Font ResizeCassoulet Dinner at Bistro LQ Tonight, October 28
Now that the weather's turned a little frosty, try this hearty French dish with creative twists that only Chef Laurent Quenioux can deliver. The base meal is three courses: a smoked duck breast salad, a main course of cassoulet stewed for five hours with all the fixings, and a small dessert with mignardises treats. The special is available to parties of two or more people for $45 per person.
8009 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, (323) 951-1088
Spooky Treats at SusieCakes
Halloween treats aren't just for the kids. Even grownups can enjoy the seasonal treats at this area bakery, like the pumpkin spice cupcake with cream cheese frosting, the Rice Krispie Treats rolled in Halloween "spookins," and orange and black whoopie pies. But remember, don't eat them all at once or you'll give yourself a stomach ache. So said our mom.
11708 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049, (310) 442-2253
East Meets West Dinner at XIV, November 3
In an Iron Chef-like twist, James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina invites famed Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi into his kitchen at XIV to create a special six-course dinner of dishes featuring a side-by-side tasting of each chef's riff on one ingredient. For instance, Mina will prepare scallops with passion fruit puree and cauliflower while Uechi will slice his raw and top them with kiwi in a yuzu vinaigrette. Among the other ingredients: blue fin tuna, tai snapper, and Kobe beef. The menu will cost $90 a person, or $135 with wine and sake pairings.
8117 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, (310) 656-1414
Hewitson Mad Hatter Wine Dinner at BLVD 16, November 3
Next Tuesday, Dean Hewitson will bring his Mad Hatter 2006 Shiraz all the way from Australia to a special wine dinner at BLVD 16, just in time for National Mad Hatter Day (yes, that's actually a thing). The multi-course meal will feature pairings with both the Mad Hatter and other Hewitson wines, and will cost $75 per person. Dinner starts at 7:00pm, and to make your reservations, email: madhattertourLA@gmail.com.
10740 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 474-7765
Bottomless Bubbly Sunday Brunch at Casa Del Mar
This upscale Westside hotel has started a new "Live Well Again" program to counter recessionary woes, and as part of it, the hotel's Veranda restaurant has launched a new Sunday "Bubbly Brunch" from 11:00am-3:00pm. Along with menu items like French toast with honey-roasted figs, and lemon-ricotta pancakes, guests can also take advantage of a retro dessert buffet, all for $29 per person. To add bottomless champagne costs just $8.99. However (and this is why you love us), you can also take our tip and text the word "Casa" to 21534 before you go in, and you will receive a video text with a coupon at the end for free champagne. All you have to do is show the phone to the hostess, and your bubbly is free. We'll toast to that.
1910 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405, (310) 587-1789
