From the driving, to the parking, to the not knowing where to drive or park, dinner in L.A. is harder than it should be. That’s why we created Dinner Plan — your itinerary to a damn good time.
This week, we give you dinner and a movie a la Cinespia.
The Picnic: Gjusta
Venice
Call in an order for Gjusta. All of the following is great cold, an important consideration given that you don’t want to eat a soggy sandwich or something that’s only good warm: Get a baguette, one rotisserie chicken, some fried chicken and a porchetta as well as several of their salads, including one that’s starchy (potato or sunchoke). Grab a couple of panna cottas for dessert.
320 Sunset Ave. (map)
The Gear
Various locations
First go to Best Made on La Brea. Their Waxed Canvas Blanket is hands down what should be on the ground. The waxed side will keep any dampness at bay, and when you’re done, it’s easy to clean. The top side is quilted cotton and light and comfy. Their Lumberjack Blanket is for covering your body.
Second go to Target for a Husband Pillow. We’ve used these for the past two years and they provide a great view with maximum supine support. No need to shell out ducats. Just go to Target.
Last, go to Adventure 16 and get a YETI cooler (so versatile, so progressive). It’ll serve as your table and storage. And it’ll last you forever.
The Outdoor Movie: Cinespia
Hollywood
Watching movies at Cinespia at Hollywood Forever is a tentpole event of summer, and definitely worth a rinse and repeat as they extend into fall. Some of our favorites this year include Vertigo, Footloose, Lost Boys and The Graduate.
Step 1: Get there early and set up camp. You may wait in the line a minute, but getting a good spot and being there for sunset is worthwhile.
Step 2: Hit up the photobooth. They go the distance on this, contracting prop masters for ephemera that’ll tickle even a New Yorker critic. They had someone build a lifesize Falcor when Neverending Story ran. This weekend, they have H.R. Giger-esque eggs for Aliens. Later on this summer, they have a tomb filled with snakes for Raiders of the Lost Ark and a front porch for Friday (BYO Blunt).
Step 3: Enjoy that sunset while eating. Watch the movie. Know that if you should run out of libations, Cinespia now has beer, wine and damn good coffee. They’ve stepped up their food game, too, even offering Beyond Meat burgers for the culinary iconoclasts.
Step 4: Lace up them dancing shoes. This weekend Cut Chemist is DJing the intro and late-night dance party. Chris Holmes will be rocking the Footloose viewing on July 4th.
6000 Santa Monica Blvd. (map)
Main Image Photo Credit: Kelly Lee Barrett © Cinespia.org
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