Unit 120 goes big at Coachella
Rather than sit outside in the sun by himself all weekend at Coachella, Alvin Cailan has decided to bring along some friends as part of his Unit 120 tent. He’s hosting a series of rotating chefs — week one includes the LASA team, Luther Chen from Shao Kao BBQ, and Jeremy Fall of Nighthawk — to do their own thing. Vartan Abgaryan (71Above) will also be there, as will Carlo Lamagna, with nightlife entrepreneur Jeremy Fall debuting his own new concept on site for weekend two.
Common loves LA's healthy stuff
Rapper/actor Common spoke to Bon Appetit recently about his love of the healthy stuff in LA, and his penchant for only eating vegetables and fish. He also reps Pico Boulevard favorite My 2 Cents as being one of his favorite restaurants anywhere. That's pretty great.
Best New Restaurant, right by the beach
Good news for Top Chef contestant Brian Huskey, whose snacky surfside shop in Newport Beach has been named one of the 10 best new restaurants in Orange County by Orange Coast Magazine.
Roomforty rocks pop-ups in Highland Park this spring
Local catering outfit Roomforty partnered up with chef Libry Darusman to host a few upscale bi-monthly pop-ups inside The Fig House in Highland Park. The next one kicks off April 14 at 7 p.m., and costs $75 per person. If you’re into it, you can get your tickets here.
Simply diVine hits tomorrow
Tomorrow in Hollywood, chefs and eaters alike will descend on the Village at Ed Gould Plaza for Simply diVine, a food festival to benefit the LA LGBT Center. Tickets run $125 for general admission, $500 for VIP, but includes food from Connie & Ted’s, Leona, Jar, Petrossian, and more. Giada herself will be on hand as well, apparently mixing it up with VIPs.
Why did Danny Trejo open a taco shop?
LA Mag dives into the behind-the-scenes stuff that convinced Danny Trejo to open his namesake taco shop. Apparently much of the inspiration comes from his mother, though he's also aiming for the please-everyone appeal of a menu that is in places gluten free, vegetarian, and fully vegan.
Rack & Ruin pop-up takes over Gjelina’s upstairs
Just above Gjelina on Abbot Kinney there is a private party space, which come April 9 will be taken over by chef David Wilcox to launch Rack & Ruin, a new rotating dinner party series. Wilcox, who has of late been making late night burgers at Hatchet Hall, will be doing a multi-course dinner with Leaves & Flowers tea company from SF, with tickets costing $45 at the door, or $40 presale. Party starts at 7 p.m.