QUICK BITES

Chef ’s kiss

> Catering company Villa Paella has launched Dos Besos, a bricks-and-mortar restaurant in Old Town Pasadena. The Spanish spot from the husband-and-wife team of chef Alejandro Llobet Domenech and operations manager Kit Romano offers classics such as pan con tomate, paella, tortilla española, gazpacho, gambas al ajillo and chocolate con churro specials, with indoor dining, patio space and a view of the kitchen. Llobet Domenech’s first standalone restaurant fulfills his years-long dream of transforming his catering operation, which was known for its paellas. Dos Besos is open Tuesday to Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 99 E. Union St., Pasadena, (626) 696-3741, instagram.com /dosbesospasadena

A world of flavors

> After years of trying to open in Sawtelle, globally inspired Wanderlust Creamery is selling ice cream there. The newest scoop shop joins a handful of locations across the L.A. area, including Pasadena, Tarzana and Venice, and serves roughly two dozen flavors such as pandan tres leches, mango sticky rice and a Vietnamesecoffee take on rocky road. In celebration, the ice cream parlor is launching a monthlong special at all locations, called Sawtelle Milk + Brownies that’s made with a Hokkaido-milk ice cream base studded with matcha brownies. 2105 Sawtelle Blvd., (818) 774-9888, wanderlustcreamery.com

APL does BBQ

> In January Adam Perry Lang closed his Hollywood steakhouse, APL, but the pitmaster’s cooking has a new life with a barbecue pop-up in Pasadena. Running indefinitely on Wednesdays to Sundays from noon until the food sells out, APL Barbecue sells hearty beef ribs, hickory-smoked pulled pork sandwiches, St. Louis spare ribs in a sticky glaze, smoked chicken coated in a basil and honey sauce, specials such as burnt ends, cornbread and other sides. 203 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, aplbbq.com

Eastside love

> Taste of the Eastside returns April 22-24 for its 12th year, with more than a dozen vendors participating in Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Echo Park and Silver Lake. The event, held in years past at the L.A. River Center and Gardens, spotlights East L.A. (and nearby) restaurants, bars and shops at their locations — this year including HomeState, Mazal, Melody, Pazzo Gelato and others. The 2022 Taste of the Eastside festival will donate 25% of sales proceeds to nonprofits Friends of the L.A. River and Rose Scharlin Cooperative Nursery School. tasteoftheeastside.com

Sample IPAs

> One of the L.A. area’s hoppiest beer fests is back for its eighth year. On May 21, L.A. IPA Fest brings to Marina del Rey about 60 beers from breweries across the state, but only one will be named Best California IPA. North Park Beer Co., which won the title in 2020, will return, as will Tarantula Hill Brewing, which won the people’s choice award that year. General admission ($38) includes noon entry, five beer tokens and a branded glass; a “shadow judge” VIP ticket ($125) includes entry to a 10 a.m. brunch buffet, observation of the judging at 11 a.m., early entry, a branded glass and five beer tokens. Additional beer tokens can be purchased in groups of five for $35. 4089 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, (424) 443-5119, laipafestival.com