August Food & Lifestyle News

Here is what’s new in food and things to do in August.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalow Launch Sushi Pop-Up

Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalow has launched Soko, a new 8-seat sushi pop-up concept. Heading the kitchen is Chef Masa Shimakawa, open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 10pm.

Genghis Cohen Opens Patio Dining

Fairfax’s Genghis Cohen has reopened their dining room and will debut their new outdoor 24-seat patio dining space on August 10. Genghis Cohen is open seven days a week, Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10pm, Friday and Saturday, noon to 11pm. Reservations available via Resy.

PS at LAX Opens New The Salon Space

A new luxury connected community signature space has opened at LAX. PS’s new The Salon Space offers travelers expedited TSA screening on departure, direct to airport transportation, access to chef-inspired meals and an outdoor garden. The salon is available for $695 per use per person.

Tequila Don Julio Releases Limited Quantity Tequila Don Julio Primavera

Tequila Don Julio is releasing a limited quantity of their new Tequila Don Julio Primavera. The sophisticated tequila was originally slated for a spring 2022 release. The extremely limited supply is now available, $99 nationwide. The new Primavera takes their traditional Reposado and finishes it in orange wine casks for a silky taste with a hint of citrus and honeyed agave. Enjoy it on the rocks or mix 1.5 ounces of Tequila Don Julio Primavera with 3 ounces of club soda and garnesh with a Cara Cara Orange wedge for a Primavera Sunset cocktail.

Cincoro Tequila Offers Four Expressions

Cincoro Tequila, the small batch luxury brand created by NBA friendly rivals Michael Jordan, Wes Edens, Jeanie Buss, Wyc Grousbeck and Emilia Fazzalari, offers four expressions perfect for summer. Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo can be purchased at https://shop.cincoro.com/.

Broken Shed Vodka Launches The Vodka of Tomorrow Campaign

New Zealand’s Broken Shed super premium vodka has launched a new Vodka of Tomorrow campaign highlighting that, thanks to time zone differences, it’s already tomorrow in New Zealand. Perfect for cocktails or sipping, Broken Shed is available in liquor stores.

Bacari is Open in Silverlake

Bacari has opened in Silverlake, offering beautiful al fresco dinner and weekend brunch.

Farmer John Food Truck Giving Away Free Hot Dogs

Farmer John is embarking on a California Commitment Tour offering free hot dogs from their food truck throughout Los Angeles. They plan to make 3-4 weekly stops during a 12-week mission. Fans have a chance to win Farmer John hot dogs for a year by visiting one of the tour stops between now and September 6, 2021 to submit an entry form through the site https://FreeFarmerJohnFranks.com, and while they're there, enjoy a "thank you" in the form of a free hot dog.

Noosa Launches Take Back Adventure Sweepstakes

Noosa Yoghurt has launched a Take Back Adventure campaign with a chance to win $10,000 to put towards a vacation and a year’s worth of free Noosa yoghurt. Enter at https://noosayoghurt.com.

BBQ Guys Signature x Spiceology Rub Variety Pack

BBQ Guys three pack of chicken, pork and beef rubs are combined in one pack for easy summer grill recipes, $45.99 at https://www.bbqguys.com.

Frito-Lay Road Trip Snacks

Frito-Lay has a variety of snacks that are convenient and mess free, perfect for road trips. Their Bare Snacks include apple, banana, pineapple and toasted coconut chips; PopCorners include sea salt and Kettle Corn flavors and their Rold Gold Pretzels, perfect with peanut butter or hummus, come in a thin and honey wheat options.

Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar Drinks are Perfect for Summer

Dr. Pepper’s new Zero Sugar sodas in original, cream soda and cherry are perfect for summer with zero sugar and a blend of 23 flavors. Available in supermarkets nationwide.

SunDaze Juice Based Cocktails

SunDaze offers light refreshing ready to drink juice based cocktails in Classic with a citrus flavor, Botanical Citrus with rosemary and ginger and Spicy Citrus with a jalapeno chile kick, available at https://www.drinksundaze.com.

Hanson of Sonoma Debuts New Pink Grapefruit Vodka

Hanson of Sonoma Distillery has recently launched their new Pink Grapefruit Vodka. Their original vodka is infused with hand-peeled organic grapefruits providing a tart and tangy flavor perfect for sipping and adding to custom cocktails, $40 per bottle.

National Oyster Day is August 5

Celebrate National Oyster Day and you can celebrate at Messhall Kitchen with their Oyster and IPA Pairing (It’s also National IPA Day) including a half dozen oysters and a pilsner for $24, as well as two mini pilsners for $8. Reservations at 323.660.6377.

Bombay Sapphire Launches Steven Harrington Limited Edition Bottle

Bombay Sapphire has teamed with artist Steven Harrington to design a limited edition bottle of gin. The new bottle features artful illusions of the 10 botanicals that comprise Bombay Sapphire in whimsical graphic motifs, available for $27 at ReserveBar, link here.

Carr Valley Bread Cheese

Carr Valley makes a variety of this trendy cheese, including bacon bread cheese, pizza bread cheese, jalapeno bread cheese and garlic bread cheese, $7.99 at https://carrvalleycheese.com. Inspired by Finland’s Juustoleipa cheese made with reindeer milk, Carr Valley’s bread cheeses are baked in special ovens until the sugars on the outside of the cheese caramelize and form a toasted crust. Perfect for grilling, baking, heating in the microwave or featuring on your next cheese board.

Breadblok Offers Gluten Free Breads and Pastries

Santa Monica’s Breadblok offers gluten-free breads, pastries, tarts, croissants, donuts, quiche, sandwiches and much more and can ship nationwide, https://breadbok.com.

Dry Farm Wines Launches Bolixir

Dry Farm Wines has launched bolixir, a new low-alcohol wine infused with wild botanicals providing unique flavors. The limited first edition collection includes dandelion white, lavender red, elderflower bubbles and rose blossom bubbles. With lower alcohol levels, all are perfect for daytime sipping.

Benriach and Glendronach Scotch Whisky

Looking for a Scotch for a summer Rob Roy or Penicillin cocktail? Benriach and The GlenDronach has some good options including Benriach The Original Ten with fruit-laden complexity, $53.99; Benriach The Twelve aged in sherry, port and bourbon casks, $59.99; The GlenDronach Original aged in sherry casks, $60 and The GlenDronach Allrdice aged 18 years, $150, all available at https://www.benriachdistillery.com and https://www.glendronachdistillery.com.

Somrus Cream Liqueurs

Somrus cream liqueurs are a delicious addition to cocktails, available in Mango and Coffee flavors. $29.99, available at liquor stores.

Nine Mile Hot Sauces

Asheville’s famous Nine Mile restaurant has launched Caribbean-inspired hot sauces, including smoky chipotle Red-I, sweet mango curry Sun is Shining and tomatillo Hempress Rising. $10.99 at https://www.ninemileasheville.com.

Tequila Partida Roble Fino in Three Varieties

Tequila Partida Roble Fino, a marriage between Partida’s award winning tequila and Edrington’s best in cask management, offers Roble Fino Reposado ($99.99), Roble Fino Reposado Cristalino ($114.95) and Roble Fino Anejo ($124.99), all at https://partidatequila.com.

Silo Wellness Launches Marley One

Developed in collaboration with the family of Bob Marley, holistic wellness brand Silo Wellness has launched five non-psychoactive mushroom tinctures. The Marley One line includes One Flow, One Mind, One Harmony, One Body and One Rest tinctures, available at https://www.silowellness.com.

Magic Spoon Launches New Strawberry Banana Flavor

Magic Spoon, the high protein low carb cereal, has launched a new strawberry banana flavor. Available at www.https://magicspoon.com.

Cheesecake Factory Launches New Coconut Cream Pie Cheesecake

The Cheesecake Factory has added a new flavor, coconut cream pie cheesecake to their menu. This delicious new item combines coconut cheesecake, vanilla custard and a layer of chocolate atop a coconut macaroon crust.

Attitude Coffee Partners with Blues Rockers to Launch Sugar and Spice Coffee

Attitude Coffee has partnered with blues rockers Jocelyn and Chris to create a new espresso blend called Sugar and Spice, a dark rich five been coffee inspired by their new song, a 12 ounce bag is $19 at https://attitude.coffee.com.

Rens NOMAD Sneaker is Made from Coffee

Finnish founded sneaker startup Rens has launched the world’s first performance sneaker made from coffee. Climate-neutral, the NOMAD has increased ventilation and is 100 percent waterproof. The recycled coffee grounds keep backteria and odors out, $119 at https://rensoriginal.com.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches Offers Team USA Promotion

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches is celebrating Team USA this season with special offers for Ike’s Rewards members. With every medal won by Team USA, Ike’s will reward app users with dollar credits throughout the Olympic season. Rewards members can win dollar rewards when U.S. athletes and teams earn Bronze ($1), Silver ($2) or Gold ($3) medals on a weekly basis. Medal count rewards can only be accessed and redeemed through the app.

Bev Opens Venice Rosé Garden

Canned wine brand Bev has opened a new Venice Rosé Garden featuring weekend yoga classes. The tasting room features six Bev varietals for $8 to $10 a can. Open Thursday and Friday, 2pm to sunset and Saturday and Sunday, noon to sunset.

Baskin-Robbins is Now the Official Ice Cream Partner of the LA Football Club

LAFC fans will be able to indulge in Baskin-Robbins’ delicious offerings and access exclusive deals on their products at Banc of California Stadium. To help celebrate the partnership, Baskin-Robbins is giving fans multiple ways to score big, including:Scoop Up Sweepstakes: Fans who live within 75 miles of the Banc of California Stadium can win prizes like tickets to upcoming LAFC home games, autographed memorabilia and Baskin-Robbins gift cards when entering the Scoop Up through September 5th, Team Spirit Scratchers: Guests who stop by a Baskin-Robbins in L.A. wearing LAFC gear on game days will receive a free scratcher that unveils special discounts on scoops, shakes, sundaes and Post-Game Discounts: Fans who attend home games where LAFC scores three or more goals will score with an exclusive buy one, get one for 50% off offer on Baskin-Robbins scoops the day after the game.

Nubocha Available at Erewhon Markets

Nubocha, the low sugar dairy free gelato is now available in pint sizes at Erewhon Markets. Available flavors include Italian vanilla, chocolate arriba and Pistachio for $8.99 a pint.

Yogurtland Launches New Fruit Bowls

Yogurtland has launched a variety of Fruit Bowl Fusions made with fresh gruit enhanced with flavorful toppings and strawberry banana granola and peanut butter Acai Bowls.

KC Cattle Company Offers Tailgate Bundles

KC Cattle Company is offering three tasty tailgate bundles. They include the Smokin’ Tailgate Bundle with Berkshire pork shoulder, Wagyu chuck roast and Wagyu KC/NY Strip Steak roast, $149.99; Wild Wagyu Tailgater Bundle with two Wagyu ground beef packages, burger patties, hot dogs and bacon cheeseburger brats, $99.99 and their World Famous Chili Dog Tailgate Bundle with two Wagyu ground beef packages, Berkshire pork bacon, stew meat and hot dogs for $84.99. Order at https://kccattlecompany.com.

Celebrate National Watermelon Day

National Watermelon Day is August 3, and here are ways you can celebrate:

Enjoy a Lobos 1707 Tequila, Joven Spiked Agua Fresca cocktail

Combine 1.5 ounces of Lobos 1707, Tequila Joven; 1 ounce each of fresh watermelon and lime juice, half ounce of agave nectar, toss all into a shaker with ice and strain into a rocks glass.

Have a Grey Goose Essences Cocktail

Add the new Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil to your favorite cocktail, or just add soda water; 1.5 ounces of Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil with 4.5 ounces soda water; and serve with a lime twist, basil sprig and slice of watermelon, available at Drizly or in most stores.

Head to Islands for a Watermelon Margarita

Island is offering a tasty refreshing Watermelon Margarita to celebrate.

Café Gratitude is offering up a refreshing Watermelon Poke Bowl throughout August.

Celebrate National Rum Day

National Rum Day is August 16 and it’s easy to celebrate with cocktails featuring Santa Teresa 1796 rum. Try a Guava-Colada with 1.5 ounces of Santa Teresa 1796, .75 ounces of lime juice, Guava juice and Coco Lopez Coconut Cream and combine, shake and strain over ice.

Travel and Outings

Masters of Taste Returns in April 2022, Tickets on Sale Now

Masters of Taste, LA’s Rose Bowl outdoor food and beverage festival, will return in April 2022. The event will take place on Sunday April 3, 2022 from 3 to 7pm at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. Tickets on sale now at www.MastersofTasteLA.com.

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Completes $80 Million Transformation

In August 2021, the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa completes a $80 million resort-wide transformation including 1,310 refreshed guestrooms and suites with floor to ceiling windows and balconys, as well as a one-acre pool and amenity deck with two pools, a kids play area, outdoor restaurant and poolside bar. Rooms start at $415 per night.

Las Vegas Burger Brasserie Opens for Breakfast

Burger Brasserie, located on the walkway between Paris and Bally’s, is now offering breakfast daily from 9 to 11 am.

Vanderpump á Paris to Open at Paris Las Vegas

Lisa Vanderpump will open a second Las Vegas venue, Vanderpump á Paris, at Paris Las Vegas. The new venue will feature unique cocktails, yummy bites and a lush elaborate atmosphere. The space will feature 200 seats with multiple seating areas. Scheduled to open in winter 2022.

Kidspace Launches Free First Fridays

Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena is opening their doors for free on the first Friday of every month from 4 to 7pm. Advance reservations are required at www.kidspacemuseum.org.

Marram Montauk Offers New Surf Packages

Marram Montauk, Montauk’s newest luxury resort, is offering a surf package including a two night stay, surf lesson, complimentary breakfast and a Hali surfsuit from surfer Cynthia Rowley, package rates start at $2215,

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa Offer Cycling Tour in France

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is blending cycling and gastronomy in the French vineyards of Champagne. On October 1-3, Royal Champagne is partnering with world class cycling experience producer Leblanq Tours for a cycling and champagne bicycle tour. Includes ride with legendary cyclist Eddy Merckx, private Champagne tasting and dinner at Royal Champagne’s Michelin-starred Le Royal Restaurant, L3495 per person, reserve at https://www.leblanq.com