L.A., we made it. It was really hot. And the freeways were closed. And while some people said we couldn't do it -- we totally did. Because... It wasn't that bad, right? But, if you spent your weekend holed up in a homemade bomb shelter designed to outlast Carmageddon and you're feeling a little stir-crazy (which is totally fiction...completely and totally...), well we've got good news for you: this week is jammed (sorry, wrong word?) with so much fun stuff to do that you'll forget it's not the weekend... Until, lo and behold, it is again. Here's what we're up to:
Monday
Head to The Grove after work, doing your best to dodge tourists and Mario Lopez on your way to The Fat Cow, Gordon Ramsay's new restaurant that's slated to open today. After, make your way to The Grammy Museum downtown for a talk from Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss (that's, um, A and M to you, like A&M Records). If you arrive early, pay your respects at Whitney!, an exhibit dedicated to our late, great diva of choice.
After, wind down the night at The Parish, where they've just debuted a brand-new lineup of both liquid and solid food deliciousness, like homemade sausages, a rotating lineup of weekly punch cocktails, and (wait for it...) cornbread pudding.
Hit play: Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
Tuesday
Start your night at Superba Snack Bar in Venice with small plates and house-made pastas (it is National Pasta Month after all!). Then, head to Culver City for the Silverlining Designer Resale Girls Night Out, where you can find the likes of Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Trina Turk, and lots more at severely discounted rates. All proceeds go to the Silverlining's raison d'être, The Help Group, which tutors autistic or special-needs young adults.
After you've selfishly, er, selflessly helped the kids by buying designer clothing, go help the animals by catching Emmylou Harris at Royce Hall. Proceeds benefit Ms. Harris' unadoptable dog sanctuary in Nashville, Bonaparte's Retreat. You really are so thoughtful.
Hit play: Emmylou Harris - Making Believe
Wednesday
Are you ready for this? All day on Wednesday, all locations of Mulberry Street Pizza will be serving slices for 20¢ in celebration of their 20th anniversary. Get ye to the pepperoni!
If you happened to be at the NORML conference all day (hey, man, it's cool) and you're still feeling political, stop by The Association for a debate-viewing party complete with "presidential" cocktails and deals on food and drink. Then, try to elbow your way into the MoveOn.org free concert with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Meanwhile in Santa Monica, the less politically zealous should check out hotly anticipated raw restaurant M.A.K.E. for undercooked delicacies we're dying to try. A note: the restaurant is still in soft open mode, so be kind and keep your Yelps to yourself (until it officially opens on the 19th). Then, head to the Aero to watch a discussion with Penny Marshall and Gary Marshall in support of Penny's new memoir My Mother Was Nuts.
Hit play: Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) - Wooden Ships
Thursday
Celebrate National Taco Day at Tortilla Republic in West Hollywood, where they're doing a little time warp and offering their Taco Tuesday deals ($6 margaritas, $4 Coronas, 2 tacos for $6, and more) again today.
Then head to the Fonda Theatre to see Kimbra perform live. If a cute-as-could-be New Zealander singing catchy songs in perfect bubblegum outfits (that are neither too Miranda July nor too Katy Perry) isn't your thing, you could always better yourself or indulge in a little Gangnam Style. Your call, really...
Hit play: Kimbra - Cameo Lover