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.
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.
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.
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
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:
BYO pillow.
Don’t hit whiners or those without pillows.
The fight starts at the designated time. No earlier.
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
