The Hollywood Bowl Opening Night with fireworks is June 18 with Steely Dan. This year respected chef Suzanne Goin and her business partner Caroline Styne of Lucques Group have created a new Hollywood Bowl culinary program. Goin and Styne are known for their seasonal artisanal menus, products and exceptional wine pairings. Their restaurants include a.o.c., Lucques, Tavern, and Larder Baking Company.  In 2005, Suzanne and her husband Chef David Lentz opened The Hungry Cat, and has since expanded to locations in Santa Monica and Santa Barbara.

AWARD WINNING CHEF – Goin was named one of Food and Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs” in 1999 after opening Lucques in 1998 and receiving praise from Condé Nast Traveler, Gourmet, Bon Appétit and Saveur. These two women opened their second restaurant in 2002, a.o.c., offering inspired wines by the glass with a small plates menu.

JAMES BEARD – It’s been a good year for Goin, recently she earned a James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef 2016. With all the chefs nominated from all over the United States, our local chef continues to receive accolades.

WHAT’S NEW AT THE BOWL – This dynamic duo reimagined a new Food + Wine program in two full-service restaurants, box seat service, Bowl Marketplaces and street food items from around the world. The 38th annual Playboy Jazz festival begins June 11 and June 12. Opening night of the Hollywood Bowl with fireworks is June 18 with Steely Dan.

FOOD TRUCK ITEMS – Now when you get out of your car, Uber, Lyft or bus and enter Peppertree Lane, you will find a variety of wood fired pizzas and rotisserie chicken for concert goers to purchase for a picnic or take to their seats.

WINE – Continue up towards the Pool Circle, Garden Seats, Terrace Box and Super Seat to find an a.o.c. wine bar. I tasted three of the Summer wines served at the wine bar. My favorite is a Rose’ Summer Water from Beulton. It’s a light and refreshing, Pinot Noir rosé, ideal for the Bowl. My second served was Pacificana California Chardonnay – It was a lean Chardonnay that is not overly ripe or too alcoholic. The balanced fruit and acids allows one to drink it quickly. The last was a delightful 2014 Folly of the Beast Pinot Noir that was bright and fruity on the nose. It’s a light bodied Pinot offering an earthiness on the palate.

BEER – Our local Golden Road brewery offers cans of their beers for concert attendees. Point the Way IPA offers a light malt body with pine and grapefruit notes. During the summer, Golden Road makes a hoppy wheat Citra Bend with notes of fresh citrus and juicy stone fruit. 329 Lager is names after our city of Los Angeles that offers 329 days of sun. It’s a full-flavored lager that is easy to drink and gives a clean, crisp finish.

HEALTHY FARE – The Backyard wood-fired offers a selection of salads that include Farro with cucumber, cherry tomatoes and parsley, Mediterranean olives.

TACOS – There are Street Tacos with chicken Asado, carne Asada, and salsa Rojas and Verde.

CRAVE A BURGER – Kitchen Twenty-Two makes the American classics with turkey burgers with avocado, Monterey Jack and a sundried tomato aioli, a pork burger with Manchego and Romesco and a classic beef burger.

INTERNATIONAL FARE – Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwiches can be ordered with roasted pork and pickled vegetables. They also make a spicy tofu Bahn Mi with ginger-garlic and broccoli rabe. The white take-away boxes of Vietnamese Noodle salad with chopsticks is easy to eat and full of flavors. For those who enjoy sushi, that will be offered too.

SOMETHING SWEET – Be sure to save room for the Marketplace Sweet Shop to enjoy with coffee. The Larder makes a delightful array of cookies, brownies and of course the quintessential summer dessert – strawberry shortcake.

To learn about the upcoming 2016 Hollywood Bowl lineup, click on this link http://www.hollywoodbowl.com.