Los Angeles Culinary Scene: June 2024 Highlights Include Evan Funke Collaboration, Pasjoli Reimagined, and Rooftop Dining

LOS ANGELES, CA – June 2024 has marked a dynamic period for the Los Angeles culinary landscape, featuring a series of high-profile collaborations, restaurant revamps, and exclusive dining events across the city.

These developments reflect the city’s evolving gastronomic identity, bringing together acclaimed chefs, international flavors, and unique dining experiences, from celebrity-backed rooftop venues to neighborhood bistros and temporary pop-ups.

Elevated Experiences and Chef Collaborations

One notable highlight is the launch of Legend and LVE, a seasonal dining experience that commenced on June 18th. Located on the rooftop of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills, this initiative is a partnership with LVE Wines by acclaimed artist John Legend. Executive chef Anthony Keene is at the helm, crafting a menu that features dishes designed to complement the wine selection. Among the offerings are precisely prepared items such as seared scallops and the classic beef Wellington, leveraging the rooftop setting to provide an elevated atmosphere alongside the cuisine.

Adding to the collaborative spirit, The Benjamin Hollywood is set to inaugurate a significant dinner series in partnership with the reservation platform Resy. This series is scheduled to begin on June 22nd and will feature a lineup of prominent culinary figures from the Los Angeles scene and beyond. The roster of participating chefs includes nationally recognized names such as Evan Funke, known for his expertise in Italian cuisine; Michael Voltaggio, a celebrated chef and restaurateur; and the duo Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, founders of several popular Los Angeles eateries. The collaboration underscores a trend towards chef-driven events that offer diners limited-time access to unique menus crafted by multiple talents.

Pop-Ups and New Concepts

Culver City’s Citizen Public Market has become a focal point for temporary culinary concepts this June. Operating as a pop-up within the market is Jikoni by Kiano Moju, a concept exploring AfriCali cuisine – a fusion of African and Californian culinary traditions. Kiano Moju, a cookbook author, is spearheading this venture, which provides a limited opportunity for diners to experience her distinct approach until June 29th. Pop-ups like Jikoni serve as incubators for new ideas and offer diverse tastes to market visitors.

Also present at Citizen Public Market is Boho Burgers & Brats. This establishment adds a more casual dining option to the market’s diverse offerings, focusing on popular comfort food items.

In the realm of permanent establishments undergoing transformation, Chef Dave Beran has relaunched his acclaimed restaurant Pasjoli. Previously known for its refined French dining, the venue has been reimagined as a French neighborhood bistro. This strategic shift aims to offer a more accessible, yet still sophisticated, dining experience to the local community, retaining the culinary expertise associated with Chef Beran in a refreshed format.

Festivals and Special Events

The Grove, a prominent retail and entertainment complex in Los Angeles, is hosting its annual Foodie Week. This event runs from June 20th to June 29th, transforming the complex into a hub for culinary exploration. Foodie Week showcases limited-edition menus, special deals, and unique offerings from various eateries situated within The Grove. Participating establishments include the Italian marketplace Eataly and the popular cafe-bistro Zinqué, among others, providing visitors with a curated taste of the complex’s diverse dining options.

A specific event catering to enthusiasts of Japanese cuisine took place on June 18th. Located at Sushi Roku in Santa Monica, a three-course dinner event was held in collaboration with The Dinner Table community. This gathering was specifically organized to mark International Sushi Day, offering attendees a specially curated meal to celebrate the global appreciation for sushi.

Finally, the month also saw expansion from a culinary import. A New York City bagel brand initiated the expansion of its lunch offerings on June 18th, indicating the continued cross-pollination of food trends and businesses between major American cities.

Together, these events underscore June’s contribution to Los Angeles’ reputation as a vibrant and continuously evolving global food destination, marked by innovation, collaboration, and diverse culinary experiences.