Churchill's mushroom pizza - Photo by Mar Yvette

Hot New Pick: The Churchill

Stories 8 Nov 2011
Another gastropub? I know, I thought the same thing, too. But the same thing the Churchill is not. This new gastropub on Third Street is named after Sir Winston himself and it could do a good job making you as rotund as the old guy. Not because the food is fattening. It’s because the food is so good that you’re gonna keep eating and eating until you feel like you have to be trundled out rolly-polly style like Violet from “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.” (Which I’ve secretly always kinda wanted to do.)
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Scarlet Stone - Photo by Jim Carmody

Red Hot: Scarlet Stone Hits LA

Stories 8 Nov 2011
Looking for some stimulating entertainment? Something that won't dumb you down yet will still hold your attention? A multisensory experience that is beautiful on the surface yet has an intensely deep message? Then you might want to check out Scarlet Stone, a new production that brings an ancient tale to life with a modern mix of music, dance and animation. Scarlet Stone has been in production since the 2009 uprising in Iran and will now be at UCLA's Freud Playhouse on December 10 and December 11. It's politics as poetry. Who knew?
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High Kicks @ Skybar

Hump Day: High Kicks @ Skybar

Stories 5 Nov 2011
Is your Hump Day feeling dry and boring lately? Well, then. Skybar at the Mondrian has just the antidote to add a little splash to your mid-week slump. Consider this your invitation to get your kicks every Wednesday night at the famed poolside rooftop bar. High Kicks is a weekly art and music series showcasing live street-art installations from LAB Art gallery as well as Semi Precious Weapons glam-rocker Justin Tranter on the turn tables.
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Photo courtesy of Licorice Flix

Sweet Art: Licorice Flix Opens

Stories 4 Nov 2011
If you've got a craving for incredible edible art, look no further than the latest exhibit at the iam8bit Gallery in Echo Park. Created by mosaic portrait artist Jason Mecier, "Licorice Flix" is a collection of large-scale portraits made with everyone's favorite movie theatre snack, Red Vines. Consider it your chance to recreate that wallpaper-licking scene from "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory." Only this time Dexter and Harry Potter are on the menu.
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Z' Tejas Veev Spa Cooler

Liquid Diet: 12 Skinny Cocktails

Top Lists 21 Oct 2011
Summer is the obvious time when people think about losing weight, cutting calories and finally getting that bikini bod. (So shallow you are.) But just because sweater weather has officially arrived doesn’t mean you still couldn’t trim off a few calories here and there. And because not drinking is not an option, more places around Los Angeles and Orange County are offering skinny cocktails. Here are 12 drinks (without artificial ingredients) that will help you live it up while keeping your calorie count down.
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Thread live artist - Photo by Alexander Matthews

Pop-Up: Thread Show in LA

Stories 20 Oct 2011
Fashion, art, music, food, drinks AND hair, makeup and mini massages all in one place? Yes, kids. The THREAD Show is coming to LA at the Cooper Design Space on Sunday, November 13 and it's all about local, indie and DIY fun in the city. The one-stop pop-up shop will have dozens of clothing racks but there will also be a retro photo booth and art gallery, live music, FREE hair and makeup touch-ups, free manis & mini-massages, DIY gift wrapping lounge and a swap lounge where you can trade your old clothes for someone else’s threads. Did I mention the full bar and free snacks?
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Antonello's Pearfecto

20 Fall Cocktails To Warm You Up

Top Lists 15 Oct 2011
Ah, fall. A season marked by crisp air, turning leaves, longer nights and lots of sweaters. That may be true for the rest of the country, but here in SoCal we’ll settle for the longer nights. Because even though it sucks when you’re stuck at work long after the sun has gone down, it also means there are more after-dark drinking hours. (Gotta look on the bright side!) From smoky sweet sensations to seasonally ripe concoctions, here are 20 fall cocktails ready to warm you up around Los Angeles and Orange County.
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Quention Tarantino's Pulp Fiction

For the Record: Quentin Tarantino

Stories 14 Oct 2011
Even if you've seen every Quentin Tarantino movie a dozen times, chances are you've never seen them this close up and personal. That's because For the Record--LA's favorite musical troupe that takes on some of the coolest movie soundtracks and translates them into full-on interactive experiences--is about to get all Tarantino about it now through November 12.
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Photo courtesy of Avalon Hotel

Get Away: 11/11/11 @ The Avalon

Stories 10 Oct 2011
Looking for a little weekend getaway from the city IN the city? Then you might wanna check in to the Avalon Hotel on Friday, November 11. Book a two or three night stay that weekend in one of their newly renovated guest rooms and you'll get a night for just $11. You'll also enjoy an $11 continental breakfast as well as an $11 cocktail and $11 appetizer special at Oliverio Restaurant. As for taking a dip in that conspicuously located hourglass pool? That won’t cost you a thing, except maybe a little pride.
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Jet Tila's pit bull

Q&A: Chef Jet Tila Does Bistronomics

Stories 3 Oct 2011
Chef Jet Tila is known for his mad skills in Asian cuisine. He runs the show at uber-luxe Wazuzu at Encore in Las Vegas, holds the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Stir Fry” and now he's hosting Bistronomics in LA, a series of dinners focused on creative and affordable haute cuisine. I caught up with Jet to talk Asian culture, LA cuisine, fusion vs. confusion and why pit bulls rule.
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James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour

James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour

Stories 1 Oct 2011
Since chefs are the new rock stars, this is one tour stop that'll be music to your mouth. On Thursday, October 20, the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour hits LA at Chaya Brasserie for a one-night-only dining experience. Chef Harutaka Kishi will be joined by Iron Chef Marc Forgione (along with his brother Bryan and their father, Larry "Godfather of American Cuisine" Forgione) to create a five-course dinner--with wine or beer pairings, naturally--that aims to rock your world.
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Claremont Village Venture - Photo courtesy of Brown Eyed World

Get Out: Arts & Crafts Fair in Claremont

Stories 1 Oct 2011
Looking for some cheap fun? Then check out the Village Venture Arts & Crafts Fair going on Saturday, October 22 in Claremont Village. The free annual event is the largest of its kind in SoCal with more than 450 arts & crafts booths, live music, food, a Halloween kiddie costume parade and wacky things you never knew you wanted.
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Photo courtesy of India Jazz Suites

See This: India Jazz Suites

Stories 30 Sep 2011
If "Slumdog Millionaire" had a dance-off with "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk" it might look a little something like India Jazz Suites, a rhythmically charged collaboration between one of India's most famed dancers and one of the world's fastest tap dancers in Long Beach on October 21 and 22.
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Photo courtesy of City Tavern

Oktoberfest Events in LA

Top Lists 26 Sep 2011
Steins brimming with beer. Chicks baring boobs in dirndls. Grown men dancing in lederhosen. And lots of sausage and strudel. Yes, folks, Oktoberfest is here. Which, in the grand American tradition of celebrating foreign holidays, means one thing: It's time to booze it up! The biggest event might be going on in Munich, but there are plenty of places around LA, OC and the IE that are getting German with it. So raise a glass and get ready to oompah your way through the month.
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Fred Segal - Shop til you drop!

50% Off Sale @ Fred Segal

Stories 20 Sep 2011
Summer's over, but Fred Segal Santa Monica is heating things up just in time for fall with their annual sale that lowers prices week by week. Going on Friday, September 23 through Sunday, October 9, the sale is offering 50% off selected merchandise from designers like Elizabeth & James (lovez), Me & Ro jewelry (totally lovez) and oh so many more. It’s like more than 20 sample sales all under one roof!
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Step inside 1886 Bar for a little St. Elmo's Fire

Strange Brew: 8 Beer Cocktails

Top Lists 17 Sep 2011
Lagers and stouts and ales, oh my! With the whole mixology craze reaching critical mass, it makes sense that the realm of cocktails has at once moved beyond and returned back to basics. Namely, with beer. For some, wine is too snobby and fruity cocktails are too girly. So it was only a matter of time before the humble brew got its own moment in the spotlight. Here are a few places to find beer cocktails in Los Angeles and beyond.
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Culina sweet corn tortelloni - Photo by Mar Yvette

More, Please! Culina Does it Again

Stories 16 Sep 2011
It's been a year and a half since Culina at the Four Seasons opened and even though it's not the newest kid on the block, it's still one of the hottest spots in town. Not just in the "I'm sitting next to a famous movie director and omg that's Larry Flynt in his gold wheelchair" kind of way. That's part of the fun, but Culina maintains its momentum because these guys are always on, making sure that the food, service and experience are as close to perfection as possible.
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