bakeries, or even restaurants that make good bread, but places to eat where a South Beach dieter shouldn't even bother. Here are 10 places in L.A. worth a visit just for the bread.
On March 21-23, 2014, 25 chefs from across the country and around the world are gathering for the All-Star Chef Classic, a three-day modern food event taking place at L.A. LIVE in Downtown Los Angeles. Celebrated chefs and the rising stars they have mentored will showcase their culinary mastery in two unique venues: Restaurant Stadium™ and The Chefs’ Tasting Arena™. The former welcomes over 250 guests “kitchen-side” in an intimate VIP setting, while the latter features a more expansive layout and a market-style experience with family-style seating.
Grill & Chill presented by dineLA is an international cookout taking place on Saturday, March 22 from 7:30-10 p.m. Grill & Chill celebrates the many ways that different cultures embrace the experience of cooking over an open flame, featuring chefs Roy Choi, Michael Cimarusti, Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook, Ricardo Zarate and more. Along with delicious tastings, admission includes alcoholic beverages, and recipe ideas. For those looking to beat the crowds, there is a VIP ‘Diamond’ ticket that gets guests in 60 minutes early with VIP access to the Chefs’ Tasting Arena™.
Following are Los Angeles restaurants where you can experience the acclaimed culinary creations of Grill & Chill participating chefs.
The Chinese New Year is the start of the new Lunar Calendar and the onset of the agricultural season. For the Chinese, this date is single-handedly the most important holiday of the year. It’s a 15-day soiree - a time of reunion, a time for family. Each day has a new theme. The first day is for lighting fireworks and bamboo sticks, the fifth day is for dumplings, and so on. The common link for each day is food - the half-month is filled with an abundance of dishes. After all, food is the cornerstone of Chinese culture. Traditional dishes are steeped with symbolism – many of which are homophones for lucky phrases.
Here are eight auspicious Chinese dishes and where to get them in the greater Los Angeles area.
Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya supposedly invented nachos at the Victory Club, a Piedras Negras restaurant located just across from the Texas border. What’s now a widespread classic initially featured fried tortilla chips topped with melted cheese and jalapeños. In L.A., they’re rarely so restrained, and while nachos typically appear at Mexican restaurants, that's not always the case. Here are some of our favorite Los Angeles nachos.
Chinese New Year, aka Spring Festival, is the most significant holiday of the year in China, as well as in countries and cities around the world with a large Chinese population. One of the most diverse cities in the world, Los Angeles celebrates the Lunar New Year with colorful parades, family-friendly festivals, hotel packages, and shopping specials. The Lunar New Year is not only a time for family gatherings, but is also when people honor ancestors and give thanks for good fortune. Sumptuous meals with “lucky” dishes, red envelopes (hongbao) and firecrackers are all traditional parts of the festivities.
Los Angeles is celebrating the Year of the Pig with events ranging from a traditional temple ceremony to the spectacular Golden Dragon Parade, family-friendly street festivals, and great deals for shopping. Xin nian kuai le!
Los Angeles is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. Beginning with L.A.'s founding in 1781, the African American presence has grown and flourished, greatly influencing not only the city of Los Angeles, but making a tremendous impact on the rest of the country and around the world. It’s no coincidence that the two years President Barack Obama spent at L.A.’s Occidental College (1979-1981) played a major role in determining his future in politics.
One of the best ways to experience African American culture and heritage in Los Angeles is during Black History Month, which takes place every February. Hosted by various cultural institutions throughout the city, the month-long celebration includes events at the California African-American Museum in Exposition Park and the annual Pan African Film & Art Festival. The following guide will help you explore L.A.’s African American culture during Black History Month and throughout the year. Day One covers South L.A. and Downtown; Day Two features the Beach Cities; and Day Three takes you to the Westside.
In Barry Sonnenfeld’s fundamental LA tale, Get Shorty (1995), actor Martin Weir (played by Danny DeVito) orders off the menu at the storied celebrity sighting destination, the Ivy. At the time, the Food Network was only two years old, and ordering your meal like a Hollywood big shot seemed ultra-cool. Fast forward to 2013, and Los Angeles is teeming with restaurants offering secret menus and off-the-menu items for customers in the know. Here are some hearty insider eats to impress your friends, and you don’t even have to be Martin Weir to make it happen.
A major factor in dining out depends on who’s joining you for the meal. Some friends or family members call for specific types of themes or experiences. Be prepared with our guide to dining with friends and family.
The holiday shopping season has begun in earnest, and retail centers across Los Angeles are bustling with activity. To help shoppers take a break or refuel, there are numerous restaurants conveniently located inside and nearby L.A.’s top shopping destinations. From world-famous Chinese dumplings to the flagship restaurant of a legendary chef, here are some of the best restaurants to get you through your gift buying list.
Forget the notion that coffee and pastries are enough to sustain you until lunch. Set the culinary pace for the day with a hearty breakfast. LA institutions like Du-par’s, John O'Groat's and The Original Pantry Café have been serving diners for decades. Here are 14 other viable breakfast options in Los Angeles.
