Royal/T in Culver City closes this month

Royal/T, the Japanese maid cafe, eatery and art space in Culver City, is closing at the end of July.

Opened in 2007, Royal/T brought Los Angeles weekly Tokyo Nouveau Champagne brunches, waitresses dressed in playful maid uniforms and the cafe's signature milk tea, among many culinary- and art-related workshops, exhibitions and events.

The shop bids farewell with final events held at its space beginning this weekend. Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, Royal/T hosts a tea workshop with Paper Architect. Learn tips and tricks for planning an ultimate tea party from Nancy Caldwell while munching on an assortment of sandwiches, scones, desserts and freshly brewed tea. Purchase tickets online at www.royaltworkshop.eventbrite.com.

A closing brunch will mark the final cafe service at Royal/T on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with live music featured throughout the afternoon. The cafe's last scheduled shindig is a pop-up dinner in collaboration with Cordero Negro from 6 to 9 p.m. July 26 and 27. The evening's 12-course tapas tasting menu is $45 per person and will include dishes like chorizo sausage with succotash and saffron corn veloute, herbed goat cheese, stuffed pequillo peppers with basil infused olive oil, and Spanish flan. Make reservations online at www.corderonegro.com/popup.

What's next? Royal/T's owner Susan Hancock plans to take the brand on the road with various events and pop-ups.

8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 559-6300, royal-t.org.

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Photo: Royal/T storefront. Credit: Royal/T

'Godfather' cooking class at Ombra Ristorante

On Sunday, Feb. 12, Ombra Ristorante is hosting a "Godfather"-inspired cooking class taught by executive chef Michael Young. This class is designed with couples in mind (possible Valentine's Day gift, because what says love like mob warfare?). Participants will prepare a four-course meal including braciole (a filled slice of meat braised in a tomato sauce), meatballs and Sunday sauce, mostaccioli (a baked pasta dish) and Sicilian cannoli. In addition, students will receive a recipe packet, wooden spoon and 1 pound of dried pasta to help them re-create these dishes at home.

The class is $99 per person, or $169 per couple. Space is limited and reservations can be made by calling (818) 985-7337. Hopeless romantics and 1970s mobster movie fans welcome. 3737 Cahuenga Blvd., Studio City, (818) 985-7337, www.ombrala.com.

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Photo: Chef Michael Young of Ombra Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times