When I realized that most of my dishing has been about dishes (from crepes to ice cream no less), I knew it was time to do something active for both you, dear friend and my behind.

Enter in The Steps. All 1,700 of them.

Located at the end of 4th St just off San Vicente in Santa Monica, the steps are hard to miss; you’ll notice people stretching, socializing, breathing heavy or passing out in groups either at the top or the bottom. Rather narrow and steep, it can be hard to navigate when there’s crowds so I went in the evening (it’s lit).

The warm air smelled like sweat and for good reason; some people go up and down the steps for over half an hour. I was a one shot girl and felt the burn when I reached the top. Luckily there was a beautiful view of the ocean and the city lights twinkling. And it was only another five minute walk to Starbucks on 7th.

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Being trendy doesn’t have to mean a steady diet of cigarettes and Red Bulls. Sweet potato fries, anyone? Peanut Butter Truffle Tart with homemade cracker jacks? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Venice’s new Beechwood Restaurant is serving up comfort food so good you’ll have to be carted out in a pair of sweatpants (with an extra stretchy waist band).

The bar is what you’ll be impressed with first. Don’t be intimidated by the beautiful people toasting creative cocktails over the crackling fire pit. They’re also loosening their belts with Beechwood’s amazing bar menu. Move over onion rings, these hipsters are rocking the Sweet Rock Shrimp Skewers and Goat Cheese and Eggplant with a baguette. You almost wouldn’t need to leave the bar scene, except I had a dinner reservation—drat! I was lead back to the dining room, a chic but cozy area with a ski lodge feel that made me right at home (if of course my home was a ski lodge, which, sadly it’s not).

I had the Roasted Vegetables with the spinach parsley pesto and my companions had the Steak and the Salmon, which were all delicious. The wine and beer lists were well stocked and well sampled by the likes of us. My only complaint was that I had no room for dessert! We were so well fed, and so pleased, but SO coming back soon to make sure we had a chance to sample everything on the menu.

Tip: To sample the scene without the green, just hit the bar area with a bunch of friends—have a couple drinks, split some appetizers or even a dessert (they have cupcakes, so you know I’ll be back!).

Beechwood
822 Washington Blvd. (Abbot Kinney)
310-448-8884

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As a girl who loves planning parties, it angers me to feel like I don’t have the time I used to for flower-picking and crafting hand-made decorations, much less one of my super-delicious cakes.

Step in Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills to come to the rescue, creating drool-worthy cupcakes perfect for parties such as a surprise one I had coming up in which I had no time to plan let alone bake for.

I love cupcakes, and so do the fine folks at Sprinkles. They have 20 flavors, a few of which are featured by the day, and listed on their website or on one of the handy daily flavor cards you can pick up at their Little Santa Monica Boulevard location. Keep one with you at all times for cupcake emergencies!

Usually I’m drawn to cupcakes on purely their cuteness factor, so I opted for a dozen of their lemon coconut lovelies. The moist and sweet lemon cake with coconut icing was devoured by my party guests, and everyone declared them a success. Oh how I wanted to take credit for them, but no one would have believed me.

Yes they’re in Beverly Hills, so yes they’re a bit pricey, but YES, YES, YES they are amazing and will help you turn your baking time into basking time as you reap the praise of all your sweet-toothed friends.

Don’t believe me? Pop in and try one for yourself. Bet you’ll bring home a dozen.

Tip: Build your dozen with a few of each flavor offered for the day. All of one kind sure does look pretty, but one of each will please EVERYONE on your list. And they also deliver (in pretty pink boxes)!!

Sprinkles Cupcakes
9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
310-274-8765 | eat@sprinklescupcakes.com

Famished Girl | Email | Print | //