Garlic Returns, Gourmets Deliver

After taking a year off, the Los Angeles Garlic Festival returns July 13 and 14, but with a breath of new life. What’s new? The location: the Federal Building in Westwood. The duration: The festival’s turned into a two-day event. And the festivities: New events include a garlic soup-tasting contest; celebrity cooking demonstrations; a wine-tasting booth, and a 5K run.

Some things, however, haven’t changed. As in the past, the festival will feature continuous live jazz performances. And director Katherine Veniero will once again persuade 30 Los Angeles restaurants (including La Toque, Stringfellows, Tribeca, Orleans and Nucleus Nuance) to serve their favorite garlicky dishes. Tastes will cost from $1 to $4 each.

A portion of the festival will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services and the Salvation Army’s Project Westwood, which supports the homeless. Admission price is $7 per day. For more information, call (213) 939-9023.

DIAL M FOR MONEY: Some of L.A.’s top restaurants (L’Ermitage, Trumps, Citrus, Maple Drive, Patina, Bistro Garden and Le Chardonnay) are going up against Pizza Man, thanks to a new service called Dial-A-Dinner. There are, however, a few caveats.

To begin with, you’ve got to have the right address (Beverly Hills, Brentwood, etc.). And plenty of money: Everything on the restaurants’ menus is available, but a 20% surcharge is added to the regular prices. On top of that, says the brochure, “a gratuity to the delivery person would be greatly appreciated.” Said person will, of course, be wearing a tuxedo--and For information or a copy of the menu booklet, call Dial-A-Dinner at (213) 652-1444.

CHANGES: Gardens Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel has a new chef and a new menu. Brandon Reed worked at L’Orangerie and Joachim Splichal’s late Max Au Triangle; he is now cooking such California dishes as shredded duck salad, grilled veal chop with pasta and grilled vegetable lasagna. The restaurant is attempting a menu featuring simpler ingredients and an emphasis on fresh produce.

ON THE TABLE: Orleans, L.A.’s Cajun/Creole restaurant, announces the opening of soft-shell crab season. For reservations call (213) 479-4187. . . . And local band Dave Alvin & Friends is scheduled to appear at Duplex on May 5 to play for the restaurant’s monthly Sunday barbecue. For reservations call (213) 663-2430.