From modern Mexican cuisine in Tokyo to a royal luncheon celebrating Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's upcoming nuptials, the third week of May sparkles with culinary excitement.
Courtesy Hotel Figueroa
Los Angeles: Veranda at Hotel Figueroa
Guests and visitors at the historic, Spanish colonial-style hotel in downtown Los Angeles can enjoy coastal-Mediterranean bites at its recently-opened poolside restaurant. The space is an urban oasis with lush greenery and oversized lanterns, while the menu (created by James Beard-nominated chef Casey Lane) is centered around an outdoor wood-burning oven and features zucchini and burrata flatbread, fried kale with dill crème fraiche, and roasted chicken or branzino served with red and green mojo. 939 S. Figueroa St; 866-734-6018.
Courtesy Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Tokyo: Enrique Olvera Pop-Up at Mandarin Oriental
From May 15-18, the chef behind Mexico’s celebrated Pujol will bring his modern Mexican cuisine to Japan. The Oaxacan-inspired menu will follow an omakase rhythm and include inventive tacos, enmolada (a corn and herb tortilla covered with mole), and baby corn with coffee and chicatana ant mayonnaise. The pop-up will be housed in Signature, Mandarin Oriental’s fine dining restaurant, which boasts an unforgettable skyline view. 211 Nihonbashi Muromachi; 81-3/3270-8188; mandarinoriental.com.
Courtesy Madera
Bay Area, CA: Madera Farm Dinner with Marin Roots
On May 16, the Michelin-starred restaurant will host partner farm Marin Roots for a special meal as part of a larger farm-to-table dinner series. The precise menu will be determined by what is in season but will likely feature spring produce like icicle turnips, heirloom peas, watercress, and nasturtiums (edible flowers). The dinners are intimate, allowing guests a chance to meet and learn from the Bay Area’s best sustainable farmers. 2825 Sand Hill Rd.; 650-561-1540; maderasandhill.com.
Courtesy Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
Hampshire, England: Royal Wedding Celebration at Chewton Glen
Those hoping to celebrate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s May 19 nuptials in style can head to the five-star Chewton Glen for a royal luncheon. The English garden-themed menu will include duck confit with artichokes and caramelized chicory, braised beef with horseradish, apple and blackberry tart and, naturally, plenty of bubbly to toast the newlyweds. Christchurch Rd.; 44-14/2527-5341; chewtonglen.com.
Ivanov Vladislav
Miami: Novikov
Arkadiy Novikov’s Chinese-Japanese restaurant, which has successful locations in London and Moscow, will soon open its first U.S. outpost. The space's waterfront views will set the stage for an upscale fusion menu of dumplings, tempura, wok-fired dishes, and indulgent takes on sushi including Wagyu, foie gras nigiri, quail egg, and truffle gunkan. Expect a mid-to-late May opening. novikovmiami.com
