The month of April flew by, and now we’re already into the first month of May. There are several great events this month, including a monster month-long one thrown by the newspaper of record in Los Angeles. But first, tacos!
Friday, May 5th – LA TACO’s Taco Madness: Yas, tacos! LA TACO is throwing its mostly-annual (they missed last year) event, this year right behind Olvera Street near Union Station. Event is 21+ and free–though you’ll need to buy your own tacos from the purveyors there. But what a line-up of taco slangers: Carnitas El Momo, Chichen Itza, Mariscos Jalisco, Tacos Punta Cabras, and my favorite, Guerrilla Tacos!
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Sunday, May 7th – Masters of Taste: Last year, the inaugural event surprised me with how smoothly everything went. It helps they had the entire field inside the Rose Bowl to work with and a great line-up of restaurants. This year, the participants are just as solid, with repeats Alexander’s Steakhouse, Hamasaku, Magnolia House, The Raymond, and others, joining newcomers like Bone Kettle, Kato, Mama Lion, and more! Tickets are $105/$185 for GA/VIP–bring a hat!
Saturday, May 13th – EAT Show: This new event–I believe last September was their first–has a daytime and an evening session and boasts some great newcomer restaurants including Baohaus, Kato, Little Fatty, Tentenyu, Tikifish, with some mainstays like Mariscos El Coraloense, Mexikosher, Otium, Seoul Sausage, and more! Tickets are $60 per session. Not all restaurants will be at both sessions, though the website doesn’t say which ones. If you have a favorite, contact the organizers through their website.
Saturday, May 20th – EEEEEATSCON: Boy, that’s a lot of capital letters! The popular website Infatuation is throwing its first food festival in Santa Monica. The event mixes keynotes, panels, musical performances and a la carte food–yes, you do have to pay for the food. The price of admission is $40, check out the schedule for what that gets you. And bring your wallet for great eeeeeats from Badmaash, chi SPACCA, Fat Dragon, Jon & Vinny’s, Mr. Holmes Bakery, NoMad Truck, Salazar, Shake Shack, Sweetfin Poke, and more!
ALL MONTH LONG – Los Angeles Times’s LA Food Bowl: Trying to pull off a crazy #31daysoffood, the Times have packed the month of May with dozens if not hundreds of events! The sheer volume is overwhelming even me! There are so many events I’m hoping to attend that I’m not sure if I can make specific recommendations, but here goes:
- Classes, including butchery at chi SPACCA, breaking down fish and making ceviche at Holbox, and more!
- Night Market – 5 days (Wed-Sun) of open-air Asian-style night markets with participants running the gamut of the L.A. food scene, including Bludso’s, Coni’Seafood, Jitlada, Mamacita, Ricebar, and others!
- Filipino Food Events including a screening of ULAM, Friday night dinners in Far East Plaza, and a Lechon Festival / cooking competition!
- Food for Soul forum with Massimo Bottura, Mario Batali, Roy Choi, Dominique Crenn, Mary Sue Milliken on the 5th, Year of the Rooster dinner with chefs Eddie Huang and Louis Tikaram at E.P. & L.P. on the 7th, Jonathan Gold honors Wolfgang Puck at the inaugural Gold Awards at Spago on the 8th–there’s literally too many things to call out!
Let me know if I’ve missed any events, I’m sure I have!
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