This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
While you can still pack a picnic to see shows at the Hollywood Bowl, a completely new lineup of food and drink options at the venue this season may have you leaving your Trader Joe's supplies at home.
Starting this year, the Bowl has partnered with James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and business partner Caroline Styne—the team behind local hotspots Lucques, A.O.C., Tavern and The Larder—to bring a range of delicious new dining options to the historic amphitheater. The new partnership will replace the Patina Restaurant Group, which will catered the venue's numerous restaurants, markets, and food stands for over 15 years. The overhaul features all new offerings that will appeal to a wide variety of tastes, including everything from tacos and BBQ to wood-grilled fish and grab-and-go salads.
The new food and drink options will be scattered throughout the venue, and will include a burger stand, a wine bar, a raw bar, a marketplace for sandwiches and salads, as well as several fine dining options. They'll even have retro-style food trucks parked around the venue for quick bites.
Both Goin and Styne grew up in L.A. and have been enjoying shows at the venue since childhood. When it came to reinventing the menu, Goin tells LAist:
When I cook I always cook what I want to eat. So, I thought what do you want to eat while you're sitting outside under the stars. I didn't want anything too formal or stuffy, but instead options that were relaxed, celebratory and festive.
For the new wine offerings, Styne adds:
In the past, you could find wines here that you could get at the supermarket, but I wanted to give people a little more exciting and interesting view on the wines here. You'll find really delicious, summery wines that you want to drink outdoors on a hot night.
Here are the new options:
the backyard
This newly designed al fresco space features two large wood-burning grills for farmers' market-sourced shareable dining options with a laid-back backyard vibe. Think grilled fish, chops, steaks, grains and greens, as well as an extensive raw bar.
Kitchen 22
Inspired by SoCal's great roadside burger stands, Kitchen 22 features made-to-order beef and turkey burgers—where you can even double the meat and cheese—as well as new additions like a Comte grilled cheese on Larder sourdough, and A.O.C.'s stellar Spanish fried chicken with romesco sauce.
Street Food and Snacks
Scattered throughout the Bowl grounds, these venues will serve up a range of L.A. favorites, including al pastor and chicken tacos; bahn mi with grilled steak, roasted pork, chicken or tofu; rotisserie chicken; hot dogs, including a Kobe beef one with avocado crema and red onion relish; bratwurst and vegan sausages; pizza and more. They'll also have Larder Baking Company signature desserts and other treats.
The Wine Bar by A.O.C.
Leave the Two Buck Chuck at home and get the full wine bar experience with the added bonus of amazing live music. Carolyn Styne will be curating a list of wines that will only include those that have been farmed sustainably, organically or biodynamically, and are made by small-production, artisanal winemakers. They'll also be working with Club W, the direct-to-consumer wine distributor that will help source hard-to-find, small estate wines for the Bowl. You'll also find a range of craft beers and farmers’ market-driven cocktails made with soju and other wine-based liquors. Plus, you can grab artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, market-fresh salads, grilled fish and meats, and more.
Food Trucks
Along the walkways and main plaza of the Bowl, you'll find colorful, vintage-inspired food trucks serving up hits like fish tacos, wood-fired pizzas and rotisserie chicken.
Marketplace
Inspired by Goin and Styne’s casual Larder café-marketplace, this spot will offer grab-and-go salads and hot entrées like rotisserie chicken, barbecue beef brisket and mac n’ cheese. You'll also find picnic-friendly sandwiches, cheese plates and more locally-sourced products. On the west side of the Bowl, you'll also find Buzz McCoy's Marketplace offering similar goodies with the added bonus of a sushi bar.
Supper in Your Seats
If you're living large in reserved box seats, you can choose from curated three-course dinners or an à la carte menu that will be delivered to you. It's pretty choice. You can pre-order up to 4 p.m. the day before a concert. Think goat cheese toast with prosciutto; grilled shrimp with gazpacho; or braised beef shortrib with smashed fingerlings, tomatoes and pesto.
Lucques at The Circle
If you're really rolling as a subscriber of the Pool Circle, you can order from a seasonal made-to-order menu and wine list for the Lucques fine dining experience at the Bowl. Imagine a grilled pork chop with cornbread-chorizo stuffing and glazed bing cherries and imagine the good life.
To learn more and find where all of these delicious new options are located, check out this handy map.
Related:
'Harry Potter' Will Screen With A Live Orchestra At The Hollywood Bowl
The Little Mermaid' Will Screen With Live Orchestra & Singers At Hollywood Bowl
