944 Magazine, Take it from the Tastemakers What to See, What to Do, Where to Be

944 Magazine Take it from the Tastemakers What to See, What to Do, Where to Be

Alison Van Pelt
Artist, Van Pelt Studios
alisonvanpelt.com

Ideal night: Riding my bike to meet friends for dinner and drinks.
Favorite drink: Sangria at Venice Beach Wines
Best dining spots: Gjelina and Piccolo
Favorite boutique: Mona Moore
Refuel after a long night: Head to Axe for a gigantic pancake and a huge cappuccino.
Favorite event: Venice Family Clinic Art Walk.
Best thing about a Venice night out: You can ride your bike.

Anthony Mandler
Filmmaker, Let Films
letfilms.com

An ideal night out: A cigar at Hollywood Smoke on Main Street, dinner on the patio at Gjelina and a nice, long ride home on the motorcycle.
Favorite boutique: Guild on Abbot Kinney
Refuel after a long night: Morning coffee at Intelligentsia and pancakes at Axe.
Best hidden spot: Go see Jason at Old Glory Barbershop for the best fade on the westside.
Word to the wise: Venice people are really protective of their neighborhood, so when you’re there make sure not to be an a**hole, or it could get a little rough.

Cesario Block Montaño
Director/Photographer

Ideal night out: First Fridays on Abbot Kinney have been the most fun. Stores stay open late, and there are surrounding art shows that serve wine.
Favorite place to see live music: On Tuesday nights at The Brig, there’s an awesome salsa/hip-hop band that plays, and it usually turns into a huge jam session.
Best local act: Suicidal Tendencies
Best thing about Venice: Being able to get into every place without a problem, seeing real friends and familiar faces and just really knowing everyone around town. It’s nice to just see someone out and have them invite you over for some barbecue, or a party or to just come and kick it.

Charlotte Bjorlin D’Elia
Owner, RAD branding agency; jewelry designer
charlottebjorlindelia.com

Best live music: Band night at Stronghold.
Favorite drink: Dirty Dog, served at a recent Dogtown party (in a tumbler; equal parts dry and sweet Vermouth, olive juice, vodka, a splash of brandy, Blue cheese-stuffed olives and a cucumber slice on the rocks).
Best dining spots: Gjelina — Travis’s food is addictive! And my friends’ Italian hideaway, Ado, in the canary yellow bungalow next to Dogtown Lofts.
Best thing about a night in Venice: The mix of people — 17 to 75 and everyone’s hanging out together.
Favorite dive spot: La Cabana on Rose
Favorite boutique: Heist for its well-edited selection of labels like Humanoid, Isabel Marant and bags by Jerome Dreyfuss.

Mary Vernieu
Owner, Betty Mae Casting & Primitivo Wine Bistro
primitivowinebistro.com

Best local act: The Paul Chesne band
Best cocktail: Su Novia at the Tasting Kitchen
Favorite boutique: Principessa
Best breakfast: Primitivo has recently begun serving weekends.


CR Stecyk III
Artist/Photographer and Owner, Zephyr Surf Shop
Best secret spot: Juan Marquez’s Atelier
Favorite dining: Hoagie Steak
Favorite shop: Venice Originals
Best place for a late-night bite: La Cabana
Favorite Venice event: Venice Surf-A-Thon

Join the fun as 944 takes over Venice in celebration of our Nightlife Issue
944 Neighborhood Takeover | 08.06.10
AK1511
First Fridays at AK1511 starting at 8 p.m.
1511 Abbot Kinney, Venice