All Hail the GastroPub

There's been a rash of new restaurants opening in and around Los Angeles. The formula: relatively cheap eats, one or two steps above bar food; a great wine menu and even better beer selection. Mix it all together and what do you get? The GastroPub.

My personal favorite: Simmzy's in Manhattan Beach. The pulled pork panino and ginger chicken sandwiches are sure bets. Be sure to order the Haystack as well - a mound of shoestring fries with bleu cheese and chives.

The same owners have added a similar restaurant to the Manhattan Village Mall. Tin Roof Bistro has a great selection of salads and sandwiches, excellent service and nice patio for outdoor dining. Stick to lunch. Dinner was pricey and slightly less appetizing.

Hudson House holds down the fort just over the Hermosa border.

They have a ridiculously cheap Taco Tuesday special and so many creative appetizers, you won't know where to start. It's nondescript. Locals love it.

Bouzy's at Chez Melange - the fine dining restaurant staple near Riviera Village in Redondo - is also getting in on the action. More pub than gastro, this one; there's great food and a nice selection of drinks. Try the truffle parmesan fries and their enormous portion of mac n' cheese. Their creative snack menu includes deviled eggs and spiced pecans.

If pinching pennies is your plan for 2010, consider a GastroPub for a good, hearty meal and relatively inexpensive tab.

Steimel On Stage

Live this weekend for one show only in Los Angeles, St. Louis musician Mike Steimel performs at Molly Malone's. His style has been described as "Jimmy Eat World meets a modern Tom Petty."

Come see for yourself.

Where

Molly Malone's

Molly Malone South 575 South Fairfax Los Angeles, CA 90036

When

Nov 8, 2009 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Sunday)

Band bio: Cunningly layered instruments and big sounds penetrate the soul on the freshman solo release “Committed” from veteran performer and songwriter Mike Steimel. With radio-ready tracks and meticulous production, Committed offers up a road less traveled by Steimel but one ready to be discovered by the listener. Stand-out tracks, “Without You” and “Lost and Found” drive home the rock influence of Steimel’s alternatively inspired writing while “My Apartment” synthesizes and shakes you into the dance floor anthem revolution.

Beauty Bargain

Check out the latest beauty bargain sweeping Southern California. (Thank you economic recession.) Several spas in the South Bay and Orange County are offering an unreal promotion of their services in order to attract new business in these trying times.

I can personally vouch for one of the participating centers, Contour - a certified medical spa in Hermosa Beach. I purchased the voucher for $65 and received five treatments. There is no obligation, no hidden fees (except tipping, of course). After one laser hair removal treatment, the voucher paid for itself! For the 30 minute facial, I opted to add on an upgrade and, for a mere $30 more, treated myself to my first ever microdermabrasion. Also experienced my first ever laser genesis for sun damage. (Normally $150 per treatment).

You can sign up as many times as you like (once per spa). Vouchers expire six months from date of purchase.

Now go on. Get beautiful.

Www.spapromotions.com