Dinner Plan: AFI FEST

From the driving, to the parking, to the not knowing where to drive or park, dinner in L.A. is harder than it should be. That’s why we created Dinner Plan — your itinerary to a damn good time.

This week, we head to Hollywood for the AFI FEST. Feel free to interchange the meal and drinks portions of the plan to accommodate your screening of choice.

The Show: AFI FEST
Hollywood

Mudbound, a Netflix Original, opens this year’s AFI FEST, and no sooner than the curtain closes will it be available for streaming, signaling that new means of distribution are (slowly) becoming accepted by the industry. It’s a boon for indie filmmakers, many of whom have attended AFI’s famous classes and workshops. Other big movies include Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water and Aaron Sorkin’s Molly’s Game (main image). As always, the fest will host scores of new talent as well as a retrospective on a legendary filmmaker; this year they’re celebrating the loose narratives of Robert Altman.

6925 Hollywood Blvd. (map)
Website

Get Fed: Petite Taqueria
West Hollywood

Rather than a rushed dinner before the movie, opt for a late and boozy one after. Petite Taqueria just opened in West Hollywood, away from the tourist-jammed craziness of Hollywood Blvd. Book a velvety banquette and get ready for a fusion of Mexican and Japanese, with the option to go full-blown omakase if you’re feeling peckish. Chicken tacos slathered in red mole. Smashed guac prepared tableside. They have strong cocktails, but we like a Wild Papalome Del Maguey mezcal served neat. And should you decide to do dinner before the movie, Petite Taqueria offers one helluva discounted Happy Hour (menu).

755 La Cienega Blvd. (map)
Website

Image credit: Elizabeth Daniels

Put on Your Dancing Shoes: MmmHmm
Hollywood

Oh, it’s that kind of night. Fine. Hop in a Lyft and shoot up to The Standard’s MmmHmm, the somewhat secret dance lounge. You enter through a door to the left of the lobby. Check the website to see who’s DJing.

8300 Sunset Blvd. (map)
Website