dineL.A. Restaurant Week Spotlight: San Fernando Valley
Updated on October 13, 2015
The San Fernando Valley is one of the largest and most historic regions in L.A., with spectacular natural landscapes, vibrant cultural attractions, eclectic shopping and a diverse range of international cuisines. One of the best ways to discover the Valley’s thriving culinary scene is during Restaurant Week. Read on for selected Valley restaurants that are participating, as well as events and hotels that will make your dining experience even more memorable.
Bourbon Steak Los Angeles
Chef Michael Mina’s modern American steakhouse offers a dining experience that is both classic and contemporary. Located at the Americana at Brand in Glendale, Bourbon Steak Los Angeles showcases hickory wood-fired grilled steak and seafood, as well as a la carte accompaniments like grilled Gulf prawns, herb-roasted bone marrow and black truffle butter. Unique offerings include a patisserie that serves fresh pastries and Lamill coffee, the Piano Bar and tableside services such as Japanese Whisky flights, a shellfish cart and a treat trolley. Bourbon Steak’s Restaurant Week dinner menu starts with a Little Gems Caesar salad, beets and ricotta, or house-made lamb merguez. Entree options include an 8 oz. bavette steak, roasted Mary's organic chicken, or wood-grilled salmon. For dessert, enjoy the Flavors of Cheesecake with harry's strawberries, Sicilian pistachio and compressed rhubarb.
237 South Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91210//} ?>
The Front Yard
Built in 1972 by real estate developer Fillmore Crank for his wife, Beverly Garland, The Garland has unveiled 243 renovated guest rooms and 14 suites, updated public spaces, Beverly Park (a new outdoor garden/wedding venue), and a completely redesigned signature restaurant, The Front Yard. The Front Yard’s Restaurant Week lunch menu starts with green garbanzo hummus, tuna tartare taco or a market vegetable salad. Mains include a choice of fig and prosciutto flatbread, TFY Burger and Thai shrimp. For dinner, start with grilled octopus, feta and broccolini flatbread, or the Triple B with local burrata, baby beets, cape gooseberry, sherry and cocoa nibs. Main options include Mary's chicken, wild halibut or Angus hanger steak frites. The "Sweet Ending" is a choice of Grasshopper Brownie (espresso brownie, homemade thin mint cookie, candied cocoa nibs, white chip mint ice cream) or creme fraiche panna cotta with compressed pineapple, ginger meringue and blackberry Cabernet sorbet.
4222 Vineland Ave. North Hollywood, CA 91602//} ?>
Opened in July 2011, Red Room Food & Wine Bar features a rotating list of 50 wines paired with tapas, flatbreads, entrees and salads. Located on Ventura Boulevard in Encino, the cozy hideaway features an outdoor patio and live music on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The Restaurant Week dinner menu starts with Torta Española, calamari bruschetta or grilled Castroville artichoke. The second course features a selection of flatbreads, such as Margarita, roasted mushroom, or prosciutto with burrata cheese, fig conserve and kale pesto. Third course options include Orecchiette rustic pasta, tandoori chicken brochette, Sonoma lamb meatballs or the Bistro Steak, featuring prime aged sirloin, grain mustard sauce and wild arugula.
Saddle Peak Lodge
Tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, Saddle Peak Lodge is a warm, rustic retreat situated along a creek that runs from Las Virgenes Canyon to the Pacific Ocean. Saddle Peak Lodge has welcomed generations of Hollywood stars to its luxe hunting lodge setting, which has appeared in numerous classic movies and TV series. For Restaurant Week, Saddle Peak Lodge is featuring a six-course tasting menu: gazpacho, pea toast, seared venison carpaccio with spicy green papaya salad, scarlet corn agnolotti, New Zealand elk tenderloin and summer strawberries.
419 Cold Canyon Rd. Calabasas, CA 91302-2204//} ?>
SunCafe Organic
Located within a restored 1920s ranch-style home in Studio City, SunCafe Organic features a rustic World Cuisine menu of vegan and raw dishes made with fresh, organic ingredients. SunCafe’s Restaurant Week lunch menu includes first course options like Lettuce Leaf Tacos, a popular raw starter made with SunChorizo, cashew cheese, pico de gallo, avocado and basil ranch. Second course options include Baja tacos, BLT with smoky tempeh bacon, and a Mac & Cheese with Andrean Dreams quinoa pasta, tomato and cashew cheese sauce. For dinner, appetizers include lettuce tacos or pan-seared cauliflower, served with house BBQ sauce, dill pickles, Santa Barbara pistachios, green onions and basil Ranch dressing. Entree options include coconut curry with black rice, and a Land & Sea Paella with saffron-infused Arborio rice, market vegetables and king oyster mushrooms in a sea vegetable broth. Dessert showcases SunCafe shakes like vanilla, cacao or sweet kale.
10820 Ventura Blvd Studio City, CA 91604//} ?>
EVENTS: El Portal Theatre
During Restaurant Week, you can enjoy all that the Valley has to offer, including one of the top theatre districts in L.A. Opened in 1926, the landmark El Portal Theatre is located at the heart of the vibrant North Hollywood theatre scene, featuring three intimate live theatres and the Judith Kaufman Art Gallery. El Portal is presenting two acclaimed productions - Walk Like a Man (July 17-19), featuring the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; and Long Live the King (July 24-26) starring Shawn Klush, who recreates Elvis Presley's legendary concerts at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The show features the King’s real back up singers, The Sweet Inspirations.
5269 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601//} ?>
EVENTS: Summertime Cinema - Westfield Fashion Square
For family fun, Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks presents Summertime Cinema, one of L.A.'s most popular outdoor movie series. Every Friday through Aug. 7, beloved movies will be screened outdoors on the Rooftop Parking Deck next to the Dining Terrace entrance, allowing attendees to relive the magic of the big screen. During Restaurant Week, Summertime Cinema is featuring Rio 2 (July 17) and Big Hero 6 (July 24). Seating opens at 6 p.m. and movies start at 8 p.m. Westfield Fashion Square will have a red carpet with photo op to recreate a movie premiere, and an opportunity to win an upgrade to the Pottery Barn VIP Lounge.
EVENTS: Theatricum Botanicum
Situated in an idyllic Topanga Canyon locale, the Will Geer Theatricum Botanium has earned international recognition for its interpretation of Shakespeare’s work. On July 23, audiences will be delighted by Theatricum’s signature production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In Shakespeare’s comedy, two pairs of star-crossed lovers, feuding supernatural sprites and a love potion gone awry all come together for an enchanting evening in Topanga’s moonlit forest. Other Restaurant Week performances include To Kill a Mockingbird, As You Like It and Green Grow the Lilacs. Theatricum Botanicum also features Family Fundays, one of L.A.’s top family-friendly cultural programs. On July 26, the whole family can enjoy The Legend of King Arthur, an interactive, in-the-round theatre experience with Arthur, Guinevere and Merlin telling tales of the Round Table.
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. Topanga, CA 90290//} ?>
HOTELS: Airtel Plaza
Extend your Restaurant Week experience by staying at one of the Valley’s top hotels. The Airtel Plaza Hotel & Conference Center is located at Van Nuys Airport and is centrally located near key neighborhoods like Sherman Oaks, Encino and Northridge. The hotel features the tropically inspired Clipper Club Lounge and 22,000 square feet of flexible function space, including two ballrooms and the outdoor Midway Gardens.
For generations, Van Nuys Airport has been home to celebrity pilots and the rich and famous. Amelia Earhart flew there and Marilyn Monroe was discovered there. The famous ending from the classic Casablanca, when Humphrey Bogart tells Ingrid Bergman to get on a plane to Lisbon, was filmed at Van Nuys Airport. The hangar that’s featured in that final scene has been saved and now rests at the Airtel Plaza Hotel.
7277 Valjean Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91406//} ?>
HOTELS: Hilton Woodland Hills
Conveniently located off Interstate 101 in the west San Fernando Valley, the Hilton Woodland Hills offers 326 deluxe guest rooms and suites, plus more than 17,000 square feet of versatile meeting and banquet facilities. Boasting a contemporary California design, the hotel offers a wide range of amenities and services for the business traveler, including A/V rental, 24-hour business center, computer workstations, printing and video conferencing. The hotel is located at Warner Center, known as the “Downtown of the Valley,” and is just minutes from a variety of shopping and outdoor activities.
6360 Canoga Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367//} ?>
HOTELS: Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel
Enjoy an A-list stay at the landmark Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel, where Golden Age Hollywood gets a contemporary twist. The hotel’s highlight is the Olympic-sized pool, the largest in the Valley and a gathering place for legendary stars like Clark Gable and Bette Davis. Designed with a mix of San Fernando Valley charm and Tinseltown glamour, the property’s accommodations feature 190 versatile guest spaces, including executive rooms and suites, as well as complimentary WiFi and exclusive bath products. Other amenities include cocktails at the River Rock Lounge and the Pool Bar, six acres of lush gardens, on-site hair salon and complimentary shuttle service to and from Universal Studios Hollywood.
12825 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604//} ?>
dineL.A.'s Restaurant Week (July 13-26) is a 14-day dining event showcasing Los Angeles as a premier dining destination, highlighting the diversity of culinary experiences L.A. has to offer. Locals and visitors have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of specially priced prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus from some of L.A.’s best restaurants. dineL.A. menus are subject to change.