Best Of LA: Week Of October 27
As the end of October approaches, all of its feasts, festivals, and celebrations are about to be in the books. Take one last week to savor the best of the season while you dine on Octoberfest menu options, celebrate culinary aspirations in the city, and wrap your weekend with a variety of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos events and activities for everyone.
Monday, October 27
Experience An Octoberfest Menu
Café Rockenwagner
1168 S Barrington Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 478-6313
www.rockenwagner.com
As October comes to a close, don't miss the last week of celebrating German Octoberfest. Brentwood's Café Rockenwagner is featuring a 100% German menu from Hans Rockenwagner with Leckerbissenmitvergnügen, which means "the most delicious bit of a meal." Options include Baked Tafelspitz (tender beef w/ apple-horseradish crust), Leberkäs (pork and veal w/ sunny-side up eggs), a pretzel roll with Dijon mustard, Wiener Schnitzel (veal loin classically breaded and sautéed to perfection), Jäger Schnitzel, and much more.
Tuesday, October 28
Restaurant Opening: Pistola
8022 West 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310)633-0236
www.pistola-la.com
Critically acclaimed chef, Vic Casanova, recently unveiled his second restaurant, Pistola, located on LA's West 3rd Street. The modern Italian Steakhouse features a wide variety of imported Italian comfort food, current culinary techniques, and beautiful presentation, all in an glamorous setting. House specialties include Carne Cruda (a 28 day dry-aged beef tartare), horseradish crema, arugula & shaved royal king trumpet mushrooms, a 40 oz Fiorentina porterhouse for two, lobster al forno, squid ink agnolotti; and a whole wheat tonnarelli carbonara, with guanciale, onion, egg yolk, smoked trout & caviar.
Wednesday, October 29
Celebrate The Fifth Anniversary of The Grilled Cheese Truck
The Brig
1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 399-7537
www.thegrilledcheesetruck.com
One of LA's most iconic and successful food trucks, The Grilled Cheese Truck has been making children and kids-at-heart smile for five years with its delicious gourmet sandwiches! Head chef and founder Dave Danhi will take his truck out today for special visits throughout the metro Los Angeles area including a happy birthday party at The Brig in Venice. For more information, check out The Grilled Cheese Truck's Twitter.
Thursday, October 30
Ment'or Young Chef Competition
Bouchon Beverly Hills
235 N. Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 271-9910
www.mentorbkb.org/los-angeles
The first ever ment'or Young Chef Competition in Los Angeles will take place tonight at Bouchon Beverly Hills. Guests are invited to enjoy Champagne, canapés, caviar, and more from Chef Thomas Keller's acclaimed Bouchon restaurant while they watch four young competitors cook for a chance to win the stagiaire of a lifetime at some of the nation's most well-respected restaurants. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to ment'or which dedicates itself to inspiring culinary excellence in young chefs while preserving traditions and quality of American cuisine.
Friday, October 31
Santa Monica Zombie Crawl & Zombie Crawl After Party
Wokcano Santa Monica
1415 5th Street
Santa Monica, 90401
(310) 497-6324
www.zombiecrawlsm2014.eventbrite.com
For a hair-raising Halloween evening, head to the Santa Monica Pier for the start of the 2nd annual Santa Monica Zombie Crawl which brings out the undead as they crawl through the heart of the city while dining on tempting drink and food specials all night long. Free make-up and special effect services are offered before the event as well and your wristband also includes access to the exclusive Official Zombie Crawl After Party at Wokcano, where contests, prizes, drink specials, and dance music will end the ghoulish night. Tickets to the event are $20.
Theatricum BOO-tanicum
Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290
(310) 455-3723
www.theatricum.com
Take the whole family to Theatricum Botanicum's fourth annual Halloween extravaganza in the heart of Topanga Canyon. A haunted house, ghost stories, pumpking carving, game booths, and live performances by belly dance gropu Creative PlayGround and comedy improve group Off the Grid ensure an evening of Halloween fun for all. 4pm. $15.
Halloween Events
Looking for more halloween events to attend? Check out the Best Halloween Parties For Adults in LA, or the Best 2014 Halloween Events For Kids In Los Angeles
Still Need A Halloween Costume?
From ghosts to Spiderman and other scary costumes, if you still need a halloween costume, we have you covered! We've scoured this great city to find the best spots in LA for Halloween Costumes
Throw A Halloween Party!
Get your friends together for some Halloween fun this year. Check out our picks for the Best Places In LA For Halloween Decorations.
Saturday, November 1
Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington Dr.
Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 574-7223
www.breederscup.com
Whether you're a fan of horse racing or just looking to have some fun, don't miss the final day of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic, today at the Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia. The culminating race hits the track at 5:35pm with 5 million dollars at stake. For detailed coverage of The 2014 Breeders' Cup, visit our coverage of the event.
Dia de Los Muertos
Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose Ave.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 978-2170
www.gracias-madre.com
To celebrate the "Day of the Dead," consider visiting Gracias Madre for food and drink specials from Executive Chef Chandra Gilbert and beverage director Jason Director. Food specials include Pan de Muerto, a traditional sweet bread used on altars and eaten at brunch, and Pumpkin cake with candied pumpkin and piloncillo glaze with vegan cinnamon ice cream. Drink specials include the "Shot and a Beer," a pint of fall draft paired with a vegan cucumber mint margarita jello shot that's shaped like a skull. It's delicious!
Sunday, November 2
Read @ Sunset Marquis
1200 Alta Loma Rd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-1333
www.sunsetmarquis.com
Head to the legendary Sunset Marquis for their latest installment of their monthly series, Read @ Sunset Marquis. Hotel guests and L.A. residents can join in the literary experience at the Cavatina Restaurant as they hear from and discuss with Dr. Kara Cooney, author of "The Woman Who Would be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt." Cooney, an Egyptologist and Assistant Professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA, also hosted Discovery Channel's Out Of Egypt.
Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos
24th Street Theatre
1117 West 24th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 745-6516
www.24thstreet.org
Join Louie Cruz Beltran and his Latin Jazz Orchestra as they headline the 24th STreet Theatre's free annual block party for Dia de los Muertos. Enjoy live music (from Beltran and local mariachi and folklorico troupes), dance, homemade tamales, face painting, craft booths, and a colorful graveyard where families can make alters for their own dearly departed. The event begins at 6pm.
