dineLA Restaurant Week is Back!

5 years and millions of meals later, dineLA is still going strong. This biannual citywide restaurant event is organized by the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau and American Express®. Restaurants all over the city offer 3-course prixe fix menus during this biannual two week event.  The longest week ever, the dineLA January 2012 Restaurant Week will take place January 22-27 and January 29-February 3.

The kickoff event was held last week at the Nine-thirty at the W in Westwood. A number of chefs and restaurant luminaries were in attendance, including Mark Peel, Susan Feniger and Kris Morningstar. Catering was provided by Nine-thirty. Polenta with wild mushrooms and pearl onions in a veal reduction was particularly delicious. Drunken Udder Ice Cream was a revelation. Especially the bourbon salted caramel (Alcohol-infused ice cream? “Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life”).

Wine and a very clean sparkling wine were provided by Malibu Family wines. Whiskey tastings and cocktails were provided by Macallan/Highland Park. The Macallan was more spicy, the Highland Park a bit more smooth. Onsite silkscreening of tote bags with Phil Lumbang of “Awesome bears'” cartoons, including Awesome Chef Bear and Pastry Chef Elephant made for original giftbags.

Mark Liberman, President and CEO of LA INC. was also on hand to promote dineLA. There are three price ranges for the participating restaurants. $ Deluxe Dining: Lunch $16 Dinner $26. The next step is $$ Premier Dining: Lunch $22 Dinner $34. For a splurge, $$$ Fine Dining: Lunch $28 Dinner $44.

Many of the restaurants offer add-ons or wine flights at an additional price. Megan Sheehy, General Manager of the fabulous Lacanda del Lago told LAist, “That way, you will be able to come in every night of dineLA and have a different dining experience with each visit.”