Weekend Docket: 10/29/10

It'd be impossible to track every crazy party happening this weekend, so I'll just stick with some of the highlights. 

As for me?  I'll make you a list.  Because I do love those lists!

1. bottle o vodka w/ ms. shenanigans to start off our weekend of machinations.
2. $3 shots for charity
3. party at the shelf, assuming I survive #2.
4. sad
5. happy
6. liquor treating with the neighborhoodies
7. party in the hills
8. brentwood when #7 fails to provide adequate shenanigans
9. brunch
10. batman & robin team up to fight crime
11. parade
12. death by weekend of partying.

All Weekend

Long Beach Comic-Con
Friday - Sunday
If there’s one place that costumed freaks and geeked out nerds can find solace among their own kind, its a comic book festival.  Add a dose of Halloween festivities and the results might become explosive. If you dare, take you chances at Long Beach’s Comic Con (LBCC) all weekend long! http://www.longbeachcomiccon.com

Fangtasia @ Rush Street
Friday & Saturday
For two nights over in Culver City, Rush Street is transforming into a brand-new watering hole. Welcome to Fangtasia, aka the Shreveport, Louisiana, vampire bar in True Blood. Your favorite bartendress will be dressed as Sookie Stackhouse, and you might see a scantily clad vampire or two biting the stripper pole upstairs. 9pm-2am, no cover, Rush Street, 9546 Washington Blvd, 310-837-9546 http://www.rushstreetculvercity.com/

Halloween Carnival @ Villains Tavern
Friday & Saturday
This weekend’s other two-night party is at Downtown’s newest saloon―and it’s so big, it’s spilling over into a circus tent in the parking lot. Your night(s) will be a crazy swirl of freak shows, tarot cards, live jazz, fire tricks and $3 cans of beer dressed in a brown bag. 7pm-2am, no cover, Villains Tavern, 1356 Palmetto St, 213-613-0766 http://www.villainstavern.com/

Halloween Pub Crawl in Hollywood
Saturday & Sunday
A 2-day pub crawl around Hollywood where you hit up 20 bars and score drink deals like 2-for-1 drinks and $2 draft beers. The crawl starts off at the Pig and Whistle where you check in and get your map and pub crawl paraphernalia. Target bars include The Well, Big Wangs and Citizen Smith. Noon-11pm. $15-$20. Starts at: Pig N Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood http://www.pubcrawls.com/halloween-pub-crawl-hollywood.php

Saturday, 10/30

Halloween Bash @ Les Deux
8pm ~ 2am
Among the stilt-walkers towering over Saturday’s Halloween bash at Les Deux, you’ll find one of your favorite mixologists Aidan Demarest dressed as the ringmaster—and a few of his favorite mixologists from across the country (plus London) serving crazy drinks throughout. Try the Ghoulia Child, with vodka and lavender-hibiscus syrup. 8pm-2am, $10, 1638 N Las Palmas Ave http://www.dolcegroup.com/

Outdoor Cinema Food Fest: Zombieland
5:30pm
If you like watching scary movies, this outdoor cinema will screen Zombieland in the Cornfields near Chinatown. Experience the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest featuring the best food trucks in Los Angeles.  It's the ultimate picnic in the park - no basket required!  Kick back and enjoy your gourmet street food in a beautiful park under the stars. $8 tickets. 1745 N. Spring Street www.outdoorcinemafoodfest.com

Sunday, 10/31

West Hollywood Halloween Carnival
7pm
Nearly half a million Halloween revelers will descend on Santa Monica Blvd. on October 31, 2010, for the 23rd annual West Hollywood Halloween Costume Carnaval, once again comprising the largest Halloween celebration in the world. Arriving in time for Halloween, The Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary is coming to the Carnaval for a very special one-off engagement. One of the stages of the event will be devoted to performances honoring this legendary cult film throughout the night. Another main stage, Club 25, will feature house band Tranzkontinental, the Wandering Marionettes, aerialists The Birds and a rock & roll strip show. In addition to the two main stages, four smaller stages will feature DJs, graffiti artists, voguers and go-go dancers. http://www.westhollywoodhalloween.com

Outdoor Cinema Food Fest: The Shining
5:30pm
In case you missed Zombieland on Saturday... Experience the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest featuring the best food trucks in Los Angeles.  It's the ultimate picnic in the park - no basket required!  Kick back and enjoy your gourmet street food in a beautiful park under the stars. $8 tickets. 700 Exposition Park Drive www.outdoorcinemafoodfest.com

Garlic Mashed Potato Martini

It's taken me this long to get out of my drunken stupor caused by this very drink.  Ever since I heard that Lola's launched their own take on the mashed potato martini, I knew it was a must on my crazy to try list.

Sadly it didn't quite live up to my expectations.  The "mashed potato" part of the martini was just a play on the fact that it was made from potato vodka, and the "garlic" came from a slew of garlic stuffed olives thrown into the drink.   If anything it tasted more like a garlic dirty martini.

That said, it had taken a trip to Surly Goat's L.A. Beer Week & several pints of Maui Brewing Company to get me to the point where I was ready to even try this concoction.   I absolutely was less than ready for, really just straight vodka.  With Garlic.

If I were you, I'd stick with their slew of other amazing martinis, the Pumpkin one being one of my favorites.  And even though they're $11 a pop, the size more than makes up for it.  Plus Lola's has a ton of happy hours, you just have to time it right!

Lola's
945 North Fairfax Avenue
West Hollywood, California 90046
(323) 654-5652
lolasla.com‎

Oh those silly Korean Tacos...

When B & I decided it was high time for a double date dinner, but we couldn't decide which of the 20,000 Groupon, Living Social, DealPop, TownHog, Blackboard Eats, Fresh Guide or SocialBuy discounts we should use, we settled on the always reliable, cook it ourselves option... 

Complimented with the fact that the boy lives in the heart of K-Town crossover to Hollywood, and the only grocery store within driving distance is the Korean Market, I settled on trying to recreate the famed Kogi Taco.  But if only I knew how?!  Thank god for google...

Google & one of my new favorite blogs, Closet Cooking!!  He had a wonderful step by step set of instructions for how to recreate the masterpiece, and even suggestions for appropriate side dishes.  Amazing. Although I do have to admit that I had to wiki a few of the food items... gochujang & gochugaru to be exact, the staff at the market was more than helpful at finding these items.  (Albeit they were probably laughing behind my back as I walked away.  Stupid Asian, doesn't even know these basic ingredients.)

Korean Short Rib Tacos
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/korean-short-rib-tacos.html

Kalbi
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/kalbi-korean-bbq-short-ribs.html
* I totally used pre-marinated Kalbi & Spicy Pork.  Lazy I know, but I was short on time!

Korean Style Salsa Roja
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/korean-style-salsa-roja.html
* I substituted the roasted tomato portion with canned tomato paste which worked well & added a pinch of the gochujang instead of the Cayanne pepper (mostly because I didn't have any)

Onion & Cilantro Relish
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/onion-and-cilantro-relish.html
* Instead of lime to marinate, I used fresh squeezed orange juice.

Shredded Romaine in Korean Sesame Dressing
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/shredded-romaine-in-korean-sesame.html
* Doubled the recipe because it didn't seem like quite enough.  Added in a crushed & diced clove of garlic & a teaspoon of orange zest. 

Korean Style Re-Fried Beans
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/08/korean-style-refried-beans.html
* And I used the extra oranges, cored to make nifty little bowls for the beans!

75cent cocktails?! The Arsenal Bar throwback to 1950's...

Since I know most of you are going through your MAD MEN withdrawal, you might as well take advantage of this little throwback to the 1950's while it's still around!  Plus, the thought of 1950's priced foods is really appealing, especially when 5 bedroom apartments on the upper east side cost $30,000, and Pete Campbell made $75 a week (clearly I've been catching up on my Season 1 episodes...)

"Wow, check out these new digs. After about a month of renovations, West LA's The Arsenal reopens today at 5PM. Keep in mind this restaurant and bar has been around since 1950 (wowza), so to preserve some of the venue's original aesthetic the dining room layout didn't much change (save for the new paint etc.), however the bar space was retooled and now displays gray wood-panel walls, an expanded lounge, and a large overhanging tv. As for the standard American menu, poutine makes an appearance, to addition to pizzas, burgers, and "three ways to get your mac and cheese fix."

The alcohol offerings, too, have changed, more booze behind the bar, new specialty cocktails like The Sequel (spicy ginger margarita), and an expanded beer and wine list.

As previously mentioned, to celebrate The Arsenal's reopening, today through October 28, 7-9PM, food and cocktail will be served off the venue's original 1950s menu at mid-century prices."

~ EaterLA 

We got a chance to check it out last night & boy were the deals great!  75cent Pink Squirrels & Velvet Hammers, $1.50 Mai Tai's & Champagne, $3.50 Filet Mignon, $2.95 NY Strip Steak and 65cent Burgers and Grilled Cheese. 

Looking at the menu, K exclaimed that they were running out of food so we should hurry up and get there, but on further inspection, I believe that these are photocopies of their actual menus from 1950 with select items for sale.  Either way it was still exciting...  That is until we waited almost an hour for food.

Not that we couldn't expect it, with deals this great it was bound to be packed.  Also the first come first service tables with no reservations made it a little hard to find a place to park before we could even order.  So if you are thinking of hitting up this spot, make sure to come early and order quickly. 

Hurry, this special is only until Thursday... but their new assistant friendly happier hours have been extended to 8PM, which means I'll absolutely be back for repeat business!

The Arsenal Bar

12008 W Pico Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90064

(310) 575-5511

arsenalbar.com‎

Weekend Docket: 10/22/10

It's kind of a slow weekend event wise... I mean, since I'm not reporting any events that are happening in Awesometown that is.  But there are still a few gems in the mix!

Friday, finally seeing The Town using my totally awesome $5 Weekly Cinema tickets.  Then Saturday is Artisanal LA during the day where I hope to try some sustainable caviar among other goodies & score a jar of bacon jam... mmm!  And at night I'll be shaking my hips to Shakira while hopefully watching Ms. Shenanigans in action.

Sunday, while avoiding a prolonged hangover, the Cha, Jack Jack, JamshidiA1, IZ & I (and perhaps K-dog if we can convince her to come out) are hitting up Oktoberfest, Old World style for some Weenier dog racing!  Nice way to ease out of the weekend.  Oom pa pah chicken dance here we come!

All Weekend

Artisanal L.A.

11AM - 6PM (Saturday & Sunday)
Coming to downtown October 23-24, Artisanal LA is a weekend long community event celebrating the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles all under one roof. Taste, shop, sample and learn while supporting the local economy and local artisanal vendors at this weekend-long downtown event. There are so many things that sound incredibly exciting about this event, and you can find their entire schedule on their website, but I do have to say I'm the most interested in the Local Honey Panel on Saturday. What with my dad being an aggie entomologist and all, I've grown up with more bee history than your normal non-farm raised girl. Plus, with the event running from 11AM - 6PM, it gets out just in time for the start of the plethora of downtown happy hours! $10 advance || $15 at the door. The Cooper Building, 860 S. Los Angeles St., 11th-floor Penthouse Downtown artisanalla.com

"Come to the Macabaret", 13th Annual Trick or Treat Festival & Halloween Hearse Show
 All Weekend
13th Annual Trick or Treat Festival and the 11th Annual Halloween Hearse Procession and Show at the Orange County Market Place, the weekend swap meet at the O.C. Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa. Includes free trick or treating for kids in costume from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., world renown pumpkin sculptor “Farmer” Mike Valladao returns to carve three- dimensional masterpieces out of 400 plus pound pumpkins include a giant dragon. All day exhibition of antique and classic hearses preceded by a three mile ceremonial ride through Costa Mesa with national radio personality Dr. Demento returning as the grand marshal. dmission to the swap meet is $2 for ages 13 years and over and free for kids 12 and under. All Halloween events are included with admission. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa www.ocmarketplace.com

Saturday, 10/23
Derby Dolls LA: Swarm vs Tough Cookies
Doors open @ 6pm
The L.A. Derby Dolls are the premier all-female, banked-track, quad-skating, rock 'n' roller derby league in Southern California.  While their uniforms may be stylish and their names playful, the L.A. Derby Dolls are real athletes who skate a sport that is pure, unscripted and real.  1910 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA derbydolls.com/la

Champagne Tent Event
4pm - 7pm
Bubbles Galore! We are throwing our annual fall Champagne Tent Event on Saturday, October 23rd at our Hollywood store from 4pm until 7pm. Join us as we transform our space into a fun outdoor lounge as we sip some of the best bubbly on the market. A group of our favorite artisanal grower/producers will be flying in from France to present their wines exclusively to K&L guests. We will also have many of the big name producers on hand to present their selections. More than 50 Champagnes to taste in all including Bollinger, Dom, Krug, Louis Roederer, Moe¨t & Chandon, and more. We will have some small bites as well. Perfect way to start your Saturday night! Tickets $75 K&L Wine Merchants - 1400 Vine St - Los Angeles, CA www.klwines.com

“Thriller” World Record Breaking Attempt at Pomona Fairplex
4pm
Thrill the World Los Angeles (TTWLA) will be holding the third annual “Thriller” worldwide simultaneous dance on Saturday, October 23rd, 2010. The event will take place at Pomona Fairplex, located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768, at 4:00 pm PST., to break the world record for the most people simultaneously dancing on Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Do you want to be part of it? You still have time to learn the dance and join us in this amazing event. It’s FREE!!! This fair type event will be a fun day for all, filled with festivities, last-minute dance lessons, entertainment for the entire family and much more. Before 4 pm, we’ll get ready to dance in full zombie gear and makeup, so that at exactly 4pm to perform Thriller and break the World Record. Pomona Fairplex http://www.thrilltheworldlosangeles.com/thriller-lessons-october-13-17.html

Sunday, 10/24

Taste of Abbot Kinney
3 to 7 p.m.
Venice is showing off its culinary chops this Sunday at the second annual Taste of Abbot Kinney. Benefiting Inside Out Community Arts--a nonprofit that brings arts education to at-risk L.A. youth--the fair will feature west-of-Lincoln restaurants including The Tasting Kitchen, The Brig and more. Admission is free, but eats are bought with tickets, which you can purchase here. Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; tasteofabbotkinney.com

Los Angeles Magazine’s The Food Event
1pm to 4pm
Los Angeles magazine's "The Food Event: From the Vine 2010," the fifth annual culinary extravaganza, also celebrating Los Angeles magazine's 50th anniversary and the November "Mexican Food Lovers Guide" issue. The day features great chefs, culinary experts, sommeliers, and more, up close and personal, plus lots of food, wine, and other treats, all for one price—unlimited food and beverages; all demonstrations by celebrity chefs in the Snyder Diamond Sub-Zero/Wolf Kitchen and panels like the Top Chef Masters panel in the Conversation Lounge (on comfy furniture); plus parking included. The icing on our cake and secret weapon that sets this culinary event above others is our host partner and the incredible setting for the event, the Saddlerock Ranch in the Malibu Hills, home to Semler and Saddlerock wines. Acres and acres of natural beauty; vineyards; rolling hills and ponds; shade trees with swings; animals like llamas and zebras; and space to spread out and relax, a true escape from the city, but just a short drive. $95. Saddlerock Ranch, 31727 Mulholland Highway, Malibu http://www.lamag.com/thefoodevent/

Thompson Beverly Hills: Brian Redzikowski

I'm not even sure if I can truly sum up the genius that was my experience at Chef Redzikowski's Bond Street... and I'm not just saying that because he comped our meal after our Test Kitchen Shenanigans!

Which he explained yet again was an issue of mis-communication with the hosting staff at the Test Kitchen, but I can't complain at all considering the outcome.  A chance to pick the brain of an extraordinary chef, yes please!

We started off the evening with a Blueberry Martini, served on a platter with a scattering of blue stones (which I totally failed at capturing a picture of before it was quickly whisked away.)  I'm not exactly sure what was in it, but the frothy sweetness was very reminiscent of a spiked childhood juice box that had been frozen for the summer.  Plus, the sushi chef Nick chimed in that "It's full of antioxidants" which was very helpful considering I'd barely made it to the restaurant after getting over being sick all day.

For the first course we were invited to try a baby leek terrine with lobster, caviar & vinaigrette.  Story Break: Almost 6 years ago... gasp... Punky & I were enjoying a lovely lunch at Union Square Cafe, when the question of leeks and legumes came up (Punky having never eaten a leek before) & Chef Michael Romano answered our questions by running out to the farmers market & gathering samples!  It was the definition of farm to table & perhaps one of the first times I really appreciated the care that chefs take in creating their food.

I'm a sucker for anything covered in caviar, so this was all good for me.  As for the descriptions, in doing a little research on the name of the dish, I found that Chef Marco Pierre White was the host of the Americanized version of The Chopping Block (that's supposed to say Block, not Blog) which was canceled after I believe only 3 episodes!

In reading reviews the raved reviews of Bond Street, the King Crab always comes up as a fan favorite, & it did not disappoint. Huge chunks of sweet crab, carrots & zucchini layered in a lobster & what had to be 12,000 calories of butter foam, this dish was superbly rich & decadent.

Plus, Punky, just so you know, Pansies are edible.  I'm not crazy.  Well not THAT crazy.

While caviar is on the plus list for me, truffle is on the x-nay list for Punky.   That said, she had no problem with this dish.  Unfortunately it felt a little too similar to the previous dish for me to really tell the difference.  Aside from the essence of truffle... obvi.

The dishes on the other hand had a lovely texture, and even better, were hot!  (Me being a little sickling who had to ask for hot water in the middle of the menu, absolutely enjoyed and welcomed warming myself up on this dish.

God.  I'm just looking at this & thinking about how many more dishes I have to get through.  I apologize that this post is going to be ridiculously long & if you just want to look at pictures from this point out, I wouldn't argue. 

Next up was a potato skewered on a sprig of rosemary in a chorizo and rosemary foam.  Something else that should be mentioned is that Chef Redzikowski filled us in on his extensive wine background from the CIA.  When he was 18, he won a scholarship to travel through France, but couldn't go because he was too young!  His well developed palate added to the enjoyment of the pairings as we dove through the courses. 

I wish I'd taken better notes on all of the wines presented, but the combination of alcohol & sudafed certainly took its toll on my handwriting skills so I decided to rather just sit back and enjoy the evening as intended.

When Punky asked Chef Redzikowski about his Big Eye Tuna Tart that had been a staple in Bond Street reviews, he explained that the original Bond Street in NY had stolen his idea and tried to make it their own.  Not to be outdone, Redzikowski just as quickly took it off his menu.

Potato cubes being a theme of the tasting menu, that lil guy made his way onto this dish as well.  The crispy skin of the black bass was probably my favorite part.  Cooked perfectly it was crunchy and sweet all at the same time. 

The Foie Gras liquid ravioli came out in a gorgeous presentation, and created almost the opposite in savory to Mr. Wiley Dufresne's passion fruit filled foie gras @ wd~50.

The salty burst of flavor was just the right in-between to bridge the sweet black bass with the savory meat & potatoes.

Plus this dish was yet again covered in edible pansies!

When Chef Redzikowski talked about his kitchen, he explained that it was a 24/7 operation, built to service every need & whim of the beverly hills hotel clientele (which after working for certain people, I can absolutely relate to)... so when I asked him when he slept, he calmly replied "Well.  I take Sunday off."

And I thought my hours were ridiculous!

Meat and Potatoes, the staple of Ireland.  But in Redzikowski's playful hands it's transformed into a piece of art. 

Underneath the wagyu, brussels sprouts, pearl onions & some crazy garnish that I didn't write down, there was a delicious scallion jam.  Onion jams are slowly making their dent on the savory scene, and I for one am grateful.  I could eat caramelized onions by the spoonful (and I think one time even did when I was in college) and this scallion jam was no exception.

I did however learn the hard way that those baby potatoes on the outside platter were in fact just a garnish.  Not meant for regular consumption until cooked.

The Asahi Beer Float was Punky's favorite by far.  A whole palate cleanser made entirely from beer?  Yep!  Underneath the beer ice cream & the fresh beer poured on top is a beer jelly made from asahi, acadia honey & xantham gum, which thankfully I have in mass supply!  So eventually one day, once Punky gets her liquid nitrogen supply from work, we can attempt to recreate this delightful little dish.

Scratch that, us + liquid nitrogen.  I can't see that turning out well at all.

And we're finally on to the desserts.  This will be short & sweet because by this point in the evening I'd stopped taking notes completely, so all I have to go on is that the Mochi reminded me of childhood, while the Half Baked deliciousness was much more reminiscent of college.

So again... thank you Brian for an incredible evening & I can't WAIT for you to open your new restaurant Claustro! 

Bond Street
Thompson Beverly Hills
9360 Wilshire Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212-3134
(310) 601-2255
www.thompsonhotels.com

Weekend Docket: 10/15/10

Dry Bar Brentwood

While some of my weekend plans are still up in the air (like which establishment I'll be shenaniganizing with Ms. B Saturday night while the BF is geeking out at GR2 Game Night) there are still solid bookings like double date Friday, my first Dry Bar experience on Saturday (Brunch Blowout complete with Mimosas!), Jackass 3D for $5 thanks to my new favorite movie ticket website, and our NYU Assistant 101 event on Sunday (hence the Dry Bar blowout on Saturday so I'll look nice and Mai Tai-esq)

**** Other Fun Happenings In & Around The City ****

All Weekend

LA Beer Week
October 7 - October 17
Los Angeles will host its 2nd annual Beer Week. Breweries and bars throughout Los Angeles and Orange County will be participating with special promotions and beer tasting events.  With several events happening daily all across town, I'm hard pressed to find a list of the events I'll be attending.  But Huffington Post simplified my life by making a list of their own.  Top Ten Picks for LA Beer Week  For more details on LA Beer Week: www.labeerweek.com

Queen of Couscous
Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What would lead a local food blog to hype the First Annual Couscous Festival a whole three months in advance? Paula Wolfert would. The famous cookbook author will lead a demo on hand-rolled couscous at noon on Saturday. And if you're more interested in eating, check out the North African Street Food Bazaar for whole-roasted lamb tacos árabes and much more; your $20 ticket includes $15 in food tickets. Ecole de Cuisine Pasadena, 45 N. San Gabriel, Pasadena couscousfestival.com

Friday, 10/15

Tokyo Social Club at Royal/T
7pm - 12am
Make more friends and make more happy with the first ever TOKYO SOCIAL CLUB @ ROYAL/T in Culver City. Eat cake, sip champagne, oogle Warhols, and get paddled at L.A.’s only late-night Godzilla-sized multi-player ping pong game. New Noir and our exciting new partner ROYAL/T brings the playfulness of Tokyo’s whimsical nightlife to Los Angeles through this series of clique-busting late-night events. The event will feature DJs, dancing, ping pong, contemporary art, drink specials, and a special “Num Num” menu with complementary cake provided by Cake Divas of Culver City. Tickets: $10-$25. Royal/T Cafe, 8910 Washington Boulevard, Culver City http://new-noir.com/tokyosocialclub

Bubbles at XINO
10pm - 12am
The late night, bubble-filled event will feature a pink Bubbletini (Bubble Vodka, Ginger, Cranberry and Soda) for $8, as well as a Three Olives Vodka tasting and bar and menu specials all night. A local DJ will keep the party going as servers on wheels whizz around blowing bubbles to fill the air.  XINO Restaurant / Dining Deck at Santa Monica Place - 395 Santa Monica Blvd www.straitsrestaurants.com/_xino/xino_sm.php

Saturday, 10/16

Taste of Italy
4 to 9 p.m.
When you think of checkered red tablecloths, meatballs and red sauce, you don't think of L.A. But there's a vibrant Italian-American community in the Southland, and they'll be showing their colors this weekend at Taste of Italy, a food and wine celebration in Downtown's historic Little Italy. Your $35 ticket benefits the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles. Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, 424 N. Main St., Downtown italianhall.org

LA Fashion Week Designer Sample Sale
11am-5pm
Score up to 80% off retail at this designer sale. There will also be a runway fashion show, cash bar, raffles and giveaways and a DJ. Drink, dance and shop! RSVP: shoplafw@gmail.com.  Free entry. The W Hotel – Hollywood ~ The Great Room Ballroom, 6250 Hollywood Boulevard http://losangeles.going.com/event-804462;LA_Fashion_Week_Designer_Sample_Sale

Angel City Derby Girls: Night of the Rolling Dead
Doors open at 5pm. Bout starts at 6pm.
The many faces of Michael Jackson vs Thriller Zombies.  The L.A. Derby Dolls are the premier all-female, banked-track, quad-skating, rock 'n' roller derby league in Southern California.  While their uniforms may be stylish and their names playful, the L.A. Derby Dolls are real athletes who skate a sport that is pure, unscripted and real.  Tickets: $8. North Hollywood Park, YMCA-East Valley, 5142 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood http://www.angelcityderbygirls.com/acdg/home.php

Game Night 3 @ Giant Robot Los Angeles
7pm ~ 10pm
Meat Bun will be co-hosting Game Night 3, an outdoor party filled with video games, music and delicious pork buns, with Giant Robot and Attract Mode. We’ll be playing Super Street Fighter IV, Super Meat Boy and other games with Super in the title on screens large and small, while freshly prepared snacks from the nearby gr/eats are scarfed down for extra health. We’ll also be offering one of our newest designs for sale for the very first time, with proceeds from the sales of our next tee going to help support Giant Robot. We’ll also have long out of print designs and new stuff for sale at Giant Robot, Meat Bun’s first retail location. Don’t miss it! Giant Robot Los Angeles (GR2) 2062 Sawtelle Boulevard  http://meatbun.us/clothing/join-us-at-giant-robots-next-game-night/

Sunday, 10/17

Scavenger Hunt / Great Race LA
Begins at 12PM
Our next ever scavenger hunt/great race around Los Angeles begins on Sunday, at the stroke of noon. Join us for a day of fun, exercise, creativity, prizes, new friends and more!  Upon arrival teams will be formed and each team will be given a list of several items to retrieve.  Throughout the day at various locations, points will be calculated, and new lists will be distributed.  This hunt will utilize public transportation.  Having done a Great Race LA before, I can say for certain that this is an amazing event and surely a huge day of fun! Meet right outside the Metro Rail Station at Hollywood and Vine. Look for a TTD representative. $20 per contestant http://www.thingstodola.com/

LA Beer Week Closing Ceremony
12pm - 4pm
Our 2nd Annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival will take place at Historic Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, October 17th, from Noon-4pm. The Festival will feature over 70 local, regional, national, and international Craft and Artisan breweries, pouring a wide array of their beers, including some rare beers, and a special few available only for LA Beer Week. Admission is $40 with unlimited 4oz tastings. Union Station, Downtown LA http://www.labeerweek.com/

Wednesday, 10/20

Culver City Block Party
5 to 9 p.m.
Downtown Culver City is hosting the last of its "summer" block parties this Wednesday, with the proceedings taking on the fall flair of an Oktoberfest. In addition to the live music and food at the street fair (free entry), area restaurants will be serving beer-friendly foods and pouring craft brews from around the world. Ford's Filling Station will be pouring Stone Brewing Co. beers on their patio, with proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation; happy hour will last throughout the night. Downtown Culver City; downtownculvercity.com

Shake Shack!!

When I was in high school I always wanted to work.  Every summer my friends would get jobs, earn paychecks and have extra spending cash on top of their allowances.  My parents on the other hand thought that my time was best served by going to summer camps, studying & in general expanding my knowledge of the world.

What they didn't consider was the possibility of a long-term love affair with gourmet food & all the knowledge that could have come from working a 9-5 at a restaurant or the like.

Enter Sophomore college summer, when my pre-arranged internship to work on the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks spectacular was canceled at the last minute due to my "boss" getting fired.  Talk about bad timing.  Instead, I found myself with a free summer in New York City.

What to do? My friend mentioned this new hot dog stand that was opening in the middle of Madison Square Park & was currently hiring.  Finally, my lifelong dream of being a short order cook was coming to fruition.  Little did I know that this was the beginning of a burger revolution in New York City.

Danny Meyer, a well known and extremely respected restaurateur, had won the bid, mostly due to his interest in preservation and rehabilitation of both Union & Madison Square Park, and partially due to his 5 Zagat top 100 rated restaurants, to start a hot dog & hamburger stand in the middle of the coveted park space.  He hired his then chef, Kerry Heffernan to design the menu & run the joint.  Shake Shack was born.

To prep, Kerry took a whirlwind tour around the states to test & evaluate more than 50 burger stand, in the desire to create arguably one of the best burgers in the US.  A potato bun, slathered in butter & lightly fried, topped with a smash & griddled burger patty, a fresh tomato, a crisp leaf of lettuce, a slice of creamy american cheese & the secret shake shack sauce (A combination of homemade mayo, 2 kinds of mustard, tomato paste, chipotle, pickles, salt & pepper)

I was in love.  And so was the rest of the world.  With lines stretching over 2 hours for a Shack Burger, Concrete & Fries, Mr. Meyer's had a star on his hands.  But in a move that won my utmost respect, his insistence at maintaining a strong hold on expanding his chain, while still maintaining the same quality that was associated with the original kept him from letting this gem turn into another poorly franchised chain.

That said.  Now that Miami's getting a slice, when is it our turn out here in Cali to pit your burgers up against some of our greats?

Original Shake Shack

11 Madison Ave # 1

New York, NY 10010-3680

Get Directions

(212) 889-6600

shakeshack.com‎

Artisanal LA

Coming to downtown October 23-24, Artisanal LA is a weekend long community event celebrating the city’s finest local, sustainable and handmade edibles all under one roof. Taste, shop, sample and learn while supporting the local economy and local artisanal vendors at this weekend-long downtown event. ~ artisanalla.com

There are so many things that sound incredibly exciting about this event, and you can find their entire schedule on their website, but I do have to say I'm the most interested in the Local Honey Panel on Saturday.  What with my dad being an aggie entomologist and all, I've grown up with more bee history than your normal non-farm raised girl.  Plus, with the event running from 11AM - 6PM, it gets out just in time for the start of the plethora of downtown happy hours!

Blogosphere: Cutest Food

In continuing with talking about blogs I'm totally 100% in love with, Cutest Food is right up there in the top 10. I mean, really how could it not be? It's like Maru porn for the baking minions.  Now if only they could find a way to make cakes with boxes too small absolutely adorable...

But this little cake brought such a sweet smile to my face, I had to share it with all of you.  Boy Meets Girl.  Saccharine Sweet Meet Cute if there ever was one...

http://cutestfood.com/

Happy Depression: Copa D'Oro $5 Drink Specials

I always seem to forget about this delightful little (assistant friendly) happy hour at Copa D'Oro in Santa Monica.  5:30PM - 8PM Daily & all day on Monday, Copa offers an array of prohibition stylized cocktails for $5 a pop.  And if that's not enough to whet your palate, they have a selection of small bar bites as well.

But be warned, this tasty beverages pack a strong punch...

Affinity - Scotch, extra dry & sweet Vermouth, Orange Bitters

By far the strongest of the drinks, this tasted like MAN with a touch of fruity orange.  It takes a champion to finish a round of these.

Capirinha - Cacha, fresh lime juice, simple syrup

Per our resident Brazilian, these held fairly true to their original origins.

Clover Club - Gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberry syrup, egg white

My favorite, it was cemented on the girly side of the fence, but was very fresh and seasonal.

Whiskey Sour - Bourbon, fresh lemon juice, egg white

And finally, the Whiskey Sour. Having not grown up in the 30's I have no idea if this is just like the original, but it packed a nice punch, and the frothy egg white added a rich complexity to the drink.

Copa D'Oro

217 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401-2311
(310) 576-3030

www.copadoro.com

Best Email Ever.

Hello Nicole. I recently read your blog and noticed that you had a reservation and was not able to get in. I am sorry to hear about. In my defense, we stated that to do Claustro, we would not be able to do more then 60 covers. Through open table, slots should have of been blocked. At the end of that night, we did 84 covers and I recently invited and fulfilled my obligation to one blogger that did not experience the entire 10 course menu.

I would like to extend an invitation to you to meet me and experience the style of food that we do and our future restaurant project that we are working on. I am at The Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills and look forward in hearing from you.

Brian Redzikowski
www.BrianRedzikowski.com

Totally on cloud 9 right now!   Chef Redzikowski is certainly someone to get excited about, having heard all about his culinary feats over at Thompson Beverly Hill's Bond Street, my friend Punky & I were eagerly looking forward to trying out his Claustro Test Kitchen menu, but were thwarted by extenuating circumstances.  All in all, it ended up being a fantastic evening... but after watching his Foie Gras lollipop video on repeat, planning a Bond St. night out seemed in order.

Since he's already beaten us to the punch line, I'd absolutely love to take him up on his offer, and after reading Epicuryan's review of his new restaurant concept, I'm even more intrigued to see what he's cooking.

Test Kitchen: 10/08/10 "As Seen on TV"

So after the debacle that was my first Test Kitchen Shenanigan's, P & I were ready for round 2.  And we couldn't have picked a better night, "As Seen on TV" with some of our Top Chef favorites, Alex Reznik, CJ Jacboson & Betty Fraser!

Now I'm going to say right off the bat, that I forgot to grab the cocktails menu off the table when we were leaving, so I've already failed at commenting intelligently on my first set of photos.  The first was a combination of pear & dark rum, and the second a wonderfully kiddie drink of muddled grapes with a black pepper garnish.  Both were intoxicatingly perfect, and totally satiated my cocktail sweet-tooth. 

And onto the food...

#1 Octopus and Melted Baby Heirloom Tomato Bagna Cauda over Arugula and Shaved Fennel on Faina’ (Garbanzo Bean Flour)Flatbread (Betty)

There wasn't very much to this dish & the flavors didn't really work all that well together.  I had all of 2 pieces of octopus & the warm olive oil dressing ended up making my flatbread all soggy.  I did like the tomato/arugula combo, but all in all it just felt a little messy.

#2 apple wood smoked sturgeon / fried quinoa / cured pork fat / rye crisp/ caviar with fish consomme (Alex)

I've never had sturgeon before (aside from their babies on toast points, yum) but this first introduction was delicious.  The fish felt a touch over-cooked, but the flavors were delicate and the rye crisp was perfect.  The bowl however made it really hard to keep my rye crisp from falling into the consomme and getting soggy, but that was about my only complaint. 

#3 Swai braised in Cream and Kaffir Lime with a touch of Coconut on Yam and Lemongrass Latke with Red Cabbage, Holy Basil and Asian Pear Slaw with housemade Fire Oil drops (Betty)

 "And topped with a star cutout won-ton" To which Punky replied, what is this won ton made out of?  There was a lot going on in this dish and it all worked very well together.  The best bite was comprised of a tiny bit of each ingredient, the smooth and cooling latke with the citrus-y swai, the vinegary slaw and the heat from the fire oil drops.  Yum!

#4 Roasted Pork, Scallop “Rib”, Barley, Brittle, Black Garlic Broth (CJ)

 So.  They took a roasted pork and literally replaced the rib with scallops!  How cool is that?  I wish my picture could have done the dish justice, but the sweet/salt factor worked really well & the meat was incredibly tender. 

#5 Beef – Short rib, tongue, marrow & liver Red Beets. Parisian potato (Alex)

I know it's totally un-foodie of me to not like bone marrow, but I don't. I've tried, but the texture is just too weird for me to handle and the flavor reminds me of the dentist.  The short rib & the tongue however were well flavored, the beet sauce just right, and the insanely hot pepper (which I could barely eat) a nice spice to the cooling crème fraiche. We tried to ask Alex later what kind of pepper he'd used, but got no real response.

#6 Warm Butternut Squash Pie |Bourbon Sweet Corn Ice Cream, Corn Nuts, Candied Chicken Skin (CJ)

And finally on to the dessert!  By far the BEST course of the evening, it had everything you could want.  Salty, sweet, savory & rich.  I could eat this at every meal!

Unfortunately we didn't save space in our tummies for their Bar Snacks: Fried Pickled Porkbelly. Spicy Dip.  I was really looking forward to this, but my body just couldn't say yes to more food. 

Also, this all makes me realize is that I really need a nice new camera.  Maybe a Christmas present to myself... I'm thinking Olympus E-PL1.  Anyone have any thoughts?

After our meal, the hostess treated us with a visit to the kitchen were we got to meet both Alex & CJ!  It was a great way to end the evening & I'll certainly be back at least a few times before they pack up the Test Kitchen and leave town.

Also super thanks to Stephane for kindly comping our meal after we'd missed out on Test Kitchen Claustro a few weeks earlier.

Test Kitchen LA
9575 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles 90035
(310) 277-0133
www.testkitchenla.com

My introduction to Pon Haus, or as the commoners like to refer to it: Scrapple.

Scrapple, also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name pon haus, is traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and flour, often buckwheat flour, and spices. The mush is formed into a semi-solid congealed loaf, and slices of the scrapple are then panfried before serving.  ~ Wikipedia

Now my boyfriend has been going on and on, ever since I met him about the joys of scrapple, but thanks to my non-southern roots, the idea seemed a little less than thrilling.  I guess that's how 90% of the states view Spam which due to my hawaii heritage & my mom's insatiable lust for the stuff while preggers with me, I adore.

So when visiting his home, we figured it was about high time for me to try some of the fried staple of the Zucca household.  Also I'm quite taken with the name pon haus, and will only refer to it by it's Pennsylvania Dutch origins from here on out.  Much like Spam, it comes in a congealed loaf which must be sliced & fried.  While on the griddle it gave off a sensual & meaty aroma, akin to a hot plate full of bacon & biscuits. My taste buds started watering & when it finally came off, I was ready to chow down.  Crispy with a mealy texture, it reminded me of a meat cracker.  Pretty good, but I think it will take a little getting used to...

That said, once I have something salty and meaty in my hands, my taste buds scream mix some sweet into that savory stat!  And since we'd stopped off at the orchard earlier that day & picked up some fresh pumpkin butter (mmm good) a dollop on top created a symphony of flavors in my mouth.  I think in the end, that combination is what won me over the most.  Imagining the possibilities of Pon Haus cakes covered in pumpkin-y goodness.

Momofuku @ Ssam Bar... Mr. Chang, bring it on!!

After listening to my friend Keith rave and rave about this place, it secured a valuable spot in the limited food slots I had on this trip.  Mr. David Chang & his collection of restaurants didn't really make much sense to me... "Have you eaten at Momofuku?" But there isn't an actual single place called that.  It's his brand.  Much like Mr. Colicchio and his Craft||Craft Bar||WichCraft selections, based on advice gathered from my foodie friends near & far, Ssam Bar seemed the way to go to pop my Momofuku cherry. (I mean, that is after the amazingness that was The Chang Dog at PDT)

We started with some steamed pork buns, filled with delicious pork belly, hoisin, cucumbers & scallions.  After a generous dollop of siraccha I was ready for a taste.  YUM.  My friend has done the bo saam many a time ($200 for a whole pork butt) and as he explains it, it's much like eating the meat from these buns x 1,000.  Death by pork fat.  I mean, if there's a way to go, that's not the worst one.  We also tried their seasonal bun, a BLT, which was still good, but not amazing.

There was a category on the menu that didn't make much sense... country hams?  On further inquiry, our lovely waitress (and coincidentally a girl I'd known since I was 5, but probably haven't seen since I was 6) explained that it was more akin to sliced prosciutto, served with a "gravy" and bread.  Smoked, thinly sliced ham, yum.  Bread with that perfect crunch, check.  Brownish sauce?  Taste? OMFG WHAT IS THIS STUFF?  Coffee Grinds & Mayo.  I could seriously eat this on everything.  Everything.  If only for this sauce, I would totally order this dish again & again.

Next up, this gorgeous green sauced dish appears.  Fried duck necks with pickled corn, garlic chives and baby carrots.  Duck necks are kind of a weird thing to eat in reality, and while tasty, sucking the insides out of a neck feels a little too Twilightish for me.  But with the sauce & the, whatever those purple things were, it was a great balance.  And then there was the pickled corn.  It was like nothing else I'd ever tried, salty, vinegary, spicy and sweet all at once.  

We then settled into our 3 main dishes, Pork scrapple with fried egg, benton's bacon & plum sauce, Corned beef terrine with fried egg sauce, and tea-brined egg salad, & Spicy pork sausage with rice cakes, Chinese broccoli & crispy shallots.

Scrapple - Not quite as well done as the batch Isaac's father fried up, the texture still confuses me, but the flavor is very comforting.  Also, I don't know who Benton is, but he does make some dandy good bacon.  I think it was even candied to add a nice sweet to salty component.  Much like the scrapple + pumpkin butter combo I played with earlier.

Corned Beef Terrine - Leave it.  One failure out of many successes.  In my mind this was coming out as a steaming hot corned beef with a sizzling raw egg on top ready to be mixed into the fold, but it came out cold, soggy and flavorless.

Spicy Pork Sausage & Rice Cakes - By far the best thing we had out of the whole meal.  It came with a warning, be wary of the red peppers.  Because they are HOT.  Indeed they were, a very spicy and heartwarming dish that had flavors which encapsulated all of the great things about each of Mr. Chang's items I'd experienced throughout the meal.  It was a great way to tie everything together.

Way too full for dessert, we headed over to Milk Bar to grab some coffees, but were of course waylaid by yet another interesting flavor combination.  Kimchi & Blue Cheese Croissants?  We tucked one in our bag for later, after we'd come out of food coma & went on our merry way.

Success!  But next time, I totally want to do the beef seven ways @ Ma Peche.

Momofuku Ssam Bar

207 2nd Ave

New York, NY 10003

Get Directions

(212) 254-3500

momofuku.com‎

Weekend Docket: 10/08/10

I'm finally having my Test Kitchen night!!  After the shenanigans that happened the last time I tried to attend before the Blogger Prom after party, I'm sure this night, filled with Top Chef contestants will be sure to amaze. In the kitchen, Betty Fraser (Season 2), CJ Jacobson (Season 3) and Alex Reznik (Season 7) are presenting a 6 course meal.  Fingers crossed!

As for the rest of the weekend, everyone's leaving town :-(, and I'll be stuck at Creative Screenwriting's Pitchfest.  Yep.  Sounds like a joy.  So really after Friday, it's all downhill from there. I mean, unless someone can sneak me into Jonathan Gold's event on Saturday.  Pretty please??

**** Other Fun Happenings In & Around The City ****

All Weekend

dineLA Restaurant Week
dineLA Restaurant Week is a two-week dining event (October 3-8 & October 10-15) during which over 200 restaurants throughout the city offer specially priced three-course meals for lunch and/or dinner. Diners can choose from three options for each course including appetizer, entrée, and dessert. http://discoverlosangeles.com/restaurantweekv2/index.jsp

LA Beer Week
October 7 - October 17
Los Angeles will host its 2nd annual Beer Week. Breweries and bars throughout Los Angeles and Orange County will be participating with special promotions and beer tasting events.  With several events happening daily all across town, I'm hard pressed to find a list of the events I'll be attending.  But Huffington Post simplified my life by making a list of their own.  Top Ten Picks for LA Beer Week  For more details on LA Beer Week: www.labeerweek.com

S.L.F. Bar Bites invade La Cachette Bistro
October 8 - October 9
That’s right the S.L.F. are doing another Bar Bite menu, this time Chef Jean-Francios Meteigner & general manager Fabrice Lorenzi have allowed us to infiltrate the La Cachette bar for a couple of nights. we start at 8:30 and will go till midnightish, so come in & try some Bites, and have some cocktails prepared by Marc Danays or some wine suggested by Melissa Coutchie. See you all there! La Cachette Bar www.supperliberationfront.com

Saturday, 10/9

Pork & Beans Cube Foundation Fundraiser!
1pm - 4pm
We're hosting a rooftop BBQ fundraiser at our downtown-Los Angeles garden that will focus on dishes incorporating products from legendary Bay-Area food artisans Fatted Calf (Pork), and Rancho Gordo (Beans). 100% of proceeds from Cube’s Pork n’ Beans event will benefit Cube Foundation, the restaurant’s non-profit arm dedicated to the development of garden-to-table programs for local underprivileged children and their parents. Cube’s Pork n’ Beans will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9th, and is priced at $65 per person in advance, $75 at the door. 550 Ceres Avenue, Los Angeles, 90013. Valet parking available. www.cubemarketplace.com

Pasadena Wine Festival
2pm - 10pm
Smell the aromas from the Chill & Grill. Try your hand at Bocce Ball. Enjoy Great Wines from far away places. Hear live Jazz and Salsa into the night. See the stars in the sky overhead. Feel the grass beneath your feet. Enjoy life. Be with friends. The Pasadena Wine Festival. L.A. County Arboretum. pasadenawinefestival.com

Food Truck Round Up For Cancer Research
4pm - 8pm
ten food trucks in the JWCI parking lot behind the building for the purpose of raising funds and awareness for cancer research at John Wayne Cancer Institute. This is the perfect opportunity to bring together a growing new trend in the food industry with outreach to the local community about what John Wayne Cancer Institute does for the community and nation. The Institute’s lobby will be open for seating, a silent auction and raffle drawing for attendees. There will be a DJ spinning the perfect mix of music for all audiences. John Wayne Cancer Institute - 2200 Santa Monica Blvd - Santa Monica, CA www.jwci.org

Jonathan Gold's 2nd Annual Union Station Cocktail Party
7pm - 9pm
Alongside oil, water, movies, and ships, bootlegging was a booming industry in Prohibition-era Los Angeles. A dozen major speakeasies operated downtown, in the heart of the city. Country clubs, restaurants, and gambling houses served alcohol, too, from Little Tokyo's Tokyo Club—up three flights of stairs and famed for sake, gambling, and comely hostesses—to Signal Hill's Old Baker Winery Barn, where fights erupted alongside natural gas explosions. Today, downtown L.A. once again teems with bars that evoke the speakeasy, hiding below or behind galleries, restaurants, or storefronts, asking for passwords at the door, pouring Gin Fizzes and Sidecars, and featuring jazz bands and burlesque dancers. Join Jonathan Gold as he fetes Zócalo at the second annual Jonathan Gold's Union Station Cocktail Party, celebrating the speakeasy style of downtown L.A. with the city's finest restaurants, drinks from 213 Spirited Ventures, and entertainment. Under 30 $125 / Non Profit Employee $150 / General $185 Union Station - 800 N. Alameda Street www.zocalopublicsquare.org

Cinefamily Pajama Party II: Bitch-Craft!
8pm
(Feat. The Craft & Teen Witch)
You -- are about to attend Cinefamily Pajama Party II: Bitch-Craft! The circle is drawn, the succubi have been invoked, and there’s no turning back now: for one night only, the hallowed (haunted) halls of this theatre will become a Cine-coven, devoted to the raw power of the dark arts, of girls gathered together, and of white rap musical numbers. We’ll be partying way past the witching hour with tunes from DJ Dia, Craft-y crafts like wand-making stations, and Satantic rituals such as “light as a feather, stiff as a board.” And while the sign says, “No Boys Allowed” outside, men can technically attend -- if they dare. $12/free for members Silent Movie Theatre - 611 N. Fairfax Avenue www.cinefamily.org

Sunday, 10/10

Los Angeles Chocolate Salon
11am - 5pm
Chocolate lovers, en garde! The premier major chocolate show in the Los Angeles area this millenium takes place at the 4th Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on Sunday, October 10th, 2010 at the Pasadena Center. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas. The Pasadena Center - 300 Green Street - Pasadena, CA www.lachocolatesalon.com

L.A. Beer Float Showdown Returns for L.A. Beer Week
5:30pm
Last year, The Golden State teamed with Scoops to vanquish BottleRock LA + MILK in the first ever L.A. Beer Float Showdown. In the past week, Boneyard Bistro, Ladyface Alehouse and Simmzy’s have stepped up to challenge the defending champs. On October 10, as part of L.A. Beer Week, Food GPS presents L.A. Beer Float Showdown II. Four teams will converge on Verdugo Bar to create culinary fireworks, and the bar that emerges as the victor is up to you. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the event, including admission and all four beer floats. No matter how you pay, 50% of proceeds will benefit Share our Strength, which has been working to eradicate childhood hunger in the U.S. and Canada since 1988. Verdugo Bar - 3408 Verdugo Road http://www.foodgps.com/la-beer-float-showdown-returns-for-la-beer-week/

Savor the Season
6:30pm - 9pm
If your appetite for eating to support a good cause hasn't been satiated by Sunday, Savor the Season is another opportunity to dine altruistically: Your $100 ticket benefits the teen dating violence-combating organization Break the Cycle. Food provided by Street, Bittersweet Treats and more. The Lot Studios, 1041 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood savortheseason.org

Heads Up

NYUinLA Fall Mixer! - Tuesday October 12th
7:30PM

"We're in the Adirondacks, and Josh Brolin and I are shooting this bike scene. And at one point I say to Josh a line — 'You should look at yourself in the mirror first and see yourself. It might scare you,'" remembered LaBeouf. "I looked at the line for a couple of months and thought I'd go to Oliver and say, 'You look at the mirror and look at yourself. It's sort of repetitive. Why don't we just cut one of those? Why don't I say, Look at yourself. It might scare you.' This is Oliver verbatim. He looks at me and goes, 'I like mirror. I wrote Scarface. Go fuck yourself.'" ~ Shia LaBeouf.  Here's to celebrating the incredible industry we all find ourselves muddling through with the hopes that some day we'll be in Mr. Stone's position.  So come join us for an evening of mingling & mixing with your fellow NYU alumni at the classic old school Hollywood locale, Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset.  Please RSVP: http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/65jxf7hzkc54qm534