January 2021 Food & Lifestyle News by Shaena Engle

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It’s Food & Lifestyle News by Shaena Engle for the month of January 2021.

===

BeLeaf Retreat

The upcoming BeLeaf Retreat on January 9 & 10 is a plant based weekend experience for families. This event offers families tools and time to examine their relationship to the natural world and consider the greater impact of their choices.  Participants will learn to lesson their carbon footprint, eat healthier  and make an impact on the environment. Admission is $125 at https://www.beleafretreat.com.

Porto’s Bakery Offers Special Rosquita King’s Cake

Porto’s Bakery has baked up a special Rosquita King’s Cake for Epiphany this year. This new individual sized version of the Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake) is now in a convenient personalized size. Offered for in-car pickup at the Porto’s bakeries, this delicious cake is made with buttery brioche dough with homemade candied orange peel and topped with almond paste, $2.45 at https://www.portosbakery.com.

The Future Brings Magic to the Geffen Stayhouse

The Geffen Stayhouse is taking interactive at-home illusions into The Future with magician Helder Guimaraes’ new show. His story takes guests on a personal journey to a high-stakes poker game and pub in the south of France while taking part in fun card tricks along the way, now through March 14, run time 80 minutes, $95 per household, tickets at www.geffenplayhouse.org.

Q Sushi Offers Takeout Boxes

Downtown’s Q Sushi is now offering high-end takeout boxes. Premium Omakasa sushi boxes for 2 are $400 and contain 20 pieces of nigiri and sashimi per person. Available Fridays and Saturdays starting 1.8. 21, order via Q Sushi Tock app or at https://www.qsushila.com. 

Taco Vega Opens for Take-Out and Delivery

Fast casual plant based Mexican restaurant Taco Vega opens Friday January 8 for take-out and delivery offering lunch and dinner plant-based Mexican cuisine, visit https://www.tacovega.com to order.

See’s Candies Celebrates 100 Years with Dark Butterscotch Square and Competition

See’s Candies is 100 years old and is celebrating with a new dark chocolate butterscotch square. They are also launching a “What’s Your Sweet Idea?” competition. Fans can submit their ultimate candy creation January 5-20 and top candies will be available for voting from February 15 through March 1. On November 2021 the new winning candy will be released. Submit candy recipes to sees.com/sweetidea, new dark chocolate butterscotch scare is $8.25 for six pieces, at https://www.sees.com. 

The Finishing Gourmet Brings Classic Steakhouse Experience Home

The new Finishing Gourmet transports the classic high-end steakhouse directly to homes. Duplicating the fine dining steakhouse experience, diners receive access to the finest steakhouse-inspired meals in Los Angeles. Includes starters; fine cuts of steak, pork and chicken; sauces; sides and desserts. Diners can order on Tock and either pick up their dinner at The Finishing Gourmet’s kitchen in Hollywood or have it delivered directly to their door, visit http://www.thefinishinggourmet.com. 

Umami Burger Opens New Virtual Kitchen Locations

Umami Burger has opened ghost kitchens in Westchester, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Venice and Brentwood. Menu highlights include the signature Umami cheeseburger, Umami double truffle burger, Impossible burgers, krispy chicken sandwiches and more. Order for delivery daily from 12pm to 10pm through Doordash, GrubHub, Postmates and UberEats. 

NewTree Ranch Offers Elevated Health and Wellness Programs for the New Year

NewTree Ranch in Healdsburg, CA is offering a variety of health and wellness experiences to promote discovery, tranquility and healing. Join an immersive plant-based cooking session, connect with nature on the Women Warriors Retreat, or center on mindfulness through breathing exercises at the Wim Hof Experience, visit https://newtreeranch.com. 

Ojai Valley Inn Unveils New Renovated Spa Penthouse Suites

The Ojai Valley Inn, just 90 minutes outside of LA, has opened their newly remodeled Spa Penthouse suites. These luxury suites offer sweeping views of the Ojai Valley in a serene spa setting. Choose from the Sunset Penthouse Suite, a 1,500 foot two bedroom space featuring a stone fireplace and custom dry-bar or the Moonlight Penthouse Suite, a 1,500 foot two bedroom penthouse suite with 16-foot vaulted ceilings and grand arched windows, visit https://www.ojaivalleyinn.com.

Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co Opens at The Paramount

Brooklyn Ave. Pizza Co is now opened at the eastside Paramount on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. Featuring wood-fired pizzas, wings, loaded fries and an extensive bar program, open for takeout, visit https://www.brooklynavepizzaco.com.

Cupcake Vineyards and Chloe Wine Release Prosecco Rosé Wines

Beginning in January, Cupcake Vineyards and Chloe Wine are both releasing new prosecco rosé wines. Cupcake Vineyards is a sparkling wine with flavors of citrus and notes of light berry and peach, $15.99, and Chloe’s prosecco rosé has notes of ripe red berries and rose petals, $15.99. 

Please send information on openings and submissions to [email protected].