Restaurants

Emporium Thai Market

Mona Day Dine, Restaurants

The popular Emporium Thai Market in Westwood has established a brand new outpost on the section of Sawtelle Boulevard that is already a bustling hub of Asian markets and eateries.  

The restaurant specializes in Southern Thai cuisine, highlighting the region’s signature balance of heat, acidity, aromatics, and depth.  Its signature dishes include Seafood Hor Mok, a fragrant, savory and spicy dish featuring a rich, smooth, custard-like mixture of seafood served as individual bites of shrimp, crab meat and scallop in a sweet coconut curry.  Jane’s Wings are crispy chicken wings glazed in a tangy, house sauce.   Other crowd pleasers are Phuket Wings, Kra Duk Moo Tod, deep fried marinated pork, BLACKPINK’s Lisa Meatballs, Tom Saap Pork Rib Soup, Khao Soi, a rich, creamy, coconut curry noodle from Northern Thailand, Honey Ribs, Choo Chee Salmon, and the Bangkok Jay Fai’s style Thai Crab Omelette.

Southern Thai dishes from the owners’ hometown are known for intense spice and rich flavors, expressed in the restaurants’ specialties like Kua Kling Gai Sab, a dry curry with ground chicken, Gaeng Som, a sour orange curry with catfish fillet, Pad Sa Taw Goong, stir-fried stink beans with shrimp – a dish not for newbies, Southern Thai Crab Curry with  fresh crab lump, and Pla Tod Kamin, a crispy whole Red Snapper with turmeric and garlic. 

Desserts range from Sweet Roti, a buttery, crisp Thai flatbread with sweetened condensed milk and sugar, and the crowd-favorite Cardi B Mango Sticky Rice.

The bar program is integrated with the restaurant’s cuisine, drawing on Thai herbs like galanga, lemongrass, turmeric, basil, and mint.  Signature cocktails include the Galanga Sunrise, Lemongrass Lavender Margarita, Coconut Espresso Martini, Dragon Fruit Martini, and Strawberry Yuzu Martini with Lychee.

They are complemented by an eclectic selection of wines, draft beers that include aromatic Thai lemongrass brews, Japanese imports, as well as local brews, and a lineup of zero-proofs. 

The restaurant’s architecture pays homage to its Thai cultural heritage with the exterior recalling traditional Thai rooflines graced with an elephant motif , which continues inside with a bold elephant mural. An outdoor patio provides an option for al fresco dining. 

The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival

Mona Day Chefs, Dine, Food & Wine Events, Restaurants

The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival returns for its second year with three sessions over the weekend of Friday, November 7 – Sunday, November 9. Friday and Saturday will feature Grand Tasting events while Sunday will conclude with The Final Bite: Peroni’s Italian Affair, an Italian-themed celebration hosted by Peroni, the official beer partner of The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival. 

The 2025 Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival will bring together a star-studded lineup of notable chefs from across the nation and Southern California including culinary icons and rising stars shaping the future of LA dining.  Each of the three sessions will feature over thirty chefs presenting their signature bites along with  beverage selections from top regional and

 award-winning wineries, and craft cocktails from top mixologists at  walk-around tastings that will also include other immersive pop-ups and brand  installations.  Live entertainment will include top DJ sets will round out the experience.  

Featured chef personalities include Stephanie Izard, Gabe Bertaccini, Antonia Lofaso, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Brooke Williamson, and brother duo Michael and Bryan Voltaggio. appearances from Ludo Lefebvre of Petit Trois, Michael Symon of Lola, Claudette Zepeda of Leu Leu, Rashida Holmes of Bridgetown Roti, Avner Levi of CENTO Pasta and Raw Bar, and Jazz Singsanong of Jitlada. AWFF is produced by a21, the team behind some of the country’s top culinary festivals. 

This year’s event will be co-hosted by Tastemade, known for its leading food and lifestyle brand engaging audiences on major social and streaming platforms.  

The Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival is proud to support Event Zero Inc., a non-profit organization to help make the festival more sustainable.

Guests can choose between General or VIP admission. VIP pass holders enjoy early entry one hour before general admission and access to exclusive lounges offering exclusive bites and cocktails.  A special weekend pass maximises savings by offers access to all three days.  

For tickets and more information, visit https://www.lawineandfood.com/.

The Food Event

Mona Day Chefs, Dine, Food & Wine Events, Restaurants

Los Angeles magazine will host its 19th annual The Food Event at the iconic Calamigos Ranch on Sunday November 16th, 12:00 – 3pm. 

The much-anticipated epicurean extravaganza will feature samples from some of the city’s finest restaurants, along with premier wines, spirits and cocktail tastings, craft beer, live music, and more.

The lineup of participating chefs and restaurants represent the diverse and vibrant Los Angeles culinary scene.  They include All About The Cinnamon, Ayara Thai, Arth Bar + Kitchen, BOX Chicken, City Club LA, Descanso Restaurant, Emporium Thai, Fitoor Santa Monica, Gentry Market, Hansen’s Cakes, La Popular, Mastro’s Restaurants, Nobu Los Angeles, STK Steakhouse, Telefèric Barcelona, The Ranch Club, Uchi West Hollywood, WeVINO, and Wife and the Somm.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit LAMag.com/TheFoodEvent2025.

Eighth Annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana

Mona Day Dine, Entertainment, Food & Wine Events, Restaurants , ,

Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Tito’s Tacos will celebrate the eighth annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana on Saturday, October 4, from 3:00pm – 8:00pm at the iconic restaurant in Culver City to raise critical funds for the Culver City Arts Foundation in supporting a wide range of art, culture, and local artists. 

At the Fiesta guests 21+ can sip on Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktails while savoring Tito’s Tacos’ award-winning cuisine. The celebration will also feature five hours of live entertainment headlined by world-class mariachi group, Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez, folklórico dancers, and a traditional piñata station. 

A formal program will feature remarks from Brian Herlihy, Field Sales Director at Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Lynne Davidson, Co-Owner of Tito’s Tacos; Wirt Morton, Co-Owner of Tito’s Tacos; and Jim Clarke, Board Chair at Culver City Arts Foundation.

Two ticket options are available:  The Responsible Partygoer ticket for $35 includes general admission, three Tito’s Tacos food items, and three refreshing Tito’s Handmade Vodka specialty cocktails.  The Non-Alcohol Partygoer ticket for $20 includes general admission, three Tito’s Tacos food items, and a soft drink.

An annual tradition since 2018, 100% of the event’s gross proceeds benefit the Culver City Arts Foundation supplementing several programs including Creative arts and performing arts grants, Culver City Arts Projecting Possibilities Program (a program that enables local artists to display their art at the Helms Design Center), and Culver City Arts Book Festival.  Over the past seven years, Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana has raised over $113,000, with $23,000 in 2024 alone.

Founded in 1959 by Benjamin Davidson and now run by his granddaughter Lynne Davidson, Tito’s Tacos is an iconic Mexican fast-casual restaurant in Los Angeles. Known for its “folded” hard shell tacos and burritos loved by celebrities, locals, and visitors alike, Tito’s menu features classic Mexican fare – crispy beef tacos, tamales, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas and guacamole, and more. The award-winning cuisine is made from scratch using original recipes and served to thousands of loyal fans daily, often by employees who have been with Tito’s for decades.

For more information and tickets, please visit https://titosfiestamexicana.net/  

La Popular’s Hollywood Debut

Mona Day Chefs, Dine, Restaurants

Mexico City’s celebrated modern Mexican dining concept, La Popular is making its much anticipated debut in the heart of Hollywood at the newly reimagined Ovation Hollywood, formerly Hollywood & Highland. 

Executive Chef Arevalo unveils a menu that celebrates traditional Mexican dishes with bold, inventive tweaks. 

Starters range from the Ahi Tuna tostadas with chipotle aioli and crisped leeks to the seafood ceviche brightened with citrus and serrano. 

The Soups & Salads section features a richly layered tortilla soup with fried ancho chiles and chicharron, and Corn Off The Cob Salad dressed in Tajín-lime vinaigrette. 

Taco Plates features classics like carnitas and ribeye along with the more inventive creamy chipotle shrimp taco with refried beans and rice. 

Enchiladas too upgrade tradition in smoky short rib Colorado, the Queso, the Suizas shrimp and pulled hicken. 

Mexican staples in Platos Especiales include braised quesabirria with consommé, a hearty burrito with birria, carnitas, or chicken,  the Asada with chimichurri butter, and the  chicken mole Poblano with sesame and spice. 

Sides recall the street culture with street corn, Tajín fries, and golden fried plantains.

A special Kids Menu features favorites like chicken or steak tacos, a gooey cheese quesadilla, a hearty chicken bowl with rice and beans, and a classic kids burrito with flour tortilla, rice, beans, and cheese that help make La Popular a family outing.

Dulces favorites include warm Churros dipped in rich chocolate and silky cajeta sauce, and flan topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel. There’s also a decadent Turtle Pie with peanut butter, chocolate, caramel, and candied pecans.  

The beverage portfolio emphasizes single-origin tequilas and mezcals, barrel-to-glass sourcing of  agave spirits in all their diversity.  The equila & Mezcal collection spans Blancos, Reposados, Añejos, Cristalinos, Rosas, and rare Single-Origin Mezcals from Espadín to Tobalá and Arroqueño.

There’s a  curated wine list and a craft-forward beer selection that integrates both Mexican and local producers.  Inventive cocktailslist complement both the menu and evolving guest preferences that incorporates a sophisticated non-alcoholic craft selection.

La Popular will officially open on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 midnight. 

For more information and reservations, please visit www.LAPopularCDMX.com.

Chef Talent at The 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine

Mona Day Chefs, Dine, Food & Wine Events, Restaurants

The upcoming second annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival, the two-night strolling culinary extravaganza will feature an Opening Night Celebration on Friday, September 12th, 2025, and a Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 13th, 2025. 

Both evenings will feature  an all-star lineup of 23 of the best chefs and restaurants, wineries, premier spirits, handcrafted cocktails, craft breweries, non-alcoholic beverages, and live entertainment.

Chef talent lineup announced to date includes a  lineup of 46 top chefs, with more expected to be announced soon.  They include: 

Event Host Chef Neal Fraser: Redbird, Vibiana – Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Chef Erik Ackley: Fishing with Dynamite – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Vanda Asapahu & Cathy Asapahu: Ayara Thai – Westchester, CA

Chef Jose Acevedo: Mercado – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Noah Clark: BOX Chicken – West Los Angeles, CA

Chef Brendan Collins: Boa Steakhouse – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Chris Cosentino: KOAST – Maui, HA

Chef Shaun Dry: BrewCo Social, Rock’N Fish – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Chris Feldmeier: Love & Salt – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger: Alice B., Border Grill, Socalo – Palm Springs, Santa Monica, CA

Chef Steven Fretz: Coast Range – Solvang, CA

Chef Jason Fullilove: Saint & Second – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Ray Garcia: – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Jeffray Gardner: Marsatta Chocolate – Old Town Torrance, Pasadena, CA

Chef Ray Hayashi: Ryla – Hermosa Beach, CA

Chef Jackson Kalb: Jemma, Ospi, Jame – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Jayro Martinez: Top of the V – Anaheim, CA

Chef Joel Hammond: Uchi West Hollywood – West Hollywood, CA

Chef Dennis Horton: California Surf Club, BeachLife Festival, BeachLife Grotto – Redondo Beach, CA

Chef Stephanie Izard: Girl & the Goat – Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA

Chef Thomas & Vanessa Tilaka Kalb: Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery – Pasadena, CA

Chef Antonia Lofaso: Black Market Liquor Bar, Scopa Italian Roots, DAMA – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Raphael Lunetta: Lunetta – Santa Monica, CA

Chef David LeFevre: Fishing with Dynamite, MB Post, The Arthur J, AttaGirl – Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, CA

Chef Alice Mai: AttaGirl – Hermosa Beach, CA

Chef Chris Park: The Strand House – Manhattan Beach, CA

Chef Michael Reed: Poppy + Rose, Poppy & Seed – Downtown Los Angeles, Anaheim, CA

Chef Steve Samson: Rossoblu, Superfine – Downtown Los Angeles, CA

Chef Frank Ryan Saporito: Wife and the Somm – Glassell Park, CA

Chef Warren Schwartz: Magpies Softserve – Highland Park, Silver Lake, Tarzana, CA

Chef Alex Seidel: Mercantile Dining & Provisions, Fruition – Denver, CO

Chef Jimmy Shaw: Loteria Grill – Los Angeles, CA

Chef Bret Thompson: Pez Cantina, Pez Coastal Kitchen – Downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, CA

Chef Dustin Trani: J. Trani’s, Trani’s Dockside Station – San Pedro, CA

Chef Sherry Yard: Bakery by the Yard – Manhattan Beach, CA

The festival will be held at Manhattan Village in a 40,000-square-foot outdoor space located at the end of the Veterans Parkway Greenbelt Path, a beautiful landscaped trail that runs through Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach. Manhattan Village will offer complimentary parking, allowing guests an easy walk to the event,. Guests are also encouraged to use Lyft rideshare services.

This year’s partners include Delta Air Lines as the official Airline, Infiniti of South Bay as the official Auto, Westdrift Manhattan Beach as the official Hotel, Manhattan Village as the official Shopping and Dining Center, San Pellegrino as the official Water, Chef Works as the official Hospitality Apparel, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove as the official Kitchen Appliance, and Southern California Restaurant Design Group as the official Commercial Kitchen Designer, T-Mobile as the official Wireless, Lyft as the official Rideshare, along with Reed Smith, Burford Beach Homes, Franki App, Peter Law Group, Ramtek, Ice Bulb and Sip Social South Bay.

Manhattan Beach Food & Wine will  benefit the Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP). Long co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, C•CAP is a workforce development nonprofit that provides underserved teens pathways to pursue careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  Annually, C•CAP provides culinary, job and life skills in 186 schools across the United States. 

Festival tickets are on sale now, with regular admission  from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and a Delta  VIP Early Entry Pass from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

For more information, please visit www.ManhattanBeachFoodandWine.com.

Preview:  2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine 

Mona Day Chefs, Dine, Food & Wine Events, Restaurants

The 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine, a two-night strolling culinary extravaganza will feature an opening night celebration on Friday, September 12th, 2025, and Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 13th 2025 with an all-star lineup of 40 top chefs.

With the dates approaching soon, event organizers hosted a preview event at the Westridge Hotel in Manhattan Beach on August 21, 6pm.  Restaurants participating in the food festival showed up to share the excitement and provide a sneak peak into the upcoming extravaganza of tastes and indulgences.

During the formal presentation the organizers mused on how the event got started. Shelby Russell stood in a nearby parking lot and conceived of this event.  Sherry yard recalled how she traveled to food  events all over the world and wondered, why not here?  “I live right down the street and I could walk here.” 

The rest, as they say, is history. Already in its second year, the event is set to feature twice as many chefs and beverage participants.  

The 2nd Annual Manhattan Beach Food & Wine is a 21+ event. Event tickets are now on sale,   with Regular Admission 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm each evening, as well as a  Delta VIP Early Entry Pass from 6:00 pm on. 

Guests are encouraged to utilize Lyft rideshare services as the event serves alcoholic beverages. Walking to the event is encouraged, with complimentary parking also available at Manhattan Village.

For more information,  please visit www.ManhattanBeachFoodandWine.com.

The Rich Flavors of Michoacán

Mona Day Descanso Restaurant, Dine, Food & Wine Events, Restaurants

The menu at recently opened Descanso restaurant draws inspiration from the Michoacan region of Mexico, where owner Rob Arellano who grew up in the area.  Michoacán’s cuisine is heavily influenced by the region’s abundant resources, such as avocados, which grow year-round in the area;  it is also deeply rooted in its indigenous and colonial history, with a strong emphasis on traditional ingredients like corn, beans, and chilies. The restaurant’s menu draws inspiration from traditional family recipes and the vibrant flavors of the region reinterpreted through contemporary technique and premium ingredients.


The restaurant’s beverage program too uses popular street drinks of jamaica, horchata, local botanicals like aloe and agave and cacao blended  with regional spirits like tequila and mezcal.

Tuesday, August 19 the restaurant celebrated the rich culinary and beverage heritage of Michoacán with a multi-course dinner.  Owner Rob Arellano, Chef Sergio Lopez and bar manager  Justin Ybarra were on hand to field and address questions. 

The evening kicked off with passed appetizers.  There was guacamole with sharp on lime and chiles, and a home made house salsa with smoky with roasted tomatoes and chiles served with tortilla chips and chicharrones.  There was also popular street food of bowls of spicy tangy corn kernels.

The first course of the sit down dinner was a ceviche of tropical local sea bass with mango, jicama, Fresno chiles, cucumber, red onion, lime with a mango habanero sauce and micro cilantro. Ceviche with lemon / lime is more common in LA,  Arellano pointed out that the mango sauce is not that unusual for the region. 

 The ceviche paired well with a refreshing Ya No Vuela of Kettle One vodka, fresh kiwi, St Germain apricot liqueur, lemon and rosemary.

The second course  featured the Relleno:  a roasted Anaheim chili with tatuma squash, corn, sweet peppers, tres quesos, salsa verde, onion, Cotija cheese and micro cilantro on a blue corn tortilla. 

The relleno too was different in that it was not the drenched in flour before frying.  That omission definitely raised the chili profile.

The relleno was paired with a refreshing cucumber y Sal: El Tesoro Blanco tequila,  Chareau  Aloe liqueur, Cucumber, cilantro, lime and black sea salt.

The third course was a hearty short rib estofado of  braised short rib, guajillo Pinto bean Jus,  avocado, spring onion, micro cilantro, radish, serrano pepper, baby carrots and blue corn tortilla.

It was paired with a full bodied  Brazo Dulce:   Banhez  Espadin /  Barril  mezcal with fruity notes of  blackberries, raspberries, Orgeat,  honey, lime and mint.

The final course was dessert of Tres Leches de coco:   white cake soaked in a sweet coconut milk, fresh whipped cream, toasted coconut flakes and strawberries.

It was paired  with an espresso martini of  Herradura  Ultra, house horchata, cacao Blanc,  banana, and  espresso cold brew. It was the perfect closing drink.

Guests got to take home a jar of the popular house salsa as souvenirs of the evening. 

 For more information on the restaurant and its menu, please visit DescansoRestaurant.com.