Fun Place for a 30th Birthday in Santa Monica

Thanks for the Viceroy idea. Can you make reservations at night by the pool? Do they only have the cabana tables outside there?

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Fun Place for a 30th Birthday in Santa Monica

Hi there. I'm looking for a place to celebrate my 30th birthday in the Santa Monica/Venice area, maybe Culver City, too. There will probably be about 20 people coming and going throughout the evening. Ideally I'd like a place where people could mingle and not just be stuck sitting at a table. Someplace with a private area/patio/nook/ would be perfect, but I don't want to pay to rent a room. I'm flexible with price range, open to something like a casual Mexican restaurant or a swankier hotel bar. Tasty food is, of course, a huge plus. In past years I've taken over the bar area at Rustic Canyon, lounged on the couches at Casa del Mar and slummed it at the old Townhouse in Venice. I've read the numerous postings on this same topic and have come up with some ideas, but would love to get your feedback since I haven't been to some of them lately.

La Cabana (not sure if you can reserve the patio?)
Warszawa
Lares (is the upstairs all tables or is there room for mingling?)
Shangri - La Hotel

Thanks!!

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Warszawa Restaurant
1414 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

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Looking for brown rice and fresh veggies

Cabbage Patch in Beverly Hills

http://cabbagepatchbh.com/v10/index.html

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Cabbage Patch
214 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA

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Wedding for 200 with Outdoor Ceremony/Indoor Reception

I'm getting married in June and looked at many of the places that have been mentioned here. We decided on Temescal Park and are very happy with it! Another place you might want to check out is the Malibu Nature Preserve. Good luck!!

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Finally made it to Animal! A nice experience

Hi Hailyn. I just came across your post - congrats on your recent wedding! I'm starting to look for caterers for my wedding and Animal is on my short list. It's great to hear that the food was wonderful - what was on your menu? Any other thoughts about their catering? Thanks!!

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Restaurant suggestions for untraditional wedding reception

Not Downtown, but Wilshire in Santa Monica will rent out the whole restaurant for weddings.
They have a beautiful back courtyard area as well as a few different indoor rooms so you would have some options.

www.wilshirerestaurant.com

Also, I went to a friend's wedding over the summer at Cliff's Edge in Silver Lake. It was fun, but to be honest the food was not great.

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

Hi there! Nope, we're sort of in the midst of reevaluating/changing plans. Another place that we also looked into that I don't think was mentioned yet is Daily Grill on Colorado. Good luck to you and keep us posted of what you come up with!

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

I need space for 60. La Cabana would only provide space for 35 people. Sorry if that was confusing.

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Has anyone found Coconut M&Ms?

I just saw them last weekend at the CVS in Marina del Rey in the shopping with the Pavillions.

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

I haven't been able to get through to anyone at Marix yet but I'll keep trying!

I definitely thought of Library Ale House, but since they are so busy on Saturday nights I'm doubtful that they would rent out the entire patio, but I will definitely inquire.

Thanks for the Monsoon suggestion - I hadn't thought of that.

Thanks everyone for all of your help! I really appreciate it and keep the suggestions coming!

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

It will be a Saturday night.

I had thought of Lares but they will only rent out the upstairs until 4pm. Since many of our guests are coming from out of town that day, we unfortunately can't do a lunch.

I will defintely look into the Santa Monica Marix. Thanks!!

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

I tried El Cholo but they said they couldn't fit a group that size. I haven't tried Casablanca. I drive by it all the time but I've never actually eaten there.

I also talked to the people at Anna's on Pico and it might have some promise. It didn't seem like they'd ever had a big group there before but the guy sounded like he'd be willing to work with us. I think I'll go check it out.

Thank you all for your great suggestions! Please keep them coming!

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

La Cabana is a great idea! I called them, though, and they said they won't rent out the entire patio. They will only section off part of it for 35 people. Unfortunately, not private and not big enough! I'll keep looking...

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Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

Yeah, way out of the price range. Thanks for the suggestion though!

DMojoD in Los Angeles Area

Private Dining Room for 60 in Santa Monica/Venice - Rehearsal Dinner

I'm looking for a private dining room that can hold 60 people for a rehearsal dinner in the Santa Monica/Venice area for around $30/person before tax and tip. I've read all of the posts on this topic and am having trouble finding a location that can hold this number of people. Italian or Mexican would be great, but I'm open to the type of food. C&O seemed perfect, but what they don't advertise is that they have a $1000 minimum per hour for their private dining room upstairs or the private patio! Thanks so much for your help!

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Arbequina Olive Oil

Adams Olives has it. They are a California olive farm and you can find them at all of the Santa Monica Farmers Markets.

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Rocky Canyon Meat

I frequently buy Rocky Canyon meat (steaks, burgers, pork chops, bacon). I think it's delicious, has a wonderful flavor and is sustainable! I've only had good experiences. After making their burgers for my boyfriend he said I'd ruined burgers for him because nothing can now compare to Rocky Canyon's burgers. Their sweet potatoes are also some of the best around.

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What to Order at Josie?

The short rib tangine is spectacular and a specialty of the house. It is absolutely delicious. Also, make sure to order the chocolate bread pudding regardless of whether you saved room or not! They also had a wonderful citrus and burrata salad on the menu when I was there a couple months ago.

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Saturday Arizona Santa Monica Farmers' Market vs. Wednesday? Any thoughts?

This information is not accurate. First of all, being a Certified Farmers Market has nothing to do with being certified organic. (Check out the Santa Monica Farmers Market website for more information on what it means to be a Certified Farmers Market). Also, it is simply not true that most Farmers' Markets are run by the same organization. For instance, the Santa Monica Farrmer's Markets are run by the City of Santa Monica. None of the four Santa Monica Farmers Markets are considered 'organic' or 'not organic'. (Many years ago the Saturday Downtown Market was called the Organic Market because the majority of the farmers were certified organic. That was just a name, not a certification. It still has a large number of certified organic growers). Each Market has a variety of farmers. Some of these farmers are certfied organic, and those that are have a flag hanging from their booth that says certified organic at each Santa Monica Market. Also, many farmers farm competely without pesticides but choose not to become certified organic because of the cost and paperwork involved. While most of the growers at the Santa Monica Farmers' Markets fall into these two categories, a farmer does not have to be organic to participate in the Santa Monica Markets. You can ask individual farmers about their particular growing practices. Also, Laura Avery is the supervisor of the Santa Monica Farmers Markets and the Wednesday Market Manager but she is not the Manager of the Downtown Saturday Market.

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BEST FRIED CHICKEN

I completely agree about Honey's Kettle! Their chicken is great, but it takes forever! It doesn't make any sense, either. They have so much chicken ready (you can see it in the kitchen all ready to go) so why does it take soooo long to get your food?? Alas, it doesn't stop me from going back...

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BEST FRIED CHICKEN

No one has mentioned Honey's Kettle yet! I think it's wonderful and so cruncy. There's one in Compton and one in Culver City.

http://honeyskettle.com/

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Pecan Pie @ Santa Monica/Venice Main St. Farmer's Market

The company who sells those pecan pies at the Santa Monica Sunday Main St Farmers' Market is called The Sweet Spot.

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Eating with a Vegetarian Recs?

Josie in Santa Monica might be a good option for you. The food is delicious, always! I think there are many vegetarian appetizer options. Also, the main dishes (including all of the meat entrees) come with fabulous sides and you can order any of them on their own and in any combination. I have eaten here with a vegetarian who had a vegetarian appetizer and then some side dishes and was very satisfied, and not upset that they had to settle for side dishes, in a negative way. The chefs are always happy to cook for vegetarians, so if for some reason the waiter seems unsure make sure to speak with someone in the kitchen.

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Where can I get a good loaf of ciabatta bread?

La Brea Bakery! On La Brea near Wilshire. Or, you can find their breads at many supermarkets such as Whole Foods, some Trader Joe's, some Ralphs, some Gelson's, and even Costco.

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King Cake for Mardi Gras in LA (preferably Westside)?

Thank you PayorPlay and Franimal for the great suggestions!!
For our parties in the past we have always ordered kegs of Abita beer. Many liquor stores in the area only need a few days notice for the order.

DMojoD in Los Angeles Area

Where can I find sunchokes????

Sunchokes are pretty much out of season. You might be able to still find a few at the Santa Monica Farmers' Markets. Check at Weiser Family Farms and Coleman Farms.

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King Cake for Mardi Gras in LA (preferably Westside)?

So last year Uncle Darrow's came through for us and we picked up our King Cake from them.

Usually we have our own Mardi Gras party for Fat Tuesday, but I don't think we're going to this year. Does anyone have any favorite places they like to spend Fat Tuesday celebrating Mardi Gras? It's not widely celebrated in these parts. We're thinking of going to Cafe Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach.

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3 Days in Ensenada

Thank you so much for so many wonderful suggestions! I am looking forward to our stay in Ensenada!

DMojoD in Mexico

ISO Restaurant w/ meeting room on West Side

I like Wilshire on Wilshire a couple blocks west of 26th St. It might be a little out of your price range. They have a beautiful room above the patio, but confirm how many people it holds. The food is wonderful.

www.wilshirerestaurant.com

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