Best Of LA: Week Of November 24
Thanksgiving week is here. Amidst the plethora of blessings, people, and places we can be thankful for, there's still a ton of activities to enjoy in Los Angeles. Don't miss poignant and pointing theater performances, holiday activities and openings, and of course, a hearty portion of Thanksgiving feasts and meals to fill your belly.
"What the Butler Saw"
Mark Taper Forum
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
www.CenterTheatreGroup.org
Enjoy your short work week and head over to the Mark Taper Forum to see "What the Butler Saw" by Joe Orton. Directed by John Tillinger, it tells the tale of a very proper Dr. Prentice who is interrupted by his wife just as he is about to seduce a young woman applying for a job. In his attempt to conceal his actions, Orton takes a stab at modern psychiatry, religion, marriage, morality, government, and definitions of gender, all in one night! A limited number of $25 hot tickets are available per performance.
Celebrate Cheesegiving
Greenspan's Grilled Cheese
7461 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 591-0177
www.greenspansgrilledcheese.com
A much lesser known holiday than Thursday's Thanksgiving, Cheesegiving is all about celebrating cheese! Chef Eric Greenspan teams up with Tillamook Cheeses for coverage of the fun culinary indulgence, available at Greenspan's Grilled Cheese this week, through November 26. Don't miss the Thanksgiving Grilled Cheese, with Tillamook Medium Cheddar on Rye bread with turkey, green beans, crispy shallots, cranberry sage chutney and gravy dip, the Sweet Potato Latkes, or a Throwback Apple Pie with melted Tillamook Cheddar and a scoop of Tillamook Caramel Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
Holiday Concert Series
Westside Pavilion
10800 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 470-8752
www.WestsidePavilion.com
Get your holiday shopping season started in style tonight at the Westside Pavilion where they begin their holiday concert series with a special performance by 15-year-old pop sensation Bea Miller, as well as a special meet and greet which follow the performance. Strolling carolers, live entertainment, Kids Club events, pet photos with Santa, and celebrity appearances are on hand to make your holiday's extra bright.
Related: Best Thanksgiving Events in LA
(credit: Shutterstock)Thanksgiving Dinner
A variety of Los Angeles restaurants are serving up impeccable Thanksgiving dinners this season. Whether you crave gourmet options or the added family time while not cleaning, prepping, and washing the dishes, these LA restaurants are offering an amazing assortment of Thanksgiving feasts.
- Barton G - The traditional feast includes Turkey, gravy, stuffing, candied yams, and more in a re-imagined sharable three-course menu. $65 per person. View The Menu
- Cafe del REY - The iconic waterfront destination is offering your holiday favorites (including Roasted Turkey Breast, sausage stuffing, green beans and truffle mashed potatoes) in a three-course, prix-fixe menu. $60 per person. View The Menu
- Delphine - Delphine Eatery + Bar, an LA favorite, will also be serving Thanksgiving with a family style prix fixe menu for lunch and dinner for $55. The meal includes choices like butternut squash with bacon, brioche, smoked jalapeno and apple as well as a persimmon salad. For your main course, dine on a delicious roasted turkey breast with sausage stuffing, sweet potato puree, roasted green beans, and cranberry relish. Wrap it all up with their version of pumpkin pie for dessert!
- Napa Valley Grille- The traditional and contemporary Thanksgiving dinner (including Autumn Harvest Salad, Braised Lamb, and Natural Deistel Turkey) is offered as a rustic, three-course dinner ($48), or available for takeout, which might just fool your guests. View The Menu
Explore more Thanksgiving dinner options in Los Angeles:
Best Restaurants Open For Thanksgiving In Los Angeles
Turkey Trot
City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.turkeytrot.la
Burn those unwanted Thanksgiving calories and give back to charity by taking part in the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot through scenic Downtown LA. Want to add to the fun? Racers often add to the atmosphere by dressing in Thanksgiving costumes. The 5K and 10K races start at end at City Hall, with proceeds benefitting the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and a variety of local charitable organizations. For kids, the "Widdle Wobble" allows little ones aged 2t o 12 to run for fun around Grand Park.
LA Zoo Lights
The Los Angeles Zoo
5333 Zoo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 644-6042
www.lazoo.org
The Los Angeles Zoo environment has just been transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland as lasers, LED lights, 3D projections, sets, and interactive displays take over the Los Angeles Zoo at nighttime. The new experience, which returns for the first time since 2009, is featured today through January 4, 2015. Purchase your tickets online to enjoy the early bird price of $8. It's great fun for the family.
The Nutcracker
Arcadia Performing Arts Center
188 Campus Dr
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 821-1781
www.ipballet.org
Enjoy the Inland Pacific Ballet's opening of their 20th season with the production of the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker." Dazzling sets, stunning costumes, and nearly 100 dancers on the stage make this production a must-see for Los Angeles residents; the meet and greet after the show provides a unique opportunity for the entire family to be caught up in the winter wonderland and beautiful choreography of this holiday show. Tickets from $38.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
The Hollywood Hotel
1160 Vermont Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90029
(800) 800-9733
www.hollywoodhotel.net
This year, don't just watch the Hollywood Christmas Parade, you can walk in it! The Hollywood Hotel is allowing guests to get in on the fun as they walk with the hotel's team in the 86th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. A great present for fans of the exclusive red carpet experience, the event is Hollywood's official Christmas parade and kicks off the holidays. The Hollywood Hotel team, and guests who book a 2 night stay over November 30th with the promo code XMAS, will be "wrangling" a giant "The Elf on the Shelf" balloon character along with the book's co-creator, Carole Aebersold.
Firefly New Brunch Menu
11720 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-1833
www.fireflystudiocity.com
Starting today, Firefly in Studio City opens its sprawling patio for brunch. Created by Chef Paul Shoemaker, a selection of seasonal to sweet entrees will be offered on the sunny outdoor patio including shrimp and creamy polenta, scrambled eggs, Maine lobster Benedict, a Honey Boo Boo Breakfast Burger with sunny side eggs, bacon, cheddar, whipped honey butter and fries, as well as a delicious Texas style brioche French toast with banana bourbon caramel and whipped cream.
