Monday, December 1:
Grain at Playa Provisions’
The back room whiskey bar, is now offering happy hour with libations and bites all under $7. Snack on Garlic & Pepper Calamari, Clams & Rock Shrimp; Chicken Oyster Skewers; Warm Gourgeres; Deviled Crispy Chicken Skin Toast; and more. Libations include $5 wine, $4 Trumer Pilsner; and a $6 Ginger Buck. Monday– Friday, 6–7 pm; 119 Culver Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90293; 310.683.5019
Animal’s Ramen Nights
The meat-based restaurant from Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, is serving up ramen only on Monday and Tuesday nights. Limited to just 20 bowls per night, at the bar only. The special bowl is made with Tonkotsu broth, ham hock, pork belly char siu, and veggies. Monday & Tuesday, 9 pm-close; 35 N Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.782.9225
Weekly LaLaLa
The annual half-off special from Weekly LaLaLa returns for two weeks around Los Angeles. Last year, Weekly LaLaLa, a Japanese-language publication, announced a city-wide deal that offers 50% off ramen in places like Shin Sen Gumi, Daikokuya, and more. Now, the special is back with some newer spots like Urban Ramen in Hollywood, Top N One in Westwood, Ramen Yukinoya in Monterey Park, Suehiro in Little Tokyo, Ebaes near USC, Tonta in Hacienda Heights, and Kosuke in Alhambra, and Pingtung on Melrose. So bowls normally costing $13 will be $6.50. The specials extend down to the OC and San Diego. $2 for passes and go to the discount spots at the right time (instructions are on their site).
Tuesday, December 2:
Hotel Casa del Mar New Mural by Jules Muck
The hotel has commissioned celebrated local street artist Jules Muck to create an exclusive, temporary art installation at the center of its grand lobby. This one-of-a-kind art piece, which Muck will create live on-site beginning Tuesday, is part of a grand transformation project currently underway at Hotel Casa del Mar. They are in their final stage of an exciting Michael S. Smith-led redesign that includes its lobby and bar area, dining destinations, and grand entryway. The art will remain until early January 2015, when the bar’s construction completes and the hotel makes her work available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation; Muck will also host an on-property lecture for local Santa Monica High School art students with her new work as the focal point. The piece will feature three Masonite slabs spray painted featuring Muck’s signature green paint and depicting a colorful parade of elephants alongside playful hot air balloons, a theme depicted in many of Muck’s works. Tuesday, 6-9 pm, through Saturday, December 6; 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310.581.5533
Sopra at Sotto
This Los Angeles Italian restaurant has a holiday-themed Northern Italian feast for $65, with nine courses including meat-and-cheese tortellini and Muscovy duck breast. The eating continues! 9575 W Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035; 310.277.0210
Illuminocean
This event is in its first year and is lighting up the entire bay in Dana Point with 22 gargantuan, ocean-themed light sculptures made of 500,000+ LED lights. Grab some 3D glasses and take in all the holiday fun. Tuesday through January 4; Dana Point Harbor, 24800 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
Wednesday, December 3:
December Terrace Tasting Series Featuring Glenlivet
On Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 7-9pm, The Bazaar by José Andrés will host their monthly Terrace Tasting Series on the Bar Centro Terrace, this time featuring Glenlivet Whisky. Guests will be guided through sips of classic, limited-edition and varietal whiskies paired with Chef José Andrés’ signature modern tapas. The menu is available for $58 per person and may be pre-purchased online. Additionally, guests staying for dinner at The Bazaar can enjoy 10% off their dinner bill.
Alma’s $50 Market Menu
Alma won Best New Restaurant in America by Bon Appetit in 2013 and switched over from an a la carte service to a tasting menu format earlier this year. The $95 menu eliminated the $65 option, offering only one experience for diners. Yesterday owners announced a new $50 market menu on Instagram, which has three courses and runs Tuesday-Thursday. They’re also encouraging walk-ins in addition to reservations, which changes up their game too.
Citizen Science + Cocktails
When researchers and the public work together, it’s always a reason to celebrate. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s (NHM) Citizen Science + Cocktails program brings together researchers, naturalists, and citizen scientists over appetizers and cocktails to get the latest updates on citizen science projects, and the stories behind them. December’s event brings Dr. Darrel Jenerette to the Museum to talk about theLos Angeles Tree Tracker project, a study of green space in L.A. that will help researchers determine which trees are most efficient at reducing the urban heat island effect. Two days of data collection done by everyday citizens will have a real impact on environmental decisions made in our own city. Free; Wednesday, 5–7:30 pm (5 pm: Cocktail hour (cash bar), 6 pm: Lecture begins, followed by Q&A), Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007; RSVP to nature@nhm.org.
Thursday, December 4:
Clover Canyon Sample Sale
The L.A.-based label is having a major, two-day sample sale. Enough buying for other, make your closet more colorful! Thursday and Friday, 9 am-5 pm; 834 South Broadway 12th Fl, Los Angeles, CA
Splendid’s® 2nd Annual Nationwide Holiday Book Drive
This drive for Milk + Bookies benefits the National Relief Charities and donated books will be used to stock eight school libraries at the Pine Ridge Reservation located in southwest South Dakota. Bring new or gently used books for children of all ages – early readers through high school – to LA area Splendid® stores to donate to these schools. To add to the experience, donators are invited to inscribe their donated books with a description about what they love about reading. To sweeten the deal, those that donate 5 or more books will receive 50% off one item from Splendid. To celebrate the kick off of the book drive, Splendid and Milk + Bookies are throwing a Bedtime Story event at the Montana Avenue Splendid store in Santa Monica. Get over there in your jammies and enjoy bedtime stories read by a special guest, while enjoying festive snacks and sips (for children and adults) from Thyme Cafe + Market! Thursday, 6 – 8 pm; 1324 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, CA, 90403; rsvp_Montana@vfc.com
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles‘s Holiday Glitz & Glam
This festive evening is filled with professional tips and tricks, much needed winter-skin treatments, and holiday “how-to” classes designed to ensure you are the star of every merry occasion. In addition to demos from their favorite skincare and wellness lines, as well as mini-treatments, a holiday raffle, sweet treats and bubbles, you will have the opportunity to shop some of the spa’s favorite things! Participating Vendors and Classes: Eminence Organic Skincare, Kinema Fitness, Jane Iredale, Dr. Dennis Gross, African Botanics, Salon 11, and NuFace. $20 (includes valet parking, raffle entry, and one reserved mini-treatment); Thursday, 5:30 – 8:30 pm; “How To” classes start every half hour, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Los Angeles, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213.743.8824
The Georgian Hotel‘s Vintage Flair
The Georgian lobby will be Santa Monica’s music hall on this Thursday and each Thursday night leading up to Christmas. Holidays on Vinyl rings in the season with caroling throwbacks and new mash-ups. The line-up includes the classics like Bing Crosby’s White Christmas and Elvis’ Christmas Album to more recent Christmas smashes like Kelly Clarkson’s Wrapped in Red and Michael Buble’s Christmas. You can also sip four spirited signature cocktails: Rummy Hot Chocolate made with Myers Dark Rum, whipped cream, chocolate sauce drizzle; Spiced Brandied Apple made with apple juice, brandy, cinnamon, simple syrup, garnished with an apple slice; Hot Toddy made with Maker’s Mark, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon stick swirl; Irish Coffee made with coffee, Jameson whiskey, brown sugar, locally roasted organic coffee, whipped cream, cinnamon. Thursday, 6 -9 pm; 1415 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401; 800.538.8147
KAA Design: Art Exhibit & Sale 2014
KAA Design is partnering with and having proceeds benefit artworxLA. They working to combat our city’s high school dropout crisis through arts education. You will enjoy a evening with friends, food, and artistic expression including paintings, photography, jewelry, culinary delights and much more! Free; Thursday, 7-10 pm; KAA Design, 4201 Redwood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90066; RSVP:events@kaadesigngroup.com
