Our weekly guide to food and entertainment goings-on in and around town includes Restaurant Week, the Annual Venice Beach Run, a Slick Rick concert and much more.
DineLA Restaurant Week: This summer’s event runs July 12-26 with hundreds of local restaurants offering special lunch and dinner menus. Some SaMo offerings include high end spots like Citrin, Fia Steak, and Via Veneto, and more casual options like Bludo’s BBQ, Colapasta, and Uovo. More info here.
Night Market at The Bungalow: Every Thursday night through August 29, expect food vendors, beverage activations, family-friendly activities, live musical and DJ performances, and celebrity guest appearances. Free and open to the public for guests of all ages and pet friendly. Thursdays 5–11pm at 101 Wilshire Blvd. Details here.
Slick Rick Performing at The Venice West: And, here we go… The iconic rapper is bringing his music to the Westside. Thursday, July 18, 8pm at 1717 Lincoln Blvd. More info here.
Pickle Me Silly: " Whether you like your pickles sweet or sour, this event is always a big Dill" There will be a variety of pickled and preserved foods, including Kim Chi, Pickled Beet, Okra and a few surprises for the adventurous. Free and for all ages. There will also be Garden Pancakes on the Griddle, Chalk Art on the Sidewalks and smiles on everyone’s faces. Kids get first dibs on the limited supply Home Pickling Kits to take home and inspire yourself. Saturday, July 20, 9–11am at Ishihara Park Learning Garden 2909 Exposition Blvd. More details here.
#PlasticFreeJuly Nothin’ But Sand Beach Cleanup: Heal the Bay provides the supplies… "All you need to do is register, sign a waiver, and show up." Saturday, July 20, 10am–12noon Will Rogers State Beach, Tower 7. More info here.
Annual Venice Beach Run: Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Parks Foundation to support the Venice Beach Recreation Center. Participants can sign up for a 5K or One Mile Race/ Walk with the 5K starting at 8am and the one mile at 9am with the run starting and finishing at the Venice Beach Pier. There will also be a Beach Fitness Challenge & Expo on Saturday, July 20. Would you like to know more?
Inaugural ‘Venice Soulstice’ Celebrates Westside’s Black Culture and Community: The event aims to celebrate Black expression through music, dance, art, food and storytelling. Saturday, July 20, 12–7pm at the First Baptist Church of Venice — a cornerstone for the community of Oakwood, a historically Black and Brown neighborhood in the heart of Venice Beach. 686 Westminster Ave. More info here.
Ten Women Gallery Celebrates 30 Years: "It is no easy feat for a small business to keep it’s doors open. This year the women-owned gallery and co-op has accomplished an amazing milestone... 30 years on Main Street in Santa Monica." There will be free food, drinks, music and the opportunity to meet and mingle with your favorite artists. Saturday, July 20, 6–9pm at 2719 Main St. More details here.
The Artist Fair – An Outdoor Gallery Market in the Park: This space was created "so artists and people that are creating pieces by hand can have a safe space to sell more upscale items without the hassle of having cheap vintage, or cheaper items that dilute the aesthetics and vibe of the event. All vendors are either artists, painters, designers, metal workers doing jewelry, wood workers making amazing house pieces and other items but the important thing is that everything is handmade and sold by the artist itself. This event is for the community to come meet the artists and shop their creations." FREE Sunday, July 21, 10am–5pm near Tower 25 in Ocean Park (2410 Ocean Front Walk) More info here.
Walk for Joy!: Event is sponsored by Alfalfa to raise money for Project Joy, which is "dedicated to inspiring joy through balance in our communities and environment." "We’ll connect, we’ll walk + we’ll share a delicious meal" Tuesday, July 23, 5:30pm starting at Alfalfa (2309 Main Street) Would you like to know more?
What to Eat & Drink?
Grilled Cheese & Beer Night at Andrew’s Cheese Shop: Expect a tangy, zippy starter salad, four courses of their famous grilled cheeses paired with four specialty beers, with an Imperial Stout Float with French Vanilla Ice cream for dessert. $75/person. Friday, July 19, 7:30pm at 728 Montana Ave. More info here.
Pizza Girl’s First Brick-and-Mortar Shop Opens Along Venice Beach: The viral, formerly mobile only, West LA-based pop-up brand, has opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar location within Venice’s Hotel Erwin at 1697 Pacific Ave, adjacent to the iconic "Venice" sign at Windward Circle. Details here.
Pasjoli on Main St Included in the Infatuation’s New "25 Best Restaurants" List: "Rather than offering a trendy take on an onion tart that no one asked for, the French cooking at Pasjoli is all about good old-fashioned animal fat and the technique required to back it up. In the $200 duck extravaganza for two, you’ll eat every part of the bird — from the juices in a wine-cognac gravy to the crispy skin over a simple salad — and go home with duck-leg bread pudding leftovers for breakfast. Pasjoli is by no means reinventing the wheel, but the unforgettable food makes it an all-time great special occasion spot and wholly worth the bill." 2732 Main St. Would you like to know more?
Rori’s Celebrates National Ice Cream Day: They are offering free toppings with any ice cream purchase, including their house-made sauces and fresh whipped cream. And they are offering a buy one pint of ice cream, get one free deal. Sunday, July 21 at 910 Montana Ave. More details here.
Further Afield: Pageant of the Masters: The annual Laguna Beach event runs now through August 30. This summer, the Pageant steps into the world of fashion with its newest production, "Á La Mode: The Art of Fashion." More info here.
LOOKING AHEAD: National Night Out (8/6), Montana Ave. Dog Daze (8/24), The Pier’s Birthday Bash (9/6), Main St. Day of the Dog Festival (9/7)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting around town, reach out to me at sean@smdp.com
