april eats.

get beefed up, opt for color, try new libations and learn to make more than reservations with this list of april foodie picks:

where's the beef.
steak your claim at laurent tourondel's BLT Steak. the NYC fave brings every cut of meat to LA, served up in cast iron pans. think french bistro "meats" american steakhouse, but fish and chicken are also avail. choose from over 500 wines to wash it all down. now open. 8720 sunset boulevard. between north sherbourne drive and alta loma. 310.360.1950. www.bltrestaurants.com


dog gone.
expect the lords of flatbush and eddie and the cruisers to swagger into filmmaker marty davidson's new diner, marty d's deluxe dogs & desserts. with the help of his interior designer wife, sandy, the 50s come to life. hop on a stool at the soda fountain, and discover what lime rickeys and brooklyn egg creams really are. now open. 230 south beverly drive. between charleville and gregory. 310.273.7771. www.martyds.com


white out.
blanca is the new color behind the orange curtain. this coastal-themed spanish and italian resto is located at newport harbor. opt for crudo right at the table, but if it sounds too, well, fishy, try the harissa-rubbed lamb rib eye or jidori chicken breast. opens april 25th. 3420 via oporto. between via lido and newport. newport beach. 944.673.0414. www.blancanewport.com


sake2me.
sake2me is changing generic versions forever. it combines the clean taste of junmai sake (pure rice sake) with exotic, all-natural flavors. choose from ginger-mango, yuzu citrus, asian pear and green tea. no headache inducing sulfites or glutens to torture wheat-phobes. available at www.sake2me.com


spice girls.
the "too hot tamales," mary sue milliken and susan feniger, are offering a ciudad south american fiesta cooking class ($75). delve into culinary controversies then savor a multi-course lunch featuring peruvian ceviche, brazillian seafood moqueca, argentine gaucho steak and cocktails. april 12th. 445 south figueroa. near 5th. 213.486.5171. www.marysueandsusan.com


bottoms up.
it's better to give, than receive. indulge your penchant for fine wine and amazing food at the 5th annual malibu wine classic ($79). part of the ticket price is a tax deductible donation to childhelp (www.childhelp.org), dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse. over 60 local wineries and twenty restaurants are featured, as well as a live auction. april 5th. malibu civic center. 23525 civic center way. between stuart ranch and la paz. www.malibuwineclassic.com