Sampler Platter: Mitsuwa, Alondra Hot Wings, free beer and more

News for a new year...

• West L.A. wine bar Upstairs 2 makes its popular Wine and Dine dinners -- featuring a four-course region-themed dinner -- into a weekly event. Welcome to your Wednesday night. Caroline on Crack

• Mitsuwa Marketplace in Little Tokyo will close Jan. 25 and Korean grocer H Mart is lined up to replace it. Eating L.A.

• Zankou Chicken opens latest location at 901 W. Glenoaks Blvd. in Glendale; shares space with Sidewalk Cafe. Atwater Village Newbie

• Anheuser-Busch InBev will no longer give free Budweiser beer to theme park patrons because it has "limited appeal." (Maybe it's not the concept; maybe it’s the beer.) St. Louis Business Journal

• Sign here if you don't need your tongue anymore. Eddie Lin faces the Atomic Wings at Alondra Hot Wings. Deep End Dining

• Beware of acai free trial offers. These are often scams. Delicious, delicious scams. Consumerist

-- Elina Shatkin

Photo: Luisa Iam and Clement Ho eat at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Little Tokyo. (Alexander Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)