By { Bonnie Davidson
Shining a spotlight on the dynamic culinary landscape of Los Angeles, the 15-day, biannual event known as dineL.A. is a highlight on every foodie’s social calendar. More than 400 restaurants across the city’s diverse neighborhoods—from San Pedro to Studio City, and Venice to Highland Park—are set to participate in this winter’s value-driven program by offering specially priced menus at lunch ($15-$25) and dinner ($29-$49). Back by popular demand, the dineL.A. Exclusive Series (from $95) includes Providence, Spago Beverly Hills, The Royce, The Bazaar by José Andrés and many more of L.A.’s finest, most revered dining spots. Jan. 11-25, 2019. For info and reservations, visit dineLA.com.
- You can eat like a college football player at The Lawry’s Prime Rib. Order the Lawry’s The Beef Bowl Cut, a double-sized cut with the rib bone, served to the Rose Bowl teams.
- L.A. has the largest Persian population outside of Iran. Go to Farsi Café on Westwood Boulevard for the drumstick kebabs.
- Border Grill sources all sustainable seafood according to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.
- Bar Verde Nordstrom at Westfield Century City makes all of its pasta in-house and uses flour from Grist & Toll, a local artisan grain mill.
- The cheeseburger was invented in Pasadena. You can literally taste history at Green Street Tavern.
- Belcampo Santa Monica is female owned and one of the only restaurants in L.A. to raise, butcher and cook its own meat.
- Chaya invented tuna tartare, which you can still experience at Chaya Venice.
- Some of Old Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Marlon Brando and Cary Grant, dined at Casa Vega.
- Pacific Dining Car started as an old rail car in Downtown L.A. in 1921.
- Saddle Peak Lodge has the largest variety of wild game that I know about in L.A., including emu, elk and bison.
- The bacon butter cheddar buttermilk biscuit from M.B. Post has its own Facebook fan page.