Boulder & Denver, CO

The lovely Colorado

I've madly fallen in love with the weekend.

But I'm not talking about all that thrives in our local Instagram albums. I'm saying I've taken back the weekend and turned it in to something more than just two days we use for eating, drinking and playing within the 3-mile radius of our homes.

This is a love for the weekend spent out of town.

Of course, a whirlwind weekend where you get home at 9pm on a Sunday night having not done your laundry or the grocery shopping isn't for the weary. But, if you prescribe to the notion that life should be lived to the fullest, then heck. A teeming basket of laundry is a trophy of triumph.

Travel Tip:
It's important you don't spend too much of your precious time on travel. I say limit "each way" to 4 hours, which means the longest plane ride you can take is 2 hours, the furthest you can go north, south, or east is 120 miles (if you drive the limit). I recommend leaving Friday night so you can utilize Saturday on-location to the fullest, or, if you must, leave super early Saturday morning (no traffic - you'll be shocked how far you get in a matter of minutes).

Pearl Street

Here's how to do Boulder & Denver, Colorado!

Depart: LAX at 6pm, arrive in Denver, CO at 9-ish pm.

Rent: A car. You'll need it, and from Friday night until Sunday night mine cost roughly $50.

Stay: Find a friend. That's what Facebook is for. Or, opt to stay outside of Denver (cheaper) or using Hotel Tonight which lets you score super-last minute hotel rooms for uber-deep discounts. 

Boulder

Visit: Pearl Street is Boulder's "Main street." Coffee shops to restaurants, hiking apparel to high-end duds an everything in between, check out the site for more ideas and to plan your promenade stroll.

Linger

Eat: Oak at Fourteenth 

Drink: Ozo Coffee 
Hike: This site has a cool list of all the local hikes (like a picture menu)
Ski: Eldora Mountain Resort (35 minutes out) or Vail (2 hours out)

Denver

Run, walk, or picnic: Washington Park

Eat and drink: Linger
Smoke pot (it's legal!) plus related news, laws and locations: Colorado Pot Guide

Truxton's Bistro

Hits-your-nose-when-you-bite-it-sized Burger (The Gilly) and Garlic Fries

Truxton's Bistro

1329 Santa Monica Blvd

Santa Monica, California 90404
Phone: (310) 393 - 8789

Menu

Review:
If Truxton's didn't stand for "everything and then some," I'd be amiss. Having opened in July, I've eyed the transformation from vacant corner cinder block to quaint and optimistic second location (the original Truxton's is in Westchester) and have finally matched my vow to stop in.

As you should. And don't procrastinate - Truxton's is a multi-option menu that offers three meals a day plus a full bar of beer, wine, and seasonal cocktails to satisfy any taste wish on the westside. With such an eye-catching variety of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, pastas, and pizza, the sooner you go, the faster you'll get through you new "Next time I'll get...- list."

Aside from the warm brick walls and attentive, intuitive staff (when I asked for extra aioli I was given two additional to sample), I'm super digging Truxton's because the flavors and combinations are over the top of what you'd expect.

Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower

Starting with the Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower, Rachel and I savored the house-made Taro chips and totally cleared the plate of the fresh tuna standing heartily on a bed of avocado. Light and gingered with green onion and yuzu, we noted that this could make for a simple dinner for one, all on its own.

As a gluten-free diner, Rachel went for the Apple Chicken Burger on a GF Foccacia Bun (Grilled Freshly Ground Chicken Mixed with Sautéed Apples & Onions. Topped with Smoked Gouda, Caramelized Onions, Mayonnaise & Onion Sprouts), and said the bun tasted as good as she can remember "the real deal." I chose the Gilly (Caramelized Onions, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Tomato, Shredded Lettuce, Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Topped with Crispy Onions & Spicy 1001 Dressing) and had a hell of a time trying to wrap my mouth around the medium-rare doublefister.

The garlic-parm fries were crisp and resulted in a dragon-mouth-on-fire type of end result in the way all garlic lovers covet. 

Highly recommended (and the list for "next time"):

- 

Truxton's Monkey Bread

Pull-Apart Housemade Bread with Cheddar Cheese & Garlic 
Dipping Sauce (Marinara, Ranch, Garlic Butter)

11-Spiced Brisket Taco Salad

Our Signature Beef Brisket Tossed with Shredded Lettuce, Black Beans, Poblano Corn Salsa, Cheddar & Cotija Cheese, Tortilla Strips, Pico de Gallo & Spicy 1001 Dressing. Served Over a Crispy Wheat Tortilla

Kicked Up Mac & Cheese

Jumbo Elbow Macaroni in Our Creamy Sauce Made with a Blend of Five Cheeses, Applewood Bacon & Roasted Tomatoes. Topped with Crispy Onions

The Portland

Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Fontina Cheese, Lettuce, Caramelized & Crispy Onions, Roasted Garlic Mayo. Drizzled with Balsamic Glaze

Chocolate Soufflé Cake (Gluten-Free)

Made Daily with Callebaut Bittersweet Chocolate and Served with Vanilla Ice Cream & Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Fort Worth Breakfast Pizza

Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Bacon, Chicken Sausage, Mozzarella Blend, Cheddar Cheese, Basil, Roasted Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo, Green Onions & Sun Dried Tomato Pesto. Choose From Regular, Wheat or Gluten Free Crust

As you can see...I could probably go to Truxton's for a week straight and not get bored. Safe to say I'll be back, it's hard to say when the habit will end as Truxton's offers brunch, daily specials, sports broadcast...So take a break from holiday shopping and get your grub on!

Chaya Venice

Fontina Macaroni with Truffle

Chaya Venice
110 Navy St
Venice, CA 90291
Dinner Menu
Sushi Menu
Bar Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Happy Hour
Company: Entire patron pool probably lives within 1 mile of the beach
Tip: Amazing Happy Hour.

Review:
What a mix - Think an american steakhouse in Japan and you've just about understood what Chaya really is. Simply, two of my top kinds of restaurants fused in to one - and with a full bar to boot, it's unlikely that you'll leave hungry. Perhaps your wallet a tiny bit empty, but eh, semantics.

Sushi

Per the usual, we started with the veggie tempura which was at par with the best, but more importantly is that the miso dip was the best tempura sauce I've ever had. More like a dressing, I almost asked for more just for the bread. Following, I went for the Miso Marinated Sea Bass and the Fontina Macaroni with Truffle. The last side was the Spider Roll, and dessert was shared Apple Tarte Tatin.

Pretty tasty for a place that spreads itself wide in terms of menu items, genres, and palates. I'd definitely go again for the tempura, seabass, and sushi, and recommend you try it out on your next hip date.

Dan Tana's

Your table will be the size of the napkin

Dan Tana's 
9071 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA
Menu

Type: Restaurant, Bar
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Late-Night
Company: Leave the claustrophobes and diets at home
Tip: Make a res or make out with the maitre di Christian - otherwise, it's Taste of India next door for you!

Review: 
The last of its class, Dan Tana's is old school Italian, which means that it's pricey, hefty, and absolutely delicious. Unlike you'd anticipate, while you go here to be seen, you also go here to eat. That's because every main dish comes with a side of pasta (angel hair, spaghetti, penne) with sauce (marinara, meat, garlic and olive oil) and complimentary bread and butter. The most popular dishes are the Chicken Parm, the Veal Piccata, and any cut of steak.

Caesar

There's also a table-side Caesar, but considering there's barely enough space between tables to say you're dining without everyone else in the room, it's usually made in the kitchen. Salty, tangy, and with the perfect hello from anchovy, the Caesar is worth every forkful and the slight detour from the inevitable carb-coma.

I'd also recommend the "potatoes and onions strings" which is something like "home-made potato chips and french-fried onion strings" also known as "you'll eat the entire lot of them and not be able to finish your main course" (not that you would otherwise - unless you are eating for two). If you fancy boozy desserts then get the Zabaglione because here it's also handmade and if warm and custardy in a wine glass is your thing, then this will be a closer. If you like things a little more PG, then do the Chocolate Mousse which is a baseball-sized chocolate bonbon encasing vanilla ice cream.

Potatoes. Strings.

Luckily, there is valet parking for a reason, and it will be the best $8 you ever handed over since the idea of walking to your car after tucking in to a full-on italian spread is worth three times that just to avoid. Cheers!

LA's 8 Most Off The Couch Dishes

Here at Off The Couch LA we firmly believe in menu motto: Try Everything Once. And in the past year or so, we've had great opportunities to do just that. If you are looking for some ideas, here are our picks LA's 8 Most Off The Couch Dishes:

1. Typhoon: Scorpion on Shrimp Toast
2. Tar & Roses: Whole Fish

3. Superba Snack Bar: Cauliflower Steak

4. FIG: Bacon Wrapped Bacon

5. Shoop's: Salmon Belly Bacon (special order)

6. Robata Bar: (from Sushi Roku) Kurobuta Pork "Kakuni"

7. Chego: Sriracha Bar

8. Ushuaia: Crispy Sweetbreads

Go on - dig in, get weird, and remember the moments!

Wilshire Restaurant

Kale Salad with Burrata

Wilshire Restaurant
2454 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Happy Hour
Company: Pretty people. Hungry people. Party people. Families. The whole caboodle!
Tip: You must get the Sticky Toffee Pudding. In fact, get more - one won't ever be enough...

Review:
You've probably seen Wilshire Restaurant for some time now, as it's next to The Charleston (where I have the Sallie Unswined cocktail) - but you probably didn't know that it's owned by the La Vecchia restauranteur and is run by executive chef Nyesha Arrington (Season 9, Top Chef). Nyesha's mother is Korean, so you'll find a few asian twists to Wilshire's predominately seasonal and American menu.

Steak Tartar

Tip: Best outdoor atmosphere in Santa Monica. Reminds me of Primitivo - fairy lights wrapped around trees, a roaring propane fire, gigantic heat lamps, and a multi-dimensional layout that promises a different experience from every angle.

Check:
1. Steak Tartar with arugula, quail egg
2. Kale salad
3. Braised Short Rib
4. Filet Mignon
5. Truffle Fries
6. Sweet Potato Gratin
7. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Truffle Fries & Gratin

As mentioned, you must get the Toffee Pudding - it's light, eye-rollingly delicious, and the product of a few years in the making (says Chef Arrington). Also perfected was the Filet Mignon and the Truffle fries. Spectacular presentation went to the Kale salad, and of course - the entire backyard decor.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Cafe Del Rey

Wagyu Beef Tartar

Cafe Del Rey 
4451 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Happy Hour
Company: Locals, business dealers
Tip: Request a table by the window!

Review: Aside from the 50's orange and blue color scheme, Cafe Del Rey makes a mean meal at which you'll have to fight to eat any fewer than three courses. Spanning a dock's length of view at the Marina Del Rey yacht club, Cafe Del Rey promises a view that makes up for the otherwise clashing decor (sorry).

Tip: Whatever other full plates you get, order the truffle pizza. It's a perfect ratio of caramelized onion, truffle cream, and reggiano.

Duck in a bowl

Fun to note is the Raw Bar menu that gets prepared in full-view. If you can, linger and stare at executive chef Daniel Roberts as he tenderly slices Wagyu beef for his tartar. Then, get it. It's a delicious combination of Wagyu, black currants, almonds, olives, shallot, and harissa. Served with chips, in some small eater's world it could be enough for a meal.

Check:

1. Truffle Pizza
2. Wagyu Beef Tartar
3. Sea Bass (brussel sprouts, green apple, cippolini, pancetta, potato)
4. Pan Roasted Duck Breast (duck confit, cassoulet, baby carrot, pom gastrique)
5. **Rosemary Brown Sugar Bacon** (not a side or appetizer...definitely a snack embedded in the entree section)
6. Chocolate Truffle Cake (off menu)

Truffle Pizza

As noted, definitely get the Truffle Pizza (appetizer or main), the Beef Tartar, and the Roasted Duck. Our mains came in deep and large bowls, which I took particular delight in since the bowl is my plating of choice for everything (minus coffee). I also hear Cafe Del Rey is delightful for lunch, which adds the highlight of daylight on the fabulous Marina view.

Tar & Roses

Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Bar, Dinner
Company: Traditional with an around-the-world twist
Tip: You won't be able to get res, but if you walk in an wait you'll get a seat

Dear Tar & Roses,

It is at the same time that I deeply apologize for trying to lift one of your branded charcuterie boards, as well as thank you for gifting it instead. Please chalk it up to flattery? I promise next time I won't try to steal anything.

Sincerely,

Sallie

Review:
Indeed. On Thursday night at 8pm I was that girl - yes, I had polished off the first of three glasses of wine while waiting to be seated, and yes, I did take notes all over the paper menu. Really, who do I think I am? I'm starting to think that my eyes are bigger than my perception - I truly thought that I could wrap the cheeseboard in the white and red napkin and oh-so-casually nudge it under my seat. Yes, I know we were seated at the front of the house...and again, yes, I PROMISE this won't ever happen again.

Duck Rillette on the infamous branded charcuterie boards

But, not the point. Tar & Roses is good. Fantastically delicious. You'll want several stomachs just because you won't be able to decide what to get on the menu, and narrowing down selections is like entering a f*cking gastronomic Sophie's choice. Here's how we did:

1. Charcuterie board, choice of 3 (duck rillette, torta de trujillo & idiazabal)
2. Braised Lamb Belly
3. Steak Tartar
4. Ricotta Gnocchi
5. Crispy Pig Tail
6. Dry Aged Ribeye for 2
7. Jerusalem Artichoke
8. Sticky Toffee Pudding

PS - Must-do's:

Braised Lamb Belly

Crispy Pig Tail

Put ice cream on top of the sticky toffee pudding

That is all. Cheers, and thank you.

Robata Bar

Robata Bar
1401 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, 90401

Type: Restaurant
Category: Happy Hour, Dinner, Bar
Company: Special people
Tip: You can order from the full Sushi Roku menu from next door! Brace yourself for option paralysis - I recommend writing straight on the menu so you can give a rattle list to your server

Review:
Robata will forever mean Japanese tapas and the best atmosphered restaurant I've ever had. Striking the intersection of the coveted trifecta that most establishments only tag one or two of, Robata takes the stake in the middle of perfection by offering a much-welcomed contrast of warmth and friendliness, strings of white lights underneath an amazing yellow-tasseled ceiling, wrought-iron and re-claimed dark wood walls, and of course, food that is 100% to infinity delicious.

Pause and take note -This is a foodie in love.

Starting with a glass of Sav Blanc, we considered the menus (I had them side-by-side and began to mark one up with notes and underlines) while sipping on miso soup and munching on veggie tempura. Our list went as follows:

Left to right: lamb chop, pork jowl, eggplant, seabass

1. Lamb Chops marinated in Soy Garlic
2. Short Ribs in Asian Marinade
3 Filet Mignon, Faux Gras, Asparagus
4. Japanese Eggplant in Sweet Miso
5. Chilean Seabass
6. Pork Jowl (off the menu special)
7. Hanabi (Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice)
8. Baked Lobster Roll
9. Chocolate Volcano Cake

It's an eye popping list, but if you note that each item is the size of a two-three inch skewer, you'll see that it's not entirely a feast for five.

Accompanied by a trio of dipping sauces, each skewer is succulent and tender, and each I'd absolutely order again. The most curious was the Filet Mignon, Faux Gras, Asparagus: simply a  skewer with bite-sized wraps of steak around "faux gras" - which is chicken liver instead of foie gras thanks to the recent foie ban across CA. But it works. It's melty and sweet and salty and sexy and on a stick. So definitely get it.

Filet Mignon, Faux Gras

Also, make a point to get to know everyone there. Young, passionate, professional, and as my dining buddy mentioned: incredibly intuitive. What else could you ask for over a drinking and munching, wining and dining moment? Aside from another stomach, nothing. Lacking nothing, Robata Bar is absolute perfection.

Library Ale House

Courtesy of Ben F. via Yelp

Library Ale House
2911 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Type: Ale House
Category: Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner, Late-Night
Company: Beer nerds, food geeks

Review:
Pretty much a nook of my favorite things: hard-wood everything, books, a beer and wine list akin to Noah's arc, and a varieteful menu to match. Oh, and high table tops and outdoor patio seating. Swoon.

Luckily, Library Ale House knows how to handle what could quite possibly mount to several thousands of combinations of beers and foods and wine. Can't decide on just one pint? Try the customized beer sampler, and or the weekly happy hour offerings.

OTC Tip: Happy Hour is M-F from 3pm-6pm and includes $3 off wine by the glass and certain red-chalked beers. Snacks and plates (think fries, sliders, mac 'n cheese, etc) $2.5-$7.

Since nothing goes better with beer than a burger and crispy-salty-fried sides, whenever I've been to the Library Ale House I've opted for a hand-held. Every burger is worth each bite, and I'm particularly fond of adding a side of onion rings with extra aioli.

OTC Tip: Monday night you can take off $3 from any burger!

Also delicious to note is that the salads look particularly abundant and amazing - it's rare (ok never) that I'll order a salad when out, but these are quite captivating and head-turning. So, if that's your way then definitely do it here. Also - the fried pickle chips (frickles) can't be skipped.

OTC Tip: Top the night off with a beer-cupcake.

Cheers!

Brick + Mortar

Brick + Mortar

2435 Main Street

Santa Monica, CA 90405

Menu

Type: Restaurant, Bar

Category: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour, Bar

Company: Everyone!

Cost: Mains $15-$25, Starters $7-$31, Sides $7, Desserts $8

OTC Tip: Happy Hour prices are $10/pizza, $4 fries, $2 off beer, etc

Review: Restaurant by day, "line across the street" bar by night. Tucked behind Peet's Coffee on Main street in Santa Monica, B+M boasts outdoor seating (with space heaters), a long indoor bar with sub-extravagant prices, and a satisfying food menu with a range of snacks through shares and mains that stretches to dessert (if you aren't drinking your dinner).

OTC Tip: For the most bang-per-buck go for happy hour (till 7pm) then stay a while longer!

I've had the cured meat board with mustard and baguette, the mac & cheese, the cheese burger, the cheese pizza with tomato, and the short rib pizza. All are fantastic - I recommend the burger and the truffle fries (to diiiie for). 

OTC Tip: Always ask for the complimentary warm baguette, butter, and olive tapenade

Aside from an enjoyable two-blocks-from-seaside locale and the fifteen-stride walk to neighbor Ben & Jerry's (open till 10pm), you'll find that weekend brunch offers bottomless mimosas/marys for $15 with purchase of a main (and at a 2-hour max). Offering typical brunches of eggs, meats, toast, potatoes, french toast and sandwiches, I recommend going early to beat the weekend storm.

Bombay Cafe & Nawab of India

Fish Tikka Kabob. Best fish you'll ever eat.

Bombay Cafe  
12021 West Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Nawab of India
1621 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Type: Indoor
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar
Company: Newbies, veterans, and seekers of the authentic
Cost: $$
Quickie: For those who've had and those who need an Indian cuisine education, these are the places for both.

Review:
Last week I was spotted twice leaving two different restaurants clutching a napkin. Literally, I received an email from a reader few days ago inquiring whether that was me (yes, indeed it was) outside of two of the most long-standing Indian food establishments on the westside (in my defense, separate days).
“What’s on all the napkins,’ she asked, “The way you were carrying it, it would appear that you had a winning lottery ticket. Do tell!” In short, ten menu items that I absolutely could not forget – as each one I tried reminded me of something “so and so friend” would love because of the flavor, texture, and color. So, I wrote them all down. On napkins.

Ready to hear about two Indian restaurants where you’ll be able feed anyone and everyone?

Bombay Café:


Chutney Sampler: Three (I recommend more) of the house-made chutneys with samosas chips.  I could’ve eaten the walnut one for days – perfect for anyone who loves chips and dip.

Chutney Sampler

   Eggplant Deva: Japanese eggplant topped with fennel tomato sauce and garlic-ginger yogurt. Soft, savory, and succulent-a dream for those who like the texture of roasted vegetables and the consistency of a casserole.

 Garlic Naan: Like a soft fluffy pancake-tortilla, topped with garlic and cilantro. Think garlic bread in pita form but with little blisters from a stint in the oven.

 Malai Seekh: Minced and herbed lamb wrapped around a skewer. This is lamb sausage baked in the Tandoori oven, and anyone who likes sausage, kabobs, and Iranian Koobideh will happily tuck in to this.

Rasgulla: Fried popper-sized bites soaked in rose syrup. If you love donut holes this is the sweet for you – the secret here is that they are actually made from cheese!

Paneer Kulcha: like a quesadilla!

Nawab India:

Fish Tikka Kabob: Boneless seabass cooked in  

    the Tandoori oven on a skewer. Best fish I’ve  
   ever had, hands-down. Mouth-melting
   caramelized on the outside, soft and creamy on 

   the inside. Comes on a sizzling platter fajita- 

   style. You won’t find a better fish. Seriously.

 Sag Paneer: Spinach and cheese. Think creamed 

   spinach with more texture and flavor, dotted 

   with cubes of firm but melty “swiss-cottage 

   cheese.” Beloved for all vegetarians.

Paneer Kulcha: Naan stuffed with cheese, just 

   like a quesadilla but with an Indian spice twist.

Potato and Cauliflower Pakora: Reminds me of 

   tempura, but with less grease and more texture 

   between the crisp exteriors. Basically, fried 

   veggie-lovers delight.

Nawab Special Chicken:  Minced chicken cooked in cashew nut gravy (creamy). For those who like 

   Italian, this is your protein-packed fettuccine alfredo but without the noodles and a much lighter impact on 

   the stomach.

Who would have known that you could satisfy and feed a vegetarian, a vegan, an omnivore, a pescatarian, and even those who live on pizza all from one cuisine and one restaurateur? If you haven’t tried Indian food yet text these items in to your phone (or write it down on a napkin) and go visit today. You won’t be disappointed!

The Charleston

Candied-Bacon Cocktail

The Charleston

2460 Wilshire Blvd

Santa Monica CA 90403

Facebook

You’re not going to get what you expect at The Charleston – but in such a good way that when you leave, you’ll be feverishly texting all of your friends about “this cool new place on the westside.”

What: Gastrolounge

…That Means: You’ll eat well and drink a lot as you relax back and listen to house-vetted music

And Will Remind You Of: A Kogi truck in Vegas with a splash of what we love from the 1930’s (but tastier, closer, and current)

Review:

Last Friday I sat down with chef Jet Tila and, as we relaxed in to the heartwarming live R&B and disappeared behind cocktail rims, he talked us through his menu, dreams, and what he had for breakfast. “We want you to leave saying “WTF-?” so  you’ll go facebook us,  tweet it, yelp it, and everything else you do to spread the word,” he explained, as I pointed out the surprising juxtaposition of live music, pork belly buns, old school chandeliers, and a drink named the Victoria Secret.

Chef Tila

Unlike most bars, Chef Tila doesn’t want his patrons to have to order pizza, smuggle chips, or wait for a food truck in order to satiate their hunger. Since this is Santa Monica, his menu spans enough genres, themes, tastes, and trends for anyone who wants a snack or a full plate to piece together a meal of utter fancy. During the flashback of 1990’s R&B we tucked in to the Short-Rib Tacos and Machengo Stuffed Piquillo Peppers for starters, followed by the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Flatbread, Shepard’s Pie, and Smoked Macaroni and Cheese for mains, all topped off with the  Chocolate Bread Pudding (a la mode) for dessert.  As we bonded over our mutual love for everything pig I hogged (pun intended) the Pork belly Bao (succulent 5-spice braised pork belly, tender bao buns, pickle and hoisin), and totally swooned over the Bacon-Wrapped Dates (marcona almond-stuffed).  The Bread Pudding was so good I’m pretty sure I blacked out through that portion of the conversation (I blame the brioche and crème anglaise) and just as I forgot I was in a bar…We got reminded with several signature drinks from the beverage menu.

With the Minted Mule, Jet 75, Victoria’s Secret, and the cucumber cooler, we were set, and began to see the transformation of the Charleston from a supper club to a sexy Santa Monica bar. And then everything went silent – well – almost: Chef Tila was telling me that he had a protein bar for breakfast when his operations manager and resident mixologist Mike delivered a drink that had a stick of candied bacon curved coyly against a cinnamon-prosciutto dusted rim.

 

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding A La Mode

Sallie? Sallie? It took several seconds and a few calls of my name before I was able to pull out of my delighted delirium and fittingly that’s what I think it should be named, and have lobbied ever since. So if you like to drink and love bacon then ask Mike for the candied-bacon SALLIE. It’s fantastic, and sums up the Charleston exactly: surprising, delicious, and memorable.

But it gets better. While the Charleston is open at 5pm and on during the week, on the weekend it  opens  its doors several hours earlier for Jazz Brunch from 10am-2pm. A firm believer that there is always a need for more bruncheries in Santa Monica, here is the newest and coolest: live jazz, endless mimosa, and bombastic fare like Brisket Hash (Chef Tila recommends his fried Chicken and Waffle), I’ve officially added this to my GPS favorites. And so should you – for any and every occasion.

The Beach Barcycle

Eco-Friendly Bar Hopping

Beach Barcycle

South Bay & Santa Monica

Facebook

Type: Outdoors

Category: Bar, Adventure, Fitness

Company: Friends

Cost: Varies

Quickie: Communal table on wheels, powered by your choice of booze.

Review:

If you haven’t seen it yet you’ll see it soon – and if you’re wondering what ‘it’ is, if you see a 16-seat trolly-like contraption centepeding its way from bar to bar in Santa Monica then you’ve spotted the Beach Barcycle. Simply put, the notion is a mode of transportation while bar hopping that lets you sit and chat with your fellow riders, work off some of the alcohol between drinks (each seat is equipped like a bike) and get plenty of gawking attention.

Where: South Bay (Redondo, Hermosa), Westside (Santa Monica, Venice)

What: SoCal’s version of the party limo: green, open-air, and equipped for exercise

Who: You and your friends, or join a pre-scheduled tour

Why: Arrive on the Barcycle and you get drink specials at each stop

As any SoCalian 21 and over has considered, there are many perks that come with arriving at a bar on a bike. The first is that you don’t have to find or pay for parking. The second is that you don’t have to fret about losing your keys (or having them taken away from you). The third is that you get the chance to burn off some of the calories (before you eat that 1 am pizza) and the fourth is that you don’t have to pay for a cab.

But the Barcycle makes the notion better (and won’t mess up your hair). In lieu of signing up for a pre-determined tour, you and your gaggle of friends can rent one out for a customized map that highlights your favorite stops. Indeed, day drinking and bar hopping just got better – after all, why crawl when you can pedal?

Stella Rossa

Stella Rossa Pizza Bar 

2000 Main Street

Santa Monica, 90405

On Facebook

Type: Restaurant, To-Go

Category: Dinner, Bar

Company: Everyone, especially intellectual locavarian pizza lovers

Cost: $4.95+/small plates, $12.95+/pizza, $4+/beer, wine, cocktails

Quickie: Best "Better Than Mozza" pizza west of the 405 - and a beer/wine/cocktail list to match.

OTC Tip: Sit at the counter that overlooks the kitchen and ask about the fermenting dough in jars.

Review:

If you’ve ever been stopped in your tracks on the sidewalk by a wondrous aroma, lingered and turned in circles asking aloud What Is That Smell And Where Is It Coming From – then you’ll know what I mean when I say I almost skipped out on stranding reservations to find that food.

No wonder it’s packed every night with locals and destination diners, from open to close, despite only offering dinner through late night dining and drinking. Even so, Stella Rossa cleverly straddles every kind of evening, offering bar stools angled toward sports-blazing TVs, table seating for traditional group dining, and counter perches surrounding the kitchen for intrigued foodies - all without compromising the feeling that you’ve stepped in to a mutted instagram of the Santa Monica farmers’ market and a casual Manhattan bar.

Chef Mahin

And the concept of one focus but fitting for everyone is just what chef-partner Jeff Mahin wants you to remember as you saddle up to his pizza bar and hand over your stomach to a man with inked arms who ferments his dough in jars. Sure, at first glance you will wonder if there’s a Berkeley chemist in the kitchen, but upon second consideration you’ll see that you’ve entrusted your palate to a seasonal food engineer - and the only thing you should worry about is where you put your hollow leg.

A Cal graduate, the son of an engineer and a scientist, a curiosity by way of Duck Fat in London, and the influence of less is more by love of Japan- chef Mahin promises that Stella Rossa’s menu isn’t just local and fresh, nor is it any old pizzeria. Each item is well thought out, simple, and yet – works. I’d expect nothing less from a man who put the recipe for his pizza dough through 30 variations before finalization, and yet, in true validation of intelligent simplicity, boasts plates such as fresh local burrata with organic extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, wood grilled grapes, and that famous 18- hour fermented pizza dough in toast form.

In the well-floured hands of chef Mahin and the all-knowing assistant GM Larry Scher, I gobbled and guzzled my way through Stella Rossa’s food and drink menu at a pace and quantity fit for several people and numerous visits.

Fresh Local Burrata / Fire Grilled Grapes

Dough in Jars

To start, as we sipped an allagash white, chef Mahin described the market selection of the day (heirloom carrots roasted with butter and thyme, radishes with a spicy-garlicky olive oil for dipping, and a citrus-dressed crudo) – which were all absolutely refreshing and honest. Next we nursed a pinot gris and munched through the spinach and purple kale salad, baked goat cheese in tomato sauce, and the fresh local burrata. 

Sweet Potato/Candied Bacon

The minimal-yet-delicious perspective prevailed (the kale salad includes medjool dates and the burrata gets topped with grilled grapes) and continued to flourish as the three best pizzas west of the 405 (and maybe on this side of the country) lined up on the counter before me: margherita (explanatory), shaved mushroom (gruyere, melted onions, black truffle, torn parsley, rosemary, thyme) and the market selection which was a white pizza with candied bacon and shaved sweet potato.

Finally, I was food to mouth with the edible answer for the drool-exciting fragrance teasing the sidewalk. Crisp and chewy, succulent and addicting, there is something unforgettable about a pizza that exudes umami and unique in flavor (thank you, truffle and candied bacon) and yet doesn’t stray too far from that “cheese and bread” nostalgia that a bite of pizza should satisfy every single time.

Margherita & Shaved Mushroom 

It’s the stuff that builds a line an hour long that stretches in to the street. It’s the crust and taste that gets people in their car to brave and cross the 405 during rush hour. It’s the destination restaurant that feeds neighbors nightly, and one of the only pizzerias that also does cocktails and dessert – and well, at that. Cut to me licking the tiny glass cup that (seconds before) contained the signature salted caramel crème, followed by several head-back pours of our final drinks of the night: the veneration and the honey badger, two hand-crafted cocktails that were strong enough to stand as perfect 5pm tie-looseners and yet sweet enough to lean in as our second and third desserts.

A few pounds heavier we ambled out on to Main Street in an uber-aware albeit totally relaxed aura, a state of euphoria I can only assume you achieve when your food-coma collides with a pizza high. You know Stella Rossa is on to something good when you’re full and still, when you come to that spot outside where the vent is still puffing a heavenly scent in to the air that, even though you now know what that delicious smell tastes like– you still stop on the corner and linger for one last whiff.