Best Pop-Up Dining In Los Angeles
LudoBites
Guests: 90
Price: $85 and up plus $8 wine corkage
www.ludobites.com
Burgundy-born chef Ludo Lefebvre and his wife, Kristine are pop-up legends. Sometimes called a "mad genius", Lefebvre built his reputation as the executive chef of luxe eateries, L'Orangerie and Bastide. LudoBites 5.0, the fifth installment of his guerrilla-style dinners, is held at breakfast-and-lunch spot Gram & Papa's. The bring-your-own-bottle event features cuisine like grilled octopus with grilled hazelnut polenta, pineapple aioli and hot foie gras with Chinese barbecue sauce.
Hatchi Series
Guests: 160
Price: $8/plate
www.breadbar.net
Breadbar hosted the first LudoBites back in 2007. Today, Noriyuki Sugie, former chef of the Asiate at New York's Mandarin Oriental curates a series where well-known chefs like Walter Mantzke and Roberto Cortez create 8 plates priced at $8.
On The Lamb Food & Beverage
Guests: 20 – 40
Prices: $50-$150
www.onthelambfb.com
South Carolina low country cooking paired with old and new world wines is up next up for Rachel Humphrey, a chef, Whitney Adams, a sommelier and Joy Wilson a baker. The trio is known for their intimate dinners, authentic speakeasies and picnics (with biodegradable packaging).
Chicks With Knives
Guests: 18 – 36
Price: $67 (varies)
www.chickswithknives.com
Sustainability is on the menu at Rachael Narins and Suzanne Griswold's supper club hosted in private residences across SoCal. Rachael is an avid gardener and grows all of the produce for their multi-course meals that have featured entertainment like fire hula hoops and performance art.
Amy's Decadent Underground Dinners
Guests: 30
Price: $105 - $125
www.amysculinaryadventures.com
Amy Jurist is known for her rich ingredients and wild themes like The Bacon Affair, with 6 bacon infused courses and homemade bacon vodka in bacon cantaloupe martinis. Next up, Journey To The Far East, a by-invitation only dinner at a secret location in Los Angeles.
Kim Kuhteubl writes about "crazy" ideas. Follow her on Twitter @byKimK.