Monday, November 17:
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles‘ Hunger Games Braid Bar
Fans for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 need to head over the The Ritz-Carlton for an exclusive Braid Bar to coincide with the film’s Los Angeles debut at the adjacent Regal LA LIVE Cinema. Those looking to sport their own Katniss-inspired hair braid can select one of three styles offered by the spa’s master stylists before heading down to the red carpet festivities. $85; Monday, 10 am-4 pm; The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles, 900 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.763.4400
Cycle House WeHo 2.0
Cycle House is opening their new studio location on the corner of Melrose and La Cienega, which still brings fitness and philanthropy, along with their intense, no-gimmicks workout. With industrial materials, metals, black granite, and edgy details, the revamped WeHo location features a 1,000-square-foot spin room with 58-bike seating, dimmer controlled LED lighting, and a state of the art sound system. Amenities include stylish locker rooms, a “selfie station” to capture pre and post workout moments, ample USB and power outlets, a full retail area, and an outdoor terrace lounge for relaxation and socializing. The space also offers Cycle House’s staple complimentary amenities, including alkaline filtered water, fresh fruit, validated parking, and cycling shoe rental. In keeping with tradition, Cycle House continues to spread the mantra of Live.Love.Ride and for every class purchased, Cycle House donates two meals to feed the hungry through the non-profit organization Feeding America. Opens Monday; 8511 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.358.0888
Alfred in the Alley Opens
Get your caffeinated sweet fix with a chocolate-dipped coffee cone on a stadium bench in the middle of a Melrose Place. With a focus on cold brewed coffee, head over to the brass bar, that has two taps, both with cold-brewed Stumptown coffee and then maybe order a Farmshop bacon cheddar scone, an Il Forno Caldo sandwich or one of those chocolate-dipped coffee cones. If you just need to get your fix and keep going, they’ll fill up a growler with cold brew for you to take home. 8509 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 424.288.4126
Tuesday, November 18:
Passport to Wine
Did you know Tuesday is the most depressing day of the week? Brighten it up by tasting unlimited amounts of wine and sake! You’ll experience flavors from 12 different regions across the globe, so you can leave the restaurant feeling good about Tuesday. Tuesday, 5-7 pm; Chaya, 110 Navy St., Venice, CA
Dominick’s 60 Minute Wine Class
The night will feature a tasting of Tuscany-based wines, light bites and an informative discussion by sommelier Susan Brink. The wines for the evening include: 2011 Badia di Morrona i sodi dela Paretaio Chianti; 2011 Villa le Prata Tirso Rosso di Montalcino; 2010 Le Cupole di Trinoro Super Tuscan, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot; and 2008 Pelagrilli Brunello di Montalcino. Tuesday, 6:30 pm; 8715 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048; 310.652.2335
Fun Lovers Unite
Get ready for the likes of Neil Hamburger, Sarah Silverman, Tim Heidecker, and Mike Watt, as well as some other special guests. $25; The Echoplex, 1822 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026; 213.413.8200
Happy Healthy Holiday Food Drive
Get your nails done and help a cause because The Los Angeles Food Bank and holistic health coach @GranolaBitch are partnering up to help the hungry this holiday season. The first 50 guests to RSVP and bring three to five cans of food will receive a free manicure! There will also be healthy and tasty food samplings provided by Soupure, Lo’s Nut Butter, Fala Bar, and more! Tuesday 18, 5-8 pm; 1609B Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA
Compañía de Café Opens its Second Location
The Mexican-American-inspired café blends traditional Mexican culture with a modern American approach, featuring both classic and creative coffee drinks and made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch items, like their signature pastries, seasonal salads, and tortas. Award-winning Director of Coffee Operations Percy Ramirez (formerly of Intelligentsia and G&B Coffee) helms the beverage program, which combines classic espresso drinks, traditional Mexican beverages, and unique creations. Executive Pastry Chef Tamara Davis (formerly of Boule and Bottega Louie) also contributes to the beverage program, creating housemade ganaches for the café’s mocha beverages, in addition to her sweet and savory culinary items. Thursday; 4705 Firestone Blvd.; 323.476.7201
BREADBAR’s Seven Days of Thanksgiving
The Century City neighborhood bistro invites you to get a sneak peek into the holiday flavors. The Seven Days of Thanksgiving menu features: Turkey panini with cranberry sauce and Swiss cheese; Mashed potato stuffed portobello mushrooms with gravy and bacon bits; BREADBAR signature stuffing; and Kale & beet salad with roasted red and golden beets, roasted walnuts and a cranberry/balsamic dressing. All orders from the “Seven Days of Thanksgiving” menu include a slice of pumpkin pie. Thursday through Thanksgiving; 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90067; 310.277.3770
Wednesday, November 19:
FLIX at FIG
This month is a special double feature! Bring a blanket, grab food and drinks at TASTE and watch a special double screening of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and The Goonies! The cool, crisp air of the fall is here, so the screening will be moving inside of TASTE. The $7 FIGat7th happy hour will be happening throughout both movies and all TASTE eateries are open until 9 pm. Park your car for $5 (entering after 4 pm) and enjoy delicious food, shop, lounge, and a Live DJ starting at 5 pm. First 150 guests receive complimentary kettle corn to munch on during the show! Wednesday, first movie screening starts at 5:30 pm; FIGat7th – 735 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting
Head to the beach for a festive night that includes the pier lighting ceremony, carolers, musicians, Santa and more. Local merchants will be open until 9 pm so you can get a jump on your holiday shopping. Wednesday; Downtown Manhattan Beach and Manhattan Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach.
Decades of Design
The first-ever retrospective by the West Hollywood Design District celebrates six decades of design history in West Hollywood. The curated gallery will showcase design pioneers and present tastemakers through graphics, photographs and more. Wednesday through February 28, 11 am-7 pm; West Hollywood Library, 625 N San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA
Italian Wine Tasting with TDR
Join TDR & The North American Sommelier Association for a night of unlimited premium Italian wine tastings, lite bites, and blind tasting challenges, in Madera Kitchen’s beautiful outdoor patio. Wednesday, 7-9 pm; Madera Kitchen,1835 N Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028; RSVP; Use promo code “wino” for $25 off your first ride with luxury car app, Toro Ride.
Sushi Roku Celebrates 14 years
The restaurant will host the ultimate throwback birthday party, with fourteen of its most iconic dishes and half-off all lunch and dinner items. The menu includes Yellowtail Diced Chilies with olive oil & garlic ponzu; Pan-Fried Spicy Jumbo Shrimp with homemade potato chips; Tuna Sashimi Carpaccio with soy & garlic chips; Hanabi: Yellowtail and Diced Chilies on Crispy Rice; Filet Mignon Wrapped Asparagus with soy mirin sauce; Baked Cod “Saikyo-Yaki” in sweet miso; Shima Roll: Shrimp Wrapped Spicy Tuna with cilantro & avocado; Katana Roll with spicy tuna & shrimp tempura topped with tuna & yellowtail; Sizzling Mushroom Toban-yaki; Edamame Hummus with wonton chips; Chilean Seabass with yuzu butter; Salmon Sashimi Wasabi Roots; Sea Bass “ Harumaki” Springrolls with herb citrus dip; and Salmon Tempura Roll with asparagus and avocado & yuzu ponzu. Wednesday & Thursday; 33 Miller Alley, Pasadena, CA 91103; 626.683.3000
Reyka Vodka Tasting
Wind down this Wednesday by sippin’ cocktails and enjoying small bites by new brand ambassador, Trevor Schneider. Wednesday, 6-7:30 pm; La Poubelle, 5907 Franklin Ave., Hollywood, CA
Hendrick’s Emporium of the Unusual
If you like to live on the edge, this is for you. Try unique and odd flavors of food and cocktails. Wednesday & Thursday, 7:30 pm- 12 am; Mack Sennett Studios, 1215 Bates Ave., Silver Lake, CA
Thursday, November 20:
Global Fashion Exchange (GFX)
This Copenhagen-founded clothing swap market is coming to Los Angeles. The H&M-sponsored event will offer you the opportunity to part ways with their bygone clothes while promoting sustainability. To access the GFX, you must contribute a minimum of one clean, gently-used garment. After making the contribution, your item will go into the common pool of clothing, and in exchange they will be able to select any garments desired. Free; Thursday, 4-8 pm; Dolby Theatre, Hollywood & Highland Center Los Angeles, CA 90028
Hama Sushi Celebrates 35 years in Venice
Located on the former Grand Canal in historic Venice Beach, California Hama was founded in 1979 and was one of the first authentic Japanese sushi restaurants in the US. A decade ahead of the sushi craze, many SoCal residents can trace their first sushi experience to a table in this restaurant. Celebrate 35 years with free tempura ice cream, happy hour all night on the patio, and DJ Loboman 7-10 pm. Thursday; 213 Windward Ave., Venice, CA 90291
Andaz West Hollywood Salon event series
This is their final complimentary wine tasting for 2014. Each month, Andaz West Hollywood partners with the experts at V Wine Room to guide wine-lovers through a selection of curated red and white wines from boutique California wineries. Free; Thursday, 5-7 pm; 8401 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 323.656.1234
Winterlit on Third Street Promenade
With ICE at Santa Monica now open at the corner of Arizona and 5th Street, Downtown Santa Monica is set to officially ring in the holidays. Winterlit is a season-long holiday celebration with an official tree lighting, a Santa Parade, and a series of events and activities transforming the community into a celebratory wonderland for everyone. Winterlit will feature holiday activities and snow drifting down each Thursday at Wilshire Blvd & Third Street Promenade. Schedule includes: Kick off on Thursday, Photos With Santa Claus (Friday), Let It Snow (November 27, 6 pm), Pet Photos with Santa Claus (December 1, 8, 15), Menorah Lightings (December 16 – December 23), Outdoor Screening of Elf with Hot Chocolate (December 18, 6 pm), and more. More info: SantaMonicaPlace.com or call 310.260.8333
Grilled Cheesegiving
Tillamook and Chef Eric Greenspan have teamed up to feature special Thanksgiving menu items available at Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese from November 20 – 26. Tillamook and Greenspan’s will donate a pack of slices and a portion of proceeds to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank for every specialty item sold, including: Thanksgiving Grilled Cheese – Tillamook Medium Cheddar on Rye bread with turkey, green beans, crispy shallots, cranberry sage chutney and gravy dip; Sweet Potato Latkes – with roasted marshmallow and Tillamook Sour Cream; and Throwback Apple Pie – with melted Tillamook Cheddar and a scoop of Tillamook Caramel Butter Pecan Ice Cream. Thursday to November 26; 7461 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.591.0177
