To Live and Dine in L.A.

Summer Roadtrip is the theme of this season's dineL.A., an event that highlights 300 of the city's ethnically-diverse eateries from Friday, July 14 through Friday, July 28. Foodies will have the opportunity to indulge in globally inspired cuisine, at value-driven prices with menus starting at
$15. Each establishment will highlight their most enticing, signature dishes in order to lure new and returning diners during this culinary encounter.

For a second season, dineL.A. again partners with the California Avocado Commission to feature avocado-centric dishes from some of the best chefs in the city including: Akasha Richmond from AR Cucina, Chandra Gilbert from Gracias Madre, David Lefevre from Fishing with Dynamite, Josiah Citrin of Charcoal Venice and Neal Fraser at Redbird. This year's newcomers include Officine BRERA, Odys + Penelope and The Ponte. It's also a perfect time to get a great deal at all your classic favorites such as: Spago, Border Grill, Chaya and many more.

Restaurateurs, John Halter and Morten Kaag of Tortilla Republic and Taste on Melrose are participating in dineL.A. for 2017. Tortilla Republic offers a modern take on Mexican comfort cuisine, utilizing recipes featuring farm-fresh ingredients and organic products. Taste on Melrose, on the swanky stretch of Melrose Avenue, with its new large bar and al fresco courtyard seating, has a homey, relaxed, yet sophisticated feel, serving updated American comfort cuisine at eminently moderate prices.

The Rage Monthly caught up with owner Morten Kaag and asked how long each of the two restaurants have been in business and why he thinks they have been so successful. "Taste On Melrose has been open for 13 years and our WeHo location just celebrated its fifth year. To us, success comes with intentionality and care from start to finish, as well as all E.D.G. [Every Day Grateful] hospitality concepts, which emphasize gratitude and community around the table."

Kaag went on to say, "Ultimately we aim to create a dining experience as if you were a guest in our home, by welcoming you with a big smile and a warmth that make you feel comfortable. The great diversity in our guests and our team members, makes for a great environment and a perfect destination for first dates, birthday celebrations and family gatherings... or just a night or lunch out with friends."

As to the importance in participating in the two-week dineL.A. Summer Roadtrip 2017 e Haag simply stated, "We think it's so important to participate and support L.A.'s dynamic culinary scene and we are proud to be a part of that."

When posed with the prospect of how to lure The Rage Monthly's LGBT readers to his two restaurants out of the 300 plus participating, to which he proudly offered, "Taste on Melrose and Tortilla Republic WeHo, have been created as such welcoming places for anyone from our celebrity guests, to
those looking to wind down after work or grabbing dinner with family, all will feel completely comfortable. When you combine the welcoming vibe, with our keen attention to design and very vibrant menu options for both restaurants, we are confident that you won't want to miss out on the experience of dining with us."

Kaag followed with, "Tying into the roadtrip theme, Gary Baseman, the Emmy Award-winning creator of ABC/Disney's animation series 'Teacher's Pet' and collaborator with luxury brand COACH, has designed a map featuring iconic Los Angeles landmarks and restaurants that will be included in "The dineL.A. Roadtrip Guide."

The guide also contains a list of participating restaurants divided by neighborhood, as a helpful tool that diners can download or print from dineL.A.'s website or pick up at visitor information centers throughout the city. Summer dineL.A.'s lunch menus range from $15, $20, and $25 and dinner menus are priced at $29, $39, and $49.

Their "Exclusive Series," presented by American Express, offers diners a chance to experience some of L.A.'s most luxurious restaurants, at a value- driven price starting at $95.

For more information and a full list of participating restaurants, go to https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela-los-angeles-restaurant-week