Although Southern California residents have the luxury of dining outdoors through most of the year, event planners and restaurateurs were “taking it outdoors” for a variety of reasons: To promote a good cause, highlight the state’s agricultural bounty, host a housewarming at a new location, or simply because the Pacific Ocean is easy to access and makes for a great backdrop for a breezy food festival.
Farmhouse, situated in Descanso Gardens just outside of Pasadena, was of the most exciting restaurant openings of the season not only because it breathed new life and hope into an area affected by the fires earlier this year, but also provided another reason to experience one of the L.A. area’s most enduring horticultural and cultural destinations. The 7,800-square-foot “farm-to-fork” dining destination is tastefully nestled within the heart of the iconic 150-acre botanical garden.
While Executive Chef Adam Cherney and Chef Partner Rich Mead are noted for their deep deep ties and commitment to sustainably focused farmers and purveyors from around the L.A. area and neighboring counties, they also demonstrate how deft they are at incorporating the city’s global influences, the colors of the season, and imaginitive twists that take the farm-to-fork thing beyond familiar tropes. The garden-to-glass program follows suit with cocktails, zero-proof drinks, and wines that further enhance what’s on the plate and what surrounds the tables.
BALEENkitchen at The Portofino Hotel & Marina already had something to celebrate with its recent remodel and brand new menu. However, manager Drew Berry and his team decided to go big with the second annual Seaside Solstice Food Fair, spotlighting favorite cuisines from Japan, Germany, Mexico, and the U.S.A. And this year, bigger proved to be better with approximately 315 tickets sold, more than doubling the 118 guests who showed up last year. They could enjoy heartier fare, between Baby Blues BBQ’s down-home meats and fixings, and authentic German bratwurst and pretzel bread downstairs, and spicy sushi from Smart Sushi and Mexican street foods. Dessert options included churros, mochi, and all-American donuts.
The savvy planners advised guests to use crossbody bags to make juggling the edibles and wines from DaVigna Wines and Calamigos tequila cocktails an easier feat. The weather couldn’t have been better. However, BALEENkitchen’s universal menu and seasonal specials are complemented by its quintessentially Southern California setting, both indoors and out, overlooking the Redondo Beach Marina.
On the eve of the solstice, STK Steakhouse celebrated its relocation from the W Hotel Westwood to a larger space in the heart of Westwood Village. The grand re-opening was complete with customer happy hour favorites, from sliders and chicken-waffle bites to crab cakes (above), fresh seafood, and tuna cones to samplings of its steak (naturally!) and sweets. Guests also had a first look at the “G.I.N.” Laid Back Lounge, a breezy summer pop-up moving the interiors’ urban chic décor scheme and vibrant color palette outdoors.
Tucked between the Miracle Mile and West Hollywood, the enduring République is particularly enchanting with its always-fresh menu items, union of French and California sensibilities, and beautiful outdoor patio. It quietly but beautifully kicked off its summer season with the launch of Challenge Butter Cubes that doubled as a special fundraiser for the Hollywood Food Coalition, which has been going strong since 1987 and served over 98,000 meals in 2024. Top Los Angeles pastry chefs Caroline Schiff (Daily Dessert), Hannah Ziskin (Quarter Sheets), and République’s own Margarita Manzke developed, showcased, and sampled creations that embodied the fruits and flavors of spring.
Hollywood Food Coalition’s most famous activity is its Community Dinner, where people in need are served hot, healthy meals with fresh meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options, bread, salad, and fruit every night of the year. It provides the only nightly meal service between downtown and Santa Monica, serving more community members than any other social service agency in the area, including neighbors typically marginalized by the food and social services system. As a result, we are often community members’ first experience with the social safety net as they begin experiencing homelessness. The organization also collaborates with other area nonprofits to connect dinner guests with on-site medical, mental health, and vision care, housing navigation, substance-use counseling, ID document recovery, and hygiene/clothing services.