Finer Things : LA

WE HAVE MOVED!

2010-03-15T22:22:00.000-07:00

Hi All -

We have been movin on up (toooo the eastside!) and now have our page on WordPress. If you want to continue to follow us to learn about new discounts and locations for your drunken fattening escapades use the below website address:

www.finerthingsla.com

OR

http://finerthingsla.wordpress.com

Enjoy!

Happy Hour Pre-Game

2010-03-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

So, say you're heading downtown to see the PAC-10 Tourney tonight and you want to go out to eat before the game - but you just don't want to spend a fortune. In the past your options within walking distance of Staples were pretty limited and pretty expensive (The Palm, Engine Co 28, etc...)

But thanks to the wonderfulness that is LA Live you've now got more options to stuff your face and damage your liver before the game.

Granted, most of these places are pretty pricey during normal L.A. dinner time (7/8pm), BUT you and your amigos have gotta eat early anyway (since the game starts at 8pm) so YOU, my friend, can take advantage of Happy Hour pricing. And, as we know with LALive/Staples, saving every penny counts when you know you're in it for $20 parking and a $10 beer inside the arena.

Below is a list of Happy Hours at LALive - so you can get nicely full and toasted before you head over to Staples. The pre-game drinking will definitely make you a better fan, and if you're a Trojan - the drinking will make you a better heckler for those damned Bruins...

THE FARM (M-F, 4 - 7pm)
Daily Drink Specials During Happy Hour

* M:$5 Martinis

* T:$4 Specialty Cocktails

* W:$3 House Wine

* TH: $2 Well Drinks

* F: $1 PBR

ROCK'N FISH (M-F, 3 – 6pm & 9pm - Close)

* $5 Cocktails

* $5 Wines

* $2-OFF Draughts

* $5-OFF Select menu of Appetizers

YARDHOUSE (M-F, 3 - 6pm / Sun - Wed, 10pm - Close)

* $3.50 Domestic Pints, $4.00 Craft/Import Pints, $4.50 Goblets

* $4.25 Well Drinks

* $5.75 House Martinis

* $2.00-off Wine by the Glass

* Select half-priced appetizers and pizzas

* $6.50 Sliders

ESPN ZONE (M-F, 4 - 7pm)

* Free Appetizers with Full-Priced Beverage Purchase (At select bars within ESPNZone)
* 1/2 Priced Appetizers (at all other bars within ESPNZone)

FLEMMING'S (M-Sun, 4 - 6pm)

“5-6-7” Bar Menu

* $6 Premium Cocktails (Five Options to Chose From)

* $6 $6 Appetizers

* $6 Premium Bacon Burger

* $3 Stella Artois Lager

ROSA MEXICANO (M-F, 5 - 6:30pm)

* $5 Beers
* $5 Margaritas
* 1/2 Off Select Appetizers

KATSUYA (M-F, 4 - 5pm)

Special Happy Hour Menu at Bar Only
* $7 Cocktails
* $5 Hot Sake Carafe
* $5 Well Drinks
* $5 Rolls, Sushi, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and Crispy Rice

TRADER VIC'S (M-F, 3 - 6pm)

* $3-Off over 70 world famous cocktails

* $4 Beers

* $5 Ocean Vodka, Bacardi Rum

* $5 Select wines

* $5 Food Items

WOLFGANG PUCK

* NO HAPPY HOUR – LAME!!!!!!

High End Happy Hour

2010-03-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

If you feel like swanking it up this week, check out the happy hour specials at Nobu on La Cienega. Nobu's miso cod is probably one of my favorite dishes and to be able to get it at a discount makes it that much better. AND, the Nobu happy hour is offered from 6p-9p so no driving like a maniac in LA traffic just to make it there in time!

Here are the details - $6 wine, $7 mixed drinks and $10 speciality cocktails. Plus a fairly decent sized list of cold and hot plates for anywhere between $7 and $12. My picks (besides the miso cod of course): rock shrimp tempura, waygu tacos, and yellowfin tuna tataki. A good place to head with a small group and share an assortment of plates.

The happy hour is only in the bar/lounge area up front but there are a good number of little lounge tables and I have never seen this happy hour super packes so seating shouldn't be a problem. It is definitely not the cheapest happy hour around but for great quality food and swanky decor, it is a pretty good deal.

Also a great place to star watch if you are as celeb-obsessed as I am, I think I have seen a celebrity everytime I have been to this place.

Nobu. 930 N La Cienega. www.noburestaurants.com/losangeles

Come Join Us!

2010-03-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

Always wanted to meet V&K but can never seem to track down where we’ll be on any given night? (We like to stay mysterious like that…)

Or maybe you already know us, and thus know we are incredibly fun to drink with and that any night out with us is bound to be an adventure…

Either way: come drink with us tomorrow, we’ll be at EAST in Hollywood for their big ‘ol Socialite Happy Hour party!

We went here once before for a girl’s night/dinner, and while the normal menu wasn’t terribly overpriced, we are 10x as excited to return now that we know about their happy hour specials.

Here’s the details:

EAST’s 5-6-7-8 HAPPY HOUR

(eerily similar name to the Street happy hour…)

$5 Valet Parking

$6 Specialty Drinks

$7 Menu Items

Nightly, 5pm – 8pm

Gotta love that Happy Hour lasts ‘til 8pm. Late happy hours mean we don’t have to leave early from work (thus making less money) just so we can save money on our drinking and eating habits.

If you do decide to join us in tomorrow night’s debauchery here’s a little tip: check out www.socialbuy.com/losangeles for a special discount coupon on drinks at EAST. Just $7 will get you $15 dollas worth of drinks tomorrow night.

If you can’t make it tomorrow, don’t worry, you can still use the discount coupon all the way up to Mar. 10th 2011. But we gotta warn you - it won’t be as fun without us…

To all creepsters and stalkers: please disregard this invitation. We don’t want to meet you. Please stay away. We tend to travel with a large entourage of really strong dudes who will beat you up at our beck and call... well maybe they arn't really strong.. but they are definitely dudes... we think...

I'll Have One of Everything!

2010-03-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Tapas are one of the best food concepts in the world.

Tons of little plates of food, enabling one to sample a breadth of options from the chef – genius.

The Spaniards sure are smart (dude, they get to take siestas every day!)

When we feel like enjoying this smorgasbord of eats we like to hit up Tasca on 3^rd street. Yes, this place isn’t cheap, however there’s a pricing loophole that we like to take advantage of and it's called Happy Hour (duh.)

Tapas at Tasca are usually around $6 - $16 per plate (with full sized entrees available for around $25/ea), but during Happy Hour there is a special menu of dishes and drinks from $2.50 - $5.00/ea (including $3 Sangria – Yum!)

Best part of all this: Tasca serves their Happy Hour menu ALL NIGHT on Mondays.... I.E. Tonight... I.E. Call right now and make a reservation so you can enjoy this delicious, and discounted, food with some delicious, and discounted, wine or sangria.

Quick note: some friends went here on a rainy night last month and apparently Happy Hour is only available at the bar and on the patio – but if its raining, Happy Hour is JUST at the bar. Our recommendation: wait ‘til the weather is nice (like today) so you can ensure yourself a Happy Hour seat.

Tasca Restaurant and Wine Bar

8108 W. 3rd Street

323.951.9890

Happy Hour:

Monday: 5:30pm - 10:30pm

Tuesday - Friday 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Parking: Valet or 3rd Street Meters

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-03-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

BoHo BoHo a pirate's life for me....

I don't know, I thought that subtitle makes sense? And I have been yearning to go to Disneyland lately... did you know Captian EO is back? ANYWAYS, Friday again, time for another bottomless mimosa spot!

To be honest, I really thought I would run out of mimosa picks sometime around... now, but luckily some new places are popping up on the radar. This week's bottomless pick: BoHo.

BoHo is located in Hollywood next to the Arclight so it is the perfect place to start a lazy Sunday and then head over to catch a movie in the Dome. But don't get too drunk or you will fall asleep - especially if you go see the never-ending Shutter Island - and your $16 movie ticket will be a waste.

BoHo is a fairly new gastropub, and on Sundays from 11:30a-3p, they have bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, screwdrivers and raspberry sunrises (not sure what this is but sounds delicious) all for $14 with the purchase of an entree.

The brunch menu is pretty standard: I would go for the huevos rancheros. Plus they also have their pizzas available during brunch-time (Kalbi pizza with korean bbq ribs? Not sure if I can stomach that on a Sunday morning but sounds tasty).

BoHo. 6372 W Sunset Blvd. (323) 465-8500. http://www.bohorestaurant.com/

More Oscar Parties for Common-Folk

2010-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

Want more Oscar Viewing Party options? Well here are a few more options around town for this Sunday’s award ceremony:

*Katsuya (Brentwood, LA Live, Hollywood, Glendale): 10% off on to-go and catering orders

*Oak Fire Pizza (WeHo, 4pm – Close): Viewing Party + Drink Specials + Food Specials + Contests + Prizes

*Hotel Casa Del Mar (Santa Monica, 4pm): Viewing Party + Oscar Themed Cocktails + Contests + Prizes

*Rush Street (Culver City, 4pm): Viewing Party + Movie Themed Karaoke Part

*Pourtal Wine Bar (SaMo): Viewing Party + 3-Course Oscar Themed Tasting Menu

*Ketchup (WeHo): 1/2 off dinner bill + 1/2 off Glasses of Champagne

*Taix (Echo Park): Viewing Party + Drink Specials + Food Specials

ONE DOLLAR WINE!!!

2010-03-04T10:58:00.000-08:00

Never before have we seen such a generous Happy Hour offer on wine as this one. We feel spoiled by the opportunity to purchase $4.50 wine at Oak Fire, and gleeful when we learned of $4 wine at The Upper West, but nothing tops this one:

Starting tonight, Fraiche in Santa Monica introduces their Lounge Series. For one short hour, from 6:30pm-7:30pm, Fraiche will ‘pump up the vibe’ (my phrase, not theirs) with a live DJ while offering $1 drafts and $1 glasses of Red or White Bordeaux. Yes, ONE DOLLAR.

Holy crap I just fainted.

On top of their Lounge Series, Fraiche also offers a ‘Gourmet Hour’ from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. The Gourmet Hour menu includes tastey food items (like $5 Meatball Sliders, $4 Arancini), as well as $4 Cocktails, $4 Wine, and $3 Beers.

So basically you should show up at 5:30pm to drink and eat for cheap-ish, and then continue to drink for NEXT TO FREE from 6:30-7:30pm while you listen to some ‘hot beats’ (again my phrase, not theirs.)

Pretty sure you could leave spending less than $20 and still consume TONS of wine.

Fraiche - Santa Monica

312 Wilshire Blvd

310.451.7482

Gourmet Hour (Mon-Sun): 5:30pm-6:30pm

Lounge Series: 6:30pm-7:30pm

Note: Gourmet Hour also available, Mon- Sun, at Fraiche Culver City

Drinking with Oscar

2010-03-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

We basically create a drinking game for every television show. Always Sunny makes it far too easy, 90210 is an old classic, and this Sunday we will be playing ‘Drinking with Oscar.’

Drinking with Oscar is a two part drinking game.

Part I: Pick the Winner

Each participant selects who they believe will win for each category (less popular categories like audio/costume/documentary INCLUDED). If you guess wrong – you drink.

Part II: Pick an Actor

Each participant selects one nominated actor. Each time that actor is shown on screen during the Oscars – you drink.

Bonus Actor: each participant selects a second actor – this one must be an actor who is NOT NOMINATED, but who is typically an Oscar staple (Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Dame Judy, Etc…) Drink every time that actor is on screen (if you do pick Jack you’re in trouble…)

I’m sure you can guess how the night turns out after this game… hardly Sunday/Monday morning friendly.

But if you want to drink in a more civilized/less-fratty environment check out the Oscar party at East/West happening this Sunday. The party benefits Haiti Relief Efforts and OTF and includes drink specials, D-Level celeb appearances, and a raffle. Buy tickets online in advance to ensure entrance + a swag bag!

East/West Lounge

801 Larrabee Street

West Hollywood, CA

Sunday, March 7^th, 3pm – 9pm

For $10 Pre-Sale Tix: http://tinyurl.com/otf-10

Parking Note: Check out this link for street closures before you head out so you have the best route and parking plan

Hump Day Steak Special!

2010-03-03T10:20:00.000-08:00

BLT Birthday Event

Love steak and looking for something to do tonight? Head to BLT on Sunset (how very swank of you), to join in their birthday celebration!

Tonight, in honor of the birthday/anniversary of the original BLT in NY, the steakhouse has amazing deals on drinks, sides, dessert, and most importantly on their steaks. Cocktails/sides/dessert are all $3.03 and steaks/entrees are $33.03. Now that if that isn't a finer thing deal then I don't know what is.

According to the restaurant reservations are HIGHLY recommended so make your call now.

And if you can't make it tonight, BLT also has a great happy hour nightly from 5-7pm featuring $5 cocktails, appetizers, beer and wine.

BLT Steak. 8720 Sunset Boulevard. (310) 360-1950. http://www.bltsteak.com/

Our Addiction: Burgers & Beers

2010-03-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

It’s sad when you live in a city where $20 for a burger and a beer is a deal. But, alas, in LA everything is expensive and the $20 seems well worth it for the deliciousness of red meat + suds.

When we're craving this ultimate combo we head to our favorite neighborhood burger + beer joint: The Golden State.

The Golden State Burger

(Photo from LA Weekly)

The Golden State burger (which Jonathan Gold from LA Weekly deems one of the best in LA) is absolutely delicious. The burger comes with your choice of side (the sweet potato fries with curry ketchup are a must), and to compliment your burger Golden State has a great menu of beers from Cali. If you’re feelin' a jones for something sweet you can add a scoop of gelato to your beer for a strange, but tastey, combo called the beer float. Note: Golden State is itty bitty in size and doesn't have reserved tables (its a seat yourself type spot) so don't show up with a giant party.

Golden State Burger: $10 + Tastey Beer: $5-$7 = Under $20 = Score.

But if you live Downtown there’s an even cheaper burger+beer spot. This place not only serves you a burger+beer for under $20, but goes even further to offer a burger + PITCHER OF BEER for under $10.

The spot? Carl’s Jr.

Carl’s has sneakily operated three select locations in Downtown LA that serve beer for years now. For just $6.50 Carl's will serve you a pitcher of Bud Light along with your $2.50 ~~Hot Carl~~ Big Carl Burger.

Granted the burger is not nearly as good as the one at Golden State, but hey – it’s a cheap fix for a constant craving (what? You don’t crave burgers and beers every day?.... Well we do.)

Either way you now have burger+beer options under $20 bucks in LA. We'll probably stick with Golden State for dinner, but Carl's+Beer might be the perfect fourth meal after a night out in Downtown.

The Golden State

426 N. Fairfax Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90036

Open: Tue. - Sun. (12pm - 10pm)

Carl's Jrs that serve beer (Downtown Only):

* Macy's Plaza on 7th & Flower

* California Mart at Main & Olympic

* Citigroup Plaza at 5th & Flower

Monday Dollar Dogs!

2010-03-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

It's Monday again, back to the grind, but it's ok because at least there are great deals to score some cheap eats around town. Tonight's deal to check out is at The Stand.

The Stand has a few locations around town - Westwood, Century City, Encino and Woodland Hills. Every Monday from 5pm-closing, The Stand has dollar hot dogs (yes, $1!!). The basic dogs are $1 and loaded up dogs are still a steal at $2.50. I think that is even less than those bacon wrapped street dogs that you shove in your face at 3am on Hollywood Blvd.

The only catch is you must sign up to become a card member on their website to take advantage of the deal. It's super easy to do and you become a member instantly. It is a loyalty program and doesn't require any payment (think of it like a Ralphs club card). In addition to the Monday night deals, being a cardmember also gets you beer and wine specials and members only coupons delivered to your inbox.

Don't let the name fool you either, the locations are not actual hot dogs stands, they do have plenty of seating.

For locations and more info: http://www.thestandlink.com/

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-02-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

Has this been the longest week ever or what?? TGIF!! Time for bottomless mimosa pick of the week! This week is another westside spot (I know, I know...), World Cafe.

World Cafe in Santa Monica has bottomless mimosa brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30a-3:30p. With the purchase of an entree you can add on bottomless bubbly for just $8!

And their brunch menu is super affordable, pancake plate or build your own omelet for $8 and the breakfast burrito sounds amazing at $13. Along with breakfast picks they also have a full lunch menu available during brunch (salads, burgers, sandwhiches, pasta, pizza, meats and fish), there is something for everyone.

World Cafe is located right in the middle of Main St, so it is a great place to start for brunch and then embark on a pub crawl to nearby bars or partake in some boozy shopping.

World Cafe. 2820 Main Street. (310) 392-1661. http://www.worldcafela.com/

Prix Fixe Fix!

2010-02-25T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here at Finer Things LA, we have a fondness for all things prix fixe and all things wine, so when today's Blackboard Eats deal landed in our inboxes, we were pretty much in heaven. Not to mention the blurb on the deal included a shout out to my favorite white wine ever - viognier.

Today's deal will get you a 3-course dinner at Mercantile on Sunset, a low key wine bar-slash-grocery-slash bakery-slash-eatery. The fixed menu includes and endive and watercress salad, your choice of main entree (sausage, ricotta gnudi or trout rillettes) and a scoop of home-made ice cream (yum!). All this for $20!

If you haven't used Blackboard Eats before, sign up NOW, and then click to get in on the deal. You will receive a passcode for the deal that is good to use at the restaurant for a month.

Blackboard Eats: www.blackboardeats.com
Mercantile. 6600 W Sunset Blvd. (323) 962-8202. www.themercantilela.com

Classy Cocktails

2010-02-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

The Varnish 1 Yr Anniversary

There seems to be a lot of buzz in the last year around mixologists – fancy pants bartenders who make amazing cocktails. Mixologists aren’t serving up your standard vodka sodas and jack and cokes, they take bartending to a whole new level and have perfected the art of the cocktail, layering many ingredients and flavors.

There are many spots around town to try some of these cocktail creations including the Roger Room, Seven Grand, the Tar Pit and The Association to name a few. And tonight, one of the best, the Varnish, celebrates it’s one year anniversary.

Now, I’m not usually a fan of overpriced cocktails that have flowers and weird ingredients floating around in them, but the Varnish is worth checking out. Especially tonight, since they will have free Beefeater punch and baked goodies from newly opened Babycakes.

The party starts at 7pm tonight and they will have live jazz music as well. So if you find yourself downtown or looking for something to do tonight, head over!

The Varnish. (located behind Cole’s).118 E 6th St. (213) 622-9999. http://www.thevarnishbar.com/

Cork Me!

2010-02-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

"You haven't drunk too much wine if you can still lie on the floor without holding on."

~ Dean Martin

As you know, we love wine. With brunch, lunch or dinner, or even on its own as a pre-party beverage before a night out... Anytime there's wine - we're in.

But if you're out to dinner and you want to drink wine like Dean Martin - you'll need a Dean Martin sized bank account too.

So then begins the fun game we all play of 'which bottle do I order that doesn't make me look like a total cheap ass, but also doesn't cost me a fortune?'

My dad taught me you always pick the second least expensive bottle on the menu, and then pretend you've had it before. This makes it seem as though my 'inexpensive' wine selection ($50 for what would have been $15 at Ralphs) is based on my discerning and experienced taste, and not my 'just outta college' budget.

OKAY, so yes, we graduated three/four years ago. Quit rubbing it in and let me finish my story!!

Anyway... There are two alternate solutions to the wine-bottle game:

1. Drink at home before dinner (and risk not remembering the meal)

2. Find a place with free or cheap corkage so you can bring your own cheapy bottle and drink for less

Option 2 is always the best solution.

And now I present to you: FinerThingsLA's favorite free corkage spots around town:

* Nook - 11628 Santa Monica Blvd #8, West LA

Free corkage on Mondays and Tuesdays only. Favorite items on the menu: Flat Iron Steak and the Burger (friends claim it rivals the F.O. Burger)

* Colori Kitchen - 429 W. 8th St., Downtown

Family owned and run Italian spot, free corkage every day of the week. This place looks like a total hole-in-the-wall but it's actually the perfect date spot and you really can't go wrong with their homemade pasta. (Thanks for the tip Mr. Lobanov!)

Not free but cheap:

* Allora Cucina Italiana - 8432 W. 3rd St, Mid-City-West

This place USED to have free corkage, but since they obtained their liquor license they started charging an $8 corkage fee. Not as good as gratis - but still relatively reasonable! While you're there drinking your weight in wine: try the mushroom ravioli, its tastey!

Slow Loves Hot Dogs

2010-02-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

A couple things about my drunken alter ego

1. When I drink – my nickname is Slow.

2. When I drink – I always want hot dogs.

Slow comes from the fact that after a few beverages I am terribly un-photogenic and have a difficult time getting thoughts out. Hot dogs – well they are just delicious. Seems though that every time I drink (or when I'm sober... which is occasionally the case) I can never find a good hot dog near by. Yes there are options but I’m just not willing to wait in line at Pinks, and the street dogs and Carney’s dogs result in a worse hangover than booze.

I mused for months over the idea of starting my own fancy little hot dog shop with locations in the South Bay, Santa Monica, and WeHo and calling it Slow Dogs. Since I’m from Seattle the specialty of Slow Dogs would be a delicious Seattle Dog (dog/bun/cream cheese/onions/ketchup). We’d have other gourmet and low cal options as well so everyone would want to eat there. Everyone.

Now, if I lived in Pasadena I wouldn’t have to muse about owning a hot dog café – I could just go to The Slaw Dogs.

Slaw Dogs recently opened up on N. Lake Ave in Pasadena and serves 10 different delicious dog combinations and a great selection of sides. Don’t want to be stuck with their specialties? Don’t worry – there's a huge ass menu of 11 different dogs (beef dog, turkey dog, chicken dog, etc...) and over 45 topping options so you can design your own dog as well.

Unfortunately for me/Slow - I don’t see cream cheese on the menu. But goat cheese + tomatoes sounds like a delicious alternative! And, who knows, maybe they will read this amazingly written post and decide to add the Seattle Dog as a specialty item (Note to Slaw Dogs: you can rename this specialty dog the ‘Finer Things Dog’. Thank you.)

Happy Eating!

The Slaw Dogs

720 N Lake Ave, #8

Pasadena, CA 91104

www.theslawdogs.com

Sun-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Thu-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Surviving Saturday & Sunday Mornings

2010-02-22T10:54:00.000-08:00

Lines at breakfast spots in LA on the weekends are nuts - especially around noon when all the drunks wake up in desperate need of greasy breakfast food to nurse their hangovers. It’s because of these lines that I rarely go to Toast anymore - its just not worth a 30+ minute wait when you’ve got the shakes and need coffee STAT.

One of my favorite spots in the city for lunch has always been Cuvee on Robertson. I used to live nearby and the walk always helped revive me from the night before. It’s also never super busy, they serve my favorite iced tea in town (plus a free refill!), and they have a pretty little outdoor patio. It's an ‘order at the counter and choose your own table’ sort of spot so it's less formal than a normal restaurant (which I like). However, their breakfast hours were terrible (i.e. service stopped around noon) and I can’t think of a single weekend when I woke up in time to try their breakfast menu.

Me and the man went back to Cuvee on Saturday for the first time since we moved from the Robertson/Doheny part of town and we were pleasantly surprised to find that, not only have they updated their menu with some new great items, but they also now offer breakfast ALL day on the weekends. Yipee!

The breakfast items were great (I had the Huevos Rancheros - yum!) but it was the man's order, which came from the lunch menu, that I loved the most: the Mozzarella, Pesto, Tomato, and Prosciutto Sandwich on Sourdough. It is amazing. I think its the balsamic vinegar that really makes this sandwich perfect but really everything about it I love. We both loved it so much we returned Sunday with friends to order it again! (I would have taken a picture to show you but we ate them too quickly... both days.)

This sandwich is also just the right amount of greasy to make you feel 100% after lunch and ready to start drinking again!

(Can’t wait until you get home to tap the keg? Cuvee also sells a great selection of wines that you can purchase and drink right there at your table.)

Cuvee

145 S. Robertson Blvd.

(W. 3rd & S. Robertson Blvd.)
(310) 271-4333

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-02-19T16:06:00.000-08:00

This week's mimosa pick is a shout out to all those on the Westside - who we frequently tend to neglect since we both live in West Hollywood and the thought of driving west of Doheny makes us nervous.

But we just might have to head out there for this brunch this weekend because it features the cheapest bottomless mimosas yet! The spot? - Overland Cafe.

Overland Cafe has bottomless champagne for $4.99 (not a typo...literally 4.99), with the purchase of any breakfast entree. Their brunch menu features breakfast food with a twist - shrimp/scallion/guac omelet, krabbycakes benedict - and sounds delicious. With my huge sweet tooth, I think I'll go for the chocolate chip pancakes, yum!

Brunch at the Overland Cafe is every Saturday and Sunday from 8am-2pm. From the reviews on Yelp seems like the wait is usually around 40 min and the place does get crowded so I would suggest showing up early to get your name in. But in my book, a 40 min wait is definitely worth it for $5 mimosas.

Since we are celebrating a bday out west Saturday night (Happy Bday Drew!), I can't think of a better way to keep the party going on Sunday (hint hint to our friends). See you there!

Overland Cafe. 3601 Overland Ave. (310) 559.9999.

We Put the 'ASS' in Class

2010-02-19T14:11:00.000-08:00

I love the combination of fine cheese and champagne. Something about spending time with a friend, enjoying a great cheese plate with a glass of Veuve Cliquot, makes me so infinitely happy.

Wine, Cheese, and Tapenade at Froma (From SquidInk)

Unfortunately this love of mine is rather expensive. I've tried to imitate it at home and, though the Champange is far less expensive this way, you lose the economies of scale on the cheese that the restaurant can offer. You also lose the ambiance and the people watching. It's just not as special when you're enjoying a brick of cheese while watching Horatio take on and off his sunglasses on CSI Miami.

However, during an amazing walk through WeHo on Sunday afternoon I found the perfect solution to this expensive habit of mine: Froma.

Froma is a tiny gourmet market on Melrose. They sell all sorts of tapenades, olive oils, wines, etc... They also have a handful of bar seats (maybe seven total) for you to sit at and enjoy their menu of salads, sandwiches, and delicious gourmet bites.

I've been to here once before for lunch and it was delicious, though I'd say a little pricey for a salad. But I've been enticed to return as they are now offering a key element of the FinerThingsLA bible: Happy Hour.

During typical hours of happiness (4-7pm) Froma has a small menu of gourmet bites. Items include parmesan & herb-dusted fries ($3), 2oz Kobe beef burger sliders with mixed greens ($4), and the La Burrata: a gourmet plate that includes burrata cheese, pesto, tapenade, and toast ($6). They also have a menu of fine wines ($5 Glass), Proseco ($5 Glass), and Yanjing Beer ($4 Glass). Yum Yum Yum.

La Burrata + Proseco ($11 total) is definitely a worthy replacement for my typically expensive cheese plate + Veuve.

So suck it up for an evening, put away the flask, and enjoy a gourmet Happy Hour for once. It won't break the bank and you'll feel so much classier (even if you do end up down the street at the Snake Pit at the end of the night). While you're there please don't drink too much and make a bad name for FinerThingsLA - that is not a CLASSY thing to do and, as you know, we here at FinerThingsLA are all about class.

Froma on Melrose

7960 Melrose Av. Los Angeles, CA 90046
Open Monday-Saturday 9AM to 9PM / Sundays 10AM to 7PM

Happy Hour: 4pm - 7pm Daily

"Where everybody knows your name"

2010-02-18T10:40:00.000-08:00

Our group of friends has always wanted a place like MacLaren’s on How I Met Your Mother (or as we more familiarly call it – Himym). For those who are old as dirt and don’t get the Himym reference – think Cheers.

How I Met Your Mother

In a perfect world we’d all live in the same building and all meet downstairs at the local bar, nightly. But alas we are spread across the city and all have different spots we like to haunt – most of which are close to our own apartments so we don’t have to worry about DUIs.

But when we all do meet up on weeknights for a drink – we almost always go to Oak Fire Pizza.

We each have our own reasons for loving the place: V and I love their happy hour (50% off pizzas, apps, beers, wines, mixed drinks) and consider it one of the best deals in town. Our buddy Drew (who’s birthday is today!) loves it because one of the hostesses mercilessly flirts with him. My guy Mike likes it because there are lots of flat screens and they are always tuned into sports. For those of us who live in WeHo - we love it because can walk/stumble home after dinner.

Long story short – it’s our meeting place.

So if you’re looking for a great happy hour spot after work come join us at Oak Fire. We’ll even be there tonight for Drew’s Bday – just look for the rowdy group that’s disproportionately male.

Cheers!

Oak Fire Pizza (Formerly Stone Fire Pizza)

829 North La Cienega Boulevard

Happy Hour: 4pm - 7pm

Recommended Pizzas: Four Seasons, No-Name, Perfect Pie, Chicken Pesto

A Tip for Date Night

2010-02-17T09:30:00.000-08:00

Your classic date night: dinner and a movie. What was once a reasonably priced endeavor has quickly turned into quite the expensive night out in LA.

- Two tickets to an evening newly released movie at an LA theater? $27.

- Dinner for two at Morels French Steak House? $80 (drinks not included)

- Parking? $2.

So now you’ve spent $109 bucks and what did you get: a booze-less dinner at a restaurant that almost constantly has a B health rating, followed by two hours of not-talking, ending with a kiss on the cheek as you drop your date off at home.

Yippee….

Well the Grove has a promotion to make this standard date night slightly more palatable: for just $30 per person you’ll get free valet parking, two movie tickets, and 3-course dinner for two at a participating Grove restaurant (hopefully not Morels… seriously… B Rating…Gross.)

So with all your saved money you can take your date to the bar in the Farmers Market (or El Carmen down the street) and buy some drinks. You’ll STILL be saving money even after ordering drinks (unless you drink like our friends, then it might be more, a lot more…) and the booze will definitely help your chances at the end of the night!

Date Night @ The Grove

$30 Per Person

Available Monday - Thursday Nights

Participating Restaurants and Menus

The Farm of Beverly Hills

Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill
The Cheescake Factory

Maggiano’s Little Italy
La Piazza Ristorante Italiano

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro
The Whisper Restaurant and Lounge

VandK’s Sausage-Fest Adventure at Big Wangs

2010-02-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Somehow, and I still don’t know how, we got conned into going to the new BigWangs downtown on Saturday night. While others were enjoying the delicious foods (and long lines) of LAFoodFest, we were enjoying beer and mediocre bar food with our usual crowd. This 'usual crowd' tends to consist of V, about 12 dudes, and me… i.e. a sausage fest.

The beers were good (and in some cases gigantic). The chicken-wrap-thing I ordered was a 4/10. The sampler platter was typical bar food so I’ll give it a 7/10. The wings, however, were a big hit with the guys (see a trend here with these guys?) The Rochester sauce, and the fact that the wings were actually boneless (and thus less wings than they were balls of chicken meat), was a crowd pleaser that night.

Note: Keeping our guys happy is important, as it means we have leverage the next time we want to try out a ‘less than manly’ new establishment in the future.

However I wasn’t totally sold on Big Wangs until I ventured into the bathroom. There upon the wall, framed above the sink, was a sign showing the happy hour specials… And they are great:

Oh how easily we are swayed by Happy Hour deals….

Plus, because of the crowd we roll with, I’m pretty sure we will have no choice but to return here in the future. At least now we’ll know what times to go so we can save some moolah!

Fat Tuesday = Sick Day Wednesday

2010-02-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

Mardi Gras celebrations tend to involve some of our favorite things – drinks, food, and live music (… and boobs and beads but those fall a little lower on the ‘favorites’ list.)

We’re not sure which festive events we will be attending – but there are a few good options across the city:

Liquid Kitty, WestLA (5pm – 2am)

· No Cover,

· Live Cajun/Zydeco band (“The Damn Well Please Organ Trio”)

· Grilled Cheese truck out front at 10:30pm

· Drink Specials: $3 Abita Beer, $6 Hurricanes, $6 Sazerac Martinis, $2 PBR, $3 Low Lifes (Pabst & a Shot)

Rush Street, Culver City (7pm – Close)

· Specialty Drinks: Mint Juleps, Hurricanes, Alabama Slammers

· Free Party Favors

· Masked Bead Girls

Westwood Brewing Co, Westwood (Beginning @ 6pm)

· Free Beads

· Gumbo Special: $7/bowl

· Zydeco Music, 6pm – 8pm

· 8pm: New Orleans Themed Trivia Night!

South, Santa Monica (4pm – Close)

· $4 Beer Specials

· Beads, Masks

J Lounge, Downtown (5pm – 8pm)

· “Fat Happy Hour” Drink Specials

· Creole Menu Items by Chef Oz

· Live Entertainment

For those just looking for a good Cajun meal:

Dominick's, West Hollywood
Mardi Gras Themed Menu included $5 Gumbo, $6 Jambalaya, $8 Eggplant pirogues with shrimp sauce

The Gumbo Pot, Mid City

This spot serves their delicious Cajun food year-round at the Grove Farmer's market. However, for Mardi Gras the Farmer's Market transforms into a Mardi-Gras party with live music and Gumbo Pot has King Cakes available for purchase for the holiday.

Maybe plan to call in for a ‘personal day’ at work on Wednesday? You’ll need it after you take down all those southern-style drinks!

Get Drunk Like Gee-Dub

2010-02-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

Back in the day when Washington was elected, the campaign trail was all about providing tons of Hard-A to the public. Citizens would wander through the town square, from campaign table to campaign table, getting their fill of whiskey from each candidate. The larger the quantity, and the higher the quality, of booze you provided: the more people liked you. By the time the drinker was ready to vote they were thoroughly trashed, and because drunks are easier to convince into voting for you, you were basically ensured a vote if they finished their binge drinking at your campaign table (ingenious!)

In honor of this old-as-time tradition of providing booze to gain a following - CommeCa is offering drink specials today at a special price. For President's Day only, a select menu of cocktails will be available for just $4.40 (since we're at Presidente numero 44.)

Here's the menu:

Frost/Nixon: "Last Word" - gin, lime juice, Green Charteuse, maraschino
Kennedy: "Cuba Libre" - cola, lime, white rum
FDR: "Dark and Stormy" - black rum, lime juice, ginger syrup, splash of soda
Washington: "Penicillin" - Scotch, ginger, lemon, honey

While you're there try the French Onion soup - it's delicious!

CommeCA
8479 Melrose Avenue
11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 11pm

Happy President's Day Everyone!!!

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-02-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Well, well, here we are again....Friday. This Friday is especially great because for most of us, it's the start of a 3-day weekend, which means there is no excuse not to get wasted on bottomless mimosas on Sunday.

This week's pick: Citizen Smith in Hollywood. On Sundays, Citizen Smith has an organic (something healthy to offset the copious amounts of booze you will intake) farmer's market brunch, with bottomless mimosas, bloody marys and bellinis (yum!) for an additional $10.

Their brunch menu is the standard fare: eggs benedict, three cheese omelet, molten waffle with strawberries. But who really cares about the food, this is about the bubbly and we all know that.

So......check it out this weekend or head to any of our other bottomless picks and enjoy the long weekend! And also good to know, Citizen Smith has other great specials during the week including half off food on Mondays and half off wine on Tuesdays.

Citizen Smith. 1600 N Cahuenga Blvd. (323) 461.5001

SAVE MONEY MONEY SAVE MONEY MONEY

2010-02-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

Getting fat and drunk are great fun. But getting fat and drunk on the cheap - well that's just fantastic. Thanks to 'deal-a-day' websites we can do just that.

Here's a few of today's deals to keep you tipsy, chubby, and happy all day long:

GROUPON – LOS ANGELES

$10 for $25 worth of locally grown cuisine at Food Fair by Diego

7825 Beverly Blvd. / Los Angeles, California 90036

Not a member yet? Sign up here.

BLACKBOARD EATS – LA

30% off Lunch at Lotteria Grill – Hollywood

No Purchase necessary - just sign up and download the password to start saving!

Discount valid until March 13th.

http://blackboardeats.com/los-angeles

WIRED FOR WINE

Premius Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Wine Enthusiast: Designated this wine as a "Best Buy".

Sale Price: $9.97 - 41% off (Reg. Price: $16.99)

Free Shipping on 6 or more

www.wiredforwine.com

SOCIAL BUY

$25 for $50 worth of Gifts and Baskets at Bountiful Baskets by Jean.

I.E. Cookies, candies, drinks, and treats for a friend or to spoil yourself

Not a member yet? Sign up here.

GILT

MarieBelle Chocolates

Beautifully packaged gift sets and boxes of chocolates 30-35% off – while supplies last!

Not a member yet? Sign up here.

Food Truck Lot Launches Today!

2010-02-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

If you are in Downtown for lunch or dinner today check out the new food truck lot that opens today. The lot opens near Little Tokyo off Alameda and Traction, and starting today will feature a handful of trucks daily for lunch and dinner.

Lunch trucks start at 11am and dinner trucks will roll in around 5pm. The schedule of trucks is still a little TBD but so far here is what is confirmed for the next couple of days:

Thursday (today):
-11am: Barbie Qs, Dosa Truck, Kabob n Roll, Komodo Food, Fishlips Sushi

Friday:
-11am: Komodo, Slice Truck, Sweets Truck, Vesuvio
-5pm: Flying Pig, Fressers, Tasty Meat, Grilled Cheese Truck

Saturday:
-5pm: Barbie Qs, FrySmith

If you are heading downtown for ArtWalk today/tonight, it is worth checking out. And if you can't make it, don't forget this Saturday is the 1st Annual Street Food Fest, also in downtown. (For more info on Street Food Fest read our earlier post or check out http://www.lastreetfoodfest.com/). And if you planning on heading to downtown anytime soon you can always find out where popular food trucks are stationed or are planning to be by checking out http://roaminghunger.com/la.

Traction Food Truck Lot. 216 S Alameda St Los Angeles, CA.

Seriously Good Cheap Eats.

2010-02-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

...like seriously.

If you are looking for quality Mexican food on the cheap, you must go to El Carmen in West Hollywood. El Carmen has long been a favorite of ours and everything on the menu is $10 and under. Including drinks! In fact, the only item that actually makes it up to a $10 price point are their margaritas.

AND they have a daily happy hour, which makes this place even more affordable if that is even possible. Food and drink specials that bring you down to the under $5 range – can’t beat that. Their happy hour includes $4 margaritas, $3 Tecate, and snacks like quesadillas and ceviche for $4.

El Carmen specializes in different types of tequila that you can taste in one of their tequila flights (which start at 4 tastes, these flights will however put you above the $10 range). They also have some not-so-standard margarita flavors like ginger cilantro and a spicy margarita made with jalapenos (kinda scared of that one).

The decor here is not to miss either- think Nacho Libre - but in a cool way, not in a Jack Black kind of way (nothing against the guy, I happen to love School of Rock) - with Mexican wrestling paraphernalia adorning the walls.

All in all, it is a great place to head to that won't break the bank but will get you blackout. Just a warning, the place is tiny so don't show up in a large group and try and get their early - especially if you are looking to catch the happy hour.

El Carmen. 8138 West 3rd Street.(323) 852.1552

Life is too Short to Drink Bad Wine

2010-02-10T11:20:00.000-08:00

"Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy."

- Benjamin Franklin

If you’re looking to beef up your wine shelf with some good quality wines, but not spend a fortune, you’re in luck.

RueLaLa is having a sale today (closes at 10am tomorrow morning PST) on a selection of DeLille wines. These Washington wines come in sets of three (three Chaleur Estate Blancs, three Sryahs, or a mix) and are around 40% - 50% off.

If you’re like me you save the ‘nice’ wines for 'nice' occasions (i.e. they sit on your shelf forever to show off what great taste in wine you have.) Unless of course your significant other comes back from the bars late with his friends and ‘accidentally’ opens up a $30 bottle of wine when their taste buds are already so obliterated from Bud Light that they could be drinking Franz and think its good. But either way it feels good to have some good stuff on the shelf.

However, if you’re the type of person who is fine with a $4.99 vat of Livy, and just looking to get trashed: maybe buy the set as a gift for a friend or newly married couple? You’ll make your friends question their original judgment of your drinking habits and think you a more refined person (ha you tricked them!)

www.RueLaLa.com

(Membership only website, if you’re not already a member sign up here)

Burger Bargain

2010-02-09T15:15:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am on a constant search to find the best burger in LA, but there are so many options that so far we are at a probably 10 way tie. Sometimes I crave a Father’s Office burger and sometimes I dream of the shoestring fries that accompany my Rush Street burger. And almost always at 3am on a weekend, I want my In-N-Out burger with animal style fries (I know…it’s fast food…and a chain…but you can’t beat In-N-Out).

One place I have yet to try but have heard great things about is the burger at The Counter. And on Tuesdays (today!), they have a great burger special that almost makes me want to leave the house in this rainstorm and head there tonight.

Every Tuesday starting at 4pm, at the Santa Monica and Marina del Rey locations, The Counter has a $12 special where you can get 4 mini burgers and 4 beer pairings. These are not your regular mini burgers either, you can choose from a beef, turkey, chicken or veggie patty and they have a large variety of cheese, toppings, and sauces (including grilled pineapples, caramelized onion marmalade, roasted garlic aioli…yum!)

So if you are in the mood for some burgers and beer get there tonight, I don’t think you will be disappointed.

The Counter. http://www.thecounterburger.com/

LaDiDaDi We Likes to Party

2010-02-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

This Thursday, February 11^th, the W Hotel LA (Westwood) is hosting a party with Virgin America.

Party starts at 7:00pm and there will be free ‘botanical beverages’ from Pinky Vodka served until 8:00pm. I’m sure there will be a nice long line at the bar to get the free drinks (either that or the server's trays will empty quickly) so practice your skills at ‘ordering drinks for friends’ and double/triple/quadruple fisting-it once you’ve gotten your drink order.

There will also be some gratis bites of food making their way around the room.

(Since many times these events happen when I’d normally be eating dinner, and thus starving, I’m a pro at staking out the kitchen exit from which all the servers originate to snatch up snacks first.)

And if you’re feeling lucky – enter their drawing to win airfare and accommodations for two (compliments of Virgin and W).

See you there!

Whiskey Blue @ W Hotel Westwood

930 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles

RSVP: rsvpwlaevents@whotels.com

VDAY Dining Options Under $50/ Per Person

2010-02-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

I will never understand the type of person who is willing to spend $150+ per person on a dinner that would normally cost them half that. How desperately are you trying to impress your dinner companion? Or if you’re the demander of such dinner – are you a gold digger? Yes, you must be.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday in which nearly every restaurant in town forces a prix fixe menu down our throats and jacks up the price. While researching the numerous dining options available this weekend for lovas I was shocked to see even mediocre spots are partaking in this thievery. $64/per person at Daily Grill? $35/pp at Wokcano? You have to be kidding me.

Say you’re an unhappy couple who just doesn’t have the balls to call it quits – or maybe you’ve got a blind date – and you want to get nice and toasted at dinner to make it more tolerable. That’ll cost you another $20-$50/pp for wine pairings. What a joke.

But if you’re a shitty chef and you must go out for Vday here’s some options that won’t rape your wallet as badly as, say, Gordon Ramsay @ the London hotel will ($350/pp?!?!!??!?!?)

· The Gorbals (Downtown): 4-Course Seasonal Menu (Including Wine!!!), $45/pp

· BLVD 16 @ Hotel Palomar (Westwood), Prix Fixe $45/pp (Also serving regular menu)

· BLD (Mid City): 3-Course Prix Fixe, $45/pp

· Barefoot (Mid City): 3-Course Prix Fixe, $40/pp

· Ciudad (Downtown), 4-Course Prix Fixe, $49/pp (With $5 wine pairings)

· Akasha (Culver City): Serving Regular Menu + Food & Drink Specials

· Beacon (Culver City): 4-Course Prix Fixe, $49/pp (Also serving regular a la carte menu)

· Cube (Mid City): 3-Course Prix Fixe Fondue Dinner + Glass of Prosecco + Take home box of chocolates, $35/pp (SATURDAY ONLY!)

As always - please make sure to call in for reservations!

Monday Night Specials!

2010-02-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

It's Monday, back to the daily grind. Especially hard after a weekend in Vegas. Sigh. At least there are a few specials around town to help you forget that there are still 4 more work days left to go.

If you are in the Hollywood area, head to Geisha House on Mondays - all food is 50% off. I know Katsuya opening in Hollywood has kind of stolen Geisha's thunder, but the food here is still just as good as ever. And at 50% off it will taste even better. The black cod in miso is amazing, as is the miso glazed rock shrimp. I think I just really like miso glaze. Call ahead to make a reservation and remember the discount is only applied to food.

If you find yourself in Beverly Hills, Nic's Martini Lounge has a Monday night special as well. They extend their happy hour today to last all night. The happy hour includes $7 martinis and appetizers, or a $21 3-course meal. The entrees for the meal rotate weekly but some of the menu items featured are western fried chicken (yum!) and shrimp scampi. You can call ahead for details on this week's menu and should call to make reservations.

Geisha House. 6633 Hollywood Boulevard. (323) 460.6300
Nic's Martini Lounge. 453 North Canon Drive. (310) 550.5707

That's just how we roll...

2010-02-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

The man and I finally made our way to The Foundry this weekend. Being the last day of DineLA we figured we should get there before we can no longer afford it (will someone please start paying me to eat and write about it?!) Long story short: my tummy couldn’t fit all the food on the DineLA menu so I just ordered from the regular menu. It was a helluva lot more reasonably priced than I expected and the food was really tastey. The man on the other hand decided to be manly and order the big ‘ol four course special. Here’s the lowdown on our menu options:

MY MENU CHOICES:

Chopped Salad (hazelnuts, currants, mixed veggies), $9

Decent, but too many beets in this salad for me...

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (with Short Rib), $12

Delicious Delicious Delicious Delicious Delicious. And a great deal!! No wonder this guy is opening a restaurant solely dedicated to the oozey goodness of grill cheese – this was amazing. The bread was super buttery and there was an overdose of cheese (that’s a good thing). If only I could pretend there are no calories in butter and cheese…

Grilled Cheese

THE MAN'S CHOICES (DineLA, $44):

Romaine & Clementine Salad

Good, but I think I liked it better than he did (he likes his salad with meats and cheese and heavy things – not healthy veggies and fruit)

Duck Confit & Squash Risotto

My FAVORITE thing we ate that night. Rich and delicious – the arugula and blue cheese were the perfect compliment to the rich flavors of the risotto.

Beef Tenderloin

Perfectly cooked and perfectly seasoned. Though, the man complained that the menu said it came with olives and there was only one on the plate. I’m not sure why he cared….

Blood Orange Bar

The man was pretty sure that the blood orange bar was going to be some dessert that only girls would like – for him ‘dessert’ does not involve anything healthy (like fruit). But we both loved it. A pastry like bar (like a lemon bar) topped with blood oranges, goat cheese ice cream, and balsamic vinegar (my favorite condiment of all time) – the combination of all ingredients was heavenly. Really delicious.

Blood Orange Bar

Best part of the night:

As we were about to leave Eric Greenspan (the head chef) came up and asked us how our meal was (and as I’m a nerd I got excited talking to this ‘celebrity’). I told him the grilled cheese was 'to die for' (I hate when people say that – it sounds so pretentious, why did I say that?!!). His response:

That’s just how we roll.

Oh Eric Greenspan I love you and your deliciously unhealthy food.

Vegas, Baby, Vegas

2010-02-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

Oh how I wish today's Groupon deal had landed in my inbox a few days earlier, you know, before I booked my last minute ridiculously pricey 1 hour flight to Vegas. But there are 25 more weekends left (yes, I counted), until this Groupon expires, and another Vegas trip is inevitable.

Today's deal is a discounted rate of $49 for a round trip ride on a luxury (this ain't your yellow school bus) bus from Blue Groundways. The tickets are usually $99 so this is a steal, especially considering the other perks included. The ride features: Sirius radio, free Wifi, movies, meal service AND a free (you know how we love free) drink!

Blue Groundways has trips leaving from LA, the Inland Empire (more affectionately known as the 909), and OC. There are 2 trips daily, seven days at week at either 9:30am or 5:00pm. Must call at least a day ahead to make your reservation.

So make sure you sign up for your Groupon account asap and cash in on this deal, available today only! I can assure you that you won't regret it. Except maybe when you need to catch the bus home but are mysteriously stuck on the roof of Caeser's after taking some rufies...or are they floories.

Vegas here I come!

http://www.groupon.com/
for more info on the bus company:
http://www.blue-ground-ways.com/

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-02-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

TGIF!!!! Even though it's raining, it is Friday, thank god. And it's Super Bowl weekend! If you want to get your boozing started early on Sunday before the big game, what better way than with bottomless mimosas?

This week's spot: Cafe Was in Hollywood. Owned by Ivan Kane (nightlife veteran), Cafe Was is a sort of French themed Bohemian joint (think Moulin Rouge, "Elephant Love Medley"....I love that movie).

On Saturdays AND Sundays, Cafe Was has bottomless champagne, mimosas, screwdrivers or bloody marys for $15. And their brunch menu sounds pretty good, featuring the standard brunch fare, some french items and heartier lunch-type options. They even have crepes (my fave! with nutella!).

Cafe Was also seems like a great spot to check out on any other night of the week, they have a piano in the middle of the room and almost always have live music. Something different from the usual scene in Hollyweird. They have bottomless carafes of wine every night for $15 with purchase of an entree and have different weekday specials (grilled cheese special on Mondays....half price wine on Wednesdays).

Seems like a larger venue so reservations may not be necessary but they are always suggested.

Cafe Was.1521 N Vine St. (323) 466.5400. http://www.cafewas.com/

Not classy - But It'll Get Ya Fat

2010-02-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

St. Nicks is a dive bar. Its grungy and informal and the crowd… well there usually isn’t a crowd. But the drinks are huge (full 12 oz glass when you order a mixed drink) and the burger… oh god that burger is good.

Don’t bother with the rest of the menu – save for the French fries the rest is pretty unpalatable. The thought of their club sandwich makes my stomach turn. But the burger is worth the visit.

If you’ve been drinking – the burger is even better.

Its incredibly greasy and there isn’t anything gourmet about it – no arugula, no caramelized onions. Just the standard patty + cheese + lettuce + tomato. But the meat must be of the least healthy variety because its tastes so good.

I’d recommend dropping by this weekend, grabbing a burger and a beer, and then head to your next drinking destination. Or come here after you're nice and toasted for fourth meal (call ahead to see what time the kitchen closes though so you arn't terribly disappointed when you arrive at 2am and you can't order your burger... and forced to go to Taco Bell...)

St. Nick's Pub

8450 W. 3rd St.

Los Angeles, CA 90048

323-655-6917

Post Super Bowl Munchies..

2010-02-04T16:28:00.000-08:00

After consuming mass amounts of bar food and beer, if you are still hungry and feel like heading out for a meal, head to Ketchup on Sunday night for 50% off all food! You must mention the deal to get it, which seems a little odd, but just make sure to tell your server that you are in on the special before you get your bill.

And if you pass out early and can't make it this weekend, not to worry, this is an on-going weekly special.

Ketchup. 8590 Sunset Blvd. www.dolcegroup.com/ketchup/

Calling All Winos

2010-02-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

Looking for something to do this Saturday? Head to Venokado in West Hollywood for their $10 wine tasting event. From 2-5pm you can taste a selection of wines hand-picked by the store's owner.

Venokado is a cute boutique wine store, with reasonably priced wine and cute knick-knacks for your home or for gifts. They also deliver wine anywhere in LA, which is great for those nights when you don't feel like leaving your couch but really need a glass of merlot to keep you company while watching the Biggest Loser.

Venokado partners up with local restauarants - like Street and Dominick's - to waive corkage fees if you purchase wine at their store, you can always check their facebook page to see who they are teaming up with.

Venokado. 7714 Fountain Avenue. http://www.venokado.com/

More Super Bowl Specials!

2010-02-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

WEST HOLLYWOOD EDITION

If you don't feel like heading out to Culver to check out the Super Bowl deals we posted earlier this week, there are some great events going on around West Hollywood as well. Here is the run down:

Spanish Kitchen ( La Cienega Blvd)
-$10 Bottomless Micheladas (a sort of bloody mary but with beer)
-$3 Tecates
-$12 all-you-can-eat (I KNOW, right?!)

XIV (Sunset Blvd)
-$45 ticket gets you in for all-you-can-eat BBQ from 1-6pm
-Pony kegs available for purchase
-Game will be featured on big screens as well as projector screen

The Abbey (Roberston)
-Drink specials
-BBQ food
-Carnival games
-Live DJ

Oak Fire Pizza (La Cienega Blvd)
-1/2 off all beers
-$10 pizza
-Will be showing the game on all screens

Eleven (Santa Monica Blvd)
-$10 all day buffet
-$10 Miller lite pitchers
-Game showing on all screens as well as on a 10ft x 10ft projected screen

And if you AREN'T a fan of football, then check out the Super Bowl Sanctuary special at Cecconi's (how very swanky of you), featuring an either $35 2-course or $45 3-course meal from 3-7pm, including a complimentary glass of prosecco or pint of Perroni.

Celebrating S.A.D.?

2010-02-04T10:52:00.000-08:00

No +1 to join you next Sunday for Brunch or and over priced Dinner? Prefer to celebrate the awesomeness of being single on Feb. 14^th? OR maybe you’re just a couple that just wants to do something different this year and are looking for ideas.

Either way, here’s a few spots holding some non-traditional Vday/SAD events next weekend (reservations recommended where applicable):

Venice Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt through the streets on Venice by bike! This one works for couples and friends – though they recommend teams of two – so grab a partner and your bikes and head out to Venice next weekend. Prizes go out to the top three teams and hunts are scheduled for Sat (13^th, 10am & 2pm) and Sun (14^th, 10am, 1pm, & 4pm). Tickets are $25.

Last year the events sold out quickly so go online today to book your tix:

www.outoftheboxevents.net, or call 323.799.1374

Single’s Night Out @ Remedy Lounge

Drink specials, games and entertainment in Downtown LA just for singles (and there’s no cover with RSVP!), Saturday, Feb 13^th (8pm – 2am)
http://thelek.com/TL/lek/los-angeles/events/heartbeat-find-your-valentine-party/39404

Rush Street – Culver City

The bar and restaurant will be open as usual, with a special menu of Valentine’s Day themed desserts. If you’re there from 10pm – 2am on Sunday night – Rush Street will be passing out FREE SHOTS of American Honey whiskey to everyone in the bar. Plus wine and champagne will be 1/2 price - all day long.

Wine + Cheese + Chocolate Tasting

Goldstar has a deal on an event held by LearnAbout Wine next weekend – learn about wine pairings with cheeses and chocolates for $39 per person (regularly $69). The event is held both Saturday & Sunday (tastings at 1pm & 5pm).

Hash @ Hotel Erwin

This one’s more for couples than SAD celebrators – but I’d have fun doing this with one of my gal pals just as much as with the man. For $60/per couple you can enjoy a bottle of Graham Beck Sparlking Rose with an order of chocolate covered strawberries – all while watching the sunset from Hotel Erwin's great Venice location. For reservations call Tiffany Bosch 310.452.1111 (ext 175).
Deal is available: Friday, February 12^th (Starting at 4pm
) and Saturday & Sunday, February 13^th & 14^th (Starting at 1pm.)

Hump Day Happy Hour!

2010-02-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Now that the LOST premiere is finally past us (thoughts anyone? I was just happy to get to see Jack's scruffy face again), we can get back to our weekday boozing schedule.

If you are looking for a fun happy hour to try tonight, head to Tinto's in West Hollywood for $5 tapas. The deal is actually Monday-Wednesday so it is not hump day specific but it will the the last day to catch it this week.

They have a selection of tapas for $5 and $6 glasses of sangria. The place is usually on the pricier side so this is a great bargain especially if going with a group of friends, you can order an assortment of tapas and share (that's what tapas are meant for anyways right?). Their $5 tapas last from 5pm - 11pm so you don't have to rush there right after work which is also a plus.

Just 2 more days to Friday!

Tinto Tapas. 7511 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 512.3095

Peet's Coffee: Buy One Get One Free

2010-02-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Today when you buy one beverage at Peet's Coffee & Tea you can get a second free for a buddy (or yourself!)

Here's the link to print your coupon:
http://www.peets.com/specialoffer/Default.asp?rdir=1&cm_mmc=retailemail*10.01.07_bev_bogo*retail*coupon_btn

Enjoy!

Valentine's Day Brunch

2010-02-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

Maybe you don’t like her** enough to spend $150/pp on a romantic dinner and would rather cheap it out for $35/pp on a friendly brunch.

Maybe you like/love her so much you want to not only spoil her with an overpriced $150/pp meal (plus requisite $50/pp wine pairing), but you ALSO want to treat her to a delicious brunch that morning (plus requisite $15 bottomless mimosas). The larger she gets the less likely she is to leave you… right?

Either way – you’re looking for Valentine’s Day brunch options.

The brunch scene next weekend isn’t all that different than the average weekend in LA – mostly hotels on the list – but there are a few newcomers. There also are a few special valentinesy brunch and drink items on the typical menus around town.

So whether saving or spoiling here’s the dish (sorted by area):

COASTAL

This seems to be where most of the brunches are located

* Viceroy Santa Monica (Sat/Sun,10:30am - 3pm): Standard Sunday Brunch Menu with Specialty VDay Cocktail Options ("Sweet Valentine" or "Lovely Bubbly")

* Geoffrey's Malibu (Sun, 10am - 4pm): $65, 3-Course, Prix-Fixe Valentine's Day Brunch (damn that's expensive for Brunch...)

* La Cachette Bistro - Santa Monica (Sun, 11am - 3pm): Special Brunch Menu

WEST SIDE & 90210

* Boulevard 16 @ Hotel Palomar (Sat/Sun, 10am - 2pm): $45 Prix-Fixe VDay Brunch OR Standard Sunday $35 Champagne Brunch

* Beverly Hills Hotel Polo Lounge (Sun, 11am - 3:30pm): $48, 3-Course, Prix-Fixe Standard Sunday Brunch (also Includes one alcoholic beverage)

WEHO/MID CITY

* Taste - Pacific Palisades AND Melrose Locations (Sat/Sun, 10:30am - 3pm): $23, 3-Course, Prix-Fixe Valentine's Day Brunch

*Comme Ca - WeHo (Sunday, 9am - 3pm): Extended Brunch Hours, Standard Brunch Menu

HOLLYWOOD

* Dakota - Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (Sun, 11am - 3pm): Sweetheart Jazz Brunch, $28 Breakfast Buffet + Signature Brunch Menu, Also Available: $10 Bottomless Bloody Mary and Bubbly Bar
*Campanile (Sun, Starting at 9:30am): 'Cupid Themed Brunch' + Bottomless Sparkling Wine.

EASTSIDE

No Valentine's Specials Found: Hipsterville apparently is void of 'lovey-doveyness'- but this makes sense as Hipster's are notoriously unhappy. I've included a few reliable regular brunches instead:

* Cliff's Edge - Silverlake (Sat/Sun, 11am - 3pm): Standard Brunch Menu

* Desert Rose - Los Feliz (Sat/Sun, 10am - 3pm): Standard Brunch Menu

DOWNTOWN

* Bottega Louie (Sat/Sun, 11am - 2:45pm): Standard Brunch Menu + Special VDay Menu Items & Special VDay Gifts Available in Marketplace

*J Lounge (Sun, 10am - 2pm): Valentine's Day Brunch Menu and Drink Specials

ETC

* The Raymond - Pasadena (Sat/Sun, 10am - 2:30pm): Standard Brunch Menu

* The Langham Huntington Hotel - Pasadena (Sun, 10am - 3pm): $75 Champagne Brunch Buffet (Standard on Sundays... and very very expensive...)

* Zin Bistro Americana -Westlake (Sun, 11am - 3pm)): $34.95 VDay Champagne Brunch

NOTE: RESERVATIONS AT ALL LOCATIONS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!

**Maybe you're a dude with a sugar momma: in that case swap the pronouns seen above.

Super Bowl: Super Specials

2010-02-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

Go Saints!

With the Super Bowl coming up (Yay Reggie!), it is only appropriate that we include a post on some great Super Bowl events around town. You can head to the regular sports bar spots (Cabo, Q's, Barney's, Busby's) where I'm sure they will have drink specials or take a trip to Culver City for some great deals at Rush Street and Gyenari.

Rush Street has always been a favorite of ours, really great burgers and nice atmosphere. For Super Bowl Sunday, Rush St has a special Super Bowl menu and drink specials all day (including $4 draft beer). They will also have kareoke and the best part, a beer pong tourney after the game is over (so you can relive your college glory days...then again who am I kidding, we've been out of college for 3 years and still play beer pong). Rush St is equipped with 10 TVs and will have the sound on throughout the restaurant so you won't miss a thing. The place will probably get crowded so call ahead to make your reservation!

If Rush St is too packed you can also walk next door (or maybe its a couple doors down), to Gyenari. Gyenari is not your typical sports bar but they will be having a Super Happy Hour in honor of Sunday's big game. In their lounge, Gyenari will have $10 Korean BBQ special (YUM), and $2 bottles of Hite. They will be showing the game on the plasmas in the lounge as well as on a 100 inch screen in the dining room.

If you know of any other great Super Bowl specials, feel free to leave us your comments!

Rush Street. 9546 Washington Boulevard. (310) 837.9456
Gyenari. 9540 Washington Boulevard. (310) 838.3131

$4.99 Pitchers - 'Nuf Said

2010-02-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

My brother went to Washington State University – a school in the middle of nowhere: Pullman, Washington. Because of its rural locale things are cheap in Pullman. I’ve heard outrageous stories from the bro of $2 beers and $3 pitchers being sold at Denny’s (yes Denny’s!). Unfortunately to take advantage of these amazing prices you must live in Pullman. Not worth the trade off.

Los Angeles is far more expensive - $4 beers are a steal in this city. But I'll let you in on a little secret: it is possible (I swear) to drink like a WSU undergrad in Los Angeles.

Where you ask?: Gyu Kaku's Happy Hour. During these 7.5 joyous hours (exact hrs. vary by location) pitchers are $4.99 each. Single beers are $.99/ea and there’s a menu of tasty food at Happy Hour prices ($1.99 - $4.99 per item for plates of marinated and ready-to-cook meats and veggies.)

When we went last week we were so impressed by the cheapness of the pitchers that we immediately ordered three pitchers for the four of us to share. Hey, it was 6:15pm so we were in a rush to get orders in and three pitchers was still only the price of one drink at XIV. As it turns out the pitchers were bigger than expected and our eyes were bigger than our livers so we ended up canceling one of the pitchers before it came out. Either way, 2 pitchers of beer, 2 large hot sakes, 4 miso soupss, and 12 plates of food later we had had our fill of food and booze and left sated and happy (at around $25/pp total.)

Gyu Kaku has locations all over but the one we hit up on Friday was on Pico, near Westside Pavillion. The hours of happiness vary by location but the one on Pico has happy hour from 12pm – 6:30pm, and then again from 9:30pm – 10:30pm (M-Th, its 10:30pm – 11:30pm on F/Sat). If you're not familiar with their set-up (and thus grossed out that I mentioned above ordering uncooked meat), Gyu Kaku is a Japanese BBQ spot that brings you the marinated meats and veggies and then you cook your own food at your table over a little grill. So now ya know.

Check out their website for each location’s hours and pricing.

http://www.gyu-kaku.com/ca/index.htm

Just another manic Monday..

2010-02-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

To help you get over your case of the Mondays, head to La Boheme in West Hollywood for their Monday Wine Bar. Every Monday from 6:30-9:00pm on the patio, they will offer a selection of wines paired with appetizers.

It is $20/person, but they do have a special if you have a party of 4, with 3 paying patrons the 4th gets the whole deal for free. But to take advantage of that you must make a reservation ahead of time for your group.

In addition on Mondays, La Boheme has half off all bottles of wine and they will waive a corkage fee if you are dining in the restaurant. They also have a great happy hour nightly, from 5:30-7:00 ($4-$5 beer and wine + half off selection of sandwhiches and appetizers).

La Boheme. 8400 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 848-2360.

If ya wanna get laid…

2010-02-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

There is one place in the city that will seal the deal for you: The Tower Bar at the Sunset Tower Hotel.

The food is good (I recommend the steak salad or the halibut), the staff is incredibly attentive, the lighting is dark, and the decor is Donald Draper swank.

I go here every year for my birthday: I've never had a terrible meal and I've always had an amazing time. It's one of those places I wish I could just hang out at every evening, get to know the bartender, and order a scotch on the rocks (I don't even like scotch - it smells like my grandfather and tastes like Chloraseptic - but it seems 'cool' and makes me feel important when I drink it). Unfortunately, unless I meet a sugar daddy at the bar (sorry Mike) I'm not going to be adopting this lifestyle anytime soon...

The other thing that makes me feel important when I come here is that its always filled with celebs brokering deals on their next big movie. Last time we were there we sat next to Quentin Tarantino and Michael C. Hall (+ awkward wife). However, if you've got one of those significant others who is obnoxiously obsessed with celebrities spottings and feels compelled every time they see one to say hello and make 'buddies' - dont bring them. That is not a swank thing to do. Bring your goo-mah instead.

I'm not sure what their Valentine's Day menu is like this year but, like most restaurants in LA, I'm sure its ridiculously over priced. I'd recommend going here Feb 12th, 13th, or 15th instead (or for any other celebratory occasion OTHER than Cupid's favorite day to rip couples off.)

Remeber: the place is in a hotel, so if you're feeling REALLY confident - maybe book a room too? The rooms are swank (word of the day) and they've got a great pool off the Terrace Bar with a view of the city.

Sunset Tower Hotel
8358 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323.654.7100

Good Luck and Enjoy!!!

Beans Beans the Musical Fruit...

2010-01-29T13:39:00.000-08:00

Back in high school in Seattle my friends called me Soup Whore. A strange nickname, yes. However, at the time it made sense (kinda...) as I had a serious addiction to a local food spot named City Soups (... as well as a not-so-serious crush on the guy who owned it.)

Mostly I loved their vegetarian chili. It was delicious: just the right ratio of beans to veggies - so good I never even missed the meat. (insert dirty joke here)

I've always wished there were a nice 'soup kitchen' spot in LA like City Soups but I never imagined there was much of a market for it due to the perpetually nice weather (save for last week's rainy adventure.)

Well it appears my prayers were answered... and yes, these are the sort of trivial things I pray for (great use of the system I'm sure):

CHILI ADDICTION

408 N. La Cienega Boulevard

Opening Soon!

This spot isn't entirely new to the LA scene - they've operated stands at the Hollywood Farmer's Market on the weekends for some time now. However, this is their first store-front /dine-in establishment.

Word is that Chili Addition will offer over 70 varities of chili, including 10 vegas varieties, plus a variety of home made sausages and hot dogs you can sauce up with the beany good stuff.
Bonus for my laziness: they will deliver!

Soft opening is this weekend with a grand opening coming in the next couple weeks.

Enjoy!
(Just remember to bring your Beano!)

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-01-29T11:04:00.000-08:00

Now we sip champagne when we thirs-taaay....rip biggie. TGIF, time for your weekly bottomless mimosa guide!

This week's pick is truly a "finer" thing of LA: Catch @ Casa del Mar in Santa Monica. If you haven't been there before, Catch is a classy place with amazing views of the ocean/pier and swanky decor.

On Sundays, Catch has a "Bubbly Brunch", which is $29/person for a 3 course brunch + $8.99 for bottomless mimosas (or bottomless bloody marys - but honestly, how many bloody marys can one person drink).

Brunch runs from 11a-3p, and the menu features breakfast treats like lemon ricotta pancakes and country french toast as well as heartier choices - king salmon, dry aged hamburger, steak frites. There is also a dessert buffet and live entertainment. Seems like a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

And if you can still walk straight after your bottomless mimosas and the weather is nice, you can rent bikes on the boardwalk and bike between SM and Venice and stop at bars along the way (a favorite activity of ours). If you get lucky you might even find some nice puppies to adopt during your ride as well.

Have a good weekend and let the boozing begin! V & K

Me not take cookies, me eat the cookies.

2010-01-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

(That's a Cookie Monster quote for those of you not well versed in Sesame Street)

Anywaaaaaaays, this weekend there is another great event to participate in to help with relief in Haiti. On Sunday from 2-5pm, Scoops in Hollywood is hosting a bake sale, Cookies without Borders.

Everyone loves cookies and 100 percent of the money made will be donated to Doctors without Borders so there is no reason not to stop by! There will be sweets to eat from bakeries around town as well as homemade baked goods and homemade jam.

The No Cookie Left Behind organization is hosting the bake sale, you can contact them if you would like to donate baked goods or volunteer your time to help during the event.

Scoops. 712 N Heliotrope.
http://nocookieleftbehind.wordpress.com/

Whats Up in the Hood - Downtown Edition

2010-01-28T11:55:00.000-08:00

Back in the good 'ol USC days we lived Downtown... and we hated living there. There was no close grocery store, only a handful of decent bars and restaurants, and we felt so alienated from all the 'cool' people on the west side.

Since then Downtown is like a whole new world (cue flying carpet + Aladdin + Jasmine). There's a snazzy Ralphs, LALive, inhabitants other than USC & FIDM students, and tons of great restaurants and bars seem to be opening every day.

Here's the low down on a few new spots that are coming to Downtown this year (writing low-down makes me feel like a gangsta):

* FIRST & HOPE (710 W. 1st Sreet), Opening March/April 2010.
Arc Deco Styled 1940s Supper Club with Old Fashioned Drinks

* BIG WANGS DOWNTOWN (8th and Grand), Opening Soon.
Same cheezy bar as in Hollywood.

* LOFT BAR (451 S. Main Street), Opening May/June 2010.
Huge 6277 sq ft. pool hall and bar, full liquor.

* LAS PERLAS (103 E. 6th Street), Opening Mid February 2010
Tequila, Mezcal, and Mexican Cerveza Bar

* LAZY OX CANTEEN (241 S. Pedro Street), Opened Dec. 2009
Little Tokyo 'Casual Dining Spot', everything under $25, Wine/Beer.

Drink Up Downtown.

Deal Alert!

2010-01-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

A few deals to start your day off right:

* GROUPON: One dozen chocolate dipped strawberries from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, $18 (Normally $36)
Not a Groupon Member Yet? Sign up!

* BLACKBOARD EATS: Coupon code for 30% off at Provecho, 800 Wilshire Blvd (Downtown).
Valid today through Feb 27th; Maximum party size of 6; dine-in only; excludes other specials or prix fixe menus; not valid on Valentine's Day.
Not a Blackboard Eats member yet? Sign up!

* GOLDSTAR: Little Tokyo Food Tours from Six Taste, $33 (Normally $55.)
Valid Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31st. Check availability online when purchasing.
Not a Goldstar member yet? Sign up!

Gimme Some Dim Sum

2010-01-27T12:26:00.000-08:00

I’ve wanted to try the lunch specials at Joss Cuisine in Beverly Hills for some time now but I’m rarely around Beverly Hills during lunchtime. Unfortunately I’m imprisoned daily in the Pacific Palisades where food options are few and those that are good are pricey.

Well I lucked out last Friday when I was able to escape my prison by the sea (I had the day off) and FINALLY try out Joss’s lunch specials.

Here’s the scoop: Joss Cuisine has two lunch deals and here’s what they come with:

Special 1: $11, Mu Shu Crepes Plate with Dim Sum Trio:

· Soup or Salad

· Three (3) Pieces of Dim Sum

· Three Mu Shu Crepes (your choice of chicken, pork, shrimp, or veggie stuffing)

Special 2: $15, Joss’s Lunch Plate with Dim Sum Trio:

· Soup or Salad

· Five (5) Pieces of Dim Sum

· One full sized entrée of your choice

My party of three all went with the $15 option. As you can see from my expert photography the soup/salad its full-on Wonton shrimp soup or Chinese chicken salad. The dim sum was delicious (though I did miss the rad little cart I’m used to from China-Town dim sum experiences), and the main entrée was a full sized entrée.

As far as value is concerned: normally the entrees run $15 - $20 per item, the soup is normally $7.50, and I have no idea how much the dim sum is since from what I saw I believe it’s a lunch special only. Either way you are already stealing from this place by ordering this menu option.

The option we went with ended up being too much food for me – so next time I’ll go for the Mu Shu crepes special. But either way I’m coming back for some more over weekend or the next time I escape the Palisades.

Joss Cusine

9919 Santa Monica Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Hump Day Specials!

2010-01-27T11:23:00.000-08:00

Burger Bargains

TGIW? Just 2 more days left until Friday...and 6 more days left until the premiere of LOST. I know that is irrelevant to this blog but I can't wait. If you don't feel like watching the State of the Union tonight, there are some great burger and beer specials around town.

Kings Road Cafe in West Hollywood has $10 burger and beer night, where you get your choice of a regular, veggie or salmon burger + a glass of the beer on tap. Pretty good deal considering it's hard enough to find a $10 beer in West Hollywood. They also feature live music on Wednesdays. Be warned you might have to wait a bit, it is a small place and fills up quickly. Not good for large groups.

If you find yourself in Echo Park there is a $5 burger special at The Park restaurant. The Park offers a 6 oz sirloin burger or a veggie burger, no beer included sadly, but you do get a choice of a side along with your meal. For $5 that beats the Big Carl (also known as the Hot Carl haha) combo at Carl's Jr so you really can't complain.

Lastly, this isn't really a special but you can order a burger so I think it counts? Every Wednesday night at 7pm and 9pm is Bingo night at Hamburger Mary's in West Hollywood. Hosted by Bingo boy and his drag queens, so if you don't play for the other team make sure you are secure enough in your manhood to attend. $20 for ten games, all proceeds go to charity.

Kings Road Cafe. 8361 Beverly Boulevard. (323) 655.9044
The Park. 1400 Sunset Blvd. (213) 482.9209
Hamburger Mary's. 8288 Santa Monica Blvd. (323) 654.3800

Nobody Walks in LA

2010-01-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

I read about this on DailyCandy yesterday and had to make a post because I think it would be great to try. There is a company called Six Taste that is offerering walking food/booze tours of different spots in LA - most all in the Downtown locale. They take you to a number of spots, stopping for food and drink samplings along the way.

The tours take place every weekend (Fri-Sun) and range from $35 per person (for a Downtown bars tour) to $60 (for a 7-stop tour in Little Toyko). All food is included in the price and tours take around 2-3 hours.

You can also arrange for a private tour with an agenda of your choice, just need to contact them in advance to set up.

More info at http://www.sixtaste.com/

Six Taste. info@sixtaste.com. 1-888-313-0936

Taking it to the streets...

2010-01-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

LA Street Food Fest

Remember when food trucks used to be called roach coaches and were probably the last place you would want to eat? Well it seems like those days are behind us since lately there is a trendy food truck for just about every type of cuisine out there. From kimchi tacos to grilled cheese to sno cones. Given that, it was inevitable that this event would one day take place: the 1st Annual LA Street Food Fest.

The street food bonanza will take place on Saturday Feb 13 from 11a-5p. And judging by the success of last weeks street food fundraiser for Haiti, I would recommend getting there early as I could only imagine how crowded this will be.

There will be food from over 30 different food trucks, as well as a DJ..and a marketplace featuring merchandise from local designers and artics..and a craft area to make your own valentines..and a photo booth. I don't think you could ask for much more.

Details can be found at http://www.lastreetfoodfest.com/. See you there!

LA Street Food Fest. February 13. 500 S Beaudry Ave.

Reminder Post: DineLA Restaurant Week!

2010-01-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder post to get your prix fixe fix this week and next week at participating restaurants in DineLA's restaurant week!

List of restauarants can be found at http://www.dinela.com/ and you can make your reservations through http://www.opentable.com/

Arriba, Abajo....

2010-01-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

....you will end up Borracho

New Happy Hour spot! Opening today (soft opening, I believe), is a new restaurant/bar on Sunset: Borracho Cantina. It is located closer to sunset plaza, near Ketchup, in the spot formerly occupied by Tony's Steakhouse.

Borracho literally means drunk in espanol, and I am already sold on this place for that fact alone.

They have daily happy hours from 3-6pm AND a late night happy hour again from 10pm-1am. A perfect spot to grab a late bite and drink before heading out around the Sunset area. The menu sounds like a new twist on classic Mexican favorites, including pomegranate guacamole with queso fresco (how good does that sound?). And if you are in the mood to watch Mark Sanchez in all his glory this weekend, they have 10 tvs on the patio so is a good place to catch the game as well.

Borracho Cantina. 8570 W Sunset Blvd. (310) 289 8809. www.borrachocantina.com

Are you ready for some football?!

2010-01-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

So its the NFL playoffs (or superbowl, or birthday, or office party, or random weekend) and you want to have a partaaaaay to celebrate the awesomeness of your favorite team/business/birth/drinking habits. Rather than hit up the usual bar/restaurant we have an idea:

Hold a tailgate. And we don't mean the usual - pull up your pick up truck and grill in the back while listening to the football or baseball game on the radio - we're talking a totally unique tailgate involving the best tailgating vehicle known to man:

The Games2U Bus.

This bus comes fully equipped with three TVs (satellite connected) inside for video games or sports, and two TVs outside to play Wii (or to watch more sports) and a large 12ft inflatable projection screen TV for...err... watching sports. Games2U even brings a laser tag set up and a giant human hamster ball for those who can't handle standing around, drinking, playing video games, and watching sports (if you are such person we obviously could not be friends).

Now we don't want you to stop at renting just one 'vehicle of fun' - but rather go for TWO. The second vehicle being a food truck of course! We love the idea of hiring the Border Grill or Grilled Cheese Truck (or similar mobile kitchen) and then just buying a few 30-racks of beer at Ralphs. Just think - food truck on one side, video games/TVs on the other, big tub of beer/wine in the center. This is definitely party love.

Games2U fees start at $249 for the first 90 minutes, each additional hour is another $100.
Whether you charge your buddies a per person fee, or you're ever so generous and host the whole thing yourself, this is bound to be the best party you've ever had.

BONUS: If you mention FinerThingsLA when you make your reservation with Games2U LA you'll get 10% off!

Shoot them an email for reservations and more information: games2u.la@gmail.com

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-01-22T10:50:00.000-08:00

Finally, Friday. Why has this week been so long? The rain should be gone by Sunday morning so what way better to celebrate than with bottomless mimosas.

Last week we took our own advice and headed to Rockwell. The food was ridiculously good and 2 of our companions searched hopelessly for the "bottom" of bottomless mimosas, much like searching for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The bottom was found around mimosa 20-22 which coincidentally was also the time that we were kicked out for our boozy ways.

This week's mimosa spot is Taste on Melrose. Contrary to popular belief, we are not endorsed by Taste, although we have posted about them numerous times before. They just have great deals and specials almost every day of the week, amazing food, and a good atmosphere.

On Sundays, Taste is offering bottomless mimosas for $13 along with a 2 (yes, 2!) course prix fixe brunch menu. The food sounds delicious - crab cakes benedict, brioche french toast - yum.

So we will see you there this Sunday! You'll know who we are, just look for the loudest table in there.

Taste on Melrose. 8454 Melrose Ave. www.ilovetaste.com

Deals Found at the Foundry!

2010-01-21T14:20:00.000-08:00

I'll admit - we've never been to the Foundry. We've heard great things about the food there but its always been slightly out of our budgets. However, after a quick look at their website today I believe we will be making our first visit there this Sunday.

What: Suds and Song Sundays @ The Foundry on Melrose
When: Sundays, 8:30pm - 11pm (in the Lounge)
The Low Down: $2 Featured Beers + Live Music

BUT WAIT FOLKS! THAT'S NOT ALL!

The Foundry also has a few other great deals early in the week (And an extra special DineLA menu):

Mondays: Lunes Latinos
Latin inspired cocktails, Greenspan's Gorditas (3 kinds / $3 each), and Latin Jazz
8:30pm - 11:30pm every Monday (in the Lounge)

Tuesdays: Bluesy Tuesdays
Listen to the Blues while eating up Chef Greenspan’s take on Southern food - fried chicken (priced by the piece) and waffles ($4), sides of creamed corn, grits, and greens($5), Green Tomatoes ($5), Corn bread pudding ($7).
8:00pm -10:00pm every Tuesday (in the Lounge)

DineLA
While other restaurants are offering three courses for a set price for DineLA Week, The Foundry is upping the ante to offer four (4!!) courses for the same $44/per person price. The menu includes items like White Gazpacho, Beef Tenderloin, Duck Breast, and a Blood Orange Bar for Dessert (I want I want I want!)

As you know from our detailed love for the Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons - we love any place with live classy music*. A place with live swanky music and drink specials = True Love.

*Note: a DJ is not 'live music' by any stretch of the imagination... and though we really love 80's cover bands (one of us has even dreamed of having Fast Times play at our wedding...) these just don't fit in this classy equation for love.

Hope to see you at the Foundry this Sunday!!

Deal Alert!

2010-01-21T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here’s a great way to whet your palate before a delicious dinner (or long night of drinking): Vinoteque on Melrose holds a ‘Sip and Swirl’ event every Tuesday at 7pm.

The restaurant pair three wines with three appetizers – and each Tuesday is a different theme (upcoming events include Whites of the Loire Valley" on January 26, "Napa and Her Wine" on February 2, and "A Night in the North of Spain" on February 9).

Normally the cost is $20.10/per tasting (a pretty good deal on its own.) However, if you go to Groupon.com today they are selling certificates for these events for only $10! You can use the certificate any Tuesday between now and April 22nd – but the deal is ONLY AVAILABLE TODAY so hurry up and purchase!

We already told you guys about Groupon earlier in the week, but just in case you were stubborn, or stupid, and didn’t listen to us - here’s the link so you can sign up to become a member:

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu310080.

Great idea: start your night with ‘Sip and Swirl’ and continue your eating adventure with Vinoteque’s DINELA menu ($35/pp for dinner with a great line up of delicious food!)

Hump Day Special!

2010-01-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

Please Sir, Can I Have Some More?...

I know we are in the middle of the storm of the century (or so the news stations tell me, even though I only felt some drizzle this morning and it's not raining now....but I'm sure I will eat my words later), but if you feel like leaving the house tonight, head to Campanile on La Brea for their Wednesday night prix fixe "Soup Kitchen" (hence the Oliver Twist subtitle) dinner menu.

You can get a 3 course meal for $22, with soup and entree and dessert! A pretty good deal since Campanile is usually on the pricier side. They also have specialty cocktails with the menu for $7 each.

Also, Campanile is participating in DineLA week which starts next week! So make your reservations now!

Campanile. 624 S La Brea. (323) 938 1447. http://www.campanilerestaurant.com/

Eat and Drink for Haiti

2010-01-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

A few ways you can get great food and drinks while also donating to Haiti disaster relief:

FIG Restaurant (Santa Monica): Saturday, Jan 23rd. All wine proceeds will go to "Share Our Strength"
Locali (Hollywood): Sunday, Jan 31st. 11am - 4pm, LA Bake Sale for Haiti.
Isla Cantina (West Hollywood): TONIGHT, Wednesday, Jan 20th. 20% of all food and beverages sales go to the Haiti Relief efforts. The restaurant is also offering a special "Haiti Relief" cocktail where 50% of sales will be donated.
Haven Gastropub (Orange): Monday, Jan 25th. ALL proceeds to go Haiti Earthquake Relief.
Susan Feniger's STREET (Hollywood): 15% of all gift card sales go to Doctor's Without Borders.
Barbrix (Silverlake): Sunday, Jan 24th. 5pm - Closing, 10% of gross sales will go to Doctors Without Borders to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
Beach Pit BBQ (Orange County - 3 Locations): Thursday, Jan. 21st. 100% of food sales go to helping Haiti Survivors.

For a list of more restaurants donating proceeds to Haiti Relief check out the list compiled by CitySearch.

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/list/172921

Booze Cruise....er

2010-01-19T17:04:00.000-08:00

Like Spring Break!...But not!

How about if I told you that there was a way to avoid DUIs and it involved an open bar? Seriously. Booze Croozer is a glorious new alternative to taking the standard Yellow Cab. With as little as 45 minutes notice, Booze Croozer will pick you up and take you (and up to 5 of your friends), anywhere within 25 miles of Downtown.

There is an initial charge of $19.99, with an additional $0.99 for each 1/10th of a mile. And I saved the best part for last, the limos come with a fully stocked bar (vodka, whisky, rum...and even mixers!). So you can continue your preparty on the way to the bar and keep your after-party going all the way home.

Just don't blame them if you are too drunk to get into the actual bar when you finally do arrive.

http://www.boozecroozer.com/

Deal Alert!

2010-01-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a great deal at West Restaurant and Lounge in the Hotel Angeleno:

$60 worth of food/drinks for only $30!
We've never eaten at this spot before but its a lounge too - so if you're don't want to eat dinner there you can use all $60 on drinks!

The deal is available at Groupon - to sign up click here: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu310080.

You can only purchase the deal today so hurry up!!

Note: Even if you're not interested in today's deals - Groupon has great offers (a new one every day) on other food/services/events in and around Los Angeles (as well as in tons of other major cities around the country.) So its definitely worth signing up so you can take advantage of future offers.

Rain Rain Go Away

2010-01-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

Angelenos are wimps in the rain. No one wants to go out in the scary rain (oooh nooo we're melllltinggg) - let alone drive in it with all the crazy rain-challenged drivers.

In response to this rain-aversion restaurants seem to be boosting the happy hour deals this week in order to lure you out of your warm and dry apartment. But no, you wont do it! You're hair will get matted down walking to the car, the hems of your pants will be wet, it will just be terrible!

What the next best solution? Make someone else brave the weather and order in!

Here's a few of our favorite restaurants that deliver in the Mid-City West/ West Hollywood area:

* Wokano (8408 W. Third Street, Los Angeles / 323.951.1122)
Sushi is good, but we also love their pan fried gyoza and their Chinese Chicken Salad has a great Ginger dressing.
Additional Locations in Burbank, Pasadena, Downtown, Santa Monica, & Long Beach

* Urth Caffe (8565 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood / 310.659.0628)
We love the original Urth Salad and on Wednesdays they have a delicious Tortilla Soup
Additional Locations in Beverly Hills, Downtown, and Santa Monica

* Tomato Pie Pizza Joint (7751 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles / 323.653.9993)
You MUST order the 'Grandma' - it was ranked as the 7th best pizza in the NATION by GQ last year
Additional Location in Silver Lake

* Joan's on Third (8350 W. Third Street, Los Angeles / 323.655.2285)
There are so many good sandwiches and salads here! We usually go for the three salad combo with the Corn & Black Bean Salad, Szechuan Green Beans (mmmm!), and Taragon Chicken Salad.

* Bossa Nova (685 N. Roberston Blvd., West Hollywood / 310.657.5070)
A change of pace form the typical delivery options - Brazilian Food! The grilled chicken and steak are great and come with plantains on the side (yummy). Plus you can place your order online.
Additional Locations in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and West LA

* Talesai (9043 W. Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood / 310.275.9724)
Great Thai food that's flavorful without being too heavy.
Additional Location (Cafe Talesai) in Beverly Hills

Note: Make sure you tip well! Some poor sap had to get soaking wet just so your lazy self could fill your belly!

Dudes Love Hot Chicks

2010-01-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

Guys love them some chicken wings.

As one male friend of ours said ‘there’s something manly about leaving a pile of bones behind when you eat.’ And as we learned last night – give a man chicken wings from any vendor (Hooters not required) and within a minute his face and fingers will be glistening with the beautiful red sheen of hot sauce.

Last night at the begging and pleading of our male companions – we agreed to go out for wings. But rather than force ourselves into a self-esteem killing environment of orange booty-shorts and fake boobs we decided to try someplace new:

The spot: Hot Wings Cafe / 7011 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles

Long story short – regular beers are $3.50/ea, nicer beers $5/ea and after ordering nearly 50 chicken wings (split between five of us) we were only out $6.00/ea for food.

End of story: great deal to keep men happy. Plus there are TVs on every wall, service was speedy, and we saw some D+ celebrity from the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Done deal – see you there next week for football playoffs.

Let them eat cake!

2010-01-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

What: All you can eat bundt cake tasting event
Where: Kiss My Bundt, 8104 W. Third Street
When: Tomorrow, Saturday Jan. 16th, 8pm - 10:30pm
How Much: $10 for all the bundt cake, coffee, and wine you can cram into your pie (cake) hole.

We find that when you are intoxicated - you crave food. If you have some aperitifs before heading over here you can probably clean up like a Biggest Loser contestant a Home Town Buffet.
(By the way - did anyone watch BL this week? They may be terrible for you but those nachos and Crunchwrap-Supremes looked like delicious 4th meal worthy food - Jillian is crazy.)

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

2010-01-15T11:51:00.000-08:00

TGIF, we have made it through another week! Although nursing a hangover is making it difficult for me to even think about a mimosa, let alone BOTTOMLESS mimosas, I must go on.

This week's bottomless mimosa pick is Rockwell in Silverlake....for the hipster in all of us. Make sure to wear plaid or the waiter will spit in your food. On Sundays they have "Rehab Brunch" from 10a-3p, with bottomless mimosas for $15/person with purchase of an entree. And the food here sounds amazing (lemon ricotta pancakes, creme brulee french toast...yum!).

The Rockwell is located in the back of the Vermont restaurant, and is open air and the perfect place to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning. There is a tree in the middle of the bar which is kind of cool. And they have a DJ as well, which is an added plus.

It is also a good place to check out for Happy Hour, weekdays from 5-8p and a Saturday happy hour from 4-6p.

Rockwell VT, 1714 N Vermont Ave. www.rockwellvt.com

Ichi Ni Son...

2010-01-14T14:24:00.000-08:00

Sake Sake Bomb!

I am a little hesitant posting this, but only because I love this place and seeing as there is already a long wait for tables, I'd rather not be forced to wait any longer by letting all of you in on this spot.

If you like sushi and more importantly if you love sake, then Hara's sushi place on the Westside is a must-go. Hara's has a daily happy hour from 4:30-9:30 (so you are not rushing to get there by 6 or 7 like most happy hour spots), during which the sushi and all sake and beer are half off; and since their booze prices are already cheap to begin with, during happy hour they are practically giving it away. The sushi is good as well, it's no Katsuya but for the price you can't beat it.

Just be warned, the place is tiny and the tables are packed right next to each other. So if your group indulges in a little too much sake you might be getting dirty looks from the table seated 2 inches away (which happens to us frequently - but seriously, who comes there to eat a quiet sushi dinner when you can get sake for pennies??)

And another tip, the place is always crowded, and they do not take reservations, so I would recommend getting their early or dropping a friend off to put your name on the board. The waiter that mans the seating board is not easily bribed as we have found from experience. And try not to arrive with too large of a group or you will never be seated.

Hara Sushi. 12222 Wilshire. http://www.harasushi.com/

Expensive... But Worth It

2010-01-14T12:12:00.000-08:00

This is in no way a ‘deal alert’. This place is expensive (i.e. the $12/beer, $19/martini kind of expensive…) However, if you limit yourself to one drink, or you toss a few back at home before you head here, this place is definitely worth the money.

The Place: Four Seasons Beverly Hills (300 S. Doheny Dr.)

The Time: Thursday – Sunday nights in the Windows Lounge.

The Reasoning: There’s a live band and they are great. The lead singer rotates throughout the weekend but the guy who is there Thursday nights (tonight!), who also plays guitar, is amazing.

You feel swank as soon as you arrive here – a great high-end lounge feel. And you really never know who will be in the crowd on any given night. One night we had a friend buddy-ing it up with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Stanley Tucci, another time we made friends with an exec from William Morris, and last year we watched James Brown’s son cut a rug to the band’s rendition of ‘It’s a Man’s World’ (We highly recommend you request they sing this – its their best number).

And the snacks must be mentioned – not beer nuts – but when you order a drink you’ll get a selection of snacks: fried snap peas, sesame snack mix, and terra chips. The waiters recognize us at this point and usually fill our trays with just the snap peas – our favorite by far. (Wow we sound like cheap dorks getting excited over bar snacks...)

We’ve taken friends, parents, and dates here before for after dinner drinks and just about everyone has had a great time. So have a few glasses of wine at dinner then head over here for your $12 Stella… you will not regret it.

(Warning: consuming copious amounts of alcohol before you arrive at the Four Seasons may impair your judgment and result in the purchasing of multiple $15 rounds of booze… don’t say we didn’t warn you…)

Happy Hour Alert

2010-01-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

4 - 5 - 6 Happy Hour at Susan Feniger’s STREET

Here’s the deal: STREET’s entire menu is based on street food from around the world and normally its pretty pricey. However from 4-7pm, Monday – Saturday, you can try selected items from the main menu for just $5 per plate. Each plate is small but they are meant as tastings (i.e. three hors d' oeuvres sized pepper poppers per plate…) A selected menu of drinks also comes at $5/glass.

The offer is only valid at the bar though so make sure you can grab a stool.

From our experience last night the place is pretty empty until around 7:30pm so grabbing three bar stools during Happy Hour was no problem. We shared all five of the menu items (Chile feta poppers – delicious, Kobe beef chili dogs – delicious, Shishito peppers – bland, Brazilian acaraje fritters – good, Burmese lettuce wraps – delicious) and we each had a few drinks. The drink options included a Gin Rickey, a ginger/lime/vodka drink, a rum based drink, and a red and white wine option (I had the red – it was great).

We definitely recommend checking this place out for Happy Hour if you want to try STREET without spending next week’s pay check. However – avoid the valet, its $8+tip, which is the equivalent of two delicious chili dogs…

Susan Feniger’s STREET

742 N. Highland (Just above Melrose)

Los Angeles, CA 90038

323-203-0500

Quick Note on Melgard Public House

2010-01-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

Just a quick tidbit:

Following up on yesterday's note about new bars opening up in the area - Melgard Public House (7505 Melrose) has announced (via Urban Daddy) they will be holding a soft opening this Saturday.

They will be offering free food (pizza, maybe burgers too...) but no beer or wine until their license transfers over next week. There will be an outside patio opening up too in a couple weeks (construction not quite complete yet).

If you're cool with just free food head over Saturday - otherwise we'd recommend waiting a couple weeks until you can get the full food/booze/patio experience.

Kiss the Cook

2010-01-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to learn how to cook, then you must must attend the cooking classes at Sur La Table at the Grove. They are the best.....around! (Karate Kid reference).

Sur La Table has classes most every day of the week, usually at 6:30pm, and for those of us fortunate enough to not be slaving away at a desk all day, they also hold mid-day classes at 1pm.

They have a wide variety of classes ranging from simple tasks such as "Cooking 101: How to Boil Water" (I mean, really?) to more exciting classes like "Bon Appetit: India, dish by dish" (Is that considered a shameless plug since I am Indian? I wasn't sure).

Class sizes are fairly small and they get filled up pretty quickly so check out the website in advance if you want to make a reservation to attend a class. You can also call them to plan a private cooking class or group event, where you have the option to pick your own menu.

Sur La Table, @ the Farmers Market on 3rd and Fairfax. (323) 954 0121 http://www.surlatable.com/

Happy Hour Alert

2010-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Do the Humpty Hump...

I'm pretty sure this would be Wednesday's favorite song were the day to have emotions and a personality and what not... and if Wednesday had a favorite thing to do in the evening it would be to enjoy happy hour deals.

In honor of Wednesday/Hump Day Taste on Melrose is offering Happy Hour specials all day long. Specials include $3 Beers, $4 Wells & Wine, $6 Speciality Cocktails, and a limited menu of food items for $4-$5 (pizettes, mac n' cheese, calamari, shrimp...)

Normally their Happy Hour is a measly two hours, just 4pm - 6pm, which is impossible to make it to unless you work in WeHo (we don't) and have a cushy job that actually lets you leave at 5pm (we don't).

With an all day Happy Hour it might be one of those days you call in sick from work and enjoy this rainy LA day on the Taste patio, sipping discounted cocktails and nibbling on discounted mac n' cheese (its delicious there).

Enjoy & good luck in surviving the last 50% of your work week!

.

Coming Attractions

2010-01-12T10:27:00.000-08:00

Just last year we were talking amongst our friends, nursing our hangovers from the day before over brunch, WISHING there were more nice sports/beer bars in Los Angeles. At the time it seemed all LA was good for was Clubs/Lounges and sleazy bars (not that we don't love spots like Backstage Culver City - karaoke, drinks, Seahawks fans - what's not to love?).

Now it seems nice sports bars and burger/beer joints are popping up everywhere around our LA neighborhood. If only we had the foresight, and funds, to open our own! With our expertise in booze and fun times we'd be gazillionaires if we owned a bar...

Here's a few new spots opening in the next couple months you should keep your eyes out for:

* Melgard Public House (7505 Melrose Ave.) - Opening next week in former Louise's Trattoria Spot. Easy American food, tons of beers on tap, and lots of flat screen TVs (From the guy who owns 3rd Stop and 1739 Public House)

* The Surly Goat (7929 Santa Monica Blvd) - Opening soon. Main focus of the Surly Goat will be craft beers - and tons of them. (From the guy who started BoHo and Bar Delux, was expected to open in 2009 but, accordingly to EaterLA, ran into liquor license problems....)

* Name TBD - LAist reports a new Gastropub is expected to open just north of Golden State on Fairfax in a few months. More details to come...

* Locals Sports Bar & Grill (5047 W. Pico) - Just Opened! TVs, Beer/Wine/Liquor, 'Fresh' Bar Food (Whatever that means...)

* Capitol City (1615 Cahuenga) - Opened Sept. 2009 in former Goa spot. Lots of TVs, 60 Beers on Tap + Wine + Full Liqour, Two Stories, and Dance Floor/DJ Set up at back outside patio.

.

Pan e Vino on the Cheapo

2010-01-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

Deal Alert!!

Restaurants.com is offering gift certificates for dinner at Pan E Vino on Beverly Blvd. at a serious discount: $25 worth of food for $10!

Italian food is good but I love me some wine too (just ask my friend Peter who once watched me enjoy a few glasses / plastic cups of Chardonnay at Booomers Family Fun Center)... so it couldn't get better than wine and Italian food at 60% off. (Cue salivating Homer Simpson expression).

Here's the link so you can grab some cheap(er) eats: http://www.restaurant.com/microsite.asp?rid=354485&mcn=00057537

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days...

2010-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

I don't care if Monday's blue, Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too..

Just because it's Monday doesn't mean the weekend has to end, to keep your drinking binge going, here is our round-up of drink/food specials to last you through the week:

Monday:

Taste on Melrose (West Hollywood): 1/2 off bottles of wine
Nic's (Beverly Hills): $7 Appetizers & Martinis, $21 Three Course Menu
Citizen Smith (Hollywood): Half off food and drinks, 6pm-midnight
Malo (Silverlake): $1 Tacos (Thanks Harry!)
Kitchen24 (Hollywood): $3 Beers, $5 Cocktail, $5 Apps, 3PM - 11PM

Tuesday:

Taco Tuesday!...the choices are endless but here are some highlights:

The Spanish Kitchen (West Hollywood): $2 tacos
Marix (West Hollywood): $7.95 all you can eat tacos + Margarita Madness from 4-7pm
El Toro Cantina (next to Busby's East - Mid Wilshire): $1 tacos
Cabo Cantina (either Sunset or Wilshire on the westside): $5 all you can eat tacos
Kay & Dave's (Pico/Overland, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, Brentwood): $1 Tacos + Happy Hour Drink Specials (i.e. $1 Margaritas) from 4-7pm.

Cha Cha Lounge (Silverlake): if you don't like tacos or enjoy hipsters, the Cha Cha lounge has $1.50 PBR all night on Tues

Wednesday:

Bodega Wine Bar (Santa Monica): Wine Caraffe Night, regular carafes $15, premium $21
The Edison (Downtown): $4 drinks
Big Wangs (Hollywood): $0.25 chicken wings and $2.50 beer (chosen by the bartenders), 4pm to close

Thursday:

The Edison (Downtown): The Edison strikes again! $0.35 cent martinis, 5-7pm
Lola's (West Hollywood): Late night happy hour special, $5 martinis 10:30pm-12:30pm

So if you didn't have a reason to drink every night before, you should now, hope this makes your week a little more bearable.

Wine & Dine... At the Mall?

2010-01-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Last night we discovered a great way to wine and dine - at Westfield Century City!

Yes - the mall.

But before you judge too quickly, get this: the mall has a great food court will REAL food options (Lawry's, Gulen's Mediterranean, Take a Bao, Etc...) so everyone in your party can get the kind of food they want and reconvene to grub. There's no awkward splitting of the bill, no debating over what type of food everyone wants, no worries that its going to cost a fortune.

Once you've gotten your food fix head over the Ummba Grill - where you can order drinks on the malls' rooftop patio, chill in the comfortable outdoor sofas, and on certain nights - listen to live music. We just chilled at Ummba with a few glasses of wine until midnight last night. Better than your average bar its not incredibly loud so you can actually hold a conversation without sounding like a 60-year-old Reno cocktail waitress the next morning.

Just a word to the wise - if the night gets away from you and you realize you've been at the mall for four hours (like we did), find a place to validate your parking. Century City gives 3 free hours - but after that the price jumps up to $7 for your next 30 minutes, and $2 for each 15 minutes after that. Ouch!

Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90067

A Great Way to Get Fat

2010-01-10T10:45:00.000-08:00

The Great 'Cupcake Challenge' is coming to Hollywood!

Similar to the Pinot Noir event mentioned last week - this event involves tons of bakeries meeting up to face off in a mini-cupcake cook off/frost off. Best part - they are asking the public to help them judge on the best cupcakes out there.

Tickets are $40 and available online. The event will be held at the Renaissance hotel in Hollywood.

There is no mention of how many cupcakes you will actually get to taste - but our guess is: it's definitely enough to make you swear off cupcakes for the rest of the month. And unlike the wine tasting - at least you won't be hungover from this intake of excess!

Happy Hour Alert

2010-01-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note before you head out for the weekend,

8oz Burger Bar announced yesterday on Twitter they have a new 2010 Special: Happy Hour Every Day (10pm - Close). Tonight being Friday they should be open until around 2am.

Happy hour specials include discounted beer, wine, and cocktails as well as a limited happy hour food menu. Happy Hour is served only at the bar though so take time to practice your lurking skills so you can score a seat.

80z Burger Bar

7661 Melrose Avenue

323.852.0008

www.8ozburgerbar.com

Easy Like Sunday Morning

2010-01-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

TGIF. I can't even tell you how long I have wanted to write a blog dedicated to bottomless mimosas. A really really really long time. Although most of my mimosa adventures end in me blacking out by mid day (USC Homecoming 2009), there is nothing else that brings me greater joy on a Sunday morning.

Every Friday starting today, we will post a new restaurant to get your bottomless mimosa fix. And the inaugural post is dedicated to one of the best: The Warehouse in Marina Del Rey. If you have never been to the Warehouse, get your best Gilligan's Island outfit on and get there stat. I'm not kidding on the Gilligan's Island.

Not only do they have bottomless mimosas, but their FOOD is bottomless as well. All you can eat breakfast and lunch buffet - with an omlet station! -all for $29!! Which is less than the cost of the Ydrive adventure you will most likely embark on after consuming copious amounts of champange at brunch.

The Warehouse: 4499 Admiralty Way. (310) 823 5451. http://www.thewarehousemdr.com/

Take Me Home Tonight

2010-01-07T09:17:00.000-08:00

Experiencing 'Operator Error' after a night of drinking? Don't want to leave your car at a meter over night, but also don't want to find yourself in a jail cell?

Call Y-Drive.

For $38 bucks these guys will meet you at your car, fold up the little scooter they arrived on, and drive you home in your own vehicle. Then they'll depart your residence in the same manner they came - on that awesome little scooter. And better than a cab - they accept all major credit cards and cash.

The drivers are usually posted up at one main location (just look for the guys in the silver jackets) but they will also come pick you up if you give them a call.

It’s already a great deal (less than a parking ticket, similar to a cab fare) but if you're Downtown and need to get to Westwood (or some similar lengthy distance) this is the deal of the century - not to mention the $10k you will save in lawyer’s fees from avoiding that DUI.

Follow YDrive on twitter to see where they will be based each night: http://twitter.com/ydriveLA

Or Check out their website to give them a call and schedule a pick up:

http://www.ydrivela.com/

Prix Fix Heaven

2010-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

DineLA Restaurant Week is just around the corner, it is one of my favorite foodie activities in LA. I can try all the restaurants I have wanted to go to without breaking the bank or whoring myself out to some sugar daddy.

Most all of the hot restaurants in LA participate in restaurant week (which is actually 2 weeks long), and offer prix fix meals for lunch and dinner. There are 3 tiers of dining that all the restaurants are divided into, with lunch menus ranging from $16 to $28 and dinner menus from $26-$44.

For the prix fixe price you can enjoy a 3-4 course meal at any of the participating restaurants. The only downside is booze is not included :(

Dates are Jan 24-29 and Jan 31-Feb 5. More info on www.dinela.com/restaurantweek

Grease and Grapes

2010-01-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

Yet another wine tasting option (more expensive, fewer wines to taste, BUT it involves In-N-Out Burgers):

Ian Blackburn - the owner of LearnAboutWine.com is holding 'Burger+Wine Blind Dates' starting this month. This Friday (1/8) he's featuring 20 different Merlots to try - and to compliment them he's serving In-N-Out Burgers... you know... so you can experience all the wonderful flavors and all that jazz.

On the 15th he features Zinfandel + Burgers.

We've have never heard of Loft 218 (the map looks like its somewhere north east of downtown) - but again I'd assume cab required. Attendance is $69 and reservations can be made online.

http://www.learnaboutwine.com/

For the Lush in All of Us

2010-01-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

We enjoy wine. We enjoy drinking wine in unhealthy quantities (you know - more than the 'healthy' one glass a night).

Perfect Event: Pinot Noir Day

January 17th, 1pm - 5pm

Santa Monica Barker Hanger

Its $50 bucks but you get to try 200 samples of wine... you better take a cab home.

http://www.pinotdays.com/

Finer Things : LA

WE HAVE MOVED!

Happy Hour Pre-Game

High End Happy Hour

Come Join Us!

I'll Have One of Everything!

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

More Oscar Parties for Common-Folk

ONE DOLLAR WINE!!!

Drinking with Oscar

Hump Day Steak Special!

Our Addiction: Burgers & Beers

Monday Dollar Dogs!

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

Prix Fixe Fix!

Classy Cocktails

Cork Me!

Slow Loves Hot Dogs

Surviving Saturday & Sunday Mornings

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

We Put the 'ASS' in Class

"Where everybody knows your name"

A Tip for Date Night

VandK’s Sausage-Fest Adventure at Big Wangs

Fat Tuesday = Sick Day Wednesday

Get Drunk Like Gee-Dub

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

SAVE MONEY MONEY SAVE MONEY MONEY

Food Truck Lot Launches Today!

Seriously Good Cheap Eats.

Life is too Short to Drink Bad Wine

Burger Bargain

LaDiDaDi We Likes to Party

VDAY Dining Options Under $50/ Per Person

Monday Night Specials!

That's just how we roll...

Vegas, Baby, Vegas

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

Not classy - But It'll Get Ya Fat

Post Super Bowl Munchies..

Calling All Winos

More Super Bowl Specials!

Celebrating S.A.D.?

Hump Day Happy Hour!

Peet's Coffee: Buy One Get One Free

Valentine's Day Brunch

Super Bowl: Super Specials

$4.99 Pitchers - 'Nuf Said

Just another manic Monday..

If ya wanna get laid…

Beans Beans the Musical Fruit...

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

Me not *take* cookies, me *eat* the cookies.

Whats Up in the Hood - Downtown Edition

Deal Alert!

Gimme Some Dim Sum

Hump Day Specials!

Nobody Walks in LA

Taking it to the streets...

Reminder Post: DineLA Restaurant Week!

Arriba, Abajo....

Are you ready for some football?!

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

Deals Found at the Foundry!

Deal Alert!

Hump Day Special!

Eat and Drink for Haiti

Booze Cruise....er

Deal Alert!

Rain Rain Go Away

Dudes Love Hot Chicks

Let them eat cake!

Friday Feature: Bottomless Mimosa Guide

Ichi Ni Son...

Expensive... But Worth It

Happy Hour Alert

Quick Note on Melgard Public House

Kiss the Cook

Happy Hour Alert

Coming Attractions

Me not take cookies, me eat the cookies.