Best Food This Week
MONDAY(01 of07)
Now that holiday shopping season has officially begun, Seasons 52 opens today at the Westfield Century City mall. This is the third SoCal location, with a fourth opening in Santa Monica in 2013, bringing seasonal fare and no dish going above 475 calories. There's a wrap-around patio, herb garden and "living" garden wall, live entertainment, huge wine list and specialty cocktails. Doors open at 11 a.m. for lunch (10250 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-277-5252).
[Also see: 10 Things We're Thankful For in LA's Dining Scene]
TUESDAY(02 of07)
One tasty way to find gifts -- hit the Valerie Confections open house this week. Starting today, each day features a special tasting and deals (20 percent discount on purchase of sampled items). Today you'll taste smoke and spice truffles and pumpkin-seed caramels; Wednesday is hot chocolate, hot matcha and cookies; Thursday, tea truffles; Friday, tea and petit fours; Saturday, special holiday confections like peppermint bark, nougat, and noir and blanc fruit cake. The shop is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (3360 W. 1st St.; 213-739-8149).
[Also see: Your 10 Most Pretentious Dining Moments]
WEDNESDAY(03 of07)
Check out the new happy hour at Pasadena's Trattoria Neapolis for Hump Day. All drinks -- well drinks, any draft beer (14 on tap), a glass of house red or white wine, and craft cocktails, like a basic Bourbon-y Gold Rush -- are $5. Food, too, so you can get mini pizzas topped with Bloomsdale spinach and feta or smoked pork shoulder and taleggio cheese, lamb sausage corn dogs or butternut arancini for $5. Monday through Thursday at the bar only, 3-6 p.m. (336 S. Lake Ave.; 626-792-3000).
[Also see: 10 Over-the-Top Desserts Around LA]
THURSDAY(04 of07)
Although Mirabelle opened with a new look and menu this summer, there's a new new chef at the helm, Drew Ison, who introduced a new menu of contemporary American dishes like pan-seared jumbo scallops with smoked lentils, Kurobuta pork chop with brown-butter spaetzle, and braised short ribs with sweet corn polenta pudding. There are drink and food deals on the daily happy hour from 4:30-7 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. (8768 W. Sunset Blvd.; 310-659-6022).
[Also see: 5 Knockoff Hostess Treats in LA]
FRIDAY(05 of07)
Knackig started as a Sunday afternoon sausage pop-up but is now a more permanent late-night grub stand. Find the grilled brats, knackwurst and kasekrainers on Friday and Saturdays from midnight to 3 a.m. at Mignon Wine Bar in Downtown LA. It's also now at Toluca Lake's Vendome Wine & Spirits on Fridays from 5-9 p.m.
[Also see: 6 Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants Around LA]
SATURDAY(06 of07)
The BevMo Holiday Beerfest happens at Golden Road Brewery today. $45 gets you unlimited samples of holiday beers from from breweries like Ass Kisser, Big Hurt, Chimay, Hanger 24, Rogue, The Brewery, Widmer, Golden Road, of course, and more. $60 VIP ticket gets you early admission and a special tasting. Noon-5 p.m. (5430 W. San Fernando Rd.).
[Also see: 10 Crazy Awesome Cupcakes from Around the U.S.]
SUNDAY(07 of07)
For even more beer, the Yard House infiltrates the San Fernando Valley for the first time, opening at Northridge Fashion Center today. The mega-space is much like the others: 140 taps encircling the island bar, classic rock blaring out of speakers, and a big menu full of beer-soaking food. We have to admit, the happy hour menu isn't half bad (weekdays from 3-6 p.m.). Locals can get a sneak peek on Friday or Saturday night after 8 p.m.; grand debut is 11 a.m. on December 2 (9301 Tampa Ave).
[Also see: Best Burger Ever: 31 Food World Celebs Dish on Their Favorite Patty]
(credit:Yard House)