It's not uncommon to visit the Getty and nary a piece of indoor art gets glimpsed at. For many Angelenos, the sprawling Getty is best enjoyed outdoors -- with a picnic on the lawn, a Getty-tini in hand, and a left-coast-is-the-best-coast band -- aptly called Best Coast -- delivering a live, three-hour concert. It's the weekend before Carmageddon, so take advantage of your favorite 405 exit now.
The Larder at Tavern: To prepare for your evening on the Getty lawn, visit Suzanne Goin's Larder at Tavern for takeaway sustenance. Tavern, of course, is where Brentwood's aristocrats go to dine (or even out-of-towners like President Barack Obama who cause other traffic woes nicknamed Obama-Jam). The Larder, attached to Tavern, is where you pick up an array of in-the-cold-case goods like St. Louis-style BBQ ribs and corn salad with shell beans and summer squash, or made-to-order salads (like farro tabouleh) or sandwiches (like The Angeleno of burrata, artichokes and cavalo nero). And look at those gorgeous macarons - they want to go on your date to the Getty, too.The Larder at Tavern, 11648 San Vicente Boulevard, at Darlington Avenue (310-806-6464 or tavernla.com)
The Getty Center: The museum is, in fact, offering a tempting "Paris: Life & Luxury" exhibit - maybe you could be bothered to arrive a little early for it. But if the 405's pre-construction war zone doesn't allow for it, you still have an idyllic garden terrace to take in. Find your best patch of grass, set up camp, feed each other fried chicken, and beginning at 6pm, relish the lo-fi, Beach Boy-tempo, girlish crooning of Best Coast. You could get up and go watch the band's performance in the courtyard - and re-up on Getty-tinis (FYI, no outside alcohol is allowed) - or simply cuddle it out on the lawn. It's like having a supersized set of Bose speakers under the sky.Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, at North Sepulveda Boulevard (310-440-7300 or getty.edu)
Bar Toscana: Getting a nightcap is sexier if you do it the Italian way. Bar Toscana offers a bevy of libations -- from an impressive selection of prosecco-based aperitivi to sophisticated martinis and cocktails (try the Brentwood's Garden or Italian Sazerac) and after-supper digestivo pours and more. Before Bar Toscana opened, Brentwood took its shut-eye when the neighborhood kids did; now, a Date Night proper -- with beautiful booze -- is yours to relish.Bar Toscana, 11633 San Vicente Boulevard, at Darlington Avenue (310-826-0028 or toscanabrentwood.com/bartoscana)
More LA Date Night: Fried Chicken & a Movie in a Cemetery