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Have Lunch on Us
Photo Credit: Dave L.
Have lunch on us!
We are searching for one person to treat to lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant in Santa Monica. Interested? Here’s the catch..
We are only looking for someone with a deep, unbridled love for a Mexican restaurant in town who can’t wait to tell the world why. You eat there often, they know you and you can’t wait to go back.
With your help, we will make a short video documenting your experience and giving you a chance to tell everyone why Lares, Tacos Por Favor, The Border Grill, La Sandia, or (fill in the blank) is your absolute favorite.
Tell us your name, the restaurant and why we should pick you.
The winner eats lunch on us!
The video will be posted on Buy Local Market. We are on a mission to help people discover the best of Santa Monica and to make buying local fun, easy and affordable. Now’s your chance to help!
Apply now! Contest closes 9/30
Not that big on Mexican food? Apply anyway. We’ll keep you in mind for future contests.
Now Open: The Misfit Restaurant and Bar
I have been waiting to write this one. The Misfit opened right off the Promenade in late April, but right away I knew it would take some time before I could encapsulate what and who The Misfit is. I had heard a lot of good things but wanted to give The Misfit a chance to settle in before I headed there to experience it for myself.
Cheekily named, The Misfit is anything but. It’s moody, dimly-lit, dramatic and fun and has already found a home in Downtown Santa Monica. From the moment you walk in you feel at ease. The raised ceilings make the space feel open while the staff and décor create a very welcoming atmosphere.
The menu, directed by Chef Bruce Kalman is both satisfying and health-conscious; the Misfit accommodates your carnivore friends as well as the vegans amongst you with a variety of small plates, making it easy to share. If you prefer to drink your meals, The Misfit also delivers – and with style. Home to a gorgeous, almost theatrical bar with its curtains and dark wood, The Misfit offers a slew of signature cocktails, as well as an excellent beer and wine list.
I thoroughly enjoyed my evening at The Misfit. Too often a theme is forced as a place tries to find its identity before it has grown into its own. The Misfit is not that at all. There is an unmistakable confidence that is present throughout, the type that is rarely found in a new establishment. The Misfit knows who it is. If you have yet to stop by, we recommend you spend an evening there and get to know it for yourself.
Early Feedback
“Service was excellent and the chairs were really comfy. Very vegetarian friendly… gluten free options, too.” – Erica L. (Yelp)
“Amazing tapas style food that rocked my vegetarian world and my boyfriend’s carnivorous one, great drinks and free salted, chocolate chip cookies to top it all off… I tried the mac & cheese, stuffed peppers, and the chick pea/kale wraps, and all were to die for. I think I just found my new favorite restaurant.” -Rachel R. (Yelp)
Hours:
M-Th 12:00pm-12:00am
Fri-Sat 12:00pm-1:00am
Sun 12:00pm-12:00am
The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
(310) 656-9800
225 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.themisfitbar.com
Looking for more fun things nearby? Check out what else is going on in Downtown.
Host a Farmer during ‘Carmageddon’
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Host a Farmer July 15th-18th
The 53 hour closure of a 10 mile stretch of the 405 freeway beginning in the evening on July 15th and ending at 5 AM on Monday is being dubbed ‘Carmageddon.’ Images of gridlocked city streets and clouds of choking smog have already been painted by officials like Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky who warned people to “stay the hell away from the 405 corridor.” Freeway signs throughout LA have been warning drivers to expect big delays over a month in advance and Santa Monica residents are being urged to ride their bikes and ‘stay local’ that weekend.
But even with freeway closures and congestion, the show must go on. A new program was announced today, urging people to host local farmers so that they can still supply area farmers markets with food that weekend, even as travel comes to a stop. The city of Santa Monica will be allowing farmers to park their trucks all weekend in city lots and the program aims to get the farmers in before the closure and provide them with a place to stay during it.
While Santa Monica residents will be greatly impacted by the closure of the 405, they are also in a prime position to host anyone that normally commutes into the city that weekend, farmer or otherwise.
Now Open: Red Rooster Bakery
Freshly baked bread makes all the difference. And after 25 years of baking all the bread and pastries found at Capo (Santa Monica), Cora’s Coffee Shoppe (Santa Monica), Brentwood Restaurant and House Café, Chef Bruce Mader opened the Red Rooster Bakery to the public.
The majority of the Red Rooster Bakery is devoted to producing the baked goods served at all of Chef Mader’s restaurants, but customers can sit outdoors on the small patio with a cappuccino and a bagel, muffin or scone, all pulled fresh from the oven, just a few feet away.
Please see the website for catering and wholesale information.
Hours:
Mon-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm
Red Rooster Bakery
(310) 399-1033
1013 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Now Open: California Monster Salads
California Monster Salads is not the first green monster. Godzilla and Frankenstein were green long before, but California Monster Salads is one of a few truly green businesses. The food itself is green, it’s served in recyclable green-friendly bowls, to be eaten with recyclable utensils, and even the restaurant was built with recyclable materials.
California Monster Salads opened today on Santa Monica blvd. between 4th and 5th and serves up its own soups and salads as well as giving you the option to create your own for $8.50 (which includes up to 5 toppings.) The salad dressings are original recipes created by co-owner Stacy Simon and there are even rumors of a portable ‘salad cone’ that you’ll need to see for yourself until we can get a picture that does it justice.
Salads are $8.50 – $10.00
Soups $5.50
Hours:
Mon-Sun 11am-5pm
California Monster Salads
411 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 587-2523
11th Annual Summer Soulstice
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Main Street’s 11th Annual Summer Soulstice
Sidewalk Sale Saturday June 25th and Sunday June 26th
Free Music Event Sunday June 26th 11:00am-7:00pm
Main Street, Santa Monica, CA
View the site
Buy Local Market & Buy Local Santa Monica will be at the Buy Local booth all day. Come say hi!
The Largest Free Music Event on the West Side! Over 20 live bands on 7 stages throughout Main St. Tentative line-up; schedule subject to change:
(South to North)
Pier Ave.
1pm – Cubensis – The Grateful Dead Tribute
3pm – Southbound (Allman Brothers tribute)
5pm – Surfin’ USA (Beach Boys tribute)
Kinney Ave.
1pm – Highway 61 Revisited (Dylan tribute)
3pm – Neil Deal (Neil Young tribute)
5pm – Petty Theft (Tom Petty tribute)
Wildflour Lot (east side of Main, between Ashland & Hill)
1pm – Gilbert Hurricane
2pm – Ben Vaughn & The Lost Mind Ramblers
3pm – The Ghouls
3:30pm – Helios Jive
5:15pm – Elviss Simmons & The Memphis Strutters
New Orleans Bldg. Courtyard (presented by Agabhumi)
TBA
Museum Lawn (presented by The Basement), 2640 Main
3pm – The Devil’s Box
4pm – City Fritter
5pm – Dustbowl Revival
6pm – The Get Down Boys
Edgemar Courtyard (2443 Main)
2:15pm – The Texas House Party
4:30pm – Dr. Wu (Steely Dan tribute)
Elias Lot (NE corner Main & Strand, presented by Euphoria Loves RAWvolution)
Between 1pm – 7pm: Tom Freund, DJ Drez & Ensemble, Rock the Shakti with Micheline Berry, and more. Performance times TBA.
Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Now Open: Charm City Cakes
Details are still few and far between, but according to Charm City Cakes’ blog, the long-awaited, much anticipated West Coast location is now open and accepting orders for their famous cakes. Based in Baltimore, MD, Charm City Cakes gained a national following with their hit show, Ace of Cakes starring Duff Goldman. Watch a snippet below.
The Baltimore location will remain in tact and operational. The Charm City Cakes team will be splitting in two with Duff reportedly spending the majority of his time in Santa Monica. Like the Baltimore location, the Santa Monica bakery (located on 19th st.) will be available by appointment only and no cakes will be sold on-site.
Take a virtual tour of the Baltimore location
Here are the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions from the Charm City Cakes website:
Can I visit your shop?
Sorry, but no.
We are a very small, very busy shop. Every cake we make is handcrafted to order, and while that makes for some really spectacular cakes, it doesn’t leave us with a lot of time for visitors and jibba jabba. So we can’t have people stopping in to watch. We do realize that you are special, but we simply do not have the time or resources for visitors.
How much are your cakes?
Because our cakes are completely custom made, and priced individually by the complexity of their design, we do not have a standard price list.
Wedding and tiered cakes start at $7 a serving. We find that most of our clients choose designs that start at about $15 per serving. There is a 50 serving minimum on wedding and tiered cakes.
3D, sculptural cakes start at $1000.
For more information on the Santa Monica Charm City Cakes, please contact Ken at (323) 642-7237 or email ken @charmcitycakes.com.
Now Open: Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
Stella Rossa’s dimly lit, wooden interior and exposed brick create the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine and one of their Neapolitan style pizzas any night of the week. The 12” thin crust pizzas at Stella Rossa are baked at high temperatures and feature fresh, locally grown ingredients acquired from the Santa Monica farmer’s market.
“Our pizza is influenced by the ideas of old world traditions, some of the world’s best pizza makers and artisan bread bakers.” – Jeff Mahin, Chef Partner
But pizza is only half of the story. Equal to the charm of the pizza is the restaurant itself. The 15 seat bar is located in the center of the dining room and surrounded by high tables and wine bottles overhead. In addition to a full selection of wine, the bar also carries locally brewed draft and bottled beer. The back of the restaurant features a pizza bar facing an open kitchen where you can watch your pizza bake.
The crowd is eclectic, the pizza delicious, the ambiance just right. Stella Rossa Pizza Bar is a perfect fit and a welcome addition to Main Street.
Early Feedback
“Amazing friends, great wine, good food, attentive service. What more can a gal ask for?” – Jean L. (Yelp)
“Love this new addition to the neighborhood. ” – Jordan L. (Yelp)
Hours:
M-Th 5:00pm-12:00am
Fri-Sat 5:00pm-1:00am
Sun 4:00pm-12:00am
Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
2000 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-396-9250
www.stellarossapizzabar.com
Now Open: Blue Daisy Cafe
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Blue Daisy Cafe just opened near the corner of 23rd and Wilshire Blvd. Their menu is full of fresh, health conscious soups, salads and sandwiches, but their crepes, which come in a variety of sweet and savory options is where they shine brightest. Two of their most popular crepes are their Florentine crepe, which has spinach, eggs, 3 types of cheeses, green onions, cilantro, walnut and béchamel sauce and their Classic crepe with Nutella, bananas and strawberries.
The Blue Daisy Cafe is family-owned and feels that way. The restaurant has a warm charm that makes it a great choice for enjoying a late breakfast on a lazy Sunday morning in Santa Monica.
Early Feedback
“Everything was fresh, the extra touches were everywhere. I highly suggest the lemon and ricotta crepe.” – Mary I (Yelp)
“This place just opened a few weeks ago and it’s fantastic!” – TK (Yelp)
Hours:
Mon-Sun: 8am-9pm
*Except Tues: 8am-3pm
(310) 453-7777
2303 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
www.bluedaisycafe.com
Now Open: The Market at Santa Monica Place
Video courtesy of L.A. Sates
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Santa Monica Place continues to distinguish itself as a truly unique destination and the recent opening of The Market continues in that vein. In the same way that Santa Monica Place broadened the notion of what a mall was when it re-emerged less than a year ago, The Market is changing the perception of what food inside a mall can be.
The Market occupies nearly 15,000 square feet on the Dining deck and is a wondrous showcase of more than a dozen local merchants offering a variety of hand-made chocolate, spices, cured meats, cheeses, wine, fresh baked goods, a florist, coffee and more. It is truly a sight to see.
Early Feedback
“I will have to make an effort not to go back there every day, but I can’t make any promises…”
-Johan Mengesha (Facebook)
“Loved visiting/eating today! Beatiful, Tasty, and Variety all in one!” -Chef Lori (Facebook)
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 10am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 10am-10pm
Sun: 11am-8pm
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.themarketsmp.com
