SMDP's Weekly Guide to Food & Entertainment Goings-On In & Around Town includes DineLA is Back, Not So Dry January, Happy Birthday Marion Festival, Pizza and Bread Making Classes, and much more!
Strong Words at Socalo: Join us for dinner and drinks before the show at SOCALO and then sit down to a very special spoken word event with powerful back room storytelling. 7 fantastic storytellers will make their SOCALO debut with powerful new stories that will enthrall you. Jan. 24, 7:30p.m., 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. socalo.com/event/strong-words
Star Wars Immersive Dinner at Shoreside Restaurant: This is an interactive, immersive experience that includes the movie. Ticket Includes welcome Drink and 5-Course Prix Fixe Dinner. Sunday, Jan. 25, 5 - 9p.m., 1515 Ocean Ave. feastyoureyes.co
Happy Birthday Marion Festival: The SaMo Conservancy celebrates the life of silent film actress and socialite Marion Davies with a day of festivities including Natalie Jacob & The Vintage Quartet, magic by Tom Frank, a lesson in Social Dance steps of the 1920's with James Zimmer & Cynthia Harper, and tours of the historic Marion Davies Guest House. FREE. Sunday, Jan. 25, 1 - 3p.m. @ Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway. More details here.
Soy Saucey Comedy Show at the Crow: The only stand-up comedy show featuring Asian and Latin comedians. Our love language is rice. Sunday, Jan. 25, 6:30p.m., 2525 Michigan Ave. https://chinagona.mailerpage.io/soy-saucey
Bread MakingClass at All'Antico Vinaio: Begin the evening with a refreshing Spritz on arrival, setting the tone for a delightful journey. You'll then roll up your sleeves and dive into a hands-on Schiacciata Dough-Making Class, where you'll learn the secrets of preparing our famous Tuscan schiacciatta. Thursday, Jan 21 & 28, 1121 Abbot Kinney Blvd. https://link.bucketlisters.com/fukd
The Cube VR Reality Now Open: Third Street Promenade is becoming the home of experiences! Step into the future of fun at THE CUBE VR in Santa Monica! 🚀 Battle zombies, crack mind-bending escape rooms, dominate laser tag arenas, and dive into ultra-realistic shooters. With thrilling games for kids and adults alike, THE CUBE VR is the ultimate destination for unforgettable adventures. Featuring stunning 4K and 5K visuals and bulk free headsets these games will transport you out of reality and into a world of possibilities. 1248 Third Street Promenade https://www.thecubeevents.com/santamonicaexperiences
ONGOING: “Two Bit Circus” Pop-Up; Museum of Illusions
What to Eat & Drink?
Neighborhood Seafood Boil at Weary Livers: We’re bringing the flavors of Louisiana straight to Santa Monica with a classic outdoor neighborhood seafood boil hosted by Crawdaddy Boiler at Weary Livers Bar. This is a true Southern-style feast — bold spices, fresh seafood, and communal tables made for cracking shells, sharing laughs, and getting a little messy in the best way possible. Friday, Jan. 23, 7:00 PM to 10p.m., 2819 Pico Blvd. More details here.
Not So Dry January at AJA Vineyards: We're SO over Dry January! Let's celebrate the new year rather than start off dreading it. Join us for a drink all day and a live DJ set from 4-7pm. We've got Sangria Specials (both Non-Alcoholic and with Alcohol!)--Must be 21 to enjoy both. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2p.m. - close, 1417 2nd St. https://ajavineyards.com/visitus/
Gourmandise School DIY Pizza & Calzone Party: 🍕Enjoy a special event with Doctor Dough! Learn how to make your own personal pizzas and calzones, and enjoy $5 craft beer from The Curious Palate. For $25 you’ll get a 30-minute pizza/calzone lesson, custom pizza/calzone to eat on site or take home, and a discount coupon for your $5 beer. Sunday, Jan. 25, 11a.m., 395 Santa Monica Place cookingschoolsofamerica.com/thegourmandiseschool/index.php?page=classes
Socalo restaurant, from chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, to close next month: The Border Grill founders and stars of Food Network’s “Too Hot Tamales” will close Socalo on Valentine’s Day after multiple turbulent years for the restaurant industry. More details here.
DineLA Restaurant Week runs 1/23 – 2/6 and nearly 50 SaMo restaurants are participating. Here are some examples:
BOA Steakhouse: They are offering a multi-course lunch ($45) and dinner ($75) menu with favorites like the Caesar Salad, Chicken Parmesan, Hamachi Crudo, and the Skuna Bay Salmon. 101 Santa Monica Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/dinela/restaurant/1379
Citrin: They are offering a $99 menu with such things as Citrus Cured Kampachi, tomato soup, and Snake River Farms filet mignon. 1104 Wilshire Blvd. citrinandmelisse.com/dine-la
Cosetta: For the $25 lunch, the acclaimed modern Italian restaurant is offering their signature smoked Mozzarella Sticks along with Cosetta's sandwiches and wraps built on Pollack’s house hoagie loaves and “pizza wraps”. Come dinner, $45 includes starter options of albacore crudo, white bean and emmer soup, or chopped salad, followed by a choice of eggplant parmigiana, porcini-rubbed wagyu tri-tip, or bbq prawns. Finish with either soft, comforting polenta almond cake or Joe's vegan chocolate cake. 3150 Ocean Park Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/cosetta/dinela
FIG Restaurant: Enjoy local farm-to-table cuisine helmed by Executive Chef Joseph Cook. A $65 3-course dinner menu includes persimmons and burrata, coffee braised short ribs, truffle gnudi, apple galette, and more. 101 Wilshire Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/fig/dinela
Fitoor: A 3-course lunch menu is $45/person and a 3-course dinner menu is $70/person. Highlights include Sweet Chili Broccoli, traditional Chicken Seekh Masala, and the Chocolate Nemesis. 1755 Ocean Ave. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/fitoor/dinela
Ghisallo: $35 3-course dinners include antipasta, a pizza, and dessert. 1622 Ocean Park Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/ghisallo/dinela
Lunetta: A 3-course weekday lunch menu is $35/person and a 3-course dinner menu is $68/person for Chef Raphael Lunetta’s seasonal, California-driven cooking rooted in farmers market ingredients. Highlights include wild snapper tiradito, mushroom salad, red crab gnocchi, braised short rib, and chocolate whiskey truffle cake. 2424 Pico Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/lunetta/dinela
Socalo: Enjoy their signature Baja-meets-California flair with a 3-course lunch for $25 and dinner for $45. 1920 Santa Monica Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/socalo/dinela
Soko: Tucked away off the lobby of the iconic oceanfront Fairmont Miramar Hotel, the 8-seater sushi bar helmed by veteran Sushi Chef Masa Shimakawa is serving up some of the city’s freshest and most authentic traditional Japanese sushi service. An $85 3-course dinner menu includes a Sashimi assortment, Miyazaki wagyu beef, and more. 101 Wilshire Blvd. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/soko-sushi/dinela
Sushi Roku: Offering a sushi plate for $45 for lunch and dinner that includes tuna, salmon, albacore, yellowtail, shrimp, and albacore, choice of baked crab or spicy tuna cut roll, Brussels sprout chips, and a drink. 1401 Ocean Ave. discoverlosangeles.com/eat-drink/sushi-roku-santa-monica
Further Afield: Maydan Market in West Adams brings the heat—literally—with live-fire cooking inspired by the Middle East, North Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Smoke-kissed kebabs, vibrant spreads, and warm house-made breads create a bold, communal dining experience that feels both festive and refined. I went there recently and LOVED IT! Already looking forward to going back soon. Incredible vibe too...sexy, yet casual. Right now is a great time to check them out as they are offering one of the most approachable Dine L.A. options in all of LA: Lunch comes in at $15 with a fire pit beef wrap or grilled chicken shish taouk wrap, both served with a side salad. For dinner, the $55 menu offers a scaled-down version of their popular Tawle experience, starting with an abundant spread of mezze, followed by a choice of kebabs and bold, house-made sauces paired with comforting seasonal sides. 4301 W Jefferson Blvd. maydanmarket.com
More Further Afield: The Best Deals For Dine LA Restaurant Week, Winter 2026: The Infatuation published their guide to the best deals around town, including theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/la-restaurants-with-dinela-specials
Looking Ahead: NBA All-Star Weekend (2/13–15); Lunar New Year at Santa Monica Place (2/21); Frieze LA Art Show (2/26 - 3/1)
If there’s something you think is worth highlighting, you can reach out directly to me at sean@smdp.com. Here are my past columns and let me know if you have any feedback on Around Town: DineLA is Back, Not So Dry January, & More!