Restaurant and Bar Review: La Sandia Santa Monica

The Bar: La Sandia
               395 Santa Monica Place
               Santa Monica, CA 90401


The Drink: Choose from a variety of Margarita's for $5. I had the traditional Margarita and my friend chose the mango but we were both pleased enough to order seconds. A jigger is definitely used to make these drinks but filled to the top (at least).

The Food: The $3 Happy Hour Menu is truly delicious (just be careful about opening their website's PDF with the menu...it crashed my Internet three times). We sampled the ceviche, empanadas, and quesadillas and were impressed with each dish. The portions are small but at $3 a plate you can afford to double up on the order.

The Service: Our waitress was knowledgeable and friendly, but we didn't see her as often as I would have liked. Our first drinks were empty for a while and getting the check took some time. I equate this with being there on a Friday at 5:00. By 6:00 the place was hopping, and I didn't see too many other servers taking orders. Given the circumstances, she did the best she could have.

Go-Back-Againess: I will definitely go back, but not on a Friday.

IT'S OFFICIAL! OUR TSHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED!!

Let us know which ones are your favorites by leaving a comment or taking our poll (to the right). Order yours now at our store in time for the holidays!

5 Ways to Feign Comfort at the Bar...When You're Alone

You're waiting at the bar alone. Your date is late or your friend is lost or your roommate sucks and ditched you. For many the bar is an intimidating place when solo but it really shouldn't be. Here are a few simple tricks and tips for redirecting your discomfort:

Own That Bar Stool Although you may feel like people are looking at you and thinking, "poor, lonely, sad girl," it's quite the opposite. The poor, lonely, sad girl sits in her car until she sees her friend arrive, or hides behind her phone in the foyer. The self-confident, contented woman sits at the bar and owns her bar stool. People will look at you and think "self-assured," "comfortable," even "sexy." So work it, girl.

Order a Drink No, not water, honey. That's for that girl who sits in her car. Wine, beer, bourbon...something. If you're super out of your element ask for a drink that comes with a straw to keep your hands busy (think mixed drink). Don't shred the cocktail napkin or contort the straw. Just enjoy your independence and check out the scenery. And if you dare, make eye contact with someone.

Study the Bar Menu Check out the snacks, the drink specialties, the prices, the typography, the font size, whatever. It's something to do and still way better then turning to your security blanket, AKA, your stupid phone.

Chat to the Bartender As long as she isn't drowning in drink orders, she'd love to keep you company. You can ask her about the best drink she makes, what the restaurant is known for, or her wine recommendations. The best bartenders are the best gabbers.

Strike Up a Conversation Nothing will make you feel more comfortable and less alone than a conversation with a complete stranger. The entire point of a bar is to interact with other people. So go for it. Talk about the weather, your drink, last night's break-up, your shoe addiction..it doesn't matter. It's not an 18-hour flight to Sydney. Relax. There are like 100 exit strategies if you get stuck with a whack-o.

My advice of course is to choose all of the above. What many people don't realize is that the bar is actually the best seat in the house. Even if your friend does eventually arrive, stay put. Maybe you've finally found your spot.

THIS Girl's HOT PICK of the WEEK

Don't get wrapped up in the stirred versus shaken debate. What you need to be concerned with is silver.

Drink your martini in luxury with Tiffany & Co.'s. gorgeous set of silver sports-themed cocktail picks. For $275 these 3.25" long garnish skewers will add additional value to that evening libation you've already deemed priceless, and appreciate the value of your make-shift home bar (AKA cupboard). Perfect for the dad, brother, grandpa who has everything and even more perfect for the man who has nothing. Get your holiday shopping on early and let the televised sporting events begin.