6 Best dineL.A. Bets in the Valley During Summer 2018 Event

A record 30 restaurants in our coverage zone are participating in dineL.A., a biannual culinary event that offers high-value, prix fixe menus across the city. The summer 2018 event runs from July 13 to 27. Check out our six top picks, including recommended dishes and our preferred meal (lunch or dinner).

Boneyard Bistro

Chef Aaron Robins has both of his Sherman Oaks restaurants—Boneyard Bistro and SOCA—participating in dineL.A. The former and more casual of the two is serving a $39 three-course menu that I find particularly appealing. House-cured and double hickory-smoked bacon “building blocks” are kind of like savory Lincoln logs. Their dineL.A. entrée pairs St. Louis-style ribs with a quarter BBQ chicken and a choice of two sides. Perhaps fried mac ‘n’ cheese and collard greens? For dessert, consider one of Boneyard Bistro’s many creative mash-ups: chocolate chip cookie dough “egg rolls” with vanilla ice cream and chocolate ganache. (see full dineL.A. menu)

13251 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818-285-8184

7Fusion

7Fusion is fun, new, interactive restaurant in Sherman Oaks. Their three-course $49 dineL.A. dinner menu includes a choice of cocktail. Doctor’s Orders is a punchy “libation” that combines El Omeca repo tequila, St. Elizabeth allspice dram, mint agave and ginger bitters. Start with fluffy bao bun with beef and vegetables. Their entrée involves an 18-ounce trip to the Fresh Bazaar, a weigh-and-pay buffet with ingredients as basic as boy choy and egg noodles and as exotic as alligator and rabbit meat. For dessert, consider mango cheesecake with cream cheese, fresh mango and ginger crust. (see full dineL.A. menu)

14235 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818-465-3177

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Morton’s The Steakhouse offers a great chance to dive into high-quality beef without the killer price tag. I suggest starting their $49 dinner with a signature Morton’s salad: iceberg and romaine lettuce with blue cheese dressing, chopped eggs and anchovies. For the entrée they’re serving center-cut, 8-ounce filet mignon with a choice of accompaniment. Go with “twice baked” au gratin potatoes. For dessert, Morton’s “legendary” hot chocolate cake is the obvious choice. (see full dineL.A. menu)

6250 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, 818-703-7272

Kravings

Go all out at Kravings, a Brazilian fusion steakhouse and lounge. $49 dinners combine an endless waterfall of Brazilian, Persian and Asian dishes. Picanha (prime top sirloin seasoned with Brazilian sea salt); leg of lamb dressed with chardonnay mint sauce; and honey-glazed, oven-roasted salmon seasoned with Aleppo pepper and a lavender spice blend are three great choices. Really, though, trying everything on the menu requires no risk whatsoever—so play around. Dessert brings Brazilian flan and chocolate tahini ice cream, to name just two standout sweets. (see full dineL.A. menu)

18663 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, 818-881-7111

Vino Wine & Tapas Room

Vino Wine & Tapas Room is one of the Valley’s only Spanish restaurants, and for dineL.A. they are firing up a four-course, $39 dinner menu that comes with a choice of libation. I suggest transitioning from a glass of house-made red sangria to refreshing gazpacho (a chilled Spanish tomato soup). Morcilla (Spanish blood sausage) comes in a sizzling skillet with chickpeas. Costillas asadas involve braised beef short ribs served with green beans and mashed potatoes. Churros were actually born in Spain; at Vino they come with spicy chocolate dipping sauce. Cheeseheads will appreciate the supplemental $7 cheese course featuring Manchego marinated with extra virgin olive oil, thyme, rosemary and chile. (see full dineL.A. menu)

18046 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-343-2525

Woodley Proper

Chef Phillip Frankland has three Encino eateries participating in dine L.A.. I suggest going for the brasserie, Woodley Proper. Their $29 dineL.A. dinner menu is quicker, lower cost counter-programming to what you’ll get at Scratch Bar & Kitchen and Sushi|Bar. The simple, three-course menu is available until 2 a.m. Start with seasonal grilled corn salad with cherry tomato, red onion, serrano chile and lime. The meat of the menu centers on roasted bone-in pork chop with rosemary potatoes and English peas. The dessert teams a brioche donut with bergamot whipped cream. (see full dineL.A. menu)

16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino, 818-906-9775