The best restaurant and bar events in Los Angeles

Looking for a go-to Wine Wednesday option? Downtown's Everson Royce Bar offers a killer deal every Wednesday off the week: $25 for a flight of three wines and one of chef Matt Molina's culinary creations. Each week brings something new so you'll never get bored—though, let's face it, you'll probably get drunk. Cheers!

Get a taste of Pinoy paradise when chef Brian Bellicourt brings family recipes and modern spins on traditional Filipino food to Mari restaurant. During his Kain pop-up, held every Thursday night in August, the prix-fixe menu includes ube gnocchi, sisig toast, palabok with pork ragu and charred shrimp, chicharron-crusted sea bass and more. Find the full rundown here, then reserve your spot by emailing giuliana.gonnella@ihg.com.

Embrace the peak of summer with a Hawaiian luau thrown by Dominique Ansel, who'll be whipping up an à la carte menu of Spam musubi tempura, papaya avocado salad, Mochiko fried chicken, grilled shrimp skewers, lomi salmon, coconut rice wrapped in banana leaf, malasadas with lilikoi curd, shaved ice and more. Or, get the feast for two, at $40 per person, and try every item. Wash it all down with 189's special menu of tropical and tiki-inspired cocktails, and it's almost like you can hear the waves on the shore. Reservations can be made online.

Now one of L.A.’s most treasured summer traditions, Barnsdall Park’s wine tastings regularly attract sell-out crowds. Perched atop Olive Hill in the west lawn of historic Hollyhock House (which you can tour during the evening for an additional $15), the Barnsdall Friday fundraisers include fine selections of boutique wines provided by Silverlake Wine with a spectacular sunset and 360-degree views of the city. Bring along a blanket and a picnic basket, or just nosh on the variety of food trucks parked up there. Though there used to be lots of kids running around, the event lawn is now 21-and-up—perfect for a date night. Proceeds support the park’s art programs and historic renovations.

Celebrate your love of Japanese culture (and, most importantly, gyoza!) at this epic showdown—in years past the world’s top-ranked eater, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, downed 384 dumplings. Watch in awe (or horror) as food-guzzling champs tackle the 10-minute challenge of who can eat the most dumplings. It’s bound to make you hungry. Fear not: A food stand will be available for those who enjoy gyoza—and you don’t even have to wolf them down like the pros. 

Dine out without digging too deep into your wallet at Little Dom's Monday night supper, where a three-course meal goes for an affordable $18. Each week the menu changes—some weeks it might feature pasta, others it could highlight roast chicken—but the lineup always includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Drinks are discounted, too: snag a bottle of red or white for $18, or a Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3. Check Little Dom's website for the most updated Monday night menu.

The Taste attracts foodies of all types to the Paramount back lot for a weekend to sample some of the best food and wine L.A. has to offer. Various LA Times editors and writers will host daily panel discussions and demonstrations on topics from farm-to-table cuisine to how to mix the perfect cocktail. Your ticket allows you full nibbling privileges, as you soak up knowledge from the esteemed panelists.

The live music at this popular fest is almost as impressive as the fresh Maine lobsters (steamed in the world’s largest cooker, FYI). Hear swing, salsa, R&B, Motown and ’70s and ’80s dance hits as you crack into your crustaceans and wash down your feast with beer, wine or freshly made margaritas. There’s a children’s area for little lobster lovers and plenty of dinner options for those averse to seafood.

Chengdu-born chef Wendy Zeng spent years learning Sichuan cuisine in her grandfather's kitchen before moving to the States and embracing BBQ and soul food. At her Feastly brunch event, catch East Asia riffs on classic American brunch dishes, resulting in Japanese shrimp and grits served with jalapeño nira oil, and salmon pancakes with charred-onion cream and flying-fish roe. Tickets run $50 per guest at this five-course prix-fixe meal, which also includes stone fruit rosé sangria. Keep an eye out for future Zeng and Feastly brunch events, where you can catch weekend morning fare with other regional influences, such as Indian, Mediterranean and Moroccan.