What You're Eating - Best Eats For Memorial Day Weekend
The official start of the summer season with Memorial Day weekend. The three-day bonanza always includes food in the celebration, and these restaurants or special events are prime ways to get your fill. Burgers, BBQ, ice cream and more are all on deck.
POT
The LINE Hotel
3515 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 368-3030
www.eatatpot.com
On May 23-24, the Seattle Food & Sh*t crew brings Filipino food to L.A. with their roving pop-up dinner. Dishes on the menu include Kinilaw na Pusit (Grilled Squid), Bagoong Fried Rice, Sinigang Broth (Marinated Ribeye, Noodles & Sour Tamarind) and Ube Cheesecake. You can also order anything from POT's full menu. While you're there, groove to DJs and performers all night. Reservations are recommended for dinner service.
Pono Burger
829 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 584-7005
www.ponoburger.com
Each week, Pono Burger has celebrated National Burger Month with a special meal pairing for just $18. From May 22-31, the star duo is The Paniolo & Pranqster. The organic beef burger is covered in English oak smoked cheddar, bacon, coffee bourbon BBQ sauce and a few buttermilk-battered onion rings. You'll definitely enjoy it with that cold Belgian-style golden ale on the side.
Katana
8439 West Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 650-8585
www.innovativedining.com
The start of summer means it's time for the 13th Annual Red Sun BBQ. Beginning May 24, and every Sunday through September 6, enjoy a three-course Yakiniku dinner for $45 per person. The grill-it-yourself menu includes a Chef's choice appetizer trio, bone-in short ribs for the second course and New York steak, filet mignon, Pacific shrimp and hibachi vegetables to round out the meal. Katana's full menu, including an array of cocktails, will also be available.
The 2nd Annual MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street
Main Street (Between Pier Avenue & Bay Street)
Check-in location: Areal Restaurant
2820 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
www.mainopolysm.com
Sample food and drink from some of Santa Monica's best eateries from 3-8p. Admission includes a handful of MAINopoloy dollars you exchange for tastes from participating restaurants, including Areal, Aussie Pie Kitchen, Basement Tavern/Victorian, Enterprise Fish Co., Lula's Cocina Mexicana, Manchego, Pressed Juicery, Three Twins Ice Cream and more. There's also an after party at Areal if you can't get enough. Your ticket purchase will benefit Heal the Bay and Summer SOULstice.
Sweet Rose Creamery Pop-Up
Tortoise General Store
1208 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 314-8448
www.sweetrosecreamery.com
Sweet Rose Creamery continues its pop-up at Tortoise General Store every month, serving scoops of ice cream featuring fresh ingredients and Asian-inspired flavors. The menu changes each month, and Memorial Day weekend will showcase Matcha, Azuki, Ren-Nyu (condensed milk), Fresh Mint with Homemade Chocolate Chips, Kuro-Goma Soymilk Sorbet, Sakuranbo (cherry), and DCR Coffee Granita. Experiment with your choice of cone--Black Sesame, Kokuto, and Chocolate. Housemade Cherry Italian sodas will also be available. Sweet Rose Creamery will be on site May 24th from 1-5p.
Cabana Cafe
The Beverly Hills Hotel
9641 Sunset Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 887-2190
www.dorchestercollection.com
Celebrate the start of summer, and the end of National Burger Month, with Cabana Cafe's Cabana Beef Burger. The thick, grilled patty is topped with bacon and onion marmalade, parmesan fritto, tomato confit and crisp lettuce on a soft, Portuguese bun. Prefer surf over turf? The Maine Lobster Roll is just right for you. While you're hanging out, cool down with a Hotel California. The cocktail's colorful layers of vodka, mint, citrus and watermelon are pretty and refreshing. The Cabana Cafe will be open until 6p on Memorial Day, which means you have an extra hour to dine.
Blue Plate Oysterette
8048 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 656-5474
www.blueplatesantamonica.com
Blue Plate Oysterette in West Hollywood will extend its weekend brunch menu through Memorial Day, including a $15 bottomless mimosa deal. New menu items include a Veggie Omelet, the 3rd St Breakfast Burrito, and Challah Bread French Toast. If you're an oyster fan, order the Hangtown Frittata with bacon and chives and a pile of fried Pacific oysters right on top. Brunch will be served from 11a-3p.
The Hideaway
The Langham Huntington
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, CA
(626) 568-3900
www.langhamhotels.com
The Langham Huntington's Poolside BBQ kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, inviting guests and visitors to the hotel for a summer perfect grill menu. In previous years, The Hideaway pool bar has served burgers, hot dogs, smoked brisket, grilled chicken, BBQ pork ribs, grilled fish tacos, charcoal-scented sides like sweet corn and baby sweet potatoes and a selection of desserts. The pool bar's full menu will also be available. Enjoy the Poolside BBQ during the weekends through Labor Day.
Chrystal Baker is a freelance food and events contributor for CBS
Los Angeles. She also maintains a recipe blog, The Duo Dishes, as well as a personal blog, Any and Everywhere. You can follow her trail on Instagram for more.
