A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
By Leslee Komaiko
For dineLA.com
Nearly ten years ago, Campanile Restaurant started doing its now legendary Thursday grilled cheese night, a delicious celebration of the humble sandwich that packed the restaurant from the very start. Since then, dozens of area restaurants have launched their own thematic offerings.
SUNDAY
Wilshire: Throughout the summer, and possibly beyond, this cool looker with the fab patio out back rolls up its sleeves for barbecue. Offered along with the regular menu, sample dishes from Chef Andrew Kirschner include pulled Kurobuta pork and Kobe Santa Maria tri-tip.
The Blvd: Sunday evenings, this sleek dining room in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel woos families with a recently debuted “Family Comfort” dinner menu. Bring the kids for haute mac and cheese, herb roasted chicken and strawberry shortcake. Sweet teeth might also want to partake in the retro soda fountain offerings available this night only.
Dominick’s: You can’t beat this deal. Three courses for $15 and one of the prettiest patios in town. Think panzanella salad, mushroom ravioli and other simple, soulful Italian fare. Add a bottle of the house red or white for a mere $10.
Lucques: Suzanne Goin’s celebrated restaurant releases the menus for its wildly popular Sunday suppers a few days in advance. But many regulars don’t bother previewing. Considering dishes like grilled lamb skewers with Swiss chard bread pudding, you can’t go wrong.
Grace: On this night and this night only, chef Neal Fraser and company turn out delicious burgers on homemade fleur de sel rolls and milkshakes to go along.
Boa Steakhouse: Both the Sunset Strip and Santa Monica locations of this sleek steakhouse woo wine lovers with half-priced bottles.
Ciudad: Sunday nights bring a menu of irresistible tapas, priced from $3 to $8, to Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s colorful pan-Latin spot. Don’t miss the goat cheese fritters and marinated anchovy.
MONDAY
Boneyard Bistro: Drop by the most civilized barbecue joint in town for fried chicken and half priced beer.
Taste: Looking for a reason to check out this affordably priced, eclectic charmer? How about “Wine Discovery Mondays” when all bottles of wine are half priced.
Hotel Bel-Air: This enchanted hideaway features one of the prettiest restaurants in town. But it’s easy to drop a dime, and then some, eating here. Monday through Wednesday evenings, guests can now opt for a three course, prix fixe menu priced at $50 per person, perhaps duck confit salad followed by a Kobe style flank steak and to finish, Bing cherry clafouti.
The Stand: $1 hot dogs (beginning at 5 p.m.) are the lure to this cute San Fernando Valley family-friendly favorite.
Josie: On Monday nights at Josie Le Balch’s beloved American dining room, you can enjoy up to two of Josie’s bottles of vino — without incurring a corkage fee.
Jar: Mozzarella turns up in various forms in some dozen or so dishes offered at the bar to a cheese-loving crowd.
Literati II: Design your own burger at “Monday Night Madness,” this neighborhood hangout’s celebration of an American staple.
Jiraffe: On Monday nights, this civilized French-American spot switches out the linen tablecloths for butcher paper and offers a three-course, bistro-style menu for $40 a head.
Vincenti: On this night only, choose from half-a-dozen or so thin-crust pizzas that are offered along with the regular menu.
Campanile Restaurant: Every week chef Mark Peel and his cadre of talented chefs entice diners with a three-course seasonal dinner served family style. $40 per person.
TUESDAY
Beacon: Chef Kazuto Matsusaka offers a special prix fixe menu on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at his contemporary Cal-Asian dining room: three courses for $27 with choices for both the app and main.
Dominick’s: Wine director Susan Brink selects three wines each week for the Tuesday night wine flight. Sample three three-ounce tastes. The price varies according to the week’s offerings.
Il Grano: Sal Marino, Los Angeles’ unofficial king of crudo, offers up an extensive menu of sublime raw seafood beautifully plated at this modern Italian. This year, he is adding vegetable presentations to the mix. So your veggie friends can get in on the act as well.
Whist: Throughout the summer, a DJ spins poolside and chef Warren Schwartz grills up tasty bites such as miso soy salmon as part of Taste of Tuesday at this high style beachside hang in the Viceroy hotel. Everything is priced at $5 a pop, including a variety of fresh fruit cocktail tastes.
Ciudad: Every Tuesday, the kitchen cooks up a huge batch of paella for “paella on the patio.” Get yours and a choice of appetizer for $29. In inclement weather, the party moves indoors.
WEDNESDAY
Boneyard Bistro: The last Wednesday of every month, this San Fernando Valley barbecue specialist does a seafood boil with crab, shrimp, crawfish and lobster.
Enoteca Drago: Dining in Beverly Hills need not bankrupt you. Celestino Drago’s smart wine bar does a “Weekly Wednesday Wine Tasting.” Sample three wines along with complimentary thin crust pizza and appetizers in the bar area beginning at 5 p.m. for $25.
Josie: Not until the evening of is the Farmer’s Market menu revealed. But rest assured, the $35 three course meal, inspired by that day’s pickings at the Santa Monica market, is always delicious. There are no choices though, so if you’re not willing to go along for the ride, fogetaboutit.
Little Dom’s: It’s Flight Night. Sample three of wine director Susan Brink’s favorite wines, whether esoteric offerings or wines seldom poured by the glass.
Il Grano: One of the best things about summer in Los Angeles is Sal Marino’s tomato menu. It usually doesn’t debut until mid July. That’s when local tomatoes hit the market big. Marino prepares at least a dozen tomato dishes every Wednesday night. Many of the tomatoes come from his very own garden.
Grace: Watch out Winchell’s. The regular dessert menu gets ditched on this night in favor of an all-donut menu.
THURSDAY
Campanile Restaurant: Grilled cheese like your mama never made put Campanile at the top of LA’s favorite special options. Thin crispy fries and a salad accompany this gourmet version of a classic sandwich.
Angeli Caffe: Family-style dinners, currently taking place every other Thursday night, give chef Evan Kleiman an excuse to travel the culinary globe. Sometimes she sticks with Italy. Other times she ventures far abroad. Whatever her destination, count on lots of food and an appreciative, fun crowd.
FRIDAY
Clementine: More reason to love the best little gourmet deli in the city: BBQ Fridays, during the summer only. Score some grilled bratwurst or barbecue brisket to go or enjoy your ‘cue in house. Don’t forget to nab some of the killer baked goods for dessert.
The Blvd: In honor of Earth day, chef de cuisine Brian Moyers introduced a three course menu sourced exclusively from local farmers and those who farm sustainably. The tradition continues through the end of the year on both Friday and Saturday evenings. The three course menu, which changes regularly, is priced at $65 per person. Oh and in keeping with the green mission, candles light the dining room, thus the official name, Candlelight Nights.
