Rare Weekend 6.12.08

Cheers to Dad.



Maybe you know them as 2 Dudes on Food Network or Caramelized Productions. Either way it’s time to meet chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo’s newest excellent adventure: welcome to Animal. Navigate past the sign-less exterior and indulge in soft shell crab, flat iron steak, and country pork ribs. Save room for the awesome bacon chocolate crunch bar.

Animal, 435 North Fairfax Avenue (between Oakwood and Rosewood Avenues), Mid-Wilshire, (323) 782-9225, animalrestaurant.com (website coming soon)

Wanderlust season is officially here. Get in the travel mood with powerHouse books’ sexy new Flight Attendants exhibit, featuring the photographs of Brian Finke. Opening tonight from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., afterward Tuesdays - Saturdays, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., ending 8/2.

Flight Attendants at Stephen Cohen Gallery, 7358 Beverly Boulevard (between N. Fuller & N. Martel Avenues), (323) 937-5525, stephencohengallery.com

Good times are never far with tequila cocktails and a retractable roof… that’s the lure of Isla, WeHo’s newest nightlife destination. Try out one of the 95 tequilas on tap or hydrate with a signature Fusion Drink, like Rum & Watermelon. Refreshing and intoxicating - what more can you ask for?

Isla Cantina, 8788 W. Sunset Blvd (at Holloway Drive), West Hollywood, (310) 657-8100, islacantina.com

Hit Gourmet magazine’s Gourmet on Fire! shindig on Saturday for sizzling cuisine, winning wines and cool cocktails. Tickets are $100 per person, with a portion of proceeds benefiting The Southland Farmer’s Markets Association. This Saturday, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Visit gourmetscoop.com/fire.

Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, (866) 259-4871, santamonicaloewshotel.com

This Sunday, spend some quality time with Dad and… more than 100 exotic cars at the 2008 Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance. Check out the super exotic Bugatti Veyron and the super expensive 1959 Ferrari 250 GT “California” Spider. Free. Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance, 300 - 400 block of Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, rodeodrive-bh.com

… Then treat yourself to 60% off at Ralph Lauren stores and online. Sale in progress now.

Visit ralphlauren.com.