Caroline Pardilla

This Weekend: Napa in DTLA, Japanese Beer Garden, Cart for a Cause

— by Caroline on Crack

I’ll be up in Mammoth for a very bloggy snowboarding trip (Yay!) but check out all the cool, new things coming up!

Saturday, March 20

NPN LA Marathon 5K
I SO wanted to do this fun run which is the official warm-up race for the LA Marathon since 1) I couldn’t do the marathon after all and 2) participants get a medal and a T-shirt at the end of this one. I want a medal! The race around Dodger Stadium starts at the official marathon starting line and about 4,000 are estimated to participate. Free parking in Lot K of Dodger Stadium!

  • 8am. $35. Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles (map).

Sunday, March 21

UNICEF Tap Project: Donate $1 for Tap Water
Help provide clean drinking water to kids around the world just by paying $1 for tap water (you know how that stuff is usually free) at some of your fave restaurants. It’s for the UNICEF Tap Project’s World Water Week which goes from March 21 to 27. And when you pay that $1 at places like 8 oz Burger Bar, Craft or Real Food Daily you’re helping to provide water and sanitation to children around the world.

Tender Greens Hollywood – Sunday Farmers’ Market Specials
Is food made from farmers’ market produce just not fresh enough for you? How about when it’s brought straight from the market to your plate? That’s essentially what Tender Greens will be doing for Sunday meals, starting this Sunday, at its newly opened Hollywood location. Executive Chef Fermin Arias will shop for the ripest produce and freshest seafood and meat at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market on Sunday morning, cook them up and serve them. Naturally, the menu will be different every week but prices will be a very affordable $10.50 for the entrees.

  • 11:30am-10pm. 6290 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood (map). (323) 382-0380.

Monday, March 22

Chaya Downtown launches Japanese Beer Garden Menu
Enjoy Japanese beer and a yakitori menu at Chaya Downtown’s Japanese-lantern-decorated outdoor patio starting Monday and going through the end of summer. Executive Chef Shigefumi Tachibe will be offering a variety of yakitori skewers ($2 each or three for $5), like chicken, short rib and beef tongue. There will also be sake-steamed mussels ($8) and $15 pitchers of Kirin beer. Only thing is the patio can fit only about 50 people so get there early or maybe later in the evening.

  • 5pm-close. Chaya Downtown, 525 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles (map).

Napa Valley Nightlife
So luxurious sipping on over 50 Napa Valley wines while taking in the view of Downtown from a penthouse. And it’s only for $40. Well, $40 when you buy your tickets in advance, $60 if you procrastinate and pay at the door. There will be small bites available but for a “small additional fee.” Wineries in attendance include Pahlmeyer, St. Supery Vineyards & Winery and Signorello Estate.

  • 6:30-9:30pm. Takami Sushi/Elevate Lounge, 811 Wilshire Blvd, 21st Floor, Los Angeles (map).

Tuesday, March 23

Cart for a Cause Launches
This is a brilliant idea: a food truck for a good cause that features some of the top chefs in L.A.! Cart for a Cause launches on March 23 and will travel around the city serving up $10 meals, and all proceeds will go to benefit St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. The travelling chefs will change every month so look for Walter Manzke (Church and State), Susan Feniger (Street), Sal Marino (Il Grano), Eric Greenspan (The Foundry), Josef Centeno (The Lazy Ox Canteen), Jean Francois Meteigner (La Cachette), Vinny Dotolo & Jon Shook (Animal) and more in the coming months. But this Tuesday celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa will kick things off.