Oscar's Cerveteca

Drink up!

Oscar's Cerveteca
523 Rose Ave
Venice, CA 90291
Menu

Review: If I had a dollar for every time I declared my promised return to Oscar's Cerveteca, I'd buy you dinner. Here's the thing - Oscar's is hip. Actually, a bit too hip. Everyone here is dressed like you'd imagine LA beach-dwellers who like to eat well and live well might: really, very cool. Fresh-faced, toned, and effortlessly efforted, don't go here if you're having a bad day. In other news, Oscar's sits on Rose and neighbors Superba, Cafe Gratitude, and several other bars and eateries that all pose the same. But oh, who cares. Oscar's is so good that I'll turn a blind eye, fork over my wallet, and wait out on the sidewalk in order to sit and eat and drink from that Cerveteca menu.

Must-eat: The La Puente Backyard Burger. The Chicano Cheese Pots. The Mac 'n Cheese with Bacon. Patatas Bravas. Key Lime Pie.

Must-drink: Fresh coconut. Everything else beer and wine related.

Fun: Brunch on Sunday's offers an entourage of Beer-Batter Waffles. Chorizo Breakfast Burger.

Simply? I'll see you there.

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.

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!

Superba

Chef Neroni. Let him feed you.

Superba Snack Bar 

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Brunch, Dinner
Company: Those who like to munch and moan
Cost: $8-$19

Review:
As I've said before, I'm pretty reliable for taking pictures of good food. Heck, I can usually stay on task in the midst of great food; the real issue is when it's outstanding.

As luck would have it, Superba is an exceptional exception. Self-announced as a "modern take on a Pastaria," the experience was best described by our counter-top server as "we get funky with it," which we did - and I have pictures to prove it. In sum, just go, as it's the best restaurant that I've been to in months.

OTC Tip: Sit at the bar. Seek chef Jason Neroni. Let him feed you.

At first glance, the menu looks typical in size and stature, variety and focus. Italian themed tapas, for ordering  to share (or hog), you'll probably even note how well-priced it all is considering the location (Rose, the hip younger sister to Abbot Kinney), the decor, and the hype (snacks/starters are $8, bigger dishes are all under $19). But the thing to do here is surrender, and like us let chef Neroni prescribe and pace your entire meal.

Here is the Must List:

PB&J: Pine Nut Butter. Lamb Tongue. Pickle.

Brussels. Poached Egg. Dashi.

FRIED CHICKEN.

S'mores!

As you close the bill and heave yourself off your stool, remember to grab a flyer for A Tale of Two Jason's, the first of many collaborative dinners thrown by Jason N. and Guest. Reservations required, $100/pp. Can't hold out? It's OK, you'll be back, or at least your dreams will take you to this 4-bite moment over and over again:

Benny's Tacos

Benny's Tacos
427 Lincoln Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

Review: Like all of my childhood friends, my entry in to burritos, quesadillas, and nachos exists because of Gordo's on Solano Avenue in Berkeley. A hole in the wall taqueria 1/2 mile from home, Gordo's is known for its Super Burrito which contains a steamed-and-cheese melted tortilla, authentic rice, beans, meat (shredded chicken, crispy carnitas, marinated steak, and grilled chicken), sour cream, guacamole, and hot sauce all for $5.35.

Perhaps Gordo's carries nostalgic cred, but I have yet to find a burrito in LA that stands up to the ideal. The issue tends to be in the tortilla and rice: Gordo's does it thin and steamed with short-grain and almost sticky mexican rice. Everything else here is thick and grilled, dry and almost chinese-like.

Then it happened, as most stumble-upons do: I was in the mood a for a burrito, and spotting Benny's Tacos I pulled over. Like the initial impression of any bi-themed restaurant (Benny's is Mexican and Mediterranean) I was a tad skeptical, but nonetheless I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Opting for the burrito with steak and carnitas, rice, pinto beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and extra chips I forked over $8.73 after being given (without asked) a 10% discount and card for all future purchases. Grand! Walking out I grabbed a few (ok six) little containers of mild salsa (pico de gillo) and medium (green).

Verdict?

YAY! The size of a football and expertly rolled, my Benny's burrito was not only satisfying and exactly what I had ordered, but it reminded me of my usual order from Gordo's at home (minus the hot sauce). Topping off at sub-$9, Benny's won a coveted weekend OTC post. So, go. And if you try something from the mediterranean side, do report back.

Baby Blues BBQ

Pulled Pork Sandwich with Mac 'n Cheese

Baby Blues BBQ
444 Lincoln Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

Type: Restaurant, To-Go
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Company: Vegetarians need not apply
Cost: $8.95-$31.95/plate
OTC Tip: Go hungry. Wear a bib. Be prepared to lick your fingers.

Review:
Infamous, really, because while it's next to California Chicken Cafe and shares a block with Whole Foods, it's about as far as timbucktu is from healthy, gluten free, macrobiotic, and vegan. ThankGod. Step in to Baby Blues and you are promised the following:

1. 5 Sauces: Sweet, Hot, XXX, BBQ, and Sweet Pepper Vinegar
2. A line, but fast and worth it
3. Amazing chicken, beef and pork ribs, sandwiches, fried fish, hot links, pulled pork, brisket...
4. Sides that steal the light: Mac 'n Cheese, Blues on the Cob, Pork and Beans, Mashed Potatoes...
5. Full bellies, sticky fingers
6. Banana pudding that you'll ever after have dreams about

Simply put: If you need a break from grass, take a stop at Baby Blues for a carnivore's oasis.

Alphabetical Dates, A-Z: Summer Edition

Alphabetical Dates, A-Z: Summer Edition

The more you do, the more you love.

Dedicated to Priscilla, aka Small. Loved for little gifts to her boyfriend (he calls them Gooz Tricks), she's my mountaineering partner who wouldn't leave me on Mt Whitney after I told her to go ahead, a no-fail photograph/memory aficionado and die-hard chocolate fan. Small, this is for you and Cohen. Have fun this summer!

Apple Pan

   - Get the pie, warm, with ice cream
   - Fries, extra crispy
Beach Bonfires
   - Make s'mores over an open fire
California Shabu Shabu
   - Play with your food
David Minkin's Magic and Wine Show
   - Seriously, he's talented
   - Wine tasting
Eat | See | Hear
   - Outdoor concert
   - Food Trucks
   - Classic Movie
First Friday
   - Every food truck who's somebody
Gaby's Mediterranean
   - BYOB
   - Garlic sauce
Hollywood Park Summer Concerts
   - Musical summer niiiiights
I-Fly Indoor Skydiving
   - Requires a different kind of suit...
Jazz Brunch at The Charleston
   - Everyone loves mimosas, music, and morning munchies
KiteSufari
   - For the daring
LifeCrowd
   - For the social
Marina Del Rey Sports Fishing
   - For the early risers
Nawab India
   - For the Tandoori Seabass
Outdoor Dining
   - Sonoma Wine Garden
   - Back on the Beach
Paint Run
   - For those who like to get dirty
Qusqo
   - Peruvian, a rare find
Ruins/Waterfall Hike
   - For the hikers
Stand-Up Paddle
   - For the kayakers/surfers
Twilight Concerts: Santa Monica Pier
   - For the beach and music lovers
Ushuaia
   - For a great steak
Vegan Thai
   - Grab and go eat at the beach
Wine Expo
   - A different food truck every night of the week + beer/wine tastings
Xperience Days
   - For those who like to get WAY off the couch
YogaHop
   - Stretch, laugh, then go eat cake at Sweet Lady Jane
ZipLine
   - For some perspective

LifeCrowd

LifeCrowd
Change Your Social Life. Get Offline.


What: LifeCrowd.Com

How: Browse pre-scheduled “events” from categories such as Indulgent, Active, and Creative – save your spot by paying, the designated day, location, and time.

Feels Like: Lists of LivingSocial-like activities with Yelp-like testimonials made personal by integrating Facebook profiles (optional)

Cost: Varies

Imagine: Cliffside Yoga, Beer and Cigar Pairings, Sushi Rolling

Who: You! Do it alone or do it with someone, and know that however you show up you will leave with a new experience and possibly some new friends.


Review:
We’ve all had it happen – you see a link on facebook, a re-tweet on twitter or an article in the paper about Something New. Well, new to you – and likely, most of your friends. You think “Hmm, this could be fun,” and proceed to copy, paste, and email it to your group of besties with the tagline “Anyone interested?” And since it’s probably something you’ve never done before, it’s likely that if you don’t get a “Yes,” you just won’t go – because let’s be real, trying something new (alone) isn’t always the most fun and social experience.

Enter LifeCrowd. The premise is simple, yet the benefits are abundant. Join LifeCrowd and you have two options. You can browse upcoming events and sign up to participate, or you can create your own and become a host. No longer are your days of exploration dependent on BYOF (“bring your own friends”) or your ability to MYOA (“make your own adventure”) – now all you have to do is sign up, browse, click, and pay and voila - you are on your way to building your repertoire and expanding your social circle.

Fathers' Office Burger - Replica

I recently attended the third installment of the LifeCrowd event LA Burger Series which boasted the Fathers Office Burger Recipe, a “make your own” session, and of course – beer pairings. Naturally I attended alone, and I am pleased to report that not only was I not alone in my decision to go solo, but the entire crowd was so welcoming, talkative, curious, and fun that I was glad, for once, that none of my friends wanted to learn how to handle raw meat.

Our host, Angela, while admitting that the recipe card she gave out is not the verified recipe from FO itself but rather the final outcome of several weeks’ worth of trials and errors, did a wonderful job of maintaining a casual atmosphere while still directing and explaining the process and procedure. While we cut cheese, sautéed onions, and fried burger patties, a group of strangers mixed and mingled; throughout our three hour event we learned that we had mutual friends, interests, and some of us found out that we were even neighbors. 

After exchanging numbers and promises to get together again we parted – full, jubilant, and with a burger education- I realized that my evening with LifeCrowd was much more fun and successful in “getting out there and meeting new people” than any night at a local bar. So while you may get drawn in to LifeCrowd because it’s online and it’s an easy way to try a new activity, the more profound impact is that LifeCrowd draws us out of our usual crowd and back in to life.

Revolution Fitness

Revolution Fitness 

Santa Monica/Venice

Rates

Review:

You know the feeling – the one that rises when you start humming the next song on your playlist before it begins, or the sense of ho-hum as you’re half way through your “usual” run – basically, your body telling you that it’s time to switch it up.

Always looking for something new, when I heard about Revolution Fitness I was thrilled: initially because it offers classes I hadn't heard of before, but more importantly because it provides access to an entire menu of workouts for a chance to get my fix for several days.

What: Indoor Fitness Studio

Cost: Single class, private training, and monthly passes available

Unique: In addition to classic Spinning, Yoga, and Pilates, Revolution Fitness also offers Indo-Row, Core-Barre, Rev 20/20/20 and Rev 30/30 classes

Yes, I know you’ve heard of spinning and yoga. But Indo-Row, Core-Barre, and Rev 30/30 were all new to me. So I tried them. All of them. One after the other, for three days straight.

Indo-Row

Indo-Row: Group “erg” sessions. Welcome back to crew workout 101, you jump on the contraption that after a few minutes renders you feeling like you’ve been running stairs and lifting weights at the same time. Great workout if you miss feeling your abs, the glute muscles you forgot about and the butt muscles you never knew you had.  Add a reminisce of post-yoga zen from all the regulated breathing through your nose and mouth and walk out glowing in red-cheeked sweat. 

Core-Barre

Core-Barre: Equipped with yoga mats, weights, a foam ball, and some rubber bands, in a tiny room that looks fit for ballet you will perform strengthening exercises that will render you quivering. For days. Imagine squatting in a plié and then rising to your tip toes, punching the air after circular motions while holding weights, and various forms of crunches that burn in a 360 fire around your abdomen. Think pilates meets yoga, married with weight training.

Spin

Rev 30/30: Best of both worlds all in one class – imagine a class that starts with 30 minutes of cardio and end with 30 minutes of strength training. My dream come true, this is the vitamin version of a group class – every essential aspect of a workout you want, all in one hour.  Plus, the spinning room is the widest and tallest you’ve ever been in, and the bikes the newest versions possible (at least, they’re the most up-to-date I’ve come across).

Revolution Fitness, however, doesn’t start and stop with the classes. The fellow clientele is local and friendly, the instructors are energetic, helpful, and absolutely talented, and , as I know what you care about (almost) the street parking is ample and (on side streets) free.

So, when you find yourself in need of a new song, a burst of motivation, or just the desire to feel a new muscle, be sure to check in to Revolution Fitness and sweat it out in a whole new way.

Gaby's Mediterranean

You know the food is good when I forget to take pictures

Gaby's Mediterranean
Lebanese Food
Various Locations: Marina Del Ray, Culver City, West LA
Follow Gaby's on Facebook


Type: Cafe, Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night, Take-Out
Company: Friends, Non-snotty Date, Visitors
Cost: $2.50-$15.50/plate (appetizers, mains, sides, desserts)

Quickie: Grab a casual bite in the classic "al fresco" atmosphere that won't be bothered if you traipse in some beach. Inexpensive, sub-massive portions of (possibly healthy?) Mediterranean/Lebanese food that will inevitably become your go-to when naming "restaurants that are so(bleeping)delicious."

OTC Tip: For the love of food, whatever you get make sure it includes the garlic sauce (aka TOUM, but Gaby's calls it garlic sauce so we all know what we are getting into), which is known to induce the "I'll have what she's having" neighboring-patron response.

Review:
Of the many things I'm teased for, there are certain occasions when they overlap - and eating at Gaby's is one of them. Since I don't have a reel, the written version looks something like this: "OMFG, GARLIC SAUCE" - which, deconstructed, is a) me talking loudly and b) me moaning and rolling my eyes. Yes, consider this a forewarned "Don't" - bring me, if blatant displays of gastronomic euphoria make you nauseous.

The Do's:
1. Tuck in to the complimentary pita and plate of "sesame/olive oil/tomato/herb - something" (called Zataar) Gaby's brings to your table before the meal. Get your money's worth!
2. Carpool if you are going to the Gaby's on Washington (just off the Venice pier). Parking sucks and/or costs $4 for a spot in the lot.
3.Get the chicken kabob plate - it never fails because the meat is always tender and tasty, and it comes with rice or fries, salad, and a spoonful of the divine garlic sauce.

The Don'ts
1. Forget to BYOB - if you do, there is a liquor store across the street.
2. Bitch about the service. At a place where you can wear board shorts and bring your own booze, don't act like you are here to do anything other than hang and eat.
3. Skip the garlic sauce. If you plan to, then go somewhere else.

While Gaby's could definitely be considered a bit of a dive (aesthetically), it will nonetheless be on your "as a local" list of recommendations for a quick great meal - and a big fat habit waiting to happen.

First Fridays

Dessert, next to the Grilled Cheese Truck

First Fridays
Abbot Kinney
Venice, CA 90291
Follow First Fridays on Facebook
 
Type: Food Truck Festival, Seasonal (Monthly) Category: Dinner, Late-Night  
Company: Date, Friends, Visitors, Family, anyone who likes to eat at places other than a table 

Cost: The right to roam Abbot Kinney is free. Food runs at general food-truck pricing - but I spent close to $30 getting a gyro, a drink, a few small desserts - (and a 4th meal at 11pm after hanging out for a while).

Quick-Rec: Bring cash and a high tolerance for delightfully awkward confrontation. 

OTC Tip: You will run in to people you know: The pals you haven't seen for a while, the randoms you hide from, and probably one or two more you can't even begin to intuit. When my friend and I went we ran in to a few friends from our college (years ago) lives, a guy she met (days prior) at a mixer, and our beach bootcamp trainer, Todd. 

Review:
Here's the thing: LA is wise to what draws a crowd. Take a narrow street notorious for being hipstamatic, open it to a drone of 50+ food trucks (ranging from those prodigy to famous restaurants such as Border Grill and Sprinkles to ones that don't own a store front like DumplingStation and Dogzillahotdogs), claim the start is right during rush hour, make parking stereotypical-LA, and there you have it - exclusivity, at it's most alluring.

In sum, First Fridays is the celebrated attempt by LA's gluttonous yuppies of all ages, shapes, and sizes to rival Berkeley's term "gourmet-ghetto" by putting it all on wheels and insisting with no other option that you eat locavorian items on paper plates while sitting on the curb and wiping your hands on your $300 pants.

As timing is everything, FF only happens once a month - on, as implied, the first Friday. In conjunction with the usual "open late" cast of restaurants and bars on Abbot Kinney, this is the one night the neighboring shops selling non-edibles keep the lights on until 10pm as well (not that anybody cares - people are at FF for the food, so such lit doorstops are used for truly nothing other than well-lit picnics) and, of utmost importance, provide enough light so that you don't have to strain your eyes to read the menus on the backs of the trains of parked food trucks.

My (first) First Friday was in April. After putting in the allotted hour to get there during peak traffic hours from Santa Monica, we snagged a parking spot about five minutes from Abbot Kinney (half the battle) and scuttled on over to see what it was all about. Starting at Abbot Kinney and S. Venice Blvd, we decided to walk down AK on one side of the street and back on the other, glance through the parking lot conglomerate, then decide what to eat.

Due to the lines, the large numbers of people on dates, parents with kids, gaggles of friends and hoards of teenagers, the walk that normally would have taken us twenty minutes took close to 45. While FF is definitely not a "quick-eat" and a poor place to go if you are already starving, I promise you will be blindingly drooling after a few minutes of breathing in grease-saturated air and checking out everyone else eating kabob, tacos, potato tornadoes, mini cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches, and every other type of food fusion that fits in the palm of your hand or can be carried on a stick.

The great thing is that everyone is nice. People don't cut in line, take your food, or bitch at you as you try to jostle by. I think if you go to FF you know what you are getting in to, and if you put in the commitment to a) get there and b) find parking, a short wait or constantly wading through crowds for food is a mere side-conversation to...

...What should you eat? Be careful - after a while, every menu starts to look like a list of x-y-z food stuffed/wrapped/fried in or in to the shape of a taco, burrito, quesadilla, or gyro. No complaints, but if you want to a clear winner I recommend eating from the Vizzi Truck (Wagyu Beef Sliders with Truffled Popcorn) since every other person has already told you about the Kogi Truck and the Grilled Cheese truck and I don't want to tread on redundancy.

Yep, they still remember me at Diddy Riese...

Being the sugar fiend and a devout lover of everything cookies and ice cream, when I saw Coolhaus (ice cream sandwich truck) my feet stopped. Also having an unparalleled love for bacon, I went for the special of salty-and-sweet and got the Candied Bacon ice cream between Maple Waffle cookies. Much to the devastation of such adult fantasies, bacon does not make everything better - and I was aptly punished. Sadly, the ice cream was a bit flabby and the cookies a margin too thin.

Then again, Coolhaus MAY just be in an up-hill battle: to this day I'm unconvinced that any sandwich will ever be a fair rival to my college love, Diddy Riese.

Now, I'd be lying if I told you that FF is all PG-13. Most people "of age" grab a bite, linger at a bar on AK (or down by the beach at such establishments as James' Beach) which are but a $5 cab ride away. Here's the key: Make sure to get back to AK around midnight, right before the last of the late-coming food trucks are about to leave (but aren't really, because they are making a killing feeding the post-bar feeding frenzies) and grab a "snack" (I had a Korean bbq quesadilla).

If at this point you are pouting because you live too far away or work too late to make a First Friday, don't cry - you can always find one of the prized food trucks by following your choice on twitter - most tweet their daily locations so you can have your very own foodfest from wheels any day, time, and place of the week.

Everyone else, you are in luck: First Fridays (May) is this Friday (5/6)! See you there.

Primitivo Wine Bistro

Primitivo Wine Bistro
Tapas and Wine Bar
1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
Follow Primitivo on Facebook


Type: Restaurant, Bar
Category: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Company: Date, Friends, Visitors of the 21+ variety
Cost: $6-$18/tapas, $4+/taste-$7+/glass-$29+/bottle

Quick-Rec: Make reservations, ask for a seat outside, drink & eat abundantly! 

OTC Tip: There aren't any kids here. The crayons on the table are meant for you!

Review:
Rarely will I concede that the sparkly lights draped on a fairy's whim is what makes a place - but there is something so innocuously romantic and sexy about the patio seating at Primitivo that if the only thing on the table was Bud Light and peanuts, I'd still drag/send quite possibly everyone I know.

Tucked like a duck in a row with other such Abbot Kinney fancies, Primitivo is always a little too dark, almost a little to busy, and always 100% worth enduring the territorial hipsters.

When you step inside, the little podium womaned by two pretty ladies is immediately to your left. To your right is the bar, which is set at such an angle that everyone around it has prime "check you out" seating - which is exactly what they do as the hostesses linger over your reservations and mull over what table suits your personality, level of attractiveness, and overall appearance.

(I always wonder about this. I wonder if restaurants seat people somewhat like valet parks cars: the hot ones are always in front - but I digress)

Of course, not sure what this says about me: every single time I've been to Primitivo I've ended up in the back, outside. But I prefer it this way: sitting beneath drooping trees and dripping golden lights sets a remarkable mood.

Note: Last night we went in sweatpants and sandals and were promptly seated in the front - isn't that great to know??

Per the set up, the last time I was out back I worked my way through the following list of tapas:

Braised Chipotle BBQ Short Ribs with Apple Smoked Bacon-Cheddar Cheese and Potatoes with Caramelized Onions ($15)
Apple Smoked Bacon-Garlic Crusted Salmon ($16)
Paella with Saffron Rice, Chicken, Tiger Shrimp, Mussels, Chorizo and Peas ($15)
Mussels in Broth (Garlic & Butter?) with Pommes Frites

To-Do:

1. The paella is plentiful enough to feed a group of four, their horses, and maybe the stable staff. Order it.

2. Even the biggest shell-fish hater will find themselves spooning up the mussel broth/bath as if it were nectar from the heavens (again - MUST be shared - so much garlickly butteryness in this dish it could be mistaken as a product from the kitchen of The Stinking Rose).

3. Wine: Talk to your server and let them help you pair your wine to your order.

...Which brings us to dessert. Memorable odd listing: Peach Jelly Donuts. If you happen to come across the infamous and aptly named "Man" Dessert (no joke) then get it. Otherwise, order more wine, as nothing else has a fighting chance to beat a mason jar filled with fudge pudding and ice cream, an accompanying bowl of brownies, and a shot of Guinness. Instructions are to toss the brownies in to the mason jar, pour in the Guinness, and stir. Totally sloppy. And absolutely fucking delicious.

Venice Happy Hours!

Don't let the search for the local/daily happy hour sour the moment. Yesterday, when on the hunt for a (not-too-cool & cheap) hot spot to catch a drink and feed my face post sunset RUN on the Santa Monica beach, I came along Girl Gone Broke's site/blog (basically, an Out And About Los Angeles for VENICE BARS):

Venice Happy Hour (.com)
"Cheap Drinks for Cheap People in Venice, CA"

Type: Blog/Directory (and my new best friend?)
Category: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Company: Everyone 21+
Cost: $3+
Quick-Rec: Make it a bookmark. Read through every post. Export to an excel google calendar and share with friends!

Tip: Follow Girl Gone Broke on TWITTER for sweet deals

Review: Not only does Girl Gone Broke stick to the TRUE meaning of Happy Hour (inexpensive) but she also makes the decision easy by listing bar/dive/restaurant names on the right-hand side, and categories on top. Want to know the hours and feel of the HH at a specific venue? Search for the name on the right. In need of a place to "day drink," go on a certain day (like "Sunday") or with a certain view (my fav is "Boardwalk Boozing")? Choose from the colloquial categories up top.

You can't go wrong here: time spent browsing means your pennies stay in your pocket. As for the post-run drink/meal? Lisa and I went to Bravo Pizza (Main St, Santa Monica) and gorged on pizza and Stella ($5 each) while sitting on benches at the outdoor patio (tip: sign up on their email list and receive occasional coupons for FREE SLICES).

GJELINA

GJELINA
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Venice, CA 90291
Gjelina on FACEBOOK


Type: Cafe, Restaurant
Cateogry: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Company: Date, Friends, Visitors, Family
Cost: $8-$25 per plate
Quick-Rec: Ask me about Gjelina and I will coo and say, "ooooh.." I love Gjelina - the entertaining variety of small plates, pizzas, and sides intended to share (aka play) - all prepared, offered, and consumed by some of the most gregarious and unpretentious chefs/servers/diners in Venice.

OTC Tip: Make reservations, order plates to share, be nosy, and ask a lot of questions!

Review:
Located in the epitome of cool on Abbott Kinney, Gjelina enters with a large wood door to an expanse of tall warm walls impressed with what looks like someone took their thumb and traced lightly swooping designs throughout the surface of the plaster.

There is a rusted chandelier that droops a looming shadow over the bar, but the most distracting part is the skin of naked bulbs that strikes out in all directions like an angered porcupine's quills which, brilliantly, adds just enough rusty juxtaposition to the sea of hip and pretty to truly bring out the raw beauty of the entire situation. Bravo.

The crowd (there always is one) is composed of bright-eyed people who know great food and who won't cringe if you lean over their table and ask everything about what it is they are eating. The staff is warm and excitable, and even if you didn't order the sardines they will show you how to eat them (make sure to leave the spine and head), as well as make sure you are thoroughly taken care of from every possible perspective (more wine? another fork? salt and pepper?)

The hardest part about the Gjelina experience is the sense of morn that will settle in as you sadly admit that you can't possibly order and eat everything in one sitting. No matter - since Gjelina is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, there is ample opportunity to go back (if you can get a reservation, that is).

Now, for a little teaser:

Pizza with shaved asparagus, confit shallot, farm egg, sotocenere & parmasean. Good and crispy at the crust, rich and tender through to the body of the pie. The egg in the middle was an indulgent touch, and with a shake of salt and pepper this pie "to share" was a great way to start off the meal.

-and-

Charred brussels sprouts with dates, bacon, and vinegar. Simply, amazing. And don't be weird about the brussels - this is a MUST.

We also had:

Crispy Niman Ranch pork belly with corn grits, rapini, and apply cider. LOVED - but then again, I love anything porky, charred, and fatty. If I could eat this everyday, I would.

Followed by...

Niman Ranch hanger steak tartare with grilled bread, quail eggs, and shaved radish. When having at this plate the key is that each bite should include a bit of every item - aka - be sure to construct the Perfect Bite every single time.

Now, while there are a few options for dessert, just close your eyes and wave off the menu. The only line you need to know is: "butterscotch pot de creme with salted caramel and creme fraiche." Go on, copy and paste that in to your phone and text it to yourself. Trust me, this is it.

Speechless? It's OK, all you have to do is promise to go back, again and again, like I will - and probably a thousand times over again.

Bounce!

Bounce!
1501 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
Bounce! on Facebook

Type: Outdoors, Beach Activity
Category: Fitness and Recreation
Company: Date, Friends, Visitors, Family, Kids
Cost: $8/half-hour (gets incrementally cheaper)
Quick-Rec: TRY IT! SO fun and SUCH a great workout - I will be a  frequent visitor

OTC Tip: Get to know Bounce! owners Heather May (fitness guru/chef) and Marc Levine (photographer) because they are one of the cutest, enthusiastic, and most down-to-earth entrepreneurial couples you'll find in LA . They will shake your hand when you enter, then you will hug them when you leave.

Review:
Within the thirty seconds it took to strap on the KangooJumps and stand up, the theme of the morning quickly became "Why walk when you can BOUNCE?!"

There are a few thoughts that will run through your head when you see someone in KangooJumps. First, you will think "Wow, that looks FUN!" Second, you will ask "I wonder if that is safe..." and before you get to the third thought you will realize that you are gawking and maybe even taking a picture/video of said jumper and quickly stop all staring and bashfully inquire "Can I do that...?"

There is one answer to all of the above and it is Yes.

Bounce! is a new storefront in Venice that rents KangooJumps. Soon, they will offer group fitness classes, but unlike other activities I can think of where a motivational instructor is often a necessity, KangooJumps are SO FUN that the only reason you will stop is because you are physically exhausted.

Strapping on KangooJumps reminded me a lot of pulling on rollerblades or ski boots (but more comfortable). Initially, I was worried that I would fall or trip or somehow manage to topple myself over - however, once I stood up I was immediately stable, comfortable, and at all times bouncy.

Watch the video of our first 45 seconds in KangooJumps HERE.

Aside from feeling like I was finally able to realize my child/adulthood dream of walking on the moon, walking/jumping/hopping/dancing in KangooJumps is a legitimate workout. Each boot weighs 2.5 pounds, and the springy element makes this a  low-impact "sport" (hint: ex-soccer players, runners, etc - if you have busted knees, shins, or arches, exercising in KangooJumps is like water running or biking - your aches and pains won't feel a thing!)

Watch the videos of me and my pal LISA showing off our new Kangoo-moves!

After an hour of running, kicking, jumping, and telling every local/tourist/kid/teen/adult/grandparent "Sure, yes, take our picture" and "Go rent a pair, the shop is right over there!" we were exhausted. Like, the "I just ran ten miles in the sand, carrying weights" type of wiped-out. Which is great, because the entire experience was at least a million times more fun than anything remotely related to running with weights.

Finally, after several attempts to remove the KangooJumps and call it a day (I kept leaping up for one more lap down the Venice bike path) I was able to relinquish my new-found obsession (I'm pretty sure I said "I'd wear these EVERYWHERE - the grocery store, to work, to do my laundry..." at least five times in the hour) and join Lisa in the point toward the search for a hearty brunch.

Now, how much of a workout can something SO FUN really be? Well, to put it simply (and this is coming from me, a current runner and an ex-long distance swimmer and Lisa, an ex-collegiate basketball player): We both report that we went to bed at 11pm on a Saturday night after sitting on the couch for the entire evening because our legs were too drained to bear standing . No matter - I wasn't sore the next morning (must be all that FUN). Not only will I go back, but a morning at Bounce! is a habit in the making.