Upscale restaurants near UCLA anticipate seeing a variety of new customers in the two-week long dineL.A. Restaurant Week starting Monday, offering special menu items at reduced prices.
The event, which occurs every January and July, began in 2008 and grew to over 250 restaurants across Los Angeles. Six restaurants in Westwood Village will participate this month.
Click to enlarge:
Miranda Clinco, co-owner of Skylight Gardens, which has participated since 2012, said she enjoys getting to know more of the Los Angeles community that normally does not dine at the restaurant.
Clinco said the chefs choose dishes that are easy to prepare as special menu items because the restaurant anticipates more demand.
The Palomino Restaurant & Bar on Wilshire Boulevard has seen a slight increase in business during past dineL.A. events, said general manager Tracy Thayer.
During the event, a menu is chosen that highlights seasonal ingredients to showcase the best the restaurant has to offer its guests, Thayer said.
Nick Jacobs, owner and executive chef of The Glendon Bar & Kitchen, said the restaurant will participate in dineL.A. for the fourth time.
Jacobs said he thinks his restaurant benefits from dineL.A. as he has seen a few customers who have returned for subsequent dineL.A. events.
As the executive chef, Jacobs chooses to offer dishes normally not in the menu.
“It makes for a fun time because we can get more creative,” Jacobs said. “We are able to introduce products crafted to our new audience and stir up the menu.”
Students said they think the promotion allows them to explore dining options throughout Los Angeles.
“Sometimes we get stuck going to the same places,” said Samantha Stewart, a rising third-year psychology student. “Providing affordable options is a great way for people to try new things.”
She said she would visit restaurants even after dineL.A. if she enjoys the food.
dineL.A. Restaurant Week begins Monday and ends July 26.
Contributing reports by Pei Ni, Bruin contributor.