may eats.

may you steak out the latest political hot spot, up your game, dazzle mom, try a new brew and get over the hump with this list of may food picks:

politically speaking.
former mayor richard riordan steaks a claim in the palisades with the oak room. think good old boys club by the beach. douglas silberberg, who toiled at michael's, dishes up plenty of meat to satiate the red states. bottoms up to their full-liquor license, a rarity in this sleepy hood. now open. 1035 swarthmore avenue. between sunset and monument. pacific palisades. 310.454.3337.


hump night.
sometimes you need an extra push to get over the hump and make it to the weekend. wine down wednesdays at the maison 140 bar noir (pictured) offers more than a bite of the good life with their weekly vin et fromage tastings. may features casa barranca, the first certified organic winery in the santa barbara region. if you wind down too much, check into the hotel. 140 lasky drive. at durant. beverly hills. 310.281.4000. www.maison140beverlyhills.com


waffling.
sticky bun, baked-in applewood smoked bacon, blueberry lemon, carrot cake. you'll be waffling about which to try first at the waffle. chef scooter kanfer-cartmill slings american classics with a gourmet crinkle here. downstairs is a diner scene, while upstairs is a mellow cocktail lounge featuring ginger maple martinis. now open. 6255 west sunset boulevard. between vine and argyle. hollywood. 323.465.6901. www.thewaffle.us


hide and seek.
supplement powders too messy? grab a bottle of activate ($2.29 each) to quench more than your thirst. hidden in the lid is a tasty combo of vitamins that are released into the bottle of purified water when you twist the cap. your boost will stay potent longer. choose from fruit punch for vitamins, orange for immunity, berry for antioxidant and lemon lime for energy. www.activatedrinks.com


double your pleasure.
as queen of the multi-taskers, you expect your gifts to do double duty. send mom flowers for mother's day, but makes yours edible, too with the valerie confections mother's day pansy petit fours gift box ($48). taste 12 yummy petit fours composed of lemon cake, layered with a sweet tart lemon curd, then hand-dipped in white chocolate. the finishing touch? a candied pansy petal. 3360 west first street. between virgil and commonwealth. 888.706.1408. www.valerieconfections.com


doppleganger.
meat and greet at the latest NYC import, wolfgang's steakhouse (no relation to mr. puck). this one belongs to wolfgang zwiener, who is known for his high steaks. dry-aged porterhouse to be exact. slabs of swordfish and wild salmon are avail, but creamed spinach and german potatoes tempt you to live dangerously. opens may 1st. 445 north canon drive. between brighton and little santa monica. 310.385.0640. www.wolfgangssteakhouse.com


beer on the wall.
sometimes an unusual brewski and some bar food is all you want. after 55 years, father's office is bringing 36 microbrews, tapas and burgers to a second location in the historic helms bakery building. think bigger and maybe even better, given the patio tables. take one down and pass it around. now open. 3229 helms avenue. between venice and washington boulevard. 310.736.2224. www.fathersoffice.com