Watch CBS News

Get the Most Out of dineLA's Restaurant Week

DineLA Restaurant Week will take place over two consecutive weeks, excluding the Saturday between: January 22–27 and January 29–February 3, 2012.

How vibrant is the Los Angeles restaurant community? One can look at the success of dineLA Restaurant Week for answers. For two weeks of the year, dineLA offers specially priced three-course meals at over 300 hundred restaurants, making some of the best dishes in town accessible to restaurant fans and diners looking to discover new places. The three course menus, offered for $16.00 - $28.00 at lunchtime and from $26.00 - $44.00 at dinner, make some of the most sought-after reservations accessible to everyone who wants to eat there.

Forty-one Charter Participating Restaurants are back for the 5th anniversary of dineLA, proving the longevity of the program and the benefits it provides to the local hospitality community. Charter participating restaurants include local favorites: BLD, Border Grill, Chaya Brasserie, Ford's Filling Station, La Vecchia Cucina, Roy's, Napa Valley Grille representing flavors from Mexico, Japan, Italy, Hawaii and many that highlight California ingredients.

Itacho

For those that have been saving up for a special meal, this is the time to book a table at these luxurious hotel restaurants. Reserve a lunch for $28 or dinner for $44 for a three-course lunch at Bouchon to taste Chef Thomas Keller's chicken liver mousse and mussels at lunch or trout and roast chicken at dinner. At The Bazaar the three course dinner comes with one starter, 3 plates and a dessert. If you've been meaning to try Chef Jose Andres' uber modern take of the "Philly Cheesesteak," this is the time. The Scarpetta dineLA menu features Chef Scott Conant's famous spaghetti with tomato and basil or his short rib angliotti. Chef Vic Casanova's Culina at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is readying his menu. General Manger Medhi Eftekari expressed his enthusiasm for the program. "We are excited to partner with Dine LA, as it is a great way to introduce additional members of the Los Angeles community to Culina, Modern Italian."

Several new restaurants have signed on, including Malibu & Vine, Mercato di Vetro, and Il Covo. In a space that was once Joe Allen, Il Covo is a newcomer worth checking out. The cozy dining room and romantic patio make is a great space for date night or a family dinner. Il Covo's GM Eric Rosenfeld is looking forward to dineLA. "We are participating in dineLA because we see it as an excellent opportunity for people to discover Il Covo at a great value. dineLA is instrumental in supporting the restaurant community, and encourages Angelenos to explore our culinary diversity."

Casual Los Angeles restaurants have gotten in on the action and will be serving meals for $16 at lunch and $26 at dinner. Order three course feasts at Canter's including their corned beef and Rueben sandwiches. In Little Tokyo Fat Spoon will be dishing up curries. On Beverly Boulevard Itacho will serve up Japanese izakaya dishes, sushi and sashimi. The new Short Order at the Original Farmers Market is on a mission to share their burgers with Los Angeles. Adding some old school spuds and custard shakes as well as dineLA diners will receive a $5 certificate to their bakery Short Cake to order pastries and Verve Coffee from Single Origin.

il-covo
Il Covo

Heading up this celebration of Los Angeles restaurants, dineLA Director Stacey Sun told us that during Restaurant Week she'll be eating at Petrossian Restaurant & Boutique for their "Farewell to Foie" menu. When asked about memorable Los Angeles restaurant experiences, Sun gets emotional. "Bar Kitchen is my version of 'Cheers' since it's down the street from the office. I really enjoy going there because they have great service, cocktails, and their dineLA menu for January is awesome. They have roasted veal sweetbreads and rabbit on there for $34!" Sun grew up in LA and would go to Lawry's for special occasions. "The food is consistent, the service is always on point and the dineLA menu is a great deal. Prime rib and lobster tail for $44? Yes, please." She adds, "I've never had a bad dish at Night + Market and I'm a huge fan of the chef Kris Yenbamroong. He has put together a fantastic menu for Restaurant Week -- it involves braised pig tails & trotters."

Sun also emphasized dineLA partnerships, "The most exciting aspect for this January is that we're celebrating our 5 year anniversary. We have 42 restaurants that have participated with dineLA from the beginning, which is amazing. We're also really excited to partner with Expedia to promote Restaurant Week and overnight stays in LA. From now through February 3 anyone booking a participating dineLA hotel through Expedia will receive a complimentary $50 Malibu Wine Experience. It's a great value and there are over 30 hotels included."

Check the dineLA website for a complete list of restaurants and menus, then prepare to let the restaurants serve their loyal customers and woo new fans with this celebration of Los Angeles food.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.