Welcome to the weekend. The final weekend of fall. The nights are short, the days chillier, and the need to get out and enjoy your weekends greater than ever. But since you’ll be out shopping we’ve got some ideas. Get that perfect gift for that stylish friend at the CMC sample sale, grab a stocking stuffer for your favorite foodie at the Epicure Imports’ open warehouse sale, or adopt a pet for the little ones at the Save A Stray For The Holidays event. If you’re all done with shopping, get some afternoon tea at the historic Biltmore or some very special holiday brews at 55 Degree Wine.
Check out the Dig LA Holiday Guide for more Holiday fun and events.
Friday, Dec 18
CMC’s Holiday Sample Sale
Downtown Los Angeles (9am-4pm)
The California Market Center (The CMC) and its showrooms invite shoppers to enjoy one last chance at great deals before the holidays! Participants include Women’s Contemporary, Women’s Updated, Men’s Street Contemporary, Kids, Maternity, Accessories, Footwear, Intimates and Gift & Home Showrooms. Apartment 3 will also be on hand on the CMC’s Front Patio for an outdoor Holiday Pop-Up Shop!
Afternoon Tea
Downtown Los Angeles (2-5pm)
A longtime Biltmore tradition, Afternoon Tea is extra-special during the holiday season, featuring a limited-time menu with seasonal items and sweet treats, including an assortment of tea sandwiches, miniature desserts and freshly-baked maple scones with homemade Devonshire cream and jam. A wide selection of blended and herbal teas are available, as well as hot cider, creamy eggnog and Laurent Perrier Champagne. get Afternoon Tea every Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun through Dec 24. Enjoy live piano music playing your favorite holiday songs Friday through Sunday. $35 adults ($45 with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne).
Epicure Imports’ Open Warehouse Sale
North Hollywood (Fri 1:30-6pm, Sat 9:30-2pm)
The general public will have the opportunity to stock up on imported wine and gourmet food products at Epicure Imports’ open warehouse sale. Held from 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, and from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, the sale will offer a large selection of items like Champagne, French cheeses, truffle oils and chocolates at warehouse prices. Shoppers will also be able to taste a few samples along the way. Epicure Imports is at 6900 Beck Ave in North Hollywood.
Saturday, Dec 19
Save A Stray For The Holidays
Los Angeles (9am-2pm)
Found Animals Foundation hosts their second annual “Save A Stray For The Holidays” adoption event on Saturday. The unique and unparalleled Los Angeles-wide event will unfold simultaneously at 14 City and County animal care center locations; this will mark the first time such a feat has been accomplished. Each location will reduce adoption fees, including microchip and spay/neuter surgery fees, for the special program. Hundreds of animals will be available and trained “matchmakers” will be on hand to help visitors find the perfect pet.
Sunday, Dec 20
Decembeerfest
Los Angeles (5-10pm)
55 Degree Wine presents Decembeerfest. It certainly is the most wonderful time for beer. Lots of great holiday specials here. Affligem Noel, St. Feuillien Cuvee De Noel, Delirium Noel, St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, N’Ice Chouffe, Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper ‘09, Semichiaus Helles, The Bruery Rugbrod, and YuleSmith Holiday Ale. Plus Brats for $5. It is wonderful!
Continuing:
Chill at the W Hotel
Westwood
The outdoor pool at the W has been transformed into a winter wonderland and covered with a synthetic hybrid ice. Sip on hot cocoa or specialty winter cocktails, admire the skaters go ’round or take a spin yourself on Chill. Indulge at their Snowy Snack Bar, where Executive Chef Monique King offers winter bites and warm comfort foods that will satisfy your taste buds. Admission is $10 for one hour of skating, includes rentals.
Fleming’s $25 Dining Card
Various locations
In the spirit of the season, Fleming’s is offering guests an exceptional gift of a $25 Dining Credit every time they make an online reservation to dine at Fleming’s through December 30. Additionally, guests making their online reservation and redeeming the $25 Dining Credit by December 30 will have the opportunity to receive Fleming’s Bonus Cards. To receive the $25 Dining Credit and be eligible for Bonus Cards, reservations must be made here.
palate food + wine Sunday Session and Supper
Glendale (12-5pm & 5-9pm)
This Sunday at palate food + wine try the featured “Single Dish” at Sunday Session for $12. Or do the full Sunday supper for $35 which includes an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. Wine flights available for $12.
Little Dom’s Monday Night Supper
Los Feliz (6pm-11pm)
On Monday nights Little Dom’s if offering a $15 prix-fixe supper featuring seasonal dishes like Shrimp & Whitebean Brushetta , Grilled Albacore w/ Roasted Peppers & Oregano,
Cranberry & Chocolate Chunk Rice Pudding. Bottles of Dago Red or White are $10, and Peroni beer is $2. Sounds like the perfect recession buster to us.
Wine Pairing Wednesday at Upstairs2
West LA (7:30pm)
Upstairs 2, located above the massive Wine House, offers a four-course dinner prepared by chef Todd Barrie every Wednesday, paired with four wines from around the world selected by sommelier Marilyn Snee. Each week will showcase a different wine region, and there will be a brief discussion of each wine and its pairing. The cost is only $55 per person. Make your rezzy here.
Friday Night Sessions @ California Plaza
Downtown Los Angeles (7pm)
Free concerts return to California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles on the 2nd Friday of every month. The program includes performances by local emerging indie bands. The Friday Night Sessions concert series is a collaborative effort by lafreebee, Isgoodmusic, SideCho Records, Heart Music Group, Casa Downtown, Grand Performances and the artists themselves. This Friday’s performers include Under the Asbury, Garland, Lady Katherine, and Bright Million.
Upcoming:
January 8 & 15 – It’s Cheap Date night at LearnAboutWine in Downtown LA. On Jan 8 taste 20 different kinds of Merlot while you enjoy In-N-Out Burger. Sample Duckhorn, Twomey, Markham and more. Then on Jan 15 it’s Zin night. Sample Hug Cellars, Turley, Cakebread, Peju and more. Taste the wines before you know what is what, and learn about what makes them all different.
January 17 – Evan Kleiman, host of Good Food Live! and renowned Aussie chef Curtis Stone will conduct a rooftop cooking demo at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. They’ll be joined by fish expert Peter Evans, mixologist Gus McShane and wine aficionado James Gosper. Taste, drink and smell the flavors that make Australian and Californian cuisines delicious together. Have a glass of Aussie wine and a special cocktail with a small audience at this exclusive rooftop cooking show. The fun begins with a culinary showcase from 3 to 4 pm, followed by a reception from 4 to 5 pm featuring a hosted beer, wine and special cocktail reception, along with light bites. Tickets are $30.
January 24-29, January 31-February 5 – Taking place over two consecutive weeks, this winter’s dineLA Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to indulge in specially priced three-course menus from a variety of LA restaurants. Stay tuned for more details.
Thu, Dec 17, 2009
City Beat, Weekend Guide