Los Angeles

8512 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood; 310.289.0088

From the guy behind Beverly Hills standby Nic's comes this two-story ode to...Mexico...with dual patios, a primary-colored downstairs Cabo-esque cantina, and an upstairs lounge with pastel couches. Food's both mod-mex (halibut ceviche w/ avocado, serrano chiles, citrus) and upscale traditional (wood-fired duck taquitos), while an eclectic drink menu emphasizes high-end tequilas and market-fresh ingredients via concoctions like "The Screamer" (El Jimador Blanco w/ mango, guajillo lemon syrup), "The Eyebrow" (Don Julio Silver w/ muddled tomato, horseradish, Tapatio), and the Herradura Reposado/cactus flower/Cointreau "Jump On A Horse", which you probably shouldn't do after downing one.

Sat-Sun 9-6 at 1430 E Washington Blvd, Downtown

The classily casual brand's blowing 50-70% off overstock from Spring 09 and before, including everything from worn-looking denim and work-ready khakis, to logo tees and zip-up hoodies made of sweater wool, for looking your best in your street gang's annual Sears holiday photo.

Opens Fri at 9725 Culver Blvd, Culver City; 310.842.8155

From the former owners of Downtown's beloved Angelique Cafe comes this casual, midsized French brasserie, boasting a Parisian feel thanks to dangling chandeliers and a studded-leather banquette that runs the length of the mirrored-wall room. The classically minded menu's got the expected slew of Frenchness like Rib Eye pomme frites (w/ either pepper or bearnaise sauce) and mussels w/ cream/shallots/saffron, plus some unexpected options like Moroccan lamb sausage w/ cumin carrots, which you probably won't order if they make a mistake with the spacing.

Opens Thurs at CityWalk

The Critic's headlining the opening weekend of his eponymous three-level, 400-seat, tropical-themed club, with stage-side faux palm trees and a giant mural of Waikiki; other performers this weekend include Tia Carrere, Laugh Factory regular Quinn Dahle and Half Baked's Harland Williams. Of course, there's a full bar, as well as pizza from Mulberry St., desserts from Jerry's, and appetizers from The Perfect Bite, a Glendale company that crafts gourmet burgers and tortas in bite-sized form, which for Lovitz, could be absolutely any size at all.

700 Queensway Dr, Long Beach; 562.435.7676

Soft-open now, with amenities all-systems-go in early July, this $20mil do-over of the Coast Long Beach is a resort w/ private, balconied ocean-view rooms, an exposed-brick bistro focusing on fresh seafood, and a pool w/ island lounge chair cabanas. To celebrate their opening, they've got a $149-for-two-people deal that includes breakfast, three-course dinner, water taxi transportation to downtown Long Beach, a sangria tasting, and free parking -- leaving you more cash for things that'll better help you explore your date's community chest.