Cheat Sheet: Whole Foods Wines

Who would have known?!

The best bottles under $15

Buying six bottles gets you 10% off, so here’s your shopping list (plus a few to grow on). Whites Château La Gravière Entre-Deux-Mers Bordeaux Blanc A refreshing, citrusy French Sauvignon Blanc that pairs well with a range of cuisine, but also works solo. $10. M. Chapoutier Côtes Du Rhone Belleruche Blanc A rich, peachy white from France’s Rhone valley, the label is thoughtfully written in Braille, in case you can’t see straight after a few glasses. $14. Rosé Aimé Roquesante Côtes De Provence Rosé From Provence, where rosé is at its best, this is the perfect wine for summer grilling, it makes nice with chicken, steak and veggies. $12. Red Block No. 45 Pinot Noir Finding a good Pinot under $15 is tough, but this bright, jewel-colored wine has raspberry and cherry aromas laced with vanilla, oak and a bit of leather. $13. La Selva Terzo Maremma Tuscan Red A perfect pizza wine from the land of Chianti. It’s made with organic grapes, so you can toast your commitment to the environment. $8. Morro Bay Vineyards Central Coast Merlot A versatile California-grown merlot enhances casual fajitas and burgers, or go upscale and sip alongside filet mignon in brandy sauce. $6. Sparkling Cantine Pirovano Prosecco Extra Dry Pear, apple and almond aromas make this an appealing sparkler before dinner, between courses, or with cheese for dessert. $12. Dessert Loredona Viognier Lodi Sweet without going overboard, this honeyed white could match teriyaki chicken or garlic shrimp, but it’s amazing with peach cobbler. $11.

For All The Beer Lovers!

BEER TO GO

Port-a-Pint Collapsible Beer Glass

It's an age-old problem: you've got beer, but you have nothing to drink it out of. Meet your go-everywhere solution—this pocket-sized, extendable pint glass. Because you never know when a nearby keg's about to be tapped.

411: Preorder now

Yummy Summer Drink...To have while sitting on a deck, overlooking the ocean, with a hot... I digress

A60's Plum Sake Sangria

Ingredients:
1 bottle plum sake
12 oz. Svedka Clementine
8 oz. dry white wine
6 oz. Triple Sec
8 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. lime juice

Procedure:
Chop fresh fruit into cubes (kiwi, pineapple, oranges) and combine with liquid. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Serve over ice in a wine glass. Makes 12-14 servings.

A60
Thompson Hotel
60 Thompson St., btwn. Spring St. & Broome St.
(212) 219-2000

Grab a Basket, Hit the Park...in NYC!!!

With what little sunshine we're given, who wants to eat indoors? Take to the grass with these expert picnics, each prepared for you within a short distance of your favorite urban oasis. We've also included the perfect bottle to pair with your meal (not that we're suggesting you break the law, but don't forget to pack a corkscrew). The Highline (map this planner) Eat: Make for the city's newest green space with a Southern-style hamper from Braeburn. Studded with chunks of bacon, the chilled potato tart ($9) leaves typical potato salad in the dust and makes a happy companion to the sweet pulled-pork roll ($9). Don't miss the fried chicken ($15), in turns perfectly moist and crispy. Order a day ahead and the restaurant will pack your meal in an insulated bag. Drink: 2008 Yellow + Blue Torrontes ($12) from Appellation Wine & Spirits; appellationnyc.com Madison Square Park (map this planner) Eat: Don't let an overwhelming line at Shake Shack kill your picnic plans. Instead, head to Boqueria, where you can get a Spanish basket for two ($50) that includes cheese or charcuterie, a salad and two bocatas (sandwiches). A house-made fig marmalade is the perfect foil to duck confit in the bocata de pato, while classical romesco sauce is seasonally reinterpreted with sugar snap peas in the bocata de pollo. Drink: 2008 Martinshof Zweigelt ($14) from Bottlerocket Wine and Spirit; bottlerocketwine.com Central Park (map this planner) Eat: Save breakfast in bed for winter and instead greet the day with a morning picnic from Bouchon Bakery. Order a day ahead and the bakery will fill a canvas tote with still-warm pastries and your favorite caffeinated beverage ($32). The spread includes two croissants, two pains au chocolat and your choice of muffins and scones. For late risers, there's an equally enticing lunch tote ($42). Drink: 2008 Sepp Moser Gruner Veltliner ($13) from 67 Wines and Spirits; 67wine.com Bryant Park (map this planner) Eat: When La Cense decided to open a burger truck to feature its grass-fed beef, the company tapped chef Adam Perry Lang for his perfect burger recipe. Topped with caramelized onions and a swath of melted cheese, Perry Lang's blend of four cuts (loin, rib, round and chuck) makes for a serious meat bomb ($7.50). The truck often sets up shop around Park Ave. and 47th St. (track it on Twitter), in perfect proximity for an impromptu alfresco lunch on the grass. Drink: 2008 Mas De Gourgonnier Rosé ($14) from Morrell and Co. Wine Store; morrellwine.com Prospect Park (map this planner) Eat: For a simple French spread, ask the staff of Bklyn Larder to suggest some cheeses to pair with pork pâté ($16 a pound) and house-made pickles ($5). Or choose a concoction from the chalkboard of sandwiches ($8.50 each): One pairs hard-boiled egg, bacon, mayo and frisée on white bread; another smothers foccacia bread with ricotta and sautéed beet greens. Round out your bag with cold chickpea salad ($9 a pound) and a pint of house-made toasted-almond gelato ($9). Drink: 2008, Verderol "Spring in a Bottle" Verdejo ($14) from Sip Fine Wine; sipfinewine.com McCarren Park (map this planner) Eat: The folks at Urban Rustic, Williamsburg's larder of locally sourced foods, know that hipster-watching can work up an appetite. So they've launched the Fine & Dandy food cart to feed you while you observe the locals biking around on their fixies. Grab a huge slow-roasted pork sandwich ($5)--topped with provolone cheese, crispy potatoes, peppers and onions--and some fresh-squeezed lemonade ($3) to wash it down. The cart is at the corner of Driggs Ave. and N. 12th St. on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drink: 2008 Arregi Txakoli ($17) from Blue Angel Wines; blueangelwines.com

New Restaurants to Check Out in So Cal

Traveling Table: Los Angeles Four new restaurants showcase summer produce at its peak

Photo: Aaron Cook Tavern From the atrium dining room (pictured) to the grab-and-go larder, Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne's new restaurant is much more than the name implies. Fresh farmers' market finds invade the menu, from the heirloom-beet-and-carrot salad ($10) to strawberries and raspberries served on top of house-made granola ($11). At dinner, roasted apricots cut the spice of lamb merguez sausage ($15), and Bing cherries add a sweet note to duck confit ($27). 11648 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; 310-806-6464 or tavernla.com Fig With pillow-strewn banquettes and white-washed wood accents, the Fairmont Miramar's airy new dining room feels more like a neighborhood bistro than a hotel restaurant. It's just the right setting for "snacks" like roasted baby beets with Santa Barbara pistachios ($9) or a charcuterie sampler ($25). Other winners include farro salad with cherries and almonds ($14) and whole grilled trout with sugar snap peas ($25). 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; 310-319-3111 or figsantamonica.com Barbrix This sleek space is just what the Silver Lake neighborhood needed, a spot where people can congregate to sip intriguing wines like a crisp Slovenian Saemling ($7) or settle down for full dinners of shared small plates. Fried sweetbread poppers with harissa aioli ($6) and veal meatballs with pecorino cheese ($6) are favorites, but look for chef Don Dickman's nightly specials, such as pan-seared bay scallops with a dilly yogurt sauce ($12). 2442 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; 323-662-2442 or barbrix.com Westside Tavern This mall restaurant may look and feel like a chain--but it doesn't taste like one. Chef Warren Schwartz (formerly of Whist at the Viceroy) dishes out specialties like lightly battered, ricotta-filled squash blossoms ($13) and pan-roasted halibut with bright green pea pesto and chubby globe carrots ($22). Even the cocktails stand out: Try the white peach and basil gimlet or the blackberry julep ($9). 10850 W. Pico Blvd., West Los Angeles; 310-470-1539 or westsidetavernla.com

Thusday Special on the West Side!

HAPPIEST HOUR

$1 Martinis at Wilshire

Every week, there's one very special hour more magical than all the rest—and no, we do not refer to the televised spine-snappings on Wipeout. We refer to the hour at Wilshire when all martinis—we repeat, all martinis—are just one dollar.

411: Thursdays, 10-11pm, Wilshire, 2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310-586-1707

Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach!

1697 Pacific Ave, Venice; 310.452.1111

With summer comes the craving to head to the beach and savor a cold one in the sun -- but actually hit the sand with a beer, and risk getting a reminder that alcohol + outside = a call to your father's lawyer Bernie Levin, who's really much better with tax questions. Get all the sun without the lockup, at High.

On the 7th-floor roof of the brand new Hotel Erwin right off the Venice boardwalk, the 3,000sqft, open-air High's overflowing with cushy couches, lounge chairs, and graciously shady umbrellas, and delivers a nearly 360-degree view of the city, from muscle beach below, to Downtown, where some dude with a telescope's pissed you're not naked. For your boozing needs, they've got a full bar with creative, fresh-ingredient-loaded cocktails, including a Coconut Lime Rickey (Bacardi, lime juice, coconut syrup, and cream, served up), the Windward Ho (Bombay, lime juice, mint, ginger beer, on the rocks), and the Grey Goose/fresh lemonade/pomegranate/mint "Lifeguard's Lemonade", explaining Hasselhoff's problems with the sauce. For your stomach, they're serving tasty small plates & lunch-type stuff, including a tiger prawn cocktail w/ ancho chili sauce, pita & hummus, an Autostrada w/salami, cured meats, cheese, and red wine vinaigrette on a baguette, and "Oysters of the Day" (hopefully never coming: "Rocky Mountain Day").

In July, Erwin'll also open Hash, a tiny breakfast/lunch/dinner diner on the ground floor with dishes like a Kobe beef burger w/ aged white cheddar, slow-simmered balsamic red onions, and sour tomato jelly, and Morning Glory Hash w/ sweet potatoes, sausage, smoked bacon, and honey ham -- another encounter with pork Bernie Levin won't be able to handle.

Mention Thrillist before July 31 and get a free bar snack w/ purchase of any cocktail; the hotel's info's at HotelErwin.com

For My Valley Peeps!

Henry's Hat

3413 Cahuenga Blvd W., Studio City; 323.512.2500

Watching sports means a full dose of lowest common denominator, from commercials displaying a pickup bed swallowing a cascade of tumbling cinder blocks, to the Clippers. For a sports bar that gives you a little more credit, check out Henry's Hat.

Just across the street from the entrance to Universal, Henry's is a new team-unaffiliated, athletics-devoted drinkery from the husband/wife duo behind Luna Park, outfitted with a mahogany bar, exposed brick walls, vintage sofas, and 15 40-50in flatscreens, with an extra behemoth 5ft x 5ft projection-screen featuring contest(s) voted on via the bar's website, so you'd better get some double-A's for your Sony Watchman, curling boy. Stepped-up, mostly farm-fresh/locally sourced bar grub's from Luna's chef, with gourmet-er versions of classics (Niman Ranch burger w/ balsamic onions, sauteed crimini mushrooms, Humboldt fog), unexpected fare (a clambake w/ mussels, prawns, and andouille sausage, steamed in Fat Tire & lobster broth), and a choose-your-own-adventure style menu with your choice of green (spicy broccoli rabe, horseradish coleslaw, etc), starch (pesto fusuli, Kennebec fries), meat (herb & garlic marinated Meyer Ranch steak, cajun-rubbed mahi mahi), and sauce -- choose "1000 island(ish)", and turn to page 72 to get kind of eaten by a tiger shark. Brews're standard-issue micro-and-majors (North Coast, Fat Tire, Red Stripe...), while cocktails're available standard and in scorpion bowls, and're divided into two categories: "Why", with classics like the Luna Park Mojito and martinis, and the slightly more out-there "Why Not", with stuff like the "Southern Firefly", with vodka, black tea, simple syrup, lemon, and mint, lit up with in-drink glowsticks, which are only toxic to your reputation.

If you came to ironically spite sports, they also stock a slew of board games, from backgammon to Jenga, an opportunity for you to create a cascade of building materials like so many bricks into an S-10.

Right now, the site's barren at Henrys-Hat.com; 'til it's up, drool over the menu

Sushi on the Go!

The world often values complexity, but there's something to be said for taking an idea back to its purest form -- like rock music with no amplification, just a crap ton of super weird drugs. Bringing the old-school back to sushi: Fishlips.

Started by a couple longtime sushi men, Fishlips claims to be the US's first fresh mobile sushi lunch truck, abetted with a massive window to see the food's preparation and inspired by raw fish's roots as an affordable street-food cart-snack in pre-Hello Kitty Japan. The fish's all fresh, straight from distributors and made to order w/ warm rice (rather than pre-packaged and refrigerated); straight-up swimmers come 2-per-order, served in the rice-ball-with-fish-on-top style known as temari and thrown on the menu with both its proper name and English translation, i.e., unagi (eel), hirame (halibut), and "white tuna" -- apparently Japanese for both albacore, eskalar, and "our translator is dishonorably uncreative". They also offer up a slew of creative rolls, like the Red Dragon (avocado, cucumber, crab, mayo, green onion, tuna, hot-sauce, sesame oil), the Long Beach (shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, white tuna, pepper, red onion, ponzu sauce), and a soy paper/avocado/cucumber/asparagus roll with six types of fish and hot sauce simply called "Fish Lips", either 'cause it's the owners' trademark, or because the lawyers would be all over "Spicy Joan Rivers".

As per usual, Fishlips' location's trackable via their website and Twitter (generally they're Westside-ish, in the Venice/Westwood hoods); unusually, the menu's also got a calorie count for each morsel -- cause a calorie's just the purest form of energy available, assuming you're out of drugs.

Find out when it's near you at Fishlips-Sushi.com

Secret Monday at the Doheny

Monday 9pm-close at 714 W. Olympic Blvd, Downtown

Thanks to an intrepid barman who realized he could drum up more business on Mondays if he took the night over himself, this dark, intimately patio'd, usually members-only Downtown cocktail room's opening their doors exclusively to Thrillist readers, with free Le Tourment Vert absinthe from 9 to 11 and electro/rock tunes provided all night by the girl-DJ duo Pony vs Tiger, which doesn't sound like a fair fight at all, even though Woods has a nine-iron.

SNAP SHOTS

		Peepshow Shot Glasses Not that you need any more incentive to sink a few, but here it is anyway: these retro-styled glasses come with a dash of cheesecake in the bottom—as in pictures of pinups, not actual dessert. (Though that's not a bad idea, either.) 411: Available now

COSBY COOZY

		The Beer Sweater There's no reason your High Life should brave the elements naked and alone. Instead, try one of these new bottle-holders, made from actual vintage—excuse us, "reclaimed"—sweaters. (Sadly, cardigans not available.) There are even some sized to fit 40s for those long nights on the curb porch—hey, no judgments here. 411: Available now

Shhhh.....

Summer Cake Walk with Chris Epting
& The Petrojvic Blasting Company

Sunday, July 26, 2009
7:00-9:00pm
Mt Hollywood Underground
4607 Prospect Ave., Los Feliz
Admission: $15.00

An evening of mid-summer’s fun featuring author and so-cal culture aficionado Chris Epting, live music, a brand new bookmark from Allison Moryl and a good, old fashioned cake walk! [read more]

Volunteers always wanted, so please drop us a line if you’d like to be a part of this event. Feeling a desire to be extra in-the-know? Join us on Facebook.

The Biggest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Los Angeles.

Absolutely awesome event. Silverlake Wine @ The Hollyhock House every Friday Night this summer. Check the link below for info and tickets. Picture a Beautiful Hilltop Residence with a sprawling lawn with people spread out on blankets, or walking the grounds, or checking out the incredible view. All the while tasting Great Wines. Join us!!!!

Every person in attendance will be served wine in reusable shatterproof Go Vino wine cups. Take them home with you when your done. They last forever.

NET PROCEEDS BENEFIT BARNSDALL ART PARK AND HOLLYHOCK HOUSE....click on the link below for general information and tickets.

http://barnsdallfriday-slw.eventbrite.com

Bagged Lunch Never Looked So Good.

The Return of the Sack Lunch Ah, second grade: corporate takeovers in the cafeteria, discreet playground dates and Wood Oven-Roasted Pork Cheek Sandwiches in your sack lunch. Okay, maybe not. But now, many of your favorite daytimes stops are making it possible with impressive new takes on the classic bagged lunch. Just like mom never used to make.

Stocking Up on Ammo For $14, Ammo's new Brown Bag Lunch includes choice of salad or sandwich (maybe a Roasted Jidori Chicken With Olive Tapenade), iced tea or soda, and a cookie. Call them up and they'll bring it to you curbside. 411: Ammo, 1155 N. Highland Ave, Hollywood, 323-871-2666

Post-Meatball Party If you're still hungover from that wild meatball-sub blowout and just need something grab-and-go, come on back to the deli at Little Dom's for a bag. For $12, you can fill it with a sandwich (Wood Oven-Roasted Pork Cheek, perhaps), side (Salami, Provolone and Olives) and Zapp's chips. 411: Little Dom's, 2128 Hillhurst Ave, Los Feliz, 323-661-0055

Fig Goes Big From beer-soaked brunch to oversize Fig Newtons, this Westside enclave has had you covered on all fronts—except for the brown-bag scenario. Until now. Call them up for a BLT or Merguez en Baguette to go. 411: FIG to GO starts Aug 1, 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310-319-3111

Staying Locali And over at the earth-minded convenience store of the future , $10.95 will get you a bag with one of Locali's world-saving sandwiches—maybe the Rosso Bianco, with vegan pepperoni on locally made artisan pizza bread—and a side like Teriyaki Tofu or Southwestern Quinoa. 411: Locali, 5825 Franklin Ave, Franklin Village, 323-466-1360

Sunset-Gower Power Before you head back to the studio lot, the owner of the Bowery and Delancey has a famed brisket sandwich for you at his latest joint, Tamarind Ave Deli. Fill out the white bag with chips and a thirst-quenching Sioux City Sarsaparilla, but make sure to finish the chips before cameras start rolling again. 411: Tamarind Ave Deli, 1471 Tamarind Ave (S. of Sunset), Hollywood, 323-960-2451

Posh Pasta

Get cozy at Silver Lake's Domenico Domenico is an intimate date spot that keeps distractions and din to a minimum. A pillbox-sized Italian bistro with only a small collection of tables, the mostly-white dining room has only a few pieces of artwork and a contemporary crystal chandelier, keeping the focus on the food (and your date) and off the service and interruptions. The highbrow Italian menu is subject to change with the chef’s whims. Don’t expect pizza and meatballs. Think delicate caramelized scallops with sautéed escarole, sweet red beet tortelli pasta with poppy seeds, and a risotto with the intriguing combo of wild mushrooms and blueberries. Hearty osso buco and tomato-braised veal rolls are among the typically meatier entrée options, as is fusilli with a full-flavored wild boar and mushroom ragu. You’ll also get a martini glass of deep-fried, cheese-filled green olives to snack on before you order. Desserts are exceptional -- save room for the chilled chocolate raspberry tart or the torta del nonna with ricotta and pine nuts.
			Domenico 1637 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake (323) 661-6166 domenicoristorantesilverlake.com Price: 3 (out of 4) Noise: 1 (out of 4) Parking: $5 valet Scene: Subdued seniors and date-night couples dining to a soundtrack of Italian tenors. Best bets: Scallops with sautéed escarole; wild boar ragu fusilli; chocolate and raspberry tart Hot seat: Sidewalk tables incur the risk of occasional neighborhood skunk fumes. Opt for inside near the window instead. BYOB: They haven’t landed a liquor license, so bring your own (there's no corkage fee) or dart across the street to Silver Lake Liquor Store. Nearby: Reservoir; LA Mill; Spaceland

Rock and LOBSTER Rolls! NYC BABY

On days like today, we can't help but think of weekends in Maine.

And when we think of Maine, naturally, our minds swim toward fresh lobster rolls.

Which brings us to our quest for the perfect summer staple: meet The Langoustine Roll, served exclusively at Park Avenue Summer. Known around the world as Norway lobster, Dublin Bay prawn, or simply scampi, langoustine is a lobster lover's dream. Done right, it is sweet and succulent, like summer corn.

To appreciate its delicate flavors and all-around awesomeness, the very talented chef Craig Koketsu serves it gently-poached, dotted with a singular drop of roasted tomato sauce. The langoustines are then placed on a fresh Parker House roll layered with tarragon mayonnaise and plated with lotus root chips.

Of course, you'll still have to head north - to the Upper East Side - to score this handheld thing of beauty.

But that's a small price to pay for the the most luscious crustacean sandwich in town...

To peruse Park Avenue Summer's full menu, click here.

Park Avenue Summer
100 East 63rd Street (at Park Avenue)
Tel: (212) 644-1900
parkavenyc.com

LA- Bistro LQ (That's the chef/owner's initals)

Introducing: a five-course dessert—well, that's a new one. So you'll want to pay a visit to the brand-new Bistro LQ, a crisp indoor-outdoor space officially open tonight with an absurdly decadent five-course dessert menu. First, find your way to a sidewalk table—the simple room spills out into the street, and the whole place is so bright and white, you'll feel like you're in a detergent commercial. Then, start building your own post-feast feast with options like Raspberry Glass With a Basil Sorbet. Then maybe some Rice Pudding in Goat Milk With Red Beets Espuma. Perhaps a helping of Avocado Mousse. A Chocolate Cookie With Salted Peanut Brittle Ice Cream. And for lucky number five—A Composition Around Dark Chocolate, which includes everything from churros with chocolate sauce to a chocolate pancake. Goes without saying you'll be wanting some wine with all of this—not to worry, that can be arranged. But if you're really feeling gonzo, there's another option that's truly mind-melting. Dinner.

Bistro LQ
8009 Beverly Blvd
(E. of Laurel)
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323-951-1088
website

Something to Wine About!

Founded by husband and wife oenophiles (Venice residents, no less), Elvino Wine Shop & Tasting Bar caters to eccentric locals with a handpicked selection of atypical varietals from around the globe. Wine tastings are held Friday through Sunday, and the well-informed pourers ensure you’ll always taste something you like.

Elvino, 1142 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice (310-396-9705)

Lick It Good

YOU SUCK
The Latest in Boozy Lollipops

Ever since absinthe graduated from jailbait to totally legal, you've been happily imbibing it in all its forms. The latest is that least dignified (if most fun) of them all: the lollipop. Get it as part of this sampler pack, which also includes bourbon (for your inner Southern Gent) and White Russian (for your inner Dude) flavors.

411:
Available now; enter the code "daddy" and get 15% off

ICE CREAM YOU SCREAM!!! NYC STYLE

Sunday, 7/191 to 4 p.m.Cream TeamThe Murray's Cheese team hosts its dairy-loving brethren at this ice cream sundae social ($5). Stop by for scoops from Ben Van Leeuwen, sauces from chocolate maker extraordinaire Fritz Knipschildt and fresh-whipped cream from Hail's Family Farms. Stay to chat up your fellow lactose lovers. 254 Bleecker St. (between Sixth and Seventh aves.); 212-243-3289 or murrayscheese.com

West Coast Restaurant ANIMAL Jumps Coasts

Animal Restaurant Pop-up at Solé East
Angelenos are crazy for the cooking of James Beard-nominated chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. Find out why when their LA restaurant, Animal, appears for a few days at the popular Montauk hotel Solé East. Save room for their Bacon-Chocolate Crunch Bars with Salt-Pepper Custard Sauce. Reservations recommended. August 12th - 18th.Animal Restaurant at Backyard Restaurant, Solé East, Second House Road, Montauk, (631) 668-2105, soleeast.com

This Weekend in Los Angeles

GET LIT
Happy Hour at Book Soup

One Sunset Strip bookstore has a revolutionary idea for saving the publishing industry—happy hour. Weekdays from 4pm to 7pm, all regularly priced books are now discounted by 25 percent, and yes, they've got some wine behind the counter.

411:
Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, 310-659-3110


THAI ONE ON
Soi 56 Beers Up

In the crux of a Cahuenga strip mall, the new restaurant from the owners of Rambutan Thai is finally slinging liquor. So you can get your Crispy Mussel Crepes and Thai Beef Jerky with a Nakhon Premium Thai Beer—and, on Friday and Saturday nights, a Thai rock band.

411:
Soi 56, 1556 N. Cahuenga Blvd (at Selma), Hollywood, 323-962-5656


BREATH MINT
Garlic Faire at Chaya Venice

Chaya's new special menu seriously stinks—the Maine lobster tail arrives with garlic flakes, the lamb chops are under garlic au jus, and the Kobe and lobster roll's got garlic ponzu and a garlic seaweed salad. It's a small price to pay for being vampire-proof.

411:
Through Aug 31, Chaya Venice, 110 Navy St (at Main), 310-396-1179


FIDELIO
Sergio Boldrin's Orgy Masks at Pergolina

When notorious perfectionist Stanley Kubrick needed orgy masks for Eyes Wide Shut, Venetian craftsman Sergio Boldrin was his man. (He is, after all, the best orgy mask guy in the business.) Now Boldrin has a show in a Toluca Lake gallery, so you can pick up a mask of your own…just in case there's a back room.

411:
Opening July 19, 1-5pm, Pergolina, 10139 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, 818-508-7708


LACED UP
The Return of Dita Von Teese

Been a couple years since you've seen Dita Von Teese bathing in a jumbo martini glass. Not to worry—she's back at the Avalon Wednesday night with a new burlesque show and a new drink recipe. The Cointreau Teese isn't big enough to bathe in, but you'll make do.

411:
$30, July 22, doors 8pm, show 10pm, 1735 Vine St, Hollywood, tickets here

Sunday's in San Fran

SOMETHING ABOUT MARY
Bottomless Bloody Mary Brunch at Bacar

Dishes like Crispy Pork Belly Potato Hash and Morgan's Ham and Eggs Breakfast Sandwich should provide enough of a base to take on four solid hours of Bloody Mary drinking. Order the Wake Up, made with caffeinated Blue Lotus Vodka, and you can pass on coffee.

411:
$10, 10am-2pm every Sunday, Bacar, 448 Brannan St (at 4th), 415-904-4100

YUM....Cupcakes

It's not the first time a confectionery maker or baker has used this particular pop culture reference as a marketing trick, but people always love different ways of winning stuff. SusieCakes third anniversary golden ticket giveaway on happens on Saturday, July 18, when ten lucky cake eaters will find tickets in their "Frosting-Filled" style cupcakes, redeemable for various SusieCakes goodies and classes. The sweetly nostalgia-laced bakeshop's newest location opens the following week on Saturday, July 25 at 3500 N. Sepulveda Blvd. #150 in Manhattan Beach, (310) 303-3780.11708 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, (310) 442-CAKE (2253).23653 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas, (818)591-2223.2043 Westcliff Dr. #104, Newport Beach, (949) 646-6881.

Bigfoot Lodge West Opens

You love Bigfoot lodge but the trip over to the Eastside, not so much. Consider that trek a thing of the past: say hello to Bigfoot Lodge West, now soft-open. Grab a seat at this campy bar adorned with artifacts and rarities collected by adventurers from the Pacific Northwest and you'll feel like you just walked into, well, a log cabin, but in Culver City. Take the edge off with a solid bourbon and whiskey menu.Bigfoot Lodge West, 10939 Venice Blvd, Culver City, (310) 287-2200, bigfootlodge.com

The Secret's Out

A Hidden Restaurant Is Reborn

You're good at many things, but keeping secrets isn't one of those things. We have that in common with you.

So when a restaurant once called Hidden gets replaced—and catches the attention of one of our city's most esteemed chefs in the process—we're here to discuss. Caché opens Friday in the depths of a Santa Monica courtyard.

The covert entrance remains the same—a few steps up into a brick-heavy courtyard off Main Street, and a vague sense of confusion as you seek the place out, all the way in the back. But once inside the sprawling indoor-outdoor space—right, there it is—you'll notice some…changes. Some mahogany. Some concrete. An airier, more opened-up feel. And also, not 47 cuisines shoehorned into one menu. (Just saying.)

Now overseen by endlessly awarded Mélisse chef Josiah Citrin, the menu is focused on the modern, the seasonal and that which can be dumped into Mason jars. If you just came by for a few cocktails and the lounge menu, you'll be sampling Foie Gras Parfait or Smoked Salmon Potato Salad served in the same containers as grandma's jam. But for a proper dinner, there are piled-high plates of Wood-Fried Calamari or Hanger Steak With Maui Onion Rings.

The world may not yet be ready for steak in a jar

Caché
3110 Main St
(at Marine)
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-399-4800
website

I Heart Hakobe

La Cienega's New Japanese Getaway

You're all for jet setting models, obviously, but sometimes you wish they would just settle down and open a Japanese restaurant.

And if they happen to do so on La Cienega's still-bustling Restaurant Row, all the better. Welcome to Hakobe, soft-opening Monday.

Now residing in the famed former Lodge Steakhouse, Hakobe is brought to you by now-investor Adolfo Suaya (he's not the model, but he's helped you out with Bar Delux, BoHo and many others) and new owner Asako (that's the model). Since her catwalking days, she's opened a restaurant in Osaka and an exclusive limo service in Beverly Hills, so she'll be able to make you feel right at home here. (Or en route to prom.)

The Lodge layout remains basically the same, and the tree-trunk tables haven't gone anywhere. But amid new bamboo, oversized lanterns and a sushi bar, you can now start with Black Cod in Puff Pastry, move on to Hakobe Surf and Turf (it's lobster and Kobe—the culinary equivalent of Pau Gasol and Kobe) and for dessert, there's the Chilled Pear-Ginger Soup. And plenty of sake, obviously.

You've never been a model of restraint.

Hakobe
14 N. La Cienega Blvd
(N. of Wilshire)
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310-652-0007

A New Hotel in the LBC

A New Boutique Hotel (Plus Rooftop Pool) AVIA Long Beach opens The sand. The surf. The sunsets. Lately, you've been a little obsessed with the beach. Which is why we think you should meet the new boutique hotel AVIA Long Beach, opening at month's end. As a hotel connoisseur, you'll be pleased to set foot in the lobby where modern oddities like object-filled floor to ceiling curiosity cabinets and obscure artwork make their home against a serene background. As for your Master Suite, know that the deep-hued sleeper is decked out in lush Italian sheets and snacks by Dean & DeLuca. Downtown Long Beach gives a nod to uptown luxury, while keeping it Coastal. You'll dig the AVIA vibe. But you won't spend all of your time relaxing in your digs with California wines and a nightly chef's table to enjoy at AVIA Kitchen and Wine Bar. A few seasonal bites and craft brews later, head to the rooftop pool terrace and score a private cabana to take in the Sunset Harbor alongside the 3,600 square-foot pool. Obsession has its privileges. AVIA Long Beach soft opens July 30th and is taking reservations now. Take a peek here. AVIA Long Beach 285 Bay Street (at Aquarium Way), Long Beach Tel: (562) 436-1047 aviahotels.com/hotels/longbeachew Boutique Hotel (Plus Rooftop Pool)

AVIA Long Beach opens