Guide To dineLA Restaurant Week - Summer 2015
One of the most highly-anticipated culinary events of the summer in Los Angeles is the annual dineL.A.'s Summer Restaurant Week brought to you by The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. From July 13th – 26th, 2015, diners around the Los Angeles area can take advantage of special lunch and dinner menus, as well as exclusive dishes, from hundreds of applauded L.A. chefs at notable restaurants over the course of two weeks.
dineL.A. makes it possible for even foodies on a fixed budget to experience the wonderful culinary community Los Angeles is famous for. This year, over 300 restaurants are offering special dining experiences at three price points where guests can enjoy lunch at their favorite restaurant for $15, $20, or $25; or head to that hotspot they've been dying to give a whirl for dinner specially priced at $30, $40, or $50 per person.
We took the time to look at each menu so you don't have to and here are a few suggestions for lunch and dinner. No matter where you end up, you're bound to have a wonderful experience.
Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 978-2170
www.graciasmadreweho.com
Gracias Madre does an exceptional job at creating delicious Mexican cuisine with a twist: all dishes are 100% organic, vegan and prepared using the fresh ingredients grown locally, but most importantly, they are made with love. Carefully selected and inspired by traditional Mexican family recipes, the dishes at Gracias Madre are passed down from friends and family from generation-to-generation. What we're eating: Make sure not to pass up the dineLA exclusives like the Mango & Avocado Salad with chipotle vinaigrette; Summer Empanadas; and Key Lime Mousse with cashew coconut cream and tequila reposado sauce. $20 per person
Sushi Roku
33 Miller Alley
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 683-3000
www.sushiroku.com
Get ready to be delighted because under the careful guidance of Chef Hiroshi Shima, Sushi Roku has created a three-course lunch menu in preparation for this summer's dineLA. At first glance, it will certainly be a challenge to choose just one dish from each course, but no matter what you decide on, you simply cannot go wrong. Depending on your appetite, begin with the Albacore Sashimi with chili oil & garlic aioli or Edamame Hummus Pita Chips; followed by the Mixed Seafood & Vegetable Tempura or "Ji-Dori" Free Range Chicken, but whatever you decide, make sure to save room for the Mini Chocolate Volcano and you can thank us later. $25 per person
The Churchill
8384 W 3rd St
West Hollywood, CA 90048
(323) 655-8384
www.the-churchill.com
Serving "Brunch for Lunch," The Churchill is the perfect spot to break bread with friends on the sidewalk patio, or inside thanks to it's exciting menu, extensive list of handmade signature cocktails, and 20 regional craft beers on tap. Known for seasonal American cuisine, The Churchill are staunch supporters of local farming and sustainable fishing which are featured on the special menu. To really experience these fresh ingredients and heightened flavors you simply have to try the fresh Avocado Toast with burrata and tomatoes; either Southern Fried Chicken 'n' Bacon Studded Waffle, or the legendary Churchill Burger which dreams are made of. $20 per person
Wolfgang Puck
701 Stone Canyon Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90077
(310) 909-1644
www.wolfgangpuck.com
Pause for a moment and go grab the phone because you need to make a reservation for lunch right now at Wolfgang Puck. This menu is off-the-charts. It's unheard of scoring a lunch anywhere in the uber-swank Bel-Air area for this price, let alone one created by a world-renowned superstar chef. All about healthy California cuisine, you can expect to dine on appetizers like a beautiful fresh Summer Harvest Bean Salad and a Tempura Soft Shell Crab Sandwich served on a Hawaiian nori roll, with Yuzu-Kosho aioli for the main course. The three-course menu is $25 per person and a sommelier wine pairing is available upon request.
The District by Hannah An
8722 W 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 278-2345
www.thedistrictbyha.com
The dineL.A. dinner selections at The District by Hannah An details a "culinary journey from the districts of Vietnam to the avenues of Los Angeles." Featuring ingredients from the East and West, each plate is "intricately handcrafted to transport guests into Vietnam's sensational past." Guest will be treated to an authentic Vietnamese experience with a three-course menu featuring Crispy Chicken Roll; a choice of Hannah's Homemade Noodle & Filet Mignon, Vietnamese Chicken Curry, or Black Code Clay Pot; and a Pineapple Bread Pudding with caramel rum sauce for dessert. $50 per person.
The Little Door - Santa Monica
246 26th St
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 310-8064
www.thelittledoorsm.com
Considered one of the most romantic spots in Los Angeles, The Little Door - Santa Monica brings authentic Mediterranean cuisine and "charming intimacy" to the Westside. Enjoy this summer's dineL.A. while seated in the main dining room which features a retractable roof so you can take advantage of the beautiful California weather all year-round. Some must-not miss dishes you just have to try during your visit are: the Fresh Goat Cheese Lavender Tart with Trio of Roasted Beets; Espelette Seared Sea Scallop with Baba Ganoush, Grilled Eggplant and Moroccan Greens; and the Braised Lamb Osso Buco with Rosemary Smoked Garlic Jus with ratatouille and pesto fingerling mash. $50 per person.
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
212 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 276-6900
www.sugarfishsushi.com
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa has yet to announce the details of their dineL.A. menu, but there is no way we could leave one of L.A.'s best sushi restaurants off of this list. Nozawa-style sushi is based on quality, simplicity and excellence. Our guess is the menu will be a variation of one of the three popular "Trust Me" menus featured at the restaurant, but no matter what it is, you're in for a very special dining experience. Fair warning, SUGARFISH does not accept reservations, and due to the small size of the restaurants, tables will fill up very quickly for this event. Dinner is $50 per person and will be served at multiple Los Angeles locations.
The Roost at L.A. Farm
3000 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 449-4000
www.theroostatlafarm.com
The Roost at L.A. Farm's very own Chef Johnny has carefully created a four-course menu for this summer's dineL.A. which will feature rustic seasonal American dishes with contemporary twists. Some of the stand-out offerings include: Duck Rillette, Smoked Salmon Salad, Linguini with Mussels and a Grilled Zucchini with spinach, paprika and goat's cheese. Still thinking ahead to dessert? We have three words: Nutella Creme Brulee. For those looking to heighten their dining experience even more, the restaurant boasts an extensive international wine list and signature cocktails curated by General Manager, Tony Trincanello upon request. Dinner is $50 per person.
