I’ll be up north racing a Starship Lemon this weekend but look at all the fun events I’ll be missing out on. Boo. And yay for you.
Friday, May 7
The Dessert Architect’s Suite of Sweets at Porta Via in Beverly Hills
Treat your mama to one of the trio desserts created by renowned pastry chef Robert Wemischer who is…guest “pastry chef-ing” at Beverly Hills bistro, Porta Via, after a 25-year hiatus. Choose from pandan panna cotta, dark milk chocolate mousse with peanut croquantine and a tamarind sauce, and a rhubarb crumble in vanilla soup with strawberry ice cream (each dessert is $9).
- May 7-13. Porta Via, 424 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills (map). Reservations: (310) 274-6534.
Ditch Day Fridays at Hotel Shangri-La
To coincide with the launch of its redone rooftop bar/lounge, Suite 700, Hotel Shangri-La has kicked off a new happy hour on Fridays from 1 to 7pm. Get your weekend started early with the $5 cocktails and poolside music. Food items include something called Fancy Dogs as well as small plates like the deviled eggs with curry, chipotle or black truffle.
- 1-7pm. Hotel Shangri-La, 1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 394-2791.
Arclight Pasadena’s Grand Opening
Arclight’s newest grand cineplex opens up in Pasadena, giving those who want something not as fancy or as pricy as the Gold Class Cinemas, a pretty nice alternative. It’s not as big as the other two Arclights and only has a cafe bar and a separate bar/lounge area for the 21+ screenings, but there are plenty of restaurants and bars within stumbling distance, including Bodega Wine Bar and the Yard House. Break in the brand-new Arclight by check out Iron Man 2 here.
- ArcLight Pasadena at Paseo Colorado, 336 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (map). (626) 568.8888.
Saturday, May 8
2010 Santa Monica Festival
Looks like it’s going to be a lovely weekend so why not bike over to Santa Monica’s festival of music, dance, shopping and food at Clover Park? There are lots of food to choose from, including Mama’s Hot Tamales, Lindes Kettle Corn and King Kone ice cream. And Sustainable Works will be on hand to show how to make a vegan pizza in a solar oven. Admission and parking are free as well as bike valet where you’ll get a raffle ticket to win a brand-new bike should you two-wheel it in.
- 11am-6pm. Clover Park 2600 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica (map).
Sunday, May 9
Sparkling Wines and Valerie Confections at Silverlake Wine
I wish my mom could eat chocolates and drink booze because this would have been an awesome way to spend Mother’s Day. This Silverlake Wine Sunday tasting will feature five sparking lines paired with Valerie Confections chocolates! So luxurious. Spotlighted vino include: Barcino Cava 2007 / Spain, Alice Prosecco 2008 / Italy, Gruet Blanc de Noir NV / New Mexico and Fourny et Fils Champagne NV / France.
- 3pm. $20 a person. 2395 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles (map). Reservations: (323) 662-9024.