Father's Day 2012 dining guide: Freebies, cocktails and more

Still don't know where to take dad for Father's Day? Not to fret, we've got you covered. Here's a list of where to take Dad for a great meal, cocktail, even a free burger.

Fig & Olive Melrose Place is offering a new summer three-course weekend brunch menu ($28) created by executive chef Pascal Lorange, who happens to be a new first-time dad. The meal comes with a complimentary cocktail as well as a selection of half-priced cocktails. The Father's Day weekend prix-fixe dishes include: house-made brioche French toast, Fig & Olive burger, steak tartare and more.  

Chaya will have a prix-fixe ($38) Father's Day brunch available on Sunday at the restaurant's Venice location and an à la carte brunch at the Beverly Hills and downtown locations. At the Venice location you can treat dad to bottomless Champagne or draft beer from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Red O will serve Father's Day dinner starting at 6 p.m. and give all dads a margarita made with Patron Gran Platinum tequila, Prunier Cognac, lime juice and agave nectar, on the rocks with a house-made fruit ice cube. Chef Rick Bayless' lamb mole negro will be offered as a special.

Mr. C is offering a buffet brunch and bottomless bellinis poolside at the Mr. C Yacht Club. Munch on Venetian frittatas or visit the Cipriani pasta station while listening to live jazz from the Jimmy Gimelli Jazztet. The buffet brunch and bottomless bellinis is $65 per adult and $35 for brunch and bottomless soft drinks for kids. Reservations are recquired.

­­­­­­­­­The Counter is offering a free burger for all dads on Sunday. All you have to do is say "My dad is a BFD (big freakin deal) and your dad will receive one standard 1/3-pound burger with included toppings. One per customer accompanied by a paying guest.This promotion is valid at all locations except Miami airport. 

Drago Centro is offering a six-course Father's Day tasting menu ($60) and beer pairing ($30) on Saturday and Sunday. The menu will include truffle agnolotti, crispy pork belly and gnocchi, lamb osso bucco and more. 

Magnolia Bakery will have special cupcakes available for dad. Get him the Tool Kit ($24), which includes one dozen mini vanilla and chocolate cupcakes adorned with edible tools, or Dad's Toolbox ($10), which includes one chocolate fudge brownie and one chocolate chunk blondie, or you can purchase individual classic vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with your choice of edible sports, golf, tie or tool decorations ($3.25 each). 

Free cocktails! Lola's celebrates 16 years of apple martinis

After a hard week's work (we'll pretend it isn't an after-holiday short week), there's nothing like a good, stiff cocktail to start the weekend -- especially if that cocktail is free. Sure, it's only Tuesday, but for those who observe #tuesdayboozeday, it's never too early to start thinking about a martini.

To celebrate 16 years of apple martinis, Lola's in West Hollywood is throwing a sweet 16 birthday party Friday with free cocktails. From 7 to 9 p.m.,  guests can enjoy free Ketel One apple martinis, appetizers and a DJ.

Lola's claims that in 1996, owner Lola Dunsworth and some members of the staff mixed together the first apple martini in the back of the bar, using green apple Puckers, Ketel One vodka and sweet and sour mix. Ever since, it's been a hit. If you want to try the famous green martini, all you have to do is RSVP for the party at LolasSweet16@gmail.com. RSVPing early is recommended as space is limited and it's first come, first served.

Lola's West Hollywood, 945 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood.

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-- Jenn Harris

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Photo: Mac and cheese and an apple martini from Lola's. Credit: Lola's.

[Updated] Tax Day 2012 food and drink specials

Filing your taxes is always a pain, but by the time tax day (April 17) rolls around and the papers have all been filed away, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief. And what better way to unwind than with a soothing alcoholic beverage or cheap bite to eat? Here are a couple of tax day specials to get you through the day:

Pink Taco: From 3 to 7 p.m., Pink Taco is offering $4 Hotel California Margaritas (Hotel California Tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, agave nectar, orange liquor).

Rock and Reilly's Irish Rock Pub: The West Hollywood pub has declared April 17 "dry tax day," which translates to the following specials, created just for tax day: $6 IRS Car Bombs, $5 Tax Collector Shooters and the Delinquency Burger.

Cinnabon: From 6-8 p.m., participating Cinnabon locations are handing out two free Cinnabon tax day bites.

Street: Susan Feniger's Street is offering diners the classic Street burger (with Vermont cheddar and Yuzo Kosho mayonnaise) or the new spicy black bean veggie burger (with pea shoots, smashed avocado and tomato) for just $4.17.

P.F. Chang's: The restaurant is offering 15% off all online orders for pickup.

Lexington Social House: Get 17% off all food and drink through April 17, including Chef Jared Simons’ new spring menu and the new seasonal cocktail list.

Know of any food or drink tax day specials? Share the wealth in the comments below.

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Photo: Tequilas lined up at Pink Taco, Century City. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

[Updated at 12:38 P.M. April 16, 2012 A new deal was added]

An Islands tribute means free burger and fries today

Islands, the popular Hawaiian-themed restaurant chain is giving away free Mavericks burgers and fries today at all Los Angeles locations until close -- a tribute to the Mavericks International Surf Contest. The surfing competition didn't actually take place this year, but the restaurant still wanted to celebrate by giving customers free Mavericks burgers and fries. 

The Islands Mavericks burger comes topped with BBQ sauce, Islands' signature crispy onion strings (Islands Reds), American cheese, lettuce, tomato and pickles, served with a side of fries. To receive the free burger, guests need to bring in a picture of any Maverick wave (big wave). You can find one on the Island's Facebook page. The limit is one burger per person.

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Photo: The Islands Maverick burger. Credit: Islands.

Come and get it: Free food truck event in Santa Monica

Who can resist a free meal? Especially when it involves the Lobsta Truck, ice cream sandwiches from Coolhaus and other dishes from popular food trucks.

BBC America will host a free food truck event on Tuesday in Santa Monica to celebrate its new cooking adventure series "No Kitchen Required." From 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. diners can get free food, drinks, desserts and even free T-shirts. The event is first come, first served. So its Facebook page suggests not being late.

There will also be a screening of "No Kitchen Required" at 7 p.m. The new show involves three chefs in exotic and remote locations who must work with the local community to cook meals inspired by their surroundings. The show premieres April 3 at 10 p.m. Pacific time on BBC America.

RSVPing for the food truck event requires liking the "No Kitchen Required" Facebook page.

2612 Main St., Santa Monica (corner of Main Street and Ocean Park).

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Photo: Ice cream sandwiches from the Coolhaus truck. Credit: Brian Leatart.

Yogurtland celebrates with free fro-yo

With a frozen yogurt shop on almost every corner, the creamy sweet treat has practically become its own food group -- well, at least for Angelenos. So it makes sense (to marketers, anyway) to have a day devoted to the stuff.

Today marks the first National Frozen Yogurt Day. To celebrate, Yogurtland -- the popular chain that lets patrons build their own creations -- is offering free frozen yogurt and toppings from 4 to 7 p.m. at participating locations.

Yogurt fans can choose from 16 sweet and tart flavors, including the new, limited Yo Frappe, a mix of caramel, mocha and java, or the Mango Mixer Tart, with fresh mango, passion fruit, green apple and pineapple. Fans can then finish their masterpieces with more than 35 toppings including nuts, candy and fresh fruit.

Yogurtland has also created special commemorative cups and collectible biodegradable spoons that will be available only from 4 to 7 p.m.

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Photo: Yogurtland celebrates National Frozen Yogurt Day on Feb. 6. Credit: Business Wire.

Chick-Fil-A declares Cow Appreciation Day 2011: Get your free meal on

Chick-Fil-A restaurants nationwide are handing out free meals and entrees Friday. But there's a catch: You'll have to dress up like a cow in honor of Cow Appreciation Day. You can locate your local Chick-Fil-A here:

If you dress partially like a cow -- maybe tack on some udders, or pin on some construction paper spots? -- it will earn you a free entree item. But if you dress head to hoof and saunter up to the counter, it will get you a full free meal. Same goes for calves, er, I mean kids.

It's the latest publicity campaign for the fast-food chain that's all about chicken. (Its mascot is a cow urging you to -- of course -- eat more white meat.) The gambit seems to be working: The Internet has been buzzing about the free food offer for hours.

Do you have a leftover cow costume from Halloween's past? And if you did, would you be brave enough to walk into a Chick-Fil-A store wearing it? If you answered in the affirmative, then you'll want to get in on this action too: Take a picture and submit it. The fast-food chain will be handing out free meals as part of a photo contest.

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4 Food Events You Should Know About: Meltdown Comics' meat-themed night; Corkbar celebrates its 2-year anniversary; Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery gives back; Melting Pot gives free fondue [Updated]

Meat mania: Let's clink plastic cups and toast to meat. Thursday night from 7 to 10, Meltdown Comics in Hollywood will be hosting a night all about meat to kick off a new exhibition that will be on display through March 17. Alie and Georgia (of Drinks with Alie and Georgia) will be serving cocktails rimmed in barbeque sauce as guests walk through the warehouse-sized comic book emporium and feast their eyes on meat-themed artwork.

Meltdown Comics, 7522 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles.

Popping bottles: Raise your glasses and mark Saturday on your calendar, when Corkbar celebrates its two-year anniversary from 5 to 10 p.m. with a $2 tastes menu, happy hour pricing and a hefty dose of limited-edition beers.  Your stomach and wallet will thank you for filling up on the likes of “ball park sliders” with pork sausage and relish on a pretzel bun or mac ‘n’ cheese with pasilla chiles. On the big night, Stone Brewing will unveil its limited edition Lukcy Basartd Ale that commemorates the 13th year of the brewery’s Arrogant Bastard Ale. Although your memory may be hazy, it certainly has the makings of a night to remember. 

Corkbar, 403 West 12th St., Los Angeles; (213) 746-0050.

Beer for a good cause: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery has announced its 15th annual partnership with local fire departments with the Fire Chief Ale limited-time-only promotion. From Tuesday through April 17, the restaurant will be featuring its popular seasonal beer along with an accompanying menu.  For every pint of Fire Chief Ale sold during the promotion, Rock Bottom will donate 25 cents to local fire departments and their related charities.

Rock Bottom Restaraunt, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla; (858) 450-9277.

National Cheese Fondue Day: Make your reservations now for The Melting Pot Restaurant's celebration of National Cheese Fondue Day on April 11, when they'll be serving free cheese fondue at all of their locations. For now you can visit their website and watch videos of their head chef talking about all things cheese, including Cheese Weight Lifting, Cheese Facial, Cheese Brain Freeze and Cheesy Pick Up Lines.

www.411iscoming.com

-- Emma Wartzman and Max Diamond

[Updated 1:16 p.m.: An earlier version of this post misspelled the names of the beers being highlighted. Stone Brewing is serving up Lukcy Basartd Ale, which commemorates the brewery's Arrogant Bastard Ale.]

Top Chef Masters: Feniger's Kaya toast gets cut [Updated]

The last female chef standing, Susan Feniger, was knocked out last night, handing over the reins to Rick Moonen, who managed to dominate an entire episode as she had done the week prior.

But parting is sweet sorrow for Angeleno fans -- Feniger is offering free coconutty Kaya toast at Street from 5 to 7 p.m. daily through Tuesday (the password is "pack your knives").

Moonen, who just announced he'll be consulting on the food and beverage program on the L.A.-to-Vegas X Train, outshined Susur Lee in the final duel of the quickfire challenge, where the chefs wagered against each other to see who could pinpoint the most ingredients in classic sauces. Lee mistakenly believed there was garlic in the lobster sauce, doling out yet another tough break for the edgy Chinese chef.

Moonen revealed that his deft palate stemmed from his adventurous eating habits as a child: He used to taste everything in sight, including dirt and cardboard. (Hear that, kiddos? Next time your mom scolds you for trying to serve real mud pie on April Fools' Day, tell her you're only trying to become a master chef.)

Grab a cup of coffee with Juan Valdez, give Conchita a sugar cube

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you.

That is indeed Juan Valdez and his trusted mule, Conchita, wandering the corner of Hollywood and Highland from 10:30 to 12:30 today. 

From the press release, which we couldn't resist, because a cute mule is involved: "That's right...Juan is visiting L A  offering up 100% Colombian Coffee – the smoothest, richest coffee in the world as part of a five-city national tour."

Swing by and get a coffee sample. Bigger prizes await at www.whatsbehindthebest.com, including a shot to win $10,000 and coffee prizes.

If you go there, it's worth watching the latest TV ad unless you've already seen it: The parting shot of Conchita's twitching ears is worth it. (Did they really get her in there? That's gotta be Photoshop, right?)

--Rene Lynch

Photo credit: 100% Columbian Coffee