By THOMAS YOUNG & MAUREEN TOBIN Special to the Daily Press
So let’s start living! Hold on to your dancing shoes because Rusty’s Surf Ranch at the beginning of the Santa Monica Pier is Zagat reviewed, and scorching with the sounds of hot music and fiery bands. Surf on down to Rusty’s Surf Ranch, the most hopping, jumping nightspot in the area. With its wonderful beachfront atmosphere, Rusty’s has the best happy hour around and has livened up the pier since 1994 with an overwhelming amount of pizzazz. Want something to cure the grumbles deep inside that stomach of yours while waiting for, or during the music? Then enjoy an extensive menu of scrumptious burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads, with entrees of seafood, meats, chicken and pastas, and great desserts as well. There is a full bar and a large wine selection. This is an excellent restaurant with a classy menu and mouthwatering food.
“... There’s music to hear, places to go, people to see. All of this for you and me. Life’s a ball, if only you know it, and it’s all just waiting for you. You’re alive, so come on and show it, you’ve got a lot of living to do.” — — Bye Bye Birdie
You can bet your sweet bippie that with these hot bands, playing everything from rock ’n roll, funk, swing, every night the folks who come here to listen also hit the dance floor with their own styles of feel-good steps. Usually Karaoke woos you on Monday and the “Battle of the Bands” compete during the week. What a great spot for your private party. There also are pool tables and tournaments. Typically, the music starts around 8:30 a.m. until late. Owner Russ Barnard runs the place with a practiced hand and general manager, Kevin Mc Vearry, and Isaac Cramlet help oversee Rusty’s with aplomb and ease. Event and party planner, Cindy Pfeifer, books the bands. Obviously these people know what it takes to make a club hum like this — a lot of work, run with a lot of class. A true nightspot. Bring friends or come alone. On Friday and Saturdays there is often three different bands, playing late. Monday through Friday, noon until 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday until 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. Visit www.rustyssurfranch.com. 256 Santa Monica Pier. (310) 393-PIER, music line (310) 393-7386 ■ Anytime is a good time at the Sunset Grill, Continental Café in Santa Monica. Is it really possible to have food this amazingly delectable at such unbelievably low prices? Elmer Dills thinks so, along with the easygoing locals crowd wise to this little place of almost 14 years. Owners John and Frances Lorda, the inimitable hosts/chefs, call this “French Mediterranean” cuisine. Tucked away in a nondescript strip center, Sunset Grill, a cozy spot with its breezy, easy feel, reminded us of European cafes, where you relax and enjoy the food. We sat outside, donned with umbrellas and potted plants. Order at the counter, then they will serve you. Your eyes will pop at the big plates, full to brimming. A look at the large menu and it’s obvious you need to come often to try all the offered delights. Fresh is the key here. We sampled the enchanting salads which were unique to us — colorful, delicious and perfect. Order a combination of salads for dinner and with their lusty thick bread this would easily be a meal in itself. Have you ever had fava beans? They are in the lima bean family and Maureen loved this. Here is the home cooking you daydream about. The main courses are mouth-watering with lots of entrees, pastas and meats. There are breakfasts, lunches, desserts, which are homemade. We were sated but had to try the bread pudding and rice pudding. We were about to lick the plates but remembered our manners. Sunset Grill will become one of your favorite casual spots. Open everyday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., except Sundays. Catering available. 1701 Ocean Park Blvd. (310) 450-7546 ■ Each night is party night at Boardwalk 11 in the Palms/Cheviot Hills neighborhood for red-hot Karaoke. It’s Zagat reviewed and rated by LA Magazine as one of the 25 best bars/clubs. Boardwalk 11 has got it made in the shade. Whether you just like to watch, or you aspire to sing your heart out, this is the place where karaoke is taken to a higher level.
Expect to see some highly talented singers, along with a few that might make you moan a little, but all part of the appealing character of the place. This is a classy club, very well-liked with the friendliest vibes. People here talk to each other, so you’ll never feel like a stranger. Highest accolades go to owners Steven and Hiromi Spear, proprietors for over 1 1/2 years, for keeping this place jovial and jumping. Helping to set the buoyant frame-of-mind is KJ Arnold Rivera, here on five nights, belting out songs with the best of them. Boardwalk 11 has an incredible array of about 10,000 songs on CDs, with an abundant amount of TVs so you don’t miss any of the show. On Friday nights, they’ve added comedy from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. before the karaoke begins. Plan on a great evening, starting with their large array of delicious food, kind of a combo California, Japanese, fun menu including appetizers and entrees. Karaoke starts around 9 p.m. Full bar, marti-ni specialties. Visit www.boardwalk11.com. 10433 National Blvd. (310) 837-5245. (E-mail your comments or suggestions to and keep having fun.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 26, 2004. Read the original PDF.