If you base your reality on postcards, first glances, or the evening news, Venice could easily be pigeonholed as the epicenter for money-extorting street performers and human oddities. It might even be accidentally written off as a mecca for fanny-pack rockin' tourists and drum circles. But since LA yelpers are big fans of looking beyond the obvious, you'll be pleased to know that Venice is a fertile breeding ground for culture and trends, packed with a whole lotta history to boot!
To kick off the love fest of tobacco tycoon Abbot Kinney's homage to Venezia, Italia, let's sample some nibbles along Abbot Kinney Blvd! Leila T tells us Primitivo Wine Bistro serves "wonderful eclectic tapas plates and excellent sangria" while Elise M recs Gjelina, gushing, "I've found my new spot. This place just oozes effortless sexiness." If pizza has you shouting, 'That's Amore!', try Abbot's Pizza Co where Richard C shares "anytime a joint has a line out the door, you know you're about to embark on a savory journey of taste and fulfillment. And Abbot's didn't disappoint."
If being surrounded by all of those canals has you feeling a little thirsty, check out The Brig, where Robert F shares "the decor is right out of a '60s sci-fi movie." For a more casual setting, "double-sized beers, cheap cocktails, and the aloof and adept bartender, Steve," make Townhouse Cocktails Joshua L's "perfect dive." Want a splash of gay with that drink? Michael Y croons Roosterfish offers up a "great mix of homoeroticism with a dash of masculinity." Rrreeoowwrr, they even have their own theme song!
But what about shopping? With boutiques like Tortoise, where Lauren T admits she's always "taken aback by the sheer amount of exquisite pieces they have shoved into the place," and Neighborhood, where Chris T finds "local, unpretentious, affordable (for Abbot Kinney) stylish stuff," Venice has you covered. And clothed! If reading is your jam (yeah, we said jam), Ken N asserts "When Equator Books first opened, I thought 'This place is beautiful. This place is a palace. This place will never make it.' Well, ha! Not only is it thriving, it's become a destination." There's even a record store within the store that focuses on used vinyl – jazz, blues, classic rock and assorted oddities – just one more example that Venice has more to it than meets the eye!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
FOR SUMMER FUN!!!
Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker
I thought it was never going to get here. But it's finally summer, which means warm weather, lobster rolls, barbecues, and ice cream. Of course, really high temperatures aren't exactly ideal to make ice cream with, but we're into making our own and it couldn't be easier with this little gadget. Who doesn't want to create their own flavors on a whim? That's what I thought. Besides, great ice cream isn't always available and sometimes, we don't want to settle for the freezer section. You can spend the day outside and simultaneously make ice cream with the Play & Freeze Ice cream maker, which is $25 and comes in a number of colors.Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday's Off the 405 at the Getty
| MUSIC: Rock/Pop Saturdays Off the 405 presents Chairlift w/ Dublab
|  The Getty Center brings Brooklyn-based Chairlift out west to launch this year's edition of its free outdoor summer-performance series, Saturdays Off the 405 (a slight variation on the past few years of stellar Fridays Off the 405). The trio's blend of wistful vocals and pop-addled melodies was recently spotlighted in an iPod ad, but the group's range is far wider than its catchy featured single "Bruises" lets on. Performing songs from their debut album Does You Inspire You, Aaron Pfenning, Caroline Polachek, and Patrick Wimberly juggle tambourine, keyboards, guitar, bass, and drums, with supporting DJ sets courtesy of Dublab's Frosty and Ale. |
Thursday, June 11, 2009
For You NYC Peeps!
Thursday, 6/11 through Saturday, 6/13
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Foot Traffic
Dozens of downtown bars, restaurants and shops are offering major discounts during the SoHo Stroll, the annual event that benefits homeless New Yorkers. Here are a few of the best food and drink deals: free drinks at La Esquina, Centovini and Dos Caminos; 20 percent off your bill at Lure Fishbar and Via Dei Mille. To take full advantage of the deals, strollers must purchase bracelets ($20), which will be sold at participating locations and at the corner of Wooster and Spring sts. sohostroll.org
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Foot Traffic
Dozens of downtown bars, restaurants and shops are offering major discounts during the SoHo Stroll, the annual event that benefits homeless New Yorkers. Here are a few of the best food and drink deals: free drinks at La Esquina, Centovini and Dos Caminos; 20 percent off your bill at Lure Fishbar and Via Dei Mille. To take full advantage of the deals, strollers must purchase bracelets ($20), which will be sold at participating locations and at the corner of Wooster and Spring sts. sohostroll.org
A Little Frenchie in Culver City
Brasseries may on the rise in these parts, but le saint amour is giving the others a run for their euro, with that je ne sais quoi.
the culver city digs take you back to that evening along the champs-élysées. in true french fashion rattan bistro chairs and sweet tables pour deux (maybe quatre) outfit the patio. don't be surprised if you feel compelled to light a gitane ciggie to accompany your vin blanc, after all, this is culver cum paris. inside is equally authentic: classic rouge booths, delicate window trimmings, a large bustling kitchen and a chef with that unmistakable french flair. call him the yves montand of the kitsch set. he may not sing, but exec chef bruno herve commereuc's (of angelique café) merguez et carottes au cumin, rich, buttery escargots, boudin noir and pintade au foie gras are liable have you humming. regional wines from bordeaux, the rhone valley and the loire valley grace the wine list. you'll find some bubbles in there, too (hello, feuillatte). a meal here might stretch for hours, but you'll survive with the help of the attractive french-speaking waiters. all you're missing are the frequent flyer miles (and a sarkozy sighting).
that's amour. le saint amour. 9725 culver boulevard. at duguesne. culver city. 310.842.8155. www.lesaintamour.com
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
FOR ALL THE MEN OUT THERE IN LA!
Come Father's Day, when most fathers around town will be getting something, you know, terrible, yours will receive the greatest gift of all—a day with you. | |||||||||||||||
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Saturday's Off the 405 at the Getty
A FREE outdoor performance series
Fridays Off the 405 are now Saturdays Off the 405! Enjoy outdoor music and evening views of the city and drink in the refreshing summer exhibitions in a casual and spontaneous atmosphere.
The evenings feature performances by your soon-to-be favorite bands, along with DJ sets to open and close the night.
A cash bar is stocked with Getty-tinis and more, and the Garden Terrace Cafe offers sandwiches, salads, and other nibbles (both until 8:30 p.m.)
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