SMDP’s Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes Super Bowl Parties, Valentine’s Day Happenings and much more…
3rd Annual Santa Monica King Tides Celebration: “King tides” occur when the orbits and alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun combine to produce the greatest tidal effects of the year. Climate Action Santa Monica is organizing a morning meetup at Heal The Bay Aquarium this Friday to mark the annual occurrence, discuss the relevancy of rising tides in consideration of climate change, and collect images for scientific documentation of the tides for the Coastal Commission.” FREE. Friday, Feb 9, 7:30 – 9:30a.m. at Heal the Bay Aquarium, 1600 Ocean Front Walk More info here.
Dvorak 7 & Lucia Micarelli Concert: This is the Orchestra Santa Monica’s first performance of the year and is FREE. Saturday, Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. at Adams Performing Arts Center. Additional details here.
Lunar New Year Celebration Ring in the Lunar New Year with a special celebration at Cayton Children’s Museum on Saturday, Feb. 10. Making for a fantastic way to welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon with family, the event features a special performance and parade from UCLA’s ACA Lion Dance group as well as various crafting activities like lion puppet making. Would you like to know more?
Exhibition – The Life of Vernon Brunson: The SaMo History Museum presents an examination of Brunson’s remarkable life and his impact on the community through his creative and scientific endeavors and commitment to civil rights. Born into one of the first Black families in Santa Monica, Brunson was a poet, playwright, and columnist for the California Eagle newspaper. The exhibition positions Brunson within the context of Black architects like Paul Revere Williams, showcasing his collaborations and highlighting his impact on the architectural landscape. Now through the end of February at Santa Monica History Museum, 1350 7th St. More info here.
Montana Avenue Public Library Branch Open House: Join us for an Open House celebration and show your love for the library! The program kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with a special storytime featuring author Angela Joy, reading from her new picture book, Ordinary Days, about the legendary musician Prince. Then get creative with fun crafts for the whole family, enjoy yummy treats, sign up for Open+ self-service, and more. Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1704 Montana Ave. More info here.
Naked at the Getty Scavenger Hunt: This whirlwind tour of nudes uncovers a whole lot more than a few naked bodies. On teams, you’ll work together to answer tricky, humorous questions about a cupid who pulls a Mike Tyson move, a sultry dog whisperer, slapstick with a lemon, an ancient game of wife swap, Toulouse-Lautrec’s “moodel,” Mischief’s bear hide, and much more. Saturday, Feb. 10, 4p.m. More info here.
Craig Kroll Gallery Opening Reception: Chrissy Angliker, Lou Beach, Kelly Berg: Multiple artists are featured, including Lou Beach, who Filmmaker Terry Gilliam called “funny, smart, twisted, brilliant…the greatest collage artist on the planet.” FREE. Saturday, Feb. 10, 4-6p.m. at 2525 Michigan Ave. Would you like to know more?
Hollywood on The Santa Monica Beach: “A glance back in time at Hollywood’s influence on Santa Monica Beach that attracted “anyone who was anybody” from Charlie Chaplin to Pres. John F. Kennedy. Authors of Hollywood on the Santa Monica Beach Marc Wanamaker and Arthur C. Verge will share stories and photos from the book, and film historian Michael Yakaitis shows snippets of home movies from Marion Davies and William Randolph Hearst! The talk and Q & A will be followed by a screening of Show People starring Marion Davies.” Sunday, Feb 11, 11a.m.-2p.m. at Annenberg Beach House, 415 PCH. More info here.
Super Bowl Parties: Whether you care more about the game or what Taylor Swift will be wearing, there are lots of options around town for watching the big game, including a pig roast at The Bungalow, Barney’s Beanery and 1212 Santa Monica on 3rd St. Promenade, and a few spots on Main St., including Jameson’s Pub, The Library and The Tavern.
What to Eat & Drink?
Smorgasburg Vendor to Open Kava Nectar Bar in Ocean Park: Kava Nectar Is Made from Natural Roots of the Kava Plant. Kavahana, a permanent vendor at well-known food event Smorgasburg, will hold the grand opening for its inaugural retail location which it describes as the first-of-its-kind “kava nectar bar.” Saturday, Feb. 10, Noon to 11 p.m. at 306 Pico Blvd. (next to the old Vidiots space). More info here.
Seoulmates Grand Opening: Seoulmates is a fast casual Korean spot serving up unique dishes inspired by Christina Hong’s love for LA street food and her Korean Umma’s home cooking. First 50 guests will receive a FREE Off Menu item in collaboration with Ginza Nishikawa Japanese Milk Bread, our Spicy Pork Sando! They will also be handing out housemade Korean Banana Milks as well! Saturday, Feb. 10 from 12-4p.m. at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd. More details here.
Ray Garcia Takes Over the Stoves at The Rose in Venice: Garcia first made a name on the Westside helming the popular Fig restaurant inside the Fairmont Miramar and now is back out west managing one of LA’s busiest restaurants with plans to refresh the California Italian menu that chef Jason Neroni previously oversaw for seven years. 220 Rose Ave. Additional details here.
Brew Works Partners with Bludso’s BBQ to Release a Roasted Malt Smoked Lager: “We’ve been wanting to do a smoked beer for a long time,” said Dominic Larubina, lead brewer at the Brew Works, adding, “With legendary Bludso’s BBQ moving in around the corner, it finally provided the perfect opportunity.” The draft is available at both Bludso’s (1329 Santa Monica Blvd.) and Santa Monica Brew Works (1920 Colorado Ave.). Would you like to know more?
Layla Bagels Makes The Infatuation’s “Best Bagels in LA” List: This Ocean Park Blvd. shop is what “the Westside has been waiting for: a lovely little counter service spot with great coffee and outrageously delicious bagels piled high with the freshest produce available.” 1614 Ocean Park Blvd. Extra info here.
EaterLA’s List of “19 Superb Santa Monica Restaurants” This list includes a good mix of high end places like Citrin & Pasjoli and casual spots like Heavy Handed & Bay Cities. More info here.
Valentines Day Happenings
Birdie G’s Cheers To Love: All guests will be treated to a complimentary rose, fun Valentine’s Day card and sachet of Smoked Rose Almonds (a tribute to Chef/Owner Jeremy Fox’s “meet-cute” with his wife Rachael). Get in the festive mood with à la carte specials, such as Gougères with chicken liver mousse & rose-beet jam, Egg Yolk Raviolo with ricotta & ‘nduja and Fig-Glazed Duck Confit, paired with pink & sparkling wines from legendary producers (Champagne Pierre Paillard, Château Peyrassol) or playful cocktails (a spicy Eros’ Arrow). 2421 Michigan Ave. Would you like to know more?
Cassia Multi-Day Celebration: With Valentine’s Day on a Wednesday, the Cassia team is extending the fun into the weekend. Enjoy à la carte specials like Oyster Mushroom Satay with peanut sauce & pickled Chinese cabbage, Singaporean Chili Crab Dip with clay oven bread, Hainanese Chicken Confit with duck fat fried rice and a whole Wok-Tossed Lobster with chilis, scallions, mushrooms & chow fun noodles. 1314 7th St. More info here.
Cookie Good “Valentine’s Day Cookie Box”: The heart-shaped candy box is as much a part of Valentine’s Day as Cupid and red roses. They’ve taken inspiration from some of their favorite “nuts & chews” to create a Valentine’s Day Cookie Box. 2448 Wilshire Blvd. More info here.
Esters All-Day Festivities & Prime Rib: They are popping corks as early as noon and pouring Champagne by-the glass from magnums to pair with oysters, caviar and cheese & charcuterie platters. Starting at 5 p.m., they are offering up Prime Rib, served with creamy mashed potatoes & charred broccoli, to pair with a themed wine flight. 1314 7th St. Details here.
Galentine’s Afternoon Tea @ Fairmont Miramar: Features a 3-course menu of scones, pastries, and finger sandwiches, paired with a selection of loose-leaf teas. Feb. 10-11, 12 & 3p.m. in the Library and Ocean Terrace. 101 Wilshire Blvd. Would you like to know more?
The Georgian: They are offering a 3- course “Be Mine Menu,” for $110/person, beginning with Oysters served with Black Pepper Mignonette, Burrata topped with Grilled Asparagus, Brown Butter, Guanciale, Toasted Almonds, and Dungeness Crab all served family style. 1415 Ocean Ave. More info here.
LouLou: Enjoy a $99 Prix Fixe menu with live musical performances by Chloe Perrier & the French Heart Jazz Band. 395 Santa Monica Place More info here.
Mon Ami: Expect a cozied-up Mediterranean 4-course dinner for $89 per person, plus a wine pairing for an additional $29. 1541 Ocean Ave. More info here.
Rustic Canyon: Offering a “choose your own adventure” 6 or 8-course menus, with Oysters on the Half Shell with pink guava mignonette, Baja Bay Scallops & Sunchokes in XO sauce and Duck Leg Confit with red wine-braised cabbage & rhubarb, with the option to shave black truffles on certain dishes. 1119 Wilshire Blvd. More info here.
Further Afield: LA Art Show: “The Most Comprehensive International Contemporary Art Show in America” is back with more than 180,000 square feet of exhibition space, including domestic and international galleries. Wednesday-Sunday, Feb. 14-18 at LA Convention Center. More info here.
Looking ahead around town… Frieze Art Fair (2/29 -3/3), LA Wine & Food Festival (3/1-3)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com