Friday Quickies #75: It's Hot and It's Autumn edition

Lobster & Chicken Pot Pie from Family Night Dinner at Campanile

Even though it's officially Fall, it feels hotter than summer! what the...? Anyhoo, the warmer temperatures should make things (including the Manuel's Special Tourney) interesting . . .

Today only - for those who Panda Express (I do, too, on occasion -- that orange chicken is crack-laced, I swear) today they're debuting their SweetFire Chicken Breast(TM), described as "crispy all-white meat chicken, fresh red bell peppers, diced onions and juicy pineapples, wok-tossed to perfection in our zesty sweet chili sauce" and you can try it for free by bringing this coupon to your local PanEx.

Starting today - the bakery side of Akasha will convert into a lounge for Friday and Saturday nights, serving up signature cocktails, beers and wines and assorted glammy bar bites such as fried chicken sliders with jalapeno slaw ($8), housemade onion rings with smoke paprika dip ($7) and hummus with marinated olives and caramelized onion flatbread ($8). To promote this opening special, tonight and tomorrow from 6 to 10 p.m. it's 50% off all beer, wines by the glass and signature cocktails. Weekend sounds a whole lot better...

Until Sun., Sept. 27 - Santa Monica's french brasserie Anisette is celebrating the end of summer (and the beginning of HOTTER weather?) with a refreshing six-item Basque menu highlighting that region's fare -- including a piperade with farm egg, pepper relish and jamon serrano ($10), pork a la Basquaise with creamy polenta and chorizo ragout ($26) and fromage du Pay with cherry compote ($6).

And for the reading list:

~ SeriousEats' extensive coverage of the simple-yet-refined stir-frying method in its Seriously Asian column, from "passing through" technique, to the function of cornstarch, the assorted Asian veggies and, of course, choosing the right wok.

~ Probably in perfect timing for the upcoming first ever LA beer week, CHOW.com gives a primer on German and German-style beers.

~ For the list obsessed, LA Weekly highlights Top 10 Japanese Noodles joint in the Torrance area -- and a few runner-up honorable mentions.