BONE KETTLE:

Put a spin on your classic Memorial Day meal and head to Pasadena’s Bone Kettle and let your palate bask in the flavors behind Chef Erwin Tjahyadi’s Southeast Asian cuisine. With a menu designed for sharing, Bone Kettle is just the place to eat, drink, and be merry during the long weekend. Stop by in time for a Happy Hour that won’t disappoint with Craft Beers, House Wines, and Hot Sake all for $7. Then, get ready for appetizers that will have you dreaming of more like the Oysters with sambal cocktail sauce, seasonal mignonette, and granite, the Spicy Papaya Salad with green papaya, mangos, tomatoes, chili cilantro, green beans, peanuts, and shrimp, and the Steak Tartare with St. Helen’s Ranch hangar steak, chili vinaigrette, lemongrass and krupuk. Meat lovers rejoice! Bone Marrow is the star of this entrée party with scallion confit, mizuna, pears, and apples, and served with toasted bread. Then, there is the Garlic Steak Nasi Goreng with St. Helen’s short rib fried rice, eggs, green onions, chicharrón gremolata and Nam Pla, and the Beef Ribs with bone marrow jûs, fried onions, and herbs. Loosen your belt a notch and get ready for desserts that are more tantalizing than dinner like the Black Rice Pudding with black rice, sweet corn and coconut, or the Cassava Cake with Ube Ice, a warm baked cassava, with powdered sugar and homemade avocado ice cream. With cuisine this uniquely delicious, there is no better place to unwind after a long weekend as your palate explores the vibrant flavors of East Java, courtesy of Bone Kettle!

Bone Kettle is open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018 for Lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, and for Dinner from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm; 67 North Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91103; 626.795.5702

 Photo Credit: Courtesy of Bone Kettle

CASITA DEL CAMPO:

Save time and gas money and skip the South of the Border getaway this Memorial Weekend, and opt to visit Casita Del Campo, where Baja flavors are deliciously served all day long. Start with Brunch and go for the authentic Chilaquiles prepared with corn chips sautéed with a red or green salsa, melted jack cheese and two fried eggs sunny-side up alongside riee and refried beans. Or, there is the Huevos a la Mexicana with two eggs scrambled with fresh onions, tomatoes, peppers, and garnished with fresh avocado. For a walk on the sweet side, sip on the Pomegranate Margarita made with tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, triple sec, and pomegranate. The fiesta goes on all day with dishes that are sure to tantalize the palate. The Camarones a la Veracruzana is sure to satisfy oceanic cravings with delicious large shrimp sautéed in olive oil, onions, tomatoes, mixed bell peppers, capers, and green olives, or the Mahi Mahi grilled and topped with red bell peppers, onions, cilantro, and tomatoes all served with white rice, black beans, and plantains. Save room for dessert (and another round of Margaritas!) and enjoy James’s Buñuelos, a crispy flour tortilla chips dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Raise a glass to the long weekend and enjoy the break this Memorial Day!

Casita Del Campo is open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018 from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; 1920 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.662.4255

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Casita del Campo

CELESTINO RISTORANTE:

This Memorial Day, Owner and Executive Chef Calogero Drago has the best Italian classics waiting for you at Pasadena’s Celestino Ristorante. After a long day of Memorial Day festivities, bring your appetite and get ready for an evening your palate won’t forget! Start with the refreshing Carpaccio di Pesce Spada con Pinocchio e Arance, swordfish carpaccio with orange and fennel salad, or the tantalizing Proscuitto di Parma e Melone, prosciutto with melon. The best is yet to come with all the Pasta e Risotti your hearts desires. Enjoy other tantalizing Entrées like the Galletto Ruspante con Patate e Salvia, boneless free range chicken with potatoes and chicken, the Costolette d’Angello con Aceto Balsamic e Menta, lamb with balsamic and mint, or the delicious Pesce del Giomo, the fish of the day prepared by Chef Drago himself. Don’t forget to treat yourself and save room for dessert including the freshly made Cannoli or the mouthwatering Tiramisu. Saluti!

Celestino Ristorante will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018 for Dinner from 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm; 141 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101; 626.795.4006

Photo Credit: acuna-hansen

NORAH:

Add a little charm and style to your Memorial Day weekend and wind down at West Hollywood’s Norah. To start, cool off with the Spanish Gin Tonic comprised of gin, Mediterranean tonic, citrus, cucumber, and juniper berries, or the popular Norah Paloma made with mezcal, Italian orange liqueur, lime, and grapefruit. To start, appease your appetite with the Smoked Salmon Rillettes with potato chips, fried capers, and dill, or the Market Lettuces with lemon vinaigrette, fried chicken and nutritional yeast. Then, get ready for pasta dishes that are sure to warm your soul like the freshly made Mezzaluna, braised pork, Swiss chard, cherries, and hazelnuts, or the Potato Gnocchi with black truffle conserva and parmesan. Enjoy heartier entrées like the American Wagyu Zabuton, 8oz. crispy fingerlings, black garlic, and chili oil. Feeling adventurous? Enjoy the Spanish Octopus with black rice, andouille, and shallot escabeche all while ordering your second round of cocktails. After all, when in West Hollywood, there is no better place to sip, savor, and enjoy this holiday with friends and family this Memorial Day!

Norah is open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018 for Dinner from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm; 8279 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90046; 323.450.4211

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Nora

PEARL’S BBQ:

There’s no shortage of seating or hospitality at Pearl’s BBQ, making it easy to enjoy a lazy day with friends and family. With Memorial Day Weekend falling in National BBQ Month, Pearl’s Memorial Day Picnic BBQ is a weekend full of festivities and lip-smackin’ barbeque you won’t want to miss! First, there’s the Smoked Brisket basted in secret spices by Head Pitmaster Dana Blanchard, and then smoked with white oak for nearly 16 hours. Then, dive into the Beef Short Ribs offered by the pound, and smoked for nearly 12 hours and always seasoned with those secret spices. Of course, what would good barbeque be without equally delicious sides like house made Potato Salad, Baked Beans and Coleslaw with house-made mayo. Wash it all down with a refreshing Nesbitt’s Honey Lemonade, Big Red Soda or a classic Mexican Coco Cola. Make room for a slice of freshly made Apple or Pecan Pie that is sure to knock your boots off. Made with a recipe passed down five generations, these tasty treats will have you (almost) wishing you didn’t eat so much barbeque!

Enjoy outdoor games, live country music, along with some of the best food trucks serving alongside Pearl’s BBQ Friday through Monday including Chica’s Tacos, Peddler’s Fork, Good Gravy Bakes, and Daddy’s Chicken Shack. Save room for dessert and enjoy all the Soft Serve Ice Cream you heart desires as All American Softie scoops up your favorite flavors all weekend. The weekend wouldn’t be the same without cracking a cold one and Pearl’s BBQ has you covered with Lone Star Beer sponsoring your Memorial Day festivities. With tickets starting at just $5.00, Memorial Day Weekend at Pearl’s is the perfect place to enjoy great food and company without breaking the bank all while giving back to the American Legion Hall 75. Grab your friends, throw on your best cowboy boots, and head to Pearl’s BBQ this Memorial Day Weekend from Friday, May 25th to Monday, May 28th and celebrate National BBQ Month the good ‘ole Texas way!

Ticket Information: The Pearl’s Memorial Day Picnic BBQ will take place from Friday, May 25th, 2018 through Monday, May 28th, 2018 from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Friday, May 25th, Saturday, May 26th and Sunday, May 27th, 2018, and from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th, 2018. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite – Pearl’s BBQ Memorial Day Picnic BBQ. General Admission tickets are $5.00 per day and this offers each guest 10% off their purchase. VIP tickets are $20.00 per day and this offers each guest 15% off their purchase and a complimentary beverage each day. A portion of the proceeds from the Pearl’s BBQ Memorial Day Picnic BBQ will be directly donated to American Legion Hall Post 75.

Pearl’s BBQ is open daily from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm ‘or’ until sold out; 2143 Violet Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021.

Photo Credit: acuna-hansen