Although I haven’t quite recovered from that Cupcake Challenge earlier this month (and you’re probably sick of hearing me blab about cupcakes), I had to check out the new Santa Monica location of Yummy Cupcakes. Since the original store is all the way in Burbank, I had resigned myself to pining for the Elvis cupcakes long distance. Now with a new Westside location, I have another reason to up my cardio at the gym…once my cupcake craving returns, that is. Located just off the 3rd Street Promenade and next door to Sur La Table, Yummy doesn’t have a storefront sign yet but you can’t miss those cupcakes near the window.

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A well-informed source told me the following about the former Yu Lounge on Montana in Santa Monica, which was owned by SBE Entertainment (Katsuya, Abbey). Apparently, that space has been sold to Hillstone Restaurant Group (Houston’s, Gulfstream, Bandera) to turn into a Cafe R&D or lunchtime-y place. A shame considering it was the only joint on Montana that had a full liquor license — all others have only beer and wine.

She said that since “the license was going to go dormant and expire or something, we had to reopen it for 90 days before Houston’s can have it..soooo, in the interim it’s now ‘Montana Lounge’ opened Tuesday-Saturday…from 6ish till 1:30ish as a Westside chill lounge….no specialty drinks or anything.”

Although I wasn’t crazy about Yu Lounge since it was soo small, crowded with nowhere to sit, this interim “Westside chill lounge” might be worth checking out. My friend said it may not be review-worthy but “good for a quick bite and a cocktail or 3.”

1323 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90402
(310) 395-4727
Cross Street: Euclid Street

How cool is this? For the Mondays of April, the ArcLight will be presenting the movie favorites of its cinematically astute employees, classics that they watch over and over again. And I ain’t talking Citizen Kane. Maybe you’ll find your favorite here, too. (Yay! Bill & Ted!) As it’s all part of the “21+ screenings” go ahead and enjoy sipping your fave cocktail as you recite your favorite lines from your favorite movie.

Crew Pick Schedule:

BILL & TED’s EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (PG) 1989
Monday, April 2, 8pm

THE WARRIORS (R) 1979
Monday, April 9, 8pm

THE GOONIES (PG) 1985
Monday, April 16, 8pm

MONTY PYTHON and the HOLY GRAIL (PG) 1975
Monday, April 23, 8pm

ArcLight Hollywood
6360 Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, California 90028

Normally I’m not big into shopping party sample sales thingies but when I read up on Top Button’s L.A. designer shopping party, it gave me pause. This “more than a sample sale” features some of my favorite things: mini spa treatments (for those who purchase the VIP tickets), goodie bags, and complimentary cocktails (by Blue Ice Vodka, Wyder’s Cider, Peels Beverages and Bacardi Silver). PLUS you get a free one-year subscription to Glamour magazine.

Even better? 60% off stuff from over 75 designers, beauty products, and this event benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

But if you’re not really feeling that $35 VIP ticket ($20 advanced general admission), you can always purchase your ticket through Goldstar Events where it’s $17.50 VIP, $10 general admission with gift bag and free admission with no gift bag.*

I think I actually want to go to this. Hm.

* Service fees apply. ($3.75-$5)

EVENT: THURSDAY, APRIL 26 from 6pm to 9pm (VIP entry 5pm)

Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main Street
Santa Monica, California 90401

Flickr shot by Life of David

Ever since I had my heart broken from having to bow out of the L.A. Marathon due to injury, my running buddies have been trying to get me back on track again, so to speak. So one of them sent me the info for this fun run taking place at the Santa Anita Racetrack. “Meh,” I first thought. But then I saw that for the $25 fee you also get parking, a day at the races, entrance to KROQ’s Microbrew Festival, a post-race party in the infield and a T-shirt! AND I’d only have to run for about 3 miles. I can do that easy.

If you want to join in the fun, register here. You can pick up your packets race day, or if you want to avoid the crowds there’s always the pre-registration party at Westfield Santa Anita Mall on Friday, April 6th from 4:30-7:30pm — entertainment and “special shopping privileges at the mall.”

EVENT: SATURDAY, APRIL 7 at 7:45am

Santa Anita Park
285 W.Huntington Drive
Arcadia, California 91066
Amount: $25.00 for the 5K before 3/30 & $28.00 on 3/30

L.A. Barhopper has generously offered up six spots for the upcoming mystery bus tour this Saturday. It’s in the Valley this time and kicks off at Tommy Ray’s Cafe. And where it goes from there is anyone’s guess. Although I heard there’s an exotic bar included, but I’m not going to say where since I was sworn to secrecy by L.A. Barhopper’s Brian. I will say, though, that umbrella drinks are definitely involved.

Anyhoo, I wish I could go. I need to break in my new cell phone flask. But alas I’m saving my liver (and possible lawsuits against me, see my review of the last tour) for the Caroline on Crack wine bar bus tour next month. Woo! Wish I could partake, though, since it would be an opportune time to explore the Valley without the consequences of getting lost. But let me know via comments (or email if you’re shy) whether you can go fer sure this Saturday and the tickets, which are normally $29.99, are yours! Rally a group of friends and have a crazy time. No DUIs, cover charges or parking fees to worry about.

EVENT: SATURDAY, MARCH 31 from 8pm to 2am

Tommy Ray’s
12345 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, California 91604
(818) 506-2412

Who knew beating up strangers could be so fun? I’m talking, of course, about the upcoming pillow fight club smackdown that’s scheduled for this April 1st at the Grove. And no, it’s not an April Fools prank. A similar flash mob pillow fight took place in San Francisco on Valentine’s Day of this year. About 1,000 Bay Area combatants armed with pillows smacked each other to giggling oblivion till every single feather fell to the ground.

For L.A. our fun starts when the clock above Abercrombie and Fitch (located on the east side of the mall) strikes 6pm. Just a few rules you must abide by to participate:

1. BYO pillow.
2. Don’t hit whiners or those without pillows.
3. The fight starts at the designated time. No earlier.
4. No tar, no heavy things in pillows.

I don’t know if the Grove security has gotten wind of this but it seems from video footage of the SF pillow riot that there was a special area cordoned off with yellow tape for the express purpose of this battle. Hopefully that will be the case here so that it could go on forever, or at least til you’re tired of hitting people or breathing in feathers. Bring a camera as it’s sure to be quite a sight. For weapons, may I suggest soft down feather pillows which are best for feathery fireworks. Maybe even pack two in case of premature explosion. Would it be considered cheating if I wore a motorcycle helmet to this thing?

EVENT: SUNDAY, APRIL 1 at 6pm

The Grove
6301 W 3rd Street
Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)
(323) 692-0829

Flickr Shot (detail) by Sgt. Gooch

You know you’ve always been curious but probably played it off by making fun of them when you passed the photography studio in the mall. Admit it, though, secretly you wondered how you’d look in a Glamour Shot. Cheesy background, cheesy Sears Catalog smile, chin on back of your hand in a mock thoughtful pose, airbrushed til you were a blur. Well now’s your chance to get one done and all in the guise of a cool L.A. nightlife thing to do. At the Mountain Bar in Chinatown, this unique party has the glamourizing photogs upstairs and the house-spinning djs and hard liquor downstairs. But remember to get your shots done before the liquoring begins. Although a drunk glamour shot could be a laugh riot that you’ll want to remember and hold dear forever.

EVENT: FRIDAY, MARCH 23 from 9pm to 2am

The Mountain Bar
473 Gin Ling Way
Los Angeles, California 90012
(213) 625-7500
Amount: $5

Flickr Shot by youthlarge

I’m sooo not into baseball, but I’m big into eating a hot dog, maybe some factory-cheese nachos and downing it with a giant beer all while watching a baseball game in Dodger Stadium. I don’t get to do it too often, if at all, but with the new all-you-can-eat deal at the stadium, that may change. Some brilliant mastermind over there thought up the “All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion,” where for $35 you get a Dodger game ticket in the Right Field Pavilion and an all-you-can-eat (and drink) menu. Before you get too excited, this only applies to a predetermined menu and non-alcoholic drinks. Just as well cuz can you imagine how crazy it would get if it was all the beer you can drink? This little smörgåsbord free-for-all starts 1 1/2 hours prior to game time and ends two hours after the game begins. “Items are subject to limits per person, per visit to the concession stand.” Boo! Which just means you have to work your ass a lot harder the more you want to eat, but that’s good. Right?

ampm All-You-Can-Eat Pavilion Menu:

• Dodger Dogs
• Nachos
• Peanuts
• Popcorn
• Coca-Cola products
• Water

There are also tickets for Super Saver nights, $25 in advance or $30 game day; or 27-game flex plan for $30 a game.

Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90012

Flickr Shot by dotsara

Finally! The end. When I first thought up this contest, it sounded like a fun thing to do. I created special evaluation sheets for each store and each cupcake, rating frosting flavor, cupcake attractiveness, cake flavor and moistness, price and size, and even customer service and display at the store. I created a list of select cupcake stores from all over L.A. (Auntie Em’s, Buttercake, Hotcakes, Lucky Devils, Sprinkles and SusieCakes) which my friends could choose from, and told them to bring back two each of red velvet, chocolate and a wild card flavor (i.e. the most exotic, unique flavor in the store).

But I failed to take other things into consideration. For example, I didn’t even realize that it would be good to serve something salty between each category to “cleanse our palates” or to provide drinks other than water. And how could we possibly make it through 18 cupcakes?

After the first category, which was the red velvets, we had to take a mini break and snacked on lovely salty tortilla chips. Since the girls felt too sugared out to dive into the next category, chocolate, we tested the wild card flavors instead. After barely making it through that one, we had to take a break.

Unfortunately, Emilia had to leave for a baby shower and so wasn’t able to complete the test. The rest of us had to take a long walk. So we strolled to Starbucks down the street for some much needed bitter coffee. I felt a strange lightheadedness and had the irrational fear that this would kickstart the diabetes that runs in my family.

After an hour break, we resumed the contest. Not as enthusiastic as when we first started but ever the troopers. (Beth started drawing in happy faces in the place of numbered ratings.) For the last category our samples were smaller in proportion as I split one cupcake into six pieces instead of four pieces. However, we scribbled our notes, guessed which of our favorites would win, I tallied the results and here are the rankings.

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One of my favorite movies evuh! is playing tonight at one of my fave Hollywood bars evuh! Tiny’s K.O. for tonight’s Movie Monday night. AND they have happy-hour priced food to snack on while you watch the fall of the Heathers and maybe even quote along. My fave? “Fuck me gently with a chainsaw.” Heathers was one of those movies when I was growing up that me and my sibs would quote all the time..along with Aliens movie quotes and Evil Dead II. But, definitely, the best high school dialogue ever. Should be fun to watch in a bar with a bunch of drunkards. See you there!

EVENT: MONDAY, MARCH 19 at 7pm

6377 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, California
(323) 462-9777

Flickr Shot by dotsara

Taste tester #6: Beth

Qualifications: Beth has enjoyed eating ever since she grew her first set of teeth. She makes it a point to eat at yummy restaurants and bakeries all over the world. As an L.A. native, she has eaten a whole lot around this fine city. She also loves to cook and bake, and has heard things such as “I’d never admit it, but this is better than my mother’s,” and “I think this is what butter would do in heaven” mumbled through full mouths. Beth is often a “taster” for her chef friends who are working to perfect a recipe. Informally, she has been voted “biggest foodie” among her friends.

Cupcake Challenger #6: Auntie Em’s Kitchen in Eagle Rock. I was going to restrict this cupcake contest to stores in the L.A. basin, or within 10 miles of me (West L.A.) but Auntie Em’s cupcakes are mooned over all over Yelp and Chowhound so I had to include them. Plus Beth lives in the Los Feliz area, so it wasn’t too much of a trek for her thank goodness cuz these were pretty awesome and huuuge. Unfortunately, Beth’s experience in the store wasn’t that great. “I stood there for awhile before I was acknowledged. Service was quick once I was acknowledged, but no service with a smile.” Beth also said that that cashier didn’t seem to be too bright. She kept asking Beth if she wanted the small or large cupcake and when Beth said, “Small” the cashier would say, “We’re out of the small size.” This went on for all three flavors. Cupcakes: $3.50 for the large size (small $1.45, not included in test).

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Kids in the Hall are back! OK, not really, but I’ll take what I can get dammit. Seems my fave Kids, Scott Thompson and Kevin McDonald, are using the Steve Allen Theater as their outlet for their comedy since the TV show is long gone and they still wanna make people laugh. Scott will be workshopping his new one-man show, Scottastrophe, a show about sex, violence, Saddam Hussein, the FBI and firebombing. Kevin is presenting his one-man diary, talking about his Kids days and his alcoholic dad and occasionally he’ll break out into song.

SCOTT’S SHOWS — SUN, MARCH 18 and MON, MARCH 19 at 8pm

KEVIN’S SHOWS — WED, MARCH 21 and THURS, MARCH 22 at 8pm

The Steve Allen Theater
4773 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90027
(323) 666-4268
Amount: $15

Flickr Shot by dotsara

Taste tester #5: Donna D.

Qualifications: Growing up in the food business, Donna refined her palate at an early age. Her father had a cheesesteak and pizza shop in Philadelphia and her two sisters have a luncheonette they run together in New Jersey. She can spot a bogus cheesesteak pretender a mile away and can tell you the major differences between Tastykakes and Drakes Cakes (two local Philly favorites). So judging cupcakes was a breeze.

Cupcake Challenger #5: Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills. Many credit Sprinkles with starting the cupcake frenzy in L.A. With very neat frosting, fun flavors and a cute storefront, popularity came easy. And although the Sprinkles cupcakes received high scores for presentation we took to nicknaming them the Nazi cupcakes for their well-manicured frosting (as well as the store’s anti-photography policy). Donna says of the store: “The employees were nice, helpful but wouldn’t let me take pictures. The display case was small but nice.” Of her overall experience: “Quick and pleasant. You can pre-order but have to buy one dozen minimum.” Regarding parking: “It was easy to park, but it has meters.” Something to note is that there are usually long lines of people at this store but Donna had gone before noon on a Sunday so was able to avoid a wait. Cupcakes: $3.25 each.

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