World Cup Cuisine from Pasadena to Long Beach
LA is a great city for experiencing the World Cup and all the revelry that goes with it. With the multitude of cultures that thrive in this melting pot, just about everyone has a country or team in the tournament that they can connect with. Its no surprise then, that restaurants are showing their team spirit by backing the teams that match their menus.
So whether you’re getting up at 6 AM this Friday to watch Brazil play Portugal, or catching up with the late-night replays on Sports Center, there are many places to watch the game and experience some Wolrd Cup cuisine. Some of the places are partnering with the LA Galaxy to put on viewing parties* with give aways (event tickets and genuine world cup soccer balls!) and apperances by Miss LA Galaxy. Be sure to bring your vuvuzela!
I suggest starting in Pasadena and working your way south. You’ve got until July 11!
World Cup Street Food at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena
http://pasadena.langhamhotels.com/restaurants/dining_special_offers.htm#world_cup
1401 South Oak Knoll Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106
LA "Dirty Dog" mini Kobe hot dogs...topped with bacon!
- On-going specials through out the tournament including chances for freebies.
- They didn’t pick sides at The Bar in the Langham Hotel of Pasadena. Instead, they picked the best street foods from several of the participating countries and re-created them with a gourmet spin. They’ve made dishes from South Africa (semi-sweet millet puffs shaped like soccer balls), England (fish & chips fried in duck fat), and my favorite from USA: LA “dirty dogs” — kobe beef hot dogs on pretzel buns w/ Bacon, sweet peppers & onions. Different teams and their foods will be featured each week of the tournament. They’re also giving away some of their items for free. Check their website and follow @LanghamPasadena on twitter for details.
Ye Olde King’s Head British Pub
http://www.yeoldekingshead.com
116 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- LA Galaxy viewing party on Thursday, June 24; Saturday, July 3; and quarter-finals on Wednesday, July 7
- Get your “England” jerseys out and order a pint at Ye Olde King’s Head in Santa Monica. They have enough draft beers on tap to keep you unthirtsy for an entire football match and then some. In traditional pub-fare fashion, the eats are also covered nicely. Go for the sampler platter. With a taste of just about everything on the pub fare menu, you’ll have enough to share with the rest of the crowd…or plenty for yourself!
OB’s Pub and Grill
http://obsmb.com/
3610 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
- LA Galaxy viewing party on Friday, 6/25; Saturday, 6/26; Tuesday, 6/29; and quarter-finals on Friday, 7/2
- Right here in the South Bay, OB’s get’s the prize for being open as early as needed for all of your World Cup viewing. On their website they say, “Come in for every game, no matter how early or late.” If you’re there at the butt crack of dawn, wake up with a cup of coffee and the Pork Chops & Eggs — two chops served with 3 eggs and a choice of sides. In late? Stay up with a beer and OB’s Meatloaf, served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed veggies .
Alpine Village
http://www.alpinevillagecenter.com/
833 W. Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502
- LA Galaxy viewing party on Sunday, 6/27; Saturday, 7/3; and semi-finals on Wednesday, 7/7
- Another South Bay spot, Alpine Village will be showing all of the German matches…as well as those of the USA. They’ll have beer specials and more men in lederhosen than you can count!
K.C. Branaghan’s
http://www.kcbranaghans.com
5734 East 2nd St, Long Beach, CA 90803
- LA Galaxy viewing party on Thursday, 6/24; Monday, 6/28; Tuesday, 6/29; and semi-finals on Tuesday, 7/6
- You’ll need lots of enery to cheer your team on at 7 AM. That means eating a breakfast that will stick with your for 90+ minutes of fast paced football action. At K.C. Branaghan’s, you can get a breakfast that’s bigger than an Irishman’s heart! Their traditional Irish breakfast is served with eggs, banger, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, grilled tomatoes and soda bread.
The final match of the World Cup takes place on Sunday, July 11 at 11:30 AM. Where will you be watching it?
*http://www.lagalaxy.com/worldcupviewingparties
(Photo courtesy of the Langham Hotel. I took some, but mine turned out crappy! :D)
