The weekend is ready and willing to blow the refund.
The owners of Holly's and Tengu have gone behind the orange curtain for more sushi and sake with a side of (hoped-for) scene. Expect plentiful ink upon the skin of your waitress—the name is Japanese for "tattoo" and staff was hired accordingly.
The courtyard DJ and the extended gallery hours tonight aren't that unusual, but tonight there's also a free screening of The Fall, a spectacle set in 1915 and shot in 18 countries by director Tarsem—looks like a step up from his days directing J. Lo in The Cell.
If you haven't yet met Third Street's newest proprietor, Moonshine, he'll be spinning vinyl at the first of many planned parties at his quirky store. Like any good host should, he's also arranged for an open bar.
Because all wine bars should serve breakfast, the Santa Monica favorite has just come through with morning staples like a Basket of Hot Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts. No wine pairings at this hour yet, but coffee works almost as well.
Among the happenings that could fill the local populace with equal parts nostalgia and competitive rage, grilled cheese competitions with secret locations rank highly. Contestants and judges will descend in large quantities (along with ingredients far more inventive than Kraft slices), but due to troubles with the city, contraband alcohol this year must be especially...contraband.
