Treasure LA

I’m leaving shortly for San Diego for four nights. Why? Comic-Con, of course! This is my first time at the mega-convention, and I’m excited about all of the people watching. Here’s a list of things worth checking out if you are staying in town.

Thursday-Saturday: For the Record- Coen Brothers

After tackling Baz Luhrmann, Show at Barre is tackling the music of Coen Brothers films with their supper club cabaret. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and a unique 360-degree theatre experience that features songs and scenes from O Brother Where Art Thou, The Big Lebowski, Fargo and more. Tickets are $25 (food and drink extra) and it runs through September 24th. Read LAists glowing review of their Baz Luhrmann production.

Show at Barre
1714 N Vermont
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Sunday: Sushi Roku Hollywood All-Night Happy Hour

Sushi Roku Hollywood launched a new weekly All-Night Happy Hour this past Sunday featuring new and classic menu items, cocktails, beer, wine and sake all for under $6. Menu items include new signature dishes such as Albacore Tacos “Roku” Style with Yuzu Guacamole ($5); Sushi Roku classics like Hanabi with Spicy Tuna or Yellowtail with Diced Chiles ($5); Miso Eggplant Dangaku ($5); and more. The Happy Hour menu also features sake, select wine and beer, and cocktails such as the Fuju Apple Martini ($5).

Sushi Roku Hollywood
8445 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Sundays 5-11 pm

Sunday: GLAAD Hancock Park: Top Chef Invasion

This Sunday, you have the opportunity to support a great organization and eat delicious food while rubbing elbows with some of your favorite Top Chefs (and housewives?).  This event features Top Chefs Antonio Lofaso, Fabio Viviani, and Jamie Lauren, as well as Lisa Vanderpump (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills). Other celebs include Chef Susan Feniger (!), Dustin Lance Black (!!!), and Shonda Rhimes (Creator of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice).

Restaurants offering delicious bites include: Border Grill, Comme Ca, Dominick’s, Little Next Door, Michael’s Restaurant/Calivirgin, Paul’s Kitchen, Ray’s and Stark Bar, Simon I L.A., and Barefoot Wine.

General Admission tickets are $100 and Platinum Level tickets are $150 that include access to the Corporate/Talent lounge, and a Judging Entry for the Chef Challenge. All proceeds benefit the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), a national non-profit based in LA that works to promote culture changing stories of the LGBT community to Americans through the media.

Wednesday, July 27: Royal/T’s Chocolate Party 

Fortunately, I’ll be back in LA for this event, so you’ll probably see me here. I’ve very recently warmed up to anime, and was bummed that I didn’t find time to visit a maid cafe while in Japan. Here are the details about what sounds like a tasty and informative event:

As part of Royal/T’s “Japanology” series, a screening of Hamana Takayuki Suzuki’s 2009 anime film—Chocolate Underground—casts the story of chocolate lovers in a futuristic dystopia with a “Chocolate Prohibition Law.” Royal/T’s Japanese “cosplay” maid café will serve a special chocolate menu, and UCLA Lecturer Jordan A. Yamaji Smith will lead a discussion on “Bittersweet Decadence: A Political History of Chocolate” that will trace the history of chocolate in Japan from 18^th century Nagasaki prostitutes and post-WWII street urchins to modern-day “White Day” decadence. Lecture starts at 7 p.m., and film screening starts at 7:30 p.m.  The event will also feature a “Truffle Raffle” from local boutique chocolatiers for charity.

Royal/T
8910 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.559.6300

After a two week vacation in Japan, I’m excited to get back to writing and taking advantage of the many events that are always taking place in LA. While I plan to brave traffic for a couple of these events, I’m looking forward to catching up with friends, cooking, watching more of the final season of Friday Night Lights, and going through my 12 GB of Japan pictures (expect a few posts next week). While this “Carmageddon” thing is inconvenient, I am looking forward to a weekend close to home.

Friday-Sunday: Carmageddon Specials

I’m going to try to avoid mentioning “Carmageddon” as much as possible this weekend, but you should take advantage of the 405 closure by saving money on food and drinks at a variety of LA restaurants. Check out Finer Things LA for a comprehensive list.

Friday-Sunday: Independent Shakespeare Co. at Griffith Park

I’ve enjoyed Shakespeare performances courtesy of the Independent Shakespeare Company for a couple of years now. They are free and never disappoint. Pack a picnic, bring along a blanket, dress warmly, and head over to Griffith Park Friday and Saturday at 7 pm for Hamlet, or The Merry Wives of Windsor Sunday at 7 pm.

Griffith Park Old Zoo
Nearby 4730 Crystal Springs Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Saturday and Sunday: Eat Real Fest in Culver City

Taking place in my hood, I have no excuse to miss this free festival taking place at the Helm’s Bakery District. Expect lots of local bands, food skill demos, gardening tips, and lots of vendors selling food and drinks for $5 and below. If you are worried about traffic, here are tips for getting there.

8800 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90034

Saturday: 10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m
Sunday 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m

Free entry. All transactions cash only.

Saturday: ColLAboration Beer Garden

I’ve heard great things about all of ColLAboration’s events. For the next two Saturday’s, you can enjoy craft beer with fellow beer enthusiasts on the Sunset Strip. If you purchase a custom membership glass ahead of time for $10, you can enjoy beers for only $5-6 at this and all future events. Read about one of Savory Hunter’s ColLAboration’s experiences here.

Saturday: Marina Music Adventure at Vu Restaurant

Looking for a way to impress a date or an easy way to remind your significant other that you can still be romantic? Vu has you covered. The beautiful view at Vu restaurant in Marina Del Rey is sure to impress any night of the week (or even for brunch, as I wrote about in April). Taking advantage of our beautiful California summers, Vu is making it even easier to plan an impressive night out. For $85 per couple, you can take part of the “Marina Music Adventure” every Thursday and Saturday night through Aug. 27.

The package includes:

• Complimentary Parking at Jamaica Bay Inn
• Pre-concert dinner “Taste of Vu” menu for two beginning with a cheese and charcuterie plate, a selection of five small plates for sharing and Two desserts along with coffee and tea that can be served before or after the concert
• Roundtrip water taxi tickets transporting guests between the restaurant and Burton Chase Park
• Burton Chace Concert Series – performances this summer will include Frankie Avalon, Oleta Adams, Tito Puente, Jr. Orchestra and Aimee Mann among others

Marina Music Adventure is every Thursday & Saturday night through Aug. 27
Concert begins at 7 pm
14160 Palawan Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Saturday: Tea Time  with Thomson

Tea Time with Thomson

Comedy served with a side of therapy. One of the most memorable comedy sets I’ve seen in LA was by up-and-comer Heather Thomson. This Saturday at the Hollywood Improv, she is hosting her second “Tea Time with Thomson” where she promises to ”put the Fun in Depression!”

She will be leading a conversation about mental health with sidekick Cornell Reid.
This week’s guests include personal favorite Eddie Pepitone, Robert Yasumura, and Maria Bamford.

Hollywood Improv Lab
8162 Melrose Ave, LA
$6 at the door, show at 8:30 pm

Saturday: Watch “Mafioso” over Dinner at Bulgarini Gelato

Enjoy some of the best gelato in Los Angeles while watching a foreign film for free every Saturday. This Saturday, the film is Mafioso: “When a good-natured factory supervisor living in Milan with his Northern wife returns to his native Sicily, a decades’ old oath forces him to fulfill a nightmarish obligation.” Dinner will be offered – by reservation only – for $13.00, which will include a pasta dish, salad and a drink. Reservations may be made by Friday (the day before the film) by email at catering@bulgarinigelato.com or by calling (626) 791-6174. Dinner will be served at 7:30pmThe film will begin when it gets dark.

Free Film at Bulgarini Gelato

Bulgarini Gelato
749 E. Altadena Dr.
Altadena, Ca. 91001

Sunday: Bastille Day Festival

Forgot to celebrate Bastille Day on Thursday? Fortunately, it’s not too late to get a taste of French culture in Los Angeles. At Elysian Park next to Dodger Stadium, $5 gets you access to live entertainment and food for sale.

Entertainment includes:

• A true Provencal Petanque Tournament under the pine trees
• A Parisian Waiters Race
• Street performers, comedians, singers, artists
• French Market vendors
• Famous French food, wines and gastronomic delights

Elysian Park – Monticello Old Lodge
Noon – 9PM

Sunday: Katana’s 6th Annual Red Sun BBQ

Red Sun BBQ on Katana's Patio

If you’ve spent some time on the Sunset Strip, you’ve probably noticed Katana’s impressive patio. Every Sunday this summer, you can enjoy Katana’s patio and save a few bucks with food and drink specials during their Red Sun BBQ promotion. You can get drinks such as the sake sangria for $6, or sweet summer drinks like the Watermelon Margarita or Blueberry Smash for only $8 each.

Katana Presents Beautiful Plates

In addition to drink specials, you can enjoy beautiful plates of Japanese cooking. Enjoy sushi specials, grilled American Kobe beef and crab legs cooked at the table, and plenty of other options chosen for Red Sun BBQ or order off the dinner menu. It’s the Sunset Strip, so you’ll get to enjoy the whole “seeing and being seen” with a young, attractive clientele.

Katana
8439 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
Sundays  through Sept. 4, from 5 pm – 11:30 pm

Wednesday, July 20: Downtown Culver City Third Wednesdays

Grab a group of friends, map out your route, and enjoy discounts and freebies in downtown Culver City. The specials change every month, and this month’s is looking slightly better than usual. City Tavern, MOKO, Royal/T, Ford’s Filling Station, Honey Kettle, Fraiche, Tender Greens, Native Foods, Akasha, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre are all participating. 

Thursday, July 21: Grouplove & Milo Greene at Hammer Museum

Buzzworthy LA rock band Grouplove is playing a free show in Westwood at the Hammer Museum. I miss the good ol’ days when Indie 103.1 put on this series at the Hammer, but KCRW and Buzz Bands LA has been doing a great job taking over the defunct station. I’ve been enjoying Grouplove’s EP for awhile now, and highly recommend this free show with “LA pop qunitet” Milo Greene and KCRW DJ Eric J. Lawrence.