Terra at Eataly. Photo credit: Discover Los Angeles
dineL.A. is back! This two-week event featuring well-priced prix-fixe meals from more than 250 Los Angeles restaurants was postponed from January, as restaurant patios were then closed. Now, savor special outdoor dining or takeout meals while supporting our local restaurants during this extremely challenging time for the industry.
Want to have these meals brought to your home? You need to know that Grubhub is the exclusive delivery service of dineL.A. Visit their website or use the Grubhub app to order.
The current edition of dineL.A. continues through Sunday, March 14. See below for a few of our favorite dineL.A. suggestions.
All Day Baby
The late, great Motorhead lead singer inspired this Silver Lake diner’s lunch offering. The Lemmy Special features a smoked beef and cheese sandwich (with horseradish mayo on a brioche roll), French fries, and your choice of one of three Jack Daniels-based cocktails for $25.
Adrift Burger Bar
The burgers from Michelin-starred chef David Meyer are the stuff of legend, so his recently opened Abbot Kinney eatery has been a boon for Angeleno foodies. His dineLA. offering, served at lunch, features the Adrift Burger (with tomato-ajwain jam, pickled jalapeno, arugula, and gruyere), perfectly paired with house-made truffle chips for $15.
Casa Vega
A true L.A. stalwart, this beloved Mexican restaurant has been serving tacos, tamales, and much more since 1956. For dineL.A., the Sherman Oaks eatery is offering both lunch and dinner specials. The two-course lunch includes a choice of three entrees, along with churros or flan for dessert, for $20. Dinner includes a starter, entree, dessert, and an award-winning margarita for $35.
Casa Vega Margarita. Image credit: Casa Vega
Saddle Peak Lodge
Tucked away in Malibu Canyon in Calabasas, the Saddle Peak Lodge has served as a Pony Express stop, a hunting lodge, and a general store during its century-plus history. Its current incarnation, a restaurant both beautiful and rustic, is one of L.A.’s most unique eateries. Their dineL.A. dinner menu is $65 and includes your choice of starter, entree (the standout, the game trio with bison, emu, and elk, requires a $25 supplement), and bread pudding for dessert.
Eataly
Beloved Italian food destination Eataly has a variety of dineL.A. deals. Though Eataly offers a range of great food options, my top choice would be Terra, located on Eataly’s third-floor rooftop. Take in the 20-year-old olive tree, the herb garden, and stunning views of the Hollywood Hills as you lunch on two exceptional courses ($30), or dine on three standout courses for $65.
The Original Farmers Market
Undeniably an L.A. icon, the Original Farmers Market is home to several eateries offering $15 lunch specials during dineL.A. Top choices include The Gumbo Pot (large gumbo with salad and iced tea), Trejo’s Tacos (two-taco combo with chips and salsa, plus an agua fresca), and French Crepe Company (a savory crepe filled with four ingredients, along with a small Nutella crepe and bottled water).
Cafe Gratitude
This exceptional plant-based mini-chain, with locations in the Arts District, Larchmont, and Venice, is offering special menus with options that include a starter and entree at lunch ($20), or dinner with both courses, along with sangria or pressed juice, plus dessert ($35).
Golden Fried Chicken Sandwich at Pikunico. Photo credit: Elise Thompson for The LA Beat
Pikunico
Purveyors of Japanese fried chicken located at ROW DTLA, Pikunico’s dineL.A. dinner option is a real bargain. Meant to serve two adults and two kids, the $35 family basket includes a pound of chicken tenders, a large slaw, two onigiri, fingerling fries, house-made pickles, dipping sauce, and four choconut chip cookies. The lunch option, a Golden Chicken sandwich, and a cookie, is just $15. More info.
Gracias Madre
The West Hollywood vegan Mexican eatery’s dineL.A. options are dine-in only. Lunch, $25, includes a margarita or agua fresca, along with a starter and main course. Dinner, $55, includes the above, along with chips and guacamole, followed by a chocolate brownie with caramelized plantains for dessert.
Blue Plate Oysterette
Santa Monica’s Blue Plate Oysterette is offering both lunch and dinner during dineL.A. Lunch, $25, includes your choice of starter (I’d go for the Peruvian ceviche or the half-dozen oysters), followed by a mini lobster roll, mini shrimp po’boy, or fish tacos, and culminating in key lime pie, for $25. Dinner, $55, features a cocktail in addition to the three preceding courses. More info.
