I'll Be in the Red Booth Waiting

RCC is about as cool as it gets in this zip code--much cooler than could be discerned from the bland name, the tony location, or anything else one could know from the outside. What's cool about it? It's not a single entity, but a maze-like series of aggressively thematic rooms. (Call it the Madonna Inn of west-side pseudo-dives.) If the possibilities for covert make-out sessions aren’t obvious, go back to school. As it’s easy to seclude oneself in the Renee's complex, I often come here to write--if you see me in the bright red booth and I don't look too weary, feel free to introduce yourself. Renee's is also noteworthy for its charming, vaguely New-Orleanean gothic pretensions. Bask in the moody lighting, witness the "doll room," and, if you've got cash, enjoy a shot of absinthe.

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Nightlife • Santa Monica

Meatless Miracles

I tend to avoid restaurants that don't serve meat, due to the fact that vegetarians/hippies kind of scare me. Most of my aversion, however, comes from the fact that these gastronomical fascists just don't know how to cook good food. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule, as Real Food Daily proves with its unbelievably delicious vegan fare. Jesus himself must be working in the kitchen, because no mere mortal could possibly make such realistic nut-based cheese. Same rationale goes for the brownie sundae: milk and eggs are replaced with the Messiah's magic. Considering that the food is so damn good, the fact that I've yet to see a hippie in this place is just icing on the dairy-free cake.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Hospitality > Fatalities

Santino's may not call itself a cafe but it functions in the same way all good cafes do. During the day it's one of the few places in LA where one can sit and get work done and not be surrounded by the standard Starbucks crowd. The management doesn't exactly encourage its clientele to bring their laptops in (they would rather sit and talk soccer with you) but they do not have a problem with someone munching and getting work done at a table for a few hours. Note: it will be difficult to not get distracted by the four-stool bar subtly awaiting a patron, the deli case with the day's assortment of tapas or the Argentinean soccer match on TV. The afternoons bring a varied crowd awaiting live music or stopping for a snack on the way home. Once the afternoon crowd begins to filter out it becomes a great casual spot for a large group of friends looking to feast on tapas (if you make it in on a Tuesday or Friday be sure to try one of the grilled, handmade pizzas) and enjoy countless drinks until late in the night with the kind hosts/owners.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Happy Hour in the Eastern Bloc

Warszawa is a bit disjointed to say the least. It is an Eastern European restaurant in the middle of Santa Monica (the closest you will get to this type of food in LA outside of the Russian delis in West Hollywood). Go there for dinner and you feel like you are a lodger in Poland. Stumble into the back and you find yourself in what can best be described as a makeshift outdoor lounge, a bamboo-lined parking lot with fire pits, outdoor furniture and one huge palm tree. Credit goes to Warszawa for somehow managing to use these juxtaposing attributes to create one of the better happy hours (Wed-Fri., 4-6pm) on the Westside. The last oddity: most people come to this backyard happy hour for the half-price appetizers from the well-respected kitchen and not the drinks. To keep with the theme I recommend a standard plate (grilled polish sausage with horseradish) and one very different (wine-cured herring and apples). After a few drinks it all manages to go together.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Smorgasbord

Asian Fusion. That should be the name of this restaurant as it takes Thai, Chinese and Japanese, which by the way, are all very distinct types of Asian cuisine and combines them into some kind of new supermeal. Oddly, it works. The sushi is half-off if you eat at the bar location. If you don't mind cramming onto a small stool, you can pack in a fair amount of yellowtail and octopus for a decent price. But the hidden gem on the menu is the lettuce wrap. Make sure to order Thai chilies in fish sauce on the side to give them an extra zing! If you don't mind paying full price for you sushi (you rich jerk) or plan on ordering another dish, take your table outside and watch the many people passing by. Just pray that you get one of the few good bands that line the promenade to serenade you.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Accidental Tourist

A friend once told me they had never been to Cha-Cha Chicken but that it "looked like a tourist trap." Another friend told me that he was "pretty sure it was BYOB." From these two assertions one might stand to reason that either A.) The food at this place is over-priced and generic or B.) The food at this place is so goddamn awful that allowing one to bring their own alcohol is the only way to get people in the door. Neither is the case for Cha-Cha Chicken. Whatever alcohol you choose to bring will be secondary to the excellent food at this Caribbean-style chicken shack. There is a variety of daily specials ranging from fresh fish to exotic fruit drinks, but the best food is anything that has the traditional "jerk" flavoring, from enchiladas to turkey burgers (you read that right). The high-fenced patio, bright color scheme and authentic mix of dancehall/reggae/salsa music may make one feel like a tourist, just not one in L.A. Don't like that feeling? Bring some drinks (actually bring a ton, no one will say a word) and friends and pretend you're at a barbecue in someone's island-themed backyard.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Transient Seafood, A Work of Art

If you're going to stuff yourself, you might as well do it with expensive food. The Lighthouse in Santa Monica allows you to gorge on crab, salmon, sushi and sashimi along with your standard beef and chicken in an all-you-can-eat buffet focusing on Japanese cuisine. The seating arrangement is nothing to get excited over, neither is their ugly wall patterns (silver bubbly circles?) but the food is solid and for less than $25 a person, if you are a smart shopper at the buffet window you can get your money's worth. The chilled crab legs are the popular favorite, along with the sushi and sashimi bar. But seriously, stay away from the fried oysters.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Introduce Yourself

Next time you're strolling Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, talk to a stranger. Any stranger. It doesn't have to be complicated; you can just make eye contact and say "hey" or ask for directions to a good resturaunt. But talk to at least one stranger, or group of strangers. Talk to a group of idle teenagers, commiserating amongst themselves and not really watching their hyperactive pal do skateboard tricks. Talk to a young parent window-shopping and talking on his cellphone as he pushes around his daughter in a colorful plastic coupe. Talk to a couple, walking side by side, huddled against each other in a shameless PDA or barely standing close enough for territorial handholding. Talk to the leggy girls going through their shopping bags as they share a smoke break. Talk to the licensed busker playing the same four chords on his acoustic, over and over. For extra points, talk to a homeless person--they smell funny, and some of them might hustle you for scratch, but during the day, with about 20 bike cops for every civilian, nothing ugly will happen.

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Landmarks • Santa Monica

They Had Me at Goodbye

You're out of falafel? This is "Falafel King," right? And you're saying we have to wait, for like, two whole minutes? Ugh. "For here or to go?" Where are we supposed to sit here, anyway? Out in that sketchy corrido? With all of the homeless people, toting their huge trash bags to the public bathrooms? And the birds flying in and grabbing crumbs? Eew. Just, eew. Ugh. I can't believe they're making us wait at, like, a fast food place. Isn't this supposed to be a "community staple" or something? Ugh. I'm so not impressed. Our food is ready? Okay. That didn't take too long. Let's try this... Ummmmm! That's really good falafel! Tasty! Lots of flavor! Not dry or greasy at all! So delicious. And there's a lot of it! Now I'm not feeling so high-maintenance anymore! Thanks, Falafel King!

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

En Garde! Un Croissant!

It's like stepping into a little French café, minus the fact that the tables don't all face the windows, providing its patrons with hours of people-watching. But you can still give your well-heeled feet an afternoon break from shopping along Montana in this bright, narrow eatery, which has a serving counter lining one side and tables lining the other. Bottles of wine and jars of Nutella provide that je ne sais quoi of Paris, as do the French accents lingering on the wait staff and chef. There's a selection of crepes, sandwiches and baked goods (nothing brings a tired shopper back to life like a pain au chocolat and cup of pressed tea). Try the croque monsieur smothered in cheese or traditional chocolate mousse in the dessert window.

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Shopping • Santa Monica

Santa Monica Power Yoga

No one should be denied the ability to perform yoga, as is the belief of Bryan Kest, founder of the Santa Monica Power Yoga studios. Hence, his studios offer donation-only power yoga classes, each a suggested donation of $11. There are two locations right around the corner from each other with a full schedule of classes seven days a week: the older one, held in a former dance studio above Radio Shack on Santa Monica Blvd, and the new location, a spanking shiny studio, shop and lounge on 2nd Street. For all those who ever poo-pooed yoga before, now's your chance to get your butt kicked, sometimes by your own foot if you're not careful. This isn’t some meditation class—it’s the real deal, and even the strongest of men have admitted that it’s a challenging class. Held in closed rooms heated by rising body temperatures (and sweat), the yoga class will make you drip your way to better flexibility and harmony. Sure, the condensation building on the closed windows is a little gross, but the workout is tremendous. Mats are available for $2 rental or for purchase—it’s probably more sanitary to have your own. There are different levels of classes offered, but the majority is for all, at a work-at-your-own-pace ability. Even those who can't help but giggle through class leave feeling stronger, lighter, and a little more in touch with themselves.

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Yoga • Santa Monica

My Father's Office

Ever since it has opened, Father’s Office has been known to serve the best burger in So Cal, if not the entire US. At Father’s Office you get your burger their way and their way only: fatty ground Chuck patty, carmelized onions, Gruyere/Maytag Blue combo, and arugula—no substitutions or deletions (tough shit). Give in since the ultimate combination makes for a phenomenal burger. And what of the famous Father’s Office attitude? Nonexistent! Ask your bartender which beer goes best with the burger and he or she will kindly direct you to the “Burger Selection” beer of the week. I had a Racer Five IPA from Bear Republic Brewery. Besides the burger, a must order is the sweet potato fries “a la carte.” Yes, they literally come in a miniature shopping cart. Order them not just for the cute pun but for the fabulous taste: these sweet potato fries are the best ever. You will also be rewarded with a side of blue cheese aioli in which to dip them. Not a burger person? That’s ok because the non-burger items are incredibly good. The rest of the menu is mostly Spanish tapas, with a Moroccan tinge, and French Bistro classics.

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Nightlife • Santa Monica

Border Grill

What do you do after a long work day spent in a dreary cubicle without a glimmer of hope that you’ll get out before 8 pm to enjoy the joyful summer sun on your face? Why, bash the evil harpies you work with, of course! And drink margaritas! And eat your weight in queso! All this and more good times can be had at the vibrant Border Grill. The Santa Monica installment of the Two Hot Tamales’ empire, this loud and rambunctious restaurant has more color than 38 pieces of flair, and an inventive, tasty menu that will make you forget all about those carrots and hummus you ate at your desk at 2 pm. Oh, and they’ve got the best vegetarian platter in Los Angeles. Seriously. Go there after work. Eat and drink up. Take a few of your favorite coworkers and spend a few hours planning all the ways you’ll one day show that shriveled hag in Sales who’s boss.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Toi on Wilshire

There’s no messing with Toi when it comes to food and funky atmosphere. The affordable Thai restaurant has an extensive menu of your standard Thai dishes (many vegetarian) and is open until 3 am. You can’t go wrong with the pad thai or the curries. Sake, beer, and wine are also available. This place surprisingly makes for a decent low-key date place as well as a good place for friends to gather, for dinner or late-night munchies. Decorated wall-to-wall with rock ‘n roll paraphernalia and a tuk-tuk (tiny open-air taxi prevalent in Southeast Asia and India), the place is kitschy in a Thai/ anti-established teenager from the ‘70s kind of way. There’s also a location on Sunset. T-shirt, jeans, and a big appetite are required. If you’re not up for rockin’ out, you can also order in delivery.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

California Heritage Museum

If you ever have, say, a lot of time on your hands, you can learn more about the history of Santa Monica than you ever planned in your lifetime at the California Heritage Museum. It’s a 112-year-old house that once existed on the corner of Wilshire and Ocean Avenue, then picked up and moved to the corner of Main and Ocean Park Boulevard before everything became a condo. The enviable house is now an art museum as well, with a brief history of the Jones family who once resided in this house and founded Santa Monica. For $3, you’ll get a very detailed tour of every piece and history of Santa Monica by Betty Mott, a very knowledgeable, tiny, smiling, white-haired lady who knows all the ins and outs of the house. Her wealth of information is impressive and interesting, and you’ll learn how the Pacific Coast Highway came to be, how tiles are fired and painted, and how the British held influence over the city. In addition, the museum has various special events, and is well-funded by the well-heeled of Santa Monica.

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Museums • Santa Monica

Akbar Cuisine of India

Sophisticated, cozy and as authentic as Indian food can be in Southern California, Akbar Cuisine of India manages to mix in good Americanized service with carefully prepared Indian cuisine. Typical favorites such as samosas, naan bread, and tikki masala chicken are flavorful and stay with you for several hours. The indoor atmosphere isn’t screaming “India flea market” and lacks the loud Indian music. But coupled with a good glass of wine from their wine list, and some good Indian fare, the restaurant makes a great place for friendly conversation and easy-to-digest prices. The wait staff is also very attentive and forgiving, and the crowd seems to be well-traveled–particularly to India. You’ll be sure to receive a good meal and good travel tips from your neighbors and waiters.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Santa Monica Swim Center

It’s no Melrose Place, but it’s Santa Monica’s–and LA County’s–best public pool, anecdotally. The state-of-the-art facility boasts two swimming pools, a sundeck, underwater lighting, and classes to crowd the pools daily. The Splash pool is 25-yard, 10-lane pool for the young and old, and those who desire a warmer temperature (heated to a bath-like 85 degrees). It sinks no deeper than 4 feet. The Fitness pool, for the more athletic, spans 25-yards by 50-meters, with a diving section, with a 13-foot depth and is maintained at a cooler 79 degrees. The Art-Deco walls surrounding the pool make for an architectural highlight as well, and students and parents like to relax at the tables with a book under the glowing lights in the evening. Located on the Santa Monica College campus, the pool is exceptionally crowded during the school year with water polo, swim team, and extension classes filling the water during the evenings. Early morning swims may be crisp, but the pools are emptier. Those requiring motivation and a brush-up on strokes can participate in the Adult Fitness Swim on Tuesday and Thursday evening. And if you’ve always wanted to learn water ballet, Santa Monica Swim Center even offers synchronized swimming.

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Swimming • Santa Monica

Jack ‘n Jill’s

A quaint breakfast place along the quieter section near downtown Santa Monica, Jack n’ Jill’s is the second opening of its Beverly Hills original. Bright and cheerful with cartoons of muffins painted on the walls, this is a great place to relax with the Sunday paper or unwind after yoga next door. Breakfast is a hit, with a long wait outside as proof on the weekends. No reservations here, so get there early. The food is ordered up front, and few can resist the tempting baked goods sitting in the windows. Try the Sunrise omelette for a morning pick-me-up. It’s big enough to share so bring some company. Lunch, however, is probably better at the Chinese place down the street, though they do sell a large assortment of sandwiches, salads, wraps and paninis.

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Restaurants • Santa Monica

Bodega Wine Bar

Wine here is for “drinking,” not tasting—and with it comes a menu of flavorful appetizers meant for eating, not admiring. The new Santa Monica location has a dimly lit, clean, modern deco space. It’s great for cozy conversations and has tall tables for an intimate gathering of friends or a date. But don’t expect this to be a pick-up joint—most people are here with friends, although it’s a great place to make new ones. Wine comes in tumblers, not stemmed glasses, at $8 each, $20 a carafe, or $30 a bottle. The bar also offers beer, sake, and soju for those in a mood for other varieties. For food, cheese lovers will have a field day with the cheese selection. Other small plates include prosciutto and melon, a variety of small pizzas, salads and hummus.

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Nightlife • Santa Monica

The Acorn Store

Tucked away across the street from Wild Oats and around the corner from the farmers market, The Acorn Store fits so perfectly into its surroundings. And while we’d like to ridicule the store for its all-wood, natural toys being so appropriately organic for Santa Monica’s hippie children, its quality really brings out the nostalgia. Imported European craftsmanship, music boxes, dollhouses, trains, figurines, instruments, and puzzles catch the eyes of children and adults alike. Inside is like a trip to timelessness, with colorful mobiles suspended from the ceiling, marionettes and puppets staring absently, and toys of such detail and expression you think you’d just stumbled onto the Island of Misfit Toys—except these toys are hardly misfit (unless they misfit the current standards for toys). Many of the toys are geared towards teaching as well as fun, an excellent way to win points at the next baby shower.

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Shopping • Santa Monica