Super Bowl schmooper bowl. Who’s playing, anyway? Apparently that’s the big thing this weekend. I’m sure there are a bunch of sports bars you can watch the game at but for those looking for other means of entertainment, here are the following.

Friday, February 1

Last Day for Win a Valentine’s Date Submissions
Ladies, the clock is ticking down. The deadline for the “Win a Valentine Date” is Friday at midnight so get your submissions in while you still can and cross your fingers that you get picked to go on one of three fun dates.

First Fridays featuring Kid Sister and DJ A-Trak
Metromix called Kid Sister and DJ A-Trak the coolest lineup yet of the Natural History Museum’s First Friday series. I guess that means I better check it out! But apparently these kids did a show at the natural history museum in New York and Kanye West jumped up on stage and joined Kid Sister as well as performed some of his own tunes. So perhaps you should be prepared to be delighted.

• $9. 7-10pm. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles. (213) 763-DINO.

Rock n’ Roll Wine Event at Santa Monica Bar & Grill
Actually, I just remembered, I can’t go to First Fridays because I’ll be attending the Rock ‘n Roll Wine event at Santa Monica Bar & Grill. Personally I like a little peace and quiet with my wine tasting but maybe this “sexy, high energy” event will expand my horizons. There will be a dozen wines being poured as well as a musical performance from The Bends.

• $35 advance, $40 at door. 7-10pm. Santa Monica Bar & Grill, 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica.

Saturday, February 2

It’s Just Like Sex But Nobody Leaves Disappointed Nonprofit Benefit
This sounds like a pretty hot party. A $20 open bar consisting of not just one brand of liquor but MANY — Absolut, Sauza Hornitos, Karl Strauss and more. Mix that up with a sultry Tokyo fashion show, live music and DJs and art by local artists and you’ve got a rockin’ good time. A raffle will be conducted to benefit Challenge Aspen, a nonprofit for autistic kids, as well as City Sound, a nonprofit encouraging arts for kids. Aww!

• $20. 9pm. 1221 S. Hope Street, Los Angeles.

Porn-prov
OK, I just picked this cuz porn and improv always fascinated me but the two will come together, er, join forces at the Upright Citizen Brigade Theatre when porn directors, producers and performers will, for some inexplicable but provocative reason, do some improvisational comedy.

• $5. 12am. UCBT, 5919 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles. (323) 908-8702.

Sunday, February 3

30th Annual Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K
If you are going to spend your Sunday afternoon sitting around, drinking beer and stuffing your face with fatty foods, it’s probably a good idea to get a run in the beginning of the day to off-set that fattening Super Bowl spectating. You’ll enjoy a scenic run along Redondo Beach, taking in the pier, marina and the 10,000 other runners joining in on this 30-year-old pre-Super Bowl tradition. And for those of you who want to get your beer drinking started early, participants 21 and over get treated to two free beers (per person while supplies last) at the Asahi Beer Garden located near the start/finish line.

• $30 entry. Portofino Way in King Harbor, Redondo Beach.

Flickr Shot by dotsara

It was bound to happen, I’m just sorry I didn’t think of this idea first: a “taco truck” that sells healthy, organic food. “Sacrilege!” you’re probably saying but then when you think about it some more you have to admit it is a pretty good idea, especially in health-conscious L.A.

But those expecting taco truck prices may be a little turned off by the Green Truck’s Whole Food-esque prices. The “Create Your Own” salad, wrap or pita combo special with organic soda and “a goodie” will set you back $14.95. Yes, for lunch from a truck! But then again, it all sounds so good. Mmm, Ahi Poke tacos — fresh ahi tuna in a citrus and cilantro marinade with cabbage, green onions and pineapple salsa ($11) — and mandarin-ahi tuna salad. If you want something slightly cheaper, there’s the $6 grilled cheese sandwich or $5 soups and an array of snacks like Clif Bars and Kettle Chips.

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Nobody told me that Fred Segal in Santa Monica was having a fabulous 50% off sale! Arrrgh! It started last Friday and ends this Sunday! Fortunately I was able to steal away during lunch to check out the sunglasses section, Fred Segal Eyes, where it seems like EVERYTHING is half off. My co-worker is friends with the owner of this fancy-schmancy sunglass hut and recommended that I go see him if I wanted help picking out designer shades.

Apparently David Gonzales has an eye (no pun intended) for choosing which pair of sunglasses complements your face shape, etc. He’s wayyyy better than a fashion-savvy friend who you drag with you for their opinion since he’ll not only tell you when something doesn’t look right but he’ll follow it up with a pair that does. AND he’ll tell you why it does.

You can beg and plead for that Dior that you just loved on Jessica Alba, but if it don’t look right on you and David says so, you really should listen to him. The man has been with Fred Segal for 17 years and considers his knack for pairing people with spectacles a sickness. But he’s so awesome at his job.

When I went in today and told him I was looking for some new sunglasses, he asked if I liked plastic or metal, big or small frames. “Plastic or metal is good but I prefer big, just not TOO big,” I replied. He immediately grabbed a pair off the shelf behind him and handed them to me. It almost looked like he wasn’t thinking about it but then when he explained why he thought they suited my face, I realized I was mistaken. Anyway, that was the fastest, least painful sunglasses shopping experience I’ve ever had and that’s why he’s so awesome.

In the end I’m really happy with my purchase cuz I know they look really good on me. Heh. And they were a nice price ($143 sale, $286 original).

On a random note, I had lunch at Crescendo, the restaurant in Fred Segal, and even though the food was good (albeit overpriced), the service and atmosphere were HORRIBLE. Waiters clanking dishes and breaking water glasses, bumping unapologetically into our chairs and not being attentive at all. No water refills, no checking with us to see if we needed anything. They sucked. But at least my shopping experience was nice.

Fred Segal Eyes
500 Broadway
Santa Monica, California 90401
(310) 394-1875

Flickr Shot by jslander

BabyCakes NYC, Gotham’s vegan cupcakery, has already relocated its West Hollywood digs even before it’s moved in. Now instead of sitting on the corner of Spaulding and Beverly, the store will open up four blocks east on Gardner and Beverly, alongside high-end denim designer, Earnest Sewn, in the renovated Tire Town space. Consequently, the designer will create new spring uniforms, denim-detailed dresses, for the cupcake employees. Ni-ice!

The new store is purported to bring BabyCakes’ East Coast charm to WeHo in the form of “exposed brick walls, high ceilings, wood floors and a counter adorned with turn-of-the-century bakery gems” (BabyCakes NYC newsletter) all in an 800-square-foot space. And patrons can enjoy their refined sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan cute cakes al fresco on the bakery’s patio.

Yeah, I’m skeptical about how it’ll taste but maybe the health nuts will love it.

Not sure what the prices will be but if they are the same as they are back in New York it’ll be $3 for spelt-flour cupcakes and $3.65 for gluten-free ones.

The West Hollywood store is slated to open on June 2008, contrary to previous reports of a winter 2008 debut.

BabyCakes NYC
7501 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90036 (map)

Looking for cocktail hour at a swank hotel in Westchester? Didn’t think so, but you might be interested to know that there is such a place. It’s the Custom Hotel, formerly Furama Hotel. That’s right, the one next to the bowling alley and the Ralphs.

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Flickr Shot by dotsara

All right, single ladies, you’ve got one week left (well, 4 1/2 days to be exact) to send me your submissions for the “Win a Date for Valentine’s Day — Caroline on Crack Style” contest. Crazy Andy would be the bachelor to show you a good time and I don’t mean that in a dirty way. He’s a blast to hang out with, always makes me laugh so hard til I’m crying and is always up for any adventure. The man traveled to Argentina all by himself, fer chrissakes! You would definitely not be bored on this date.

Of course I may be hiding in the bushes taking pictures paparazzi style of your date but that’s just so I’ll have photos to accompany my post for the post-date wrap-up.

To recap, you would have one of three fabulous Caroline on Crack-approved dates to pick from:

• Date #1: Date with a view. Stroll around the Observatory and take in the dreamy Planetarium show and then go for dinner and drinks afterward in Los Feliz. I’m thinking Figaro or Mes Amis and then the Good Luck Bar and Tiki Ti. I can vouch for this date as I did the same thing once. Twas v. romantic.

• Date #2: Hot time in the city. Salsa dancing lessons on a Wednesday night followed by an Argentinian dinner and exotic drinks. You’ll learn some new hot moves and then be able to take it out on the dance floor after. And yes, Andy is not afraid to dance.

• Date #3: Rock on! Either catch a live show at Safari Sam’s or El Cid and enjoy supper and cocktails there. Andy is always out and about checking the live music scene so a girl loves a good show would be ideal.

Send me your stats (you can use the format I did for Andy on the contest post), your contact info, a photo and which date you’d like to go on and we’ll set you on the way to a fab V-Day 2008.

In dire need of a drink after work the other day, I convinced Crazy Andy to accompany me to the new and improved The Garter on Lincoln. I had gone there years ago when it was still the not-so-fancy sports bar called the Red Garter, and had left unimpressed. But after reading up on the reconverted dive bar, complete with new owner, I had to check it out. “Black chandeliers and purple velvet”? “Wii on a large flat-screen TV”? I’m there.

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If you notice, I got nuthin for Sunday because after Friday and Saturday you really should rest.

Friday, January 25

Polkadots & Moonbeams Semi-Annual Sale
Cute modern and vintage clothes for 30-75% off. My fave store(s) on fashionable 3rd Street will be having its Semi Annual Sale starting today. Get discounts off the likes of T Bags, Sky and more.

• Polkadots & Moonbeams, 8367 & 8381 W. Third Street, Los Angeles (map).

City Sip LA’s Trader Joe’s Wine 101
You’re fancy but you’re not THAT fancy. You appreciate all that the Trader Joe’s wine aisle has to offer. But if you ever get a teensy bit overwhelmed by the selection then this is the class for you. Enjoy a handful of the best that everyone’s fave grocer has to offer along with some TJ food.

• $40. 7-10pm. Click here to book the Joe’s Nose class.

The So Bad It’s Good Film Fest 1st Anniversary: Plan 9 From Outer Space
In celebration of The So Bad It’s Good Film Fest’s first birthday, they’ll present the mutha of all bad movies and the first one SBIG showed, Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From Outer Space. There’ll be a raffle and fun prizes as well as a tribute to Maila Nurmi (aka Vampira in the movie). Portions of the screening’s profits will go to the Maila Nurmi Memorial Fund to help with her burial. Morbid! Also, you can get a free coffee if you visit Cafe at the Vista and say “Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!”

• $10. Vista Theatre, 4473 Sunset Drive, Los Angeles (map).

The Bagavagabonds Art Explosion: Pop!
An art show that has free drinks from Newcastle, Kronenbourg, and Tito’s Vodka. ‘Nuff said, right? OK, if you must know more there will also be original art on sale for $50 or less, live music, djs, photo booths and live silk screening. And all for a good cause –a portion of the night’s proceeds will go to the “For the Arts” charity. RSVP to rsvp@bagavagabonds.com

• $10 (Free to artists). 8pm-1am. The Grand Ballroom at Pacific Electric Lofts, 610 S. Main Street, Downtown (map).

Saturday, January 26

Bar Keeper’s Sunset Junction Street Sale
Need to spruce up your wet bar? Shagadelic Bar Keeper in the Sunset Junction will be having a street sale along with neighbors Pull My Daisy and Den of Antiquity. Come check out their discount tables and in-store sales. Hmm, how much is that whiskey decanter in the window?

• 11am to dark. Bar Keeper, 3910 W. Sunset Boulevard, Silverlake (map). (323) 669-1675.

Angel City Derby Girls/Meltdown Comics Art Auction
Party down with the Angel City Derby Girls at Meltdown Comics’ art auction to support the league. Someone has to pay for those fishnets, knee pads and roller skates, people! Drink up and enjoy the works from local artists as well as tunes from Pigeon John.

• 7-11pm. Meltdown Comics, 7522 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles (map).

Space Is the Place: Roller Disco
Speaking of skating, why not keep the thrill on wheels going with a bit of roller disco at World on Wheels’ monthly disco party. DJs will spin your fave funk, electro and new wave tunes to get your groove on the real wooden skate floor.

• $10. 10pm. World on Wheels, 4645 1/2 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles (map).

**And we’re still taking submissions for the date with Andy contest. Lots of excellent ones so far, keep ‘em coming, ladies!

I’ve always wanted to go on a full moon ride ever since first I heard about it. So last night that’s just what I got to do with Los Angeles Horseback Riding up in Topanga Canyon.

“Wasn’t it rainy yesterday?” you ask. Why, yes, yes it was. So we didn’t really get to see the moon on this “full moon ride,” just caught a tiny sliver of it peeking through the clouds at us like a doorman looking through a slot in the door of an exclusive nightclub. The thing is, that L.A. Horseback Riding has a really strict policy about cancellations and they would only cancel the ride if the trail got “too soupy.”

So there we were at sundown, drizzle coming down, air getting chillier by the second, but we had to go through with it. At least our horse wrangler, Chris, put us on some really docile horses, who are used to carrying squirmy 7-year-olds, since it was our first time ever sitting on one.

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Flickr Shot by streetpix

For Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d do something fun and different for my single girl readers out there. No singles mixer, no anti-Valentine party. Something even better: I’m going to send you out on a fab date with a wonderful guy. And I’m not talking the generic dinner and a movie, I’m talking actual fun activities to do around our fine city.

Why am I doing this? Well, like me (before bf that is), you’ve probably tried Internet dating (blah), blind dates (scary) and even speed dating (tiring) and you still can’t find that one special guy. For some reason, it’s really tough in this town. So I figure, why not help my single crackhead-istas out and set them up with a prescreened guy on Caroline on Crack-approved dates? Sounds good, huh?

Well, the eligible bachelor who has agreed to submit to this fun lil’ Valentine experiment is none other than my good friend, Crazy Andy of LAist. He, too, is also finding it difficult to meet that one special lady. And my blog attracts fun, hip gals in the know who are up for anything and love L.A., so what better group to pull from?

And, don’t worry, I can personally vouch for Andy. Not that we dated but he’s been my partner in crime in hitting fun spots around town as well as my drinking buddy and he is a blast to hang out with. I’ll give you the lowdown on him later.

First, how this works is, you (single girl living within a 12-mile radius of Hollywood) pick one of the date options listed below and email me your stats and contact info and we’ll contact you, have a little chat and set things up. Easy-peasy.

But back to Andy, cuz I bet you want to know more about him:

Age: 32
Sign: Aquarius
Height: 5′10″
Web site: http://netzoo.net
Favorite karaoke song: White Wedding
Fave drink: Bourbon on the rocks, Seven Grand’s Brock
Fave wine: Cabernet, Malbec
Celebrity he’d date: Drew Barrymore
Who he’d vote for: Barack Obama
Fave item of clothing: Hoodie
Likes: Traveling the world, writing, playing guitar, sailing, biking, hiking, camping, wine tasting
Looks for in a woman: Confidence, fun-loving, free-spirited, slappable ass, someone with a sense of humor who appreciates sarcasm
Pet peeves: Smoking, pessimists, perfume
Personal quote: It’s another great day to save the world.

So now what’s Andy’s type? It took some arm-twisting to get him to tell me what kind of girl he’s attracted to. He was more into saying what personality traits he looks for in a date. But I was able to get that he likes curves in moderation and not someone who’s too skinny. Height and age seemed pretty flexible factors for him.

And now to the all-expenses-paid dates (not including your parking, dating attire and stuff like that) you can pick from:

• Date #1: Date with a view. Stroll around the Observatory and take in the dreamy Planetarium show and then go for dinner and drinks afterward in Los Feliz. I’m thinking Figaro or Mes Amis and then the Good Luck Bar and Tiki Ti. I can vouch for this date as I did the same thing once. Twas v. romantic.

• Date #2: Hot time in the city. Salsa dancing lessons on a Wednesday night followed by an Argentinian dinner and exotic drinks. You’ll learn some new hot moves and then be able to take it out on the dance floor after. And yes, Andy is not afraid to dance.

• Date #3: Rock on! Either catch a live show at Safari Sam’s or El Cid and enjoy supper and cocktails there. Andy is always out and about checking the live music scene so a girl loves a good show would be ideal.

We’ll set Andy up on these dates and after each one do a synopsis of how it went down, getting quotes from the dater and the datee. After the dates, Andy will pick one of the girls to go on a grand prize date with him, hopefully just in time for Valentine’s Day.

So drop me a line at carolineoncrack at gmail.com (or leave a comment), tell me a little about yourself (you can use the list I did about Andy above), include your contact information and photo and let me know which date you’d like to go on. Deadline for submissions is February 1. May the best girl win!

The other night, my friend Ramona was celebrating her last night as a Chambord ambassador with a little gettogether at her favorite bar, the Happy Ending Bar and Restaurant. Apparently she likes to come here to watch football on Sundays. Yes, it’s a sports bar. But unlike a lot of sports bars that you know, here, they fancy themselves, well, fancy with their gourmet bar food — i.e. gruyere cheese instead of American cheese in their grilled cheese sandwiches and truffle-herb French fries. H’well!

My plus twos for the party, Shelley and Remy, and I grabbed a table since I was famished and wanted to order food. The extensive double-sided menu listed Happy ‘Tizers (appetizers), Happy Medium (uh, small entree?) and Happy To Be Large (entrees?) as well as hot or cold New York “sang’wiches” and NY-style pizzas. The entrees ranged in price from a $10 hot dog to a $27 South Street Seaport pie which was a seafood pizza topped with shrimp, clams and lobster.

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Did I already tell you how much I love our city? This weekend we have so many different and cool things going on: a neon cruise, swinging ice skating and a taco truck adventure.

Friday, January 18

Xu Xu Fang, Exitmusic and Winter Flowers at Bordello Bar
I’ll be at Bordello before the music starts for a Yelp party but then will stick around to check out Xu Xu Fang, which has been described by Flavorpill as a cross between “Jefferson Airplane with a little Radiohead and maybe a hint of Berlin.” Lovely! Winter Flowers and Exitmusic will open up the show.

• $10. 9pm. Bordello Bar, 901 E 1st Street, Downtown (map). (213) 687-3766.

Guerrilla Gay Bar Takes Over Lola’s
Look out, straight martini drinkers, the gays are taking over your favorite tini bar, Lola’s. Choose from over 50 cocktail options or check out the best seller list and make some fab friends while you’re at it. Since this joint is usually busy on weekend nights you might want to show up earlier than the appointed 10pm. GGB dress code: Wear a tie — bolo, bow tie, neck tie, take your pick. RSVP here.

• 10pm. Lola’s, 945 N Fairfax Avenue, West Hollywood (map).

Saturday, January 19

Eraserhead 30th Anniversary Screening at LACMA
You may know him as L.A.’s much beloved weatherman but before that he actually made movies. To cap off LACMA’s weekend of all things David Lynch where they pay tribute with screenings of his short films and a documentary on the strange genius, the museum will screen a restored 30th-anniversary version of his early film, Eraserhead.

• 9:10pm. $9. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles (map).

MONA’s 2008 Poet’s Beat Neon Cruise
Oooh! Shiny! This bus tour sounds like so much fun — neon combined with a booze cruise. Tour the city’s best bright lights while enjoying the spoken-word poetic commentary of Mike the Poet on the neon landscape. And to add that special blurred effect to the lights, there will be three stops at some of your fave bars.

• $25 for MONA members, $35 general. Meet at Olive Street and Pershing Square (map). Reservations: (213) 489-9918.

Sunday, January 20

Shark Run/Walk and Mako Mile
For a lovely morning run, it doesn’t get any better than this 5K along beautiful Zuma Beach. Forget about improving your time, check out that scenery. And if 3 miles is just too much, you can do the Mako Mile.

• 7:15am. $20 before race day, $25 on race day. Malibu High School Track at Malibu High, 30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu (map).

Swingin’ Sundays at Pershing Square
Aww, Downtown on Ice will close its rink on the 21st but you can still enjoy one more go-round during the last Swingin’ Sunday. Latin/Ska band Upground will heat up the ice for your skating pleasure.

• 8pm. $6 for skating, $2 skate rental. Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive Street, Downtown (map).

Yelpers’ Eagle Rock Taco Truck Crawl
Can’t get enough of taco trucks? You’ll find like-minds at the Eagle Rock Taco Truck Crawl organized by Yelpers with strong stomachs. The group will meet at All Star Lanes, where they will also end the night with drinking and karaoke. The truck lineup will include Leo’s, Sonia’s, Rambo’s and Verdugo Taco Stand, to name a few. Don’t forget to bring lots o’ cash for the tacos.

• 7pm. All Star Lanes, 4459 Eagle Rock Boulevard, Los Angeles (map).

Ever wanted to try places like Dakota and Katsuya but shied away from all those “$$$$” listed on their Gayot descriptions? Yeah, me, too. Fortunately dineLA’s restaurant week(s) is making it affordable for cheapskates like us to enjoy a swank meal out at such high-end restaurants.

From January 27 to February 1 and from February 3 to February 8, a bunch of Los Angeles restaurants — from Downtown to the beach cities — will be offering prixe-fixe meals for just $15-$22 (lunch) and $25-34 (dinner). But hurry and make your reservations now before your favorites get booked up. Either do it through OpenTable.com or call up the restaurant. (FYI, some restaurants require a minimum number of diners for reservations. Shelley and I tried to make reservations at Bistrotek but were told they only accepted reservations for parties of 6 or more. Boo.)

BTW, who were the folks interested in the dessert platter at Simon LA? I was thinking about going there for their $34 dinner…and then trying the dessert platter, too. Anyone game?

Some of my fave Meal Deals:

Circa 55 Restaurant - $34 dinner

Appetizers

• Choice 1 - Pan Seared Foie Gras and Scallop with Chive Puree and Black Pepper Foam
• Choice 2 - Winter Squash Risotto with Sage and Truffle Oil
• Choice 3 - Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries, Dates, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans and Miso Vinaigrette

Entrees

• Choice 1 - Pan Seared Ahi Tuna with a Creamy Polenta, Asian Pear Relish and Lemongrass Broth
• Choice 2 - Grilled 8 Oz. New York Steak with Roasted Pepper-Blue Cheese Relish and Thyme Demi-Glace
• Choice 3 - Turkey Meatball Bucatini Pasta with Roasted Garlic, Pesto and Mozzarella

Desserts

• Choice 1 - Trio of House Made Sorbets
• Choice 2 - Journey into Chocolate
• Choice 3 - Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee

Ciudad - $34 dinner

Appetizers

• Choice 1 - Arugula and Celery Root Salad with Spiced Pepita Seeds, Pomegranate, Shaved Manchego and Lemon Vinaigrette
• Choice 2 - Spinach Empanada with Pinenuts, Raisins and Cheese
• Choice 3 - Shrimp Tamale Negro - Black Corn Masa Filled with Sweet Shrimp, Peppers, Scallion and Aji Amarillo Chile Sauce

Entrees

• Choice 1 - Olive Oil Poached Artic Char served with Braised Orange and Fennel over Tacu Tacu, a Peruvian “Dirty Rice” Made with Mashed Lentils and Pan Fried Rice
• Choice 2 - Polo Ciudad - Grilled Chicken on Cuban Rice with Cilantro Sauce and Pickled Tomatoes
• Choice 3 - Carnitas - Slow Roasted Niman Ranch Pork served with Mashed Yucas, Black Beans, Fried Plantains and Grilled Corn Salsa

Desserts

• Choice 1 - Tres Leches Cake with Passion Fruit and Prickly Pear Sauces
• Choice 2 - Barcelona Chocolate Cake with Spanish Brandy
• Choice 3 - Coconut Lime Cake with Lime Curd and Toasted Coconut

One Sunset - $34 dinner

Appetizers

• Choice 1 - Candy Striped Beets, Blood Oranges, Goat’s Cheese
• Choice 2 - Spicy Tuna Tartare, Tempura Eggplant
• Choice 3 - Prosciutto, Shaved Pear, St. Andre Flatbread

Entrees

• Choice 1 - Beef Tenderloin, Potato Pancakes, King Crab Bernaise
• Choice 2 - Seared Main Scallops, Butternut Squash, Blackberry Gastrique
• Choice 3 - Cornbread-Stuffed Chicken, Cranberry Marmalade

Desserts

• Choice 1 - Chocolate Molten Cake, Passion Fruit Sorbet
• Choice 2 - ‘Peanut Butter Cup’ Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Choice 3 - Sticky Toffee Pumpkin Cake, Chai Ice Cream

The Happy Ending Bar & Restaurant - $25 dinner

Appetizers

• Choice 1 - Miso Glazed Fish Tacos with Wasabi Cream and Tomato Avocado Salsa
• Choice 2 - Filet Mignon ‘Sliders’ on Pretzel Rolls with Chipotle Cream and Caramelized Onion
• Choice 3 - ‘Feel the Beet’ Salad with Gorgonzola and Wilted Spinach

Entrees

• Choice 1 - Roasted Free-Range Chicken Breast with Wild Mushroom Polenta and Honey-Lemon Sauce
• Choice 2 -Kobe Beef Burger and Garlic Fries
• Choice 3 - Penne alla Vodka with Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage

Desserts

• Choice 1 - Warm and Gooey Chocolate Cake
• Choice 2 - Crisp Banana Cheesecake ‘Bunuelos’
• Choice 3 - Platter of Freshly Made Cookies and Milk

There’s nothing like a nice cuppa Irish coffee on a chilly winter night, even if that winter night is about 50 degrees. You’ve probably had the Irish coffee that’s sweetened with Bailey’s and topped with canned whipped cream and maybe even sprinkled with cocoa. That’s all well and good but if you want it done right, the original way, Seven Grand’s bartender Marcos Tello told me how. He asked that I not post the bar’s exact recipe but I can point you in the general direction.

Back story of Irish coffee: It was created in 1942 by a chef named Joe Sheridan who created the yummy concoction to offer passengers a warm welcome to the Foynes Airport in Ireland. San Francisco is the city that introduced the drink to North America via the Buena Vista Cafe which still exists today (on Beach and Hyde Streets) and serves about 2,000 Irish coffees a day.

Seven Grand’s Irish coffee recipe a la Marcos:

• Powers Irish Whiskey: “This was the original one Joe used and the only one that Seven Grand uses with their Irish Coffee Recipe.”
• Brown sugar: “This was the original sweetener that Joe used as well.”
• Coffee: “The key is not to drown the whiskey with coffee, only accent it.”

“Stir these ingredients well. Layer in freshly whipped heavy cream. (Again we whip our cream ‘a la minute,’ per coffee for the freshest ‘whip’ available.)”

If you want to know the measurements, Buena Vista’s recipe has similar ones.

On Saturday, I ordered one from Marcos while bar manager Patrick, who was looking very jaunty in his fedora, made my friend one. Marcos used more sugar than Patrick did which was fine by me and Patrick seemed to use more whiskey which is always a good thing. In either case, it was a tasty treat to enjoy on the patio on a January evening. Chill? What chill?