The Feelings of Others

We recently had an experience we thought to share with our daters - Gabriela G. on Yelp. Gabriela wrote a review on Yelp finding our event - shall we say - not her cup of tea. From points of 'my candle went out' to the 'venue was too dark to conduct proper make-over's in' - she also went on to say some awful things about her fellow daters in attendance. Among the lines were '15 out of the 20 ladies were at least 20lbs overweight' and 'the men were painful to look at'. We wrote back on the Yelp review and stated "What you may consider to be an overweight woman another might find to be perfection. Beauty comes from the inside out - some of the most beautiful people I have ever met have been a few pounds overweight but I found it to be more loveliness to enjoy. We don't like to see daters insult daters."

"Comment from Tina A. of SpeedLA Dating 4/5/2012
Hi Gabriela,

We're sorry you didn't enjoy yourself at our latest event at the fabulous Beso in Hollywood.

Let me address a few points; Our events always begin at 8pm - 8:15pm. Our Make-up artist always arrive a half hour before the event. This is listed on the website in detail.

In regards to appetizers - I'm sorry you didn't find them to your liking. Beso provides us with 8 lovely dishes ranging Eva's fabulous guacamole to the Lobster Quesadilla. They are culinary perfection :-)

I appreciate you didn't fancy the guys and we note none of the guys wrote you down - so perhaps it wasn't a match on both ends. :-( Many of the ladies did fancy the gentlemen and we had loads of matches - so while they may not be for you and you not for them - it's not fun to insult people. Stating that men were 'painful to look at' is upsetting to daters.

I also noticed you also said some less than nice things about the ladies in attendance. I'm not sure I understand the relevance of stating in the review that 15 of the 20 ladies were overweight. That's very unfortunate. What you may consider to be an overweight woman another might find to be perfection. Beauty comes from the inside out - some of the most beautiful people i have ever met have been a few pounds overweight but I found it to be more loveliness to enjoy. We don't like to see daters insult daters - you can see the original review at: http://speedladating.b...

We are proud to be entering our 5th year in Los Angeles with over 500 events in the LA area alone since 2007. We're also in 10 other cities in the US which is also a lovely bit of fun. Proud to be BBB Accredited with an A+ rating. We are the only speed dating company to have events in such venues as Beso, the only company to offer complimentary make-over's and the only to offer such personable - lovely hosts. We don't offer 'games' or 'free drinks' but do offer a laid back - sophisticated approach to speed dating without bells, whistles or name-tags. We're sorry it wasn't your cup of tea.

Cheers,

Tina


Unfortunately, defending our daters further upset this reviewer. While she quickly edited her review to be considerably nicer, she also became quite upset that we would dare defend our crowd and went on a tirade - each more bizarre than the previous. Her updated review had a nicer tone yet many of the original points that upset her had suddenly changed. In the original review, the event started an hour late. In the revised - it did not. Lines about how awful the lads were at the event - were suddenly changed. Gone was the line '20 ladies were at least 25lbs overweight' and replaced with 'voluptuous' in her revised review. Who knows why other ladies weight upset her - but upset her it did.

We love our daters and will go to any lengths to defend them and us. Every so often we may have to ban a dater who other daters find less than lovely. We think this has added to our incredible popularity. From CitySearch, to YP.com, to Trustlink to Judy's Book - we garner hundreds of extraordinary reviews about us and our daters. Loveliness attracts Loveliness - you get what you give. It's never right to judge others on what you perceive to be 'not as attractive'. What one finds unattractive another absolutely loves. Let us always try to reflect what we would like in return. I think it would make us all a little happier. :-)

Top Chef Masters * First Date Dinner

Top Chef Masters * First Date Dinner

Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters' sizzle for 60 of our Matchmaking daters!

We had the pleasure of hosting Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters' and their world-renowned chefs for a very special, 'First Date Dinner'. See if our Matchmaking daters found love or fell in love with their dishes!
Top Chef Masters' - *First Date Dinner *

Written by: SpeedLA Dating & Matchmaking

Say it with Style...

When saying it with Hallmark just won't do, I offer you the Lemon Tree Bungalow on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. An uber boutique of gifts, cards, stationary, Dyptique and Illume candles, handcrafted soaps and sensual lotions with a generous helping of all things fun. With something for everyone, say it with a personal touch and go the extra mile with Lemon Tree Bungalow. This charming citrus-colored cottage is filled with beautiful gifts for the home. Brick floors and vine-framed windows create a peaceful and fanciful oasis from the bustling traffic outside.

Although famous for supplying movie studios and high-powered agents with stunning gift baskets, they can create something as large or small as you need. Tell them what's on your mind, your budget and watch them go to work. Complimentary gift-wrapping includes a frosted gift bag, colored paper, and lemon-yellow ribbon. Or for $3, you can get a custom job.Items tend to be a drop on the expensive side, but I think the extra attention, thoughtfulness, and uniqueness the gifts bring, more than outweigh any extra dollars you might spend.

Lemon Tree Bungalow - 8727 Santa Monica Blvd.
(310) 657 - 0211 - West Hollywood

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Glitz and Glamour...Indian Style!

Looking for Vegas without the Vegas? Someplace to feel like a King on a pauper's budget? Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula is just the spot. Located 50 miles outside of LA, is this Four Diamond Resort dripping with amenities. Take your love by the hand and head to the 188,000 square foot casino with over 2,000 slot machines and video machines. Of if your prefer, stop by the one of many Casino Bars, grab yourself a martini and slide up to one of the 160 table games one can impress or embarrass, ones self with.

Much more than a Casino, Pechanga is a Resort. With 522 spacious guest rooms and suites, each is oversized with floor to ceiling windows, 4 star luxurious accommodations, 24-hour room service as well as complimentary use of the fully equipped health club, seasonal pool and sundeck with private cabana and a knowledgeable concierge service. Should a massage for two strike your fancy, Pechanga is sure to accommodate. Call ahead to the Concierge or Health Club for in-suite massage appointments. The best part of Pechanga is the value for money. Most weekends out of the year, expect to pay about $200 a night for a Deluxe Room. Rates drop significantly during the week. One splurge I highly recommend is the 1 Bedroom Suite and if your feeling extra flush, the Jacuzzi Suite. The 1 Bedroom Suite offer sitting rooms with a wet bar, separate sleeping quarters and one-and-a-half baths. Expect to pay about a $100 premium for the 1 Bedroom Suite. As for the Jacuzzi Suite, lavish in the Jacuzzi situated perfectly, overlooking the Temecula Wine Country, in the rather grand living room. For this treat, set aside an additional $200 a night above Deluxe Room rates.

Considering how much one can spoil themselves here for relatively little, a visit to Pechanga Resort and Casino can not be missed.

Pechanga Resort & Casino - Temecula

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

It Takes All Types in LA

It’s about 10 minutes before he’s supposed to arrive and instead of anticipating the evening, I’m nauseous. My palms are sweaty, I’ve stared at myself in the mirror so long my eyes are beginning to cross and I’m actually planning who to use as my scapegoat in case things go wrong. This is typical behavior for me when it comes to the first date. Sure some call it the jitters, others may call me delirious, but when you live in LA dating can be stressful.

There are roughly 89,000 more single men in Los Angeles than women. With that many more eligible bachelors, a girl should feel like a kid in a candy store. However, just like all of the restaurant and entertainment options this city serves up, it also offers various types worth avoiding; and on those occasions when I give someone a chance and decide to try a formal date, my mind runs wild of what sort of person I’ll actually be getting to know.

Someone once told me that Los Angeles was loaded with “pockets of cool”; this is undoubtedly true, but here are four guys that may make it past Date One, but should definitely never enter any girls’ “cool” zone.

Mr. Pretentious – He’s the guy every girl thinks they want from afar. He looks confident and carefree and all you could think is, he may actually be cooler than me. He teases you and compliments you, but rejects social norms and mentions his Rolex, BMW or Limited Edition lime green Chad Muska’s any chance he gets. He’s old enough to act like an adult, but somehow that slid right past him. He has more feminine qualities and lower self-esteem than Ellen Page’s character in 2007’s The Tracey Fragments. Don’t let this guy fool you, he’ll never shut up about his material possessions and he will emotionally drain you during your role as his mother.

The Gift Giver – This one is really tricky. He’s the guy who shows up with a gift every time he sees you. Sounds amazing, right? No! Erase that idea from your head. He’ll use gifts to mask his horrible personality and plant little seeds of guilt when you want to break it off with the gorgeous Peonies bouquet and shining cutlery he brought over last week. Again, this one lacks self-esteem and the understanding that you need more than a wallet to impress a real woman.

The Party Boy – The one you hate to love. You met him at a bar and you hit it off instantly, you laugh and never want the night to end. The next day when your friends ask about him, you dodge all the obvious signs that he’s not right for you by reiterating over and over that, “he’s really fun”. Unless you’re just looking for a good time, run the opposite direction. Don’t mistake his goofy, laid back, no-long-term-goal-self as a promising specimen you can mold. We can’t change men, so why waste your time trying.

The Push Over – Every girl likes a challenge, so it’s no wonder that a few dates with this guy and every single lady in the country wants to throw him to the side. He’ll do whatever you want. He’ll take your abuse. He’ll dance when you say dance. He’ll always be available and he willingly gives up all interactions with his friends. Sure he’ll be your best friend, your shopping buddy and your punching bag, but who wants a man who isn’t manly?

Written by: Crista Michelle - SpeedLA Dating Resident Blogger

From Frizz to Fabulous...

Ladies - it's here! The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived...in Brentwood. No cuts. No color. Just blowouts. Only $35. Yes, $35. I was so excited to learn that this mecca of all things last minute and fabulous, had opened it's doors and turned on the blow driers! As if getting a blow out, isn't fun enough - the people behind Dry Bar, have added a unique element of creating a 'menu' for your preferred hairstyle. How much fun is it to order a Mai-Tai at 10 am or a Cosmopolitan at noon - finish me off with a Manhattan at 6pm!

Depending on how you are feeling or how many butterflies you have in your stomach for that first date tonight - you can order a blow dry to suit your mood. Feeling sassy and ready for spring, I ordered up a Cosmopolitan for 35 bucks and left feeling like a million dollars! My loose cosmopolitan curls had heads turning and prompted questions of "Who does your hair?" from all I came in contact with. On top of that - my hair continued to look great for the next few days. How is a girl ever to wash her own hair again?

One of the best perks, for a mere $40 more -they will come to your house! Sheer fabulousness at it's best. We all get too busy to sit in the chair for two hours or we don't want to spend $200 on cut and colour just yet -that's when it's time to call the Dry Bar! A great fill in between cut and color visits with your stylist and a fantastic way to put you into Supermodel gear, just before your Date-Night. Walk in or better yet make an appointment online or on the phone - check out their Happy Hours with complimentary cocktails.

http://www.drybar.com/main.html

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

"And Away They Go..."

Maybe it's the excitement. Maybe it's the roar of the crowd. Maybe it's the mountains standing tall over the track as my #4 Horse hits the daily double, but I find Horse Racing at Santa Anita Race Track to be incredibly romantic. While for the most part, Horse Racing Tracks are anything but glamorous, Santa Anita stands out from the crowd with it's rich history, impeccably maintained park and it's amazing view. There are quite a few options when it comes to taking in the track, depending on your wallet and if you want to stop by for a few races and a hot dog or take in racing as only a big shot can. If you're dressed a bit on the casual side, I would recommend saddling up to your date and sliding past General Admission into the Club House. Guests of the Club House enjoy great views of the track's first turn, complete wagering services and access to the Box Seat area and dining overlooking the track. Although a few bucks more than General Admission, it is a few pounds well spent. Grab a hot dog, slide into the dining area and place your bets. Now if your trying to make an impression, I've got just the thing.

Purchase your Club House tickets and head for the 5th floor restaurant. The dress code tends to be a bit more formal in the restaurant so be prepared. It is recommended you make reservations ahead of time so call ahead to (626) 574-6366 and ask to be connected to the Fifth Floor Restaurant. If your not quite the planner, a well dressed smile with a generous tip ought to see you past the Maitre' D. Ask to sit along the railing and be prepared for a view that will truly take your breath away. Sip on a lovely glass of champagne, nibble on gorgeous treats and wager your paycheck in style.

Lastly for those that want to make an event out of your date, there is the Turf Club. Up until a few years ago, admission into the coveted Turf Club was strictly by membership only. Considerably more than General Admission, with only a slight increase over Club House, the Turf Club is well... The Turf Club. More formal, more glamorous and more posh than you ever imagined horse racing could be. Dine in the Turf Club with White Linen service overlooking the track all while you check your winnings on your own personal TV at your table.

Santa Anita Race Track - Arcadia

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Good Morning, My Love!

So you've managed to get to the 'Next Day Breakfast' stage. Well, telephone the queen as we Brits say! However, a great breakfast isn't always the easiest to find in LA. Splash a bit of water in your face, give a kiss to your mate and stroll on over to Brighton Coffee Shop in Beverly Hills. A true coffee shop in every sense of the word... breakfast bar, friendly waitresses and food that you can count on to be consistently spot on. On the corner of Brighton Way & Camden Drive is perhaps one of the smallest dining rooms I've seen in LA that always seems to be full of eager diners looking for good coffee shop food and saving a pound to boot. Sidewalk service is quite nice and fun to people watch the 'tourists', watching back.


The oldest coffee shop in Beverly Hills, it's been around since 1934 serving traditional American food. This might be the best value in all of Beverly Hills. Breakfast, which is served all day, includes all the standards as well as a meatloaf & egg platter. Lunch is sandwiches, meatloaf, six varieties of baked potatoes and various meat dishes.

Brighton Coffee Shop - Beverly Hills - 9600 Brighton Way

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Something Left to the Imagination...

For us girls there are few things in life as fun as flirty lingerie. By this time, you have successfully forged through a few dates and are ready to take it up a notch. What better excuse to go splurge on yourself than for the "good of the relationship" right? One of the most fabulous stores in the whole world for all that is exotic and erotic, is Coco De Mer. There are only two CDM stores on the globe currently and I am very happy to say that those two places are London and Los Angeles.

If you are not yet feeling daring enough to try the more playful items available at Coco de Mer, you must at the very least indulge yourself in the designer luxurious lingerie. It's a gift for him right? Speaking of gifts for him...there are plenty. The Coco De Mer weekend kit will certainly send a strong message, or for those treading more softly, the massage candle set is delightful and if you are feeling flushed the Viola Valone silver leg cufflinks are gorgeous.

With everything from rare books and gorgeous jewelry to simple milk baths and massage oils, Coco De Mer is certain to satisfy your senses and stir up the butterflies. Don't be shy - go in!

SpeedLA has all the perks! Mention SpeedLA in the store or if you prefer to shop online, type in 'SpeedLA' in the promo box for 25% off!

Fancy a go?

Coco De Mer - West Hollywood
Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Melt Her Heart..Sprinkles Style!

No better way to reach a woman's heart than through her sweet tooth. And there is no better way to reach her sweet tooth than with Sprinkles Cupcakes. If you don't know Sprinkles, pull yourself together and get informed...pronto! With locations in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, these aren't pint-sized cakes. Cupcakes are something else entirely and Sprinkles Cupcakes are truly heaven sent.

With over 20 tantalizing flavors to drool over, Sprinkles Cupcakes are handcrafted from the finest ingredients, including sweet cream butter, bittersweet Belgian chocolate, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, fresh bananas and carrots, real strawberries and natural citrus zests. Topped with Sprinkles trademark modern dots, rich chocolate sprinkles from France or seasonal sugar decorations, Sprinkles Cupcakes are a deliciously sophisticated update on an American classic.

A couple of gift suggestions sure to see your way to any girl's heart is the Favor Box andGiftbox. The first, is one singular, extraordinary Sprinkles Cupcake in their darling, Favor Box. Choose from an array of Special Decorations to customize your love cake. A present with a kiss and a great deal at $5. The latter, is the Giftbox, by Sprinkles. A lovely way to tell her you love her... 12 times over. The Giftbox is $46 and comes in a perfectly designedGiftbox meant to keep each delight safe and secure.

So go ahead and Sprinkle her with love...

Sprinkles Cupcakes - Beverly Hills / Newport Beach

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

More Cheeky? Yes, Please!

SpeedLA & NBC/Oxygen's 'Bad Girls Club' Gets Cheeky Again!

In 2009, SpeedLA Dating had the pleasure of hosting NBC/Oxygen's 'Bad Girls Club' Season 3 @ the fabulous Les Deux in Hollywood. The episode went on to become one of the most popular, fun and of course, cheekiest episodes of the season.

For 2010, the 'Bad Girls Club' is back and once again calls upon the hottest dating company for all their speed dating needs. Filmed this year at the extraordinary, Highlands @ Hollywood & Highland Center.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbKCH9R1RcE
SpeedLA Dating would like to thank the Producers, Crew and Cast for once again choosing SpeedLA and would like to say "We still love you too!"

Love,

Anoush x

To see last year's episode of the "The Bad Girls Club" -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubgkKy-3LNU

Penny Wise

I found a lovely service recently and thought I would share with my loyal readers. A fantastic service in the best of times and an absolute necessity in the current times. Introducing, Lifebooker.com. On Lifebooker you can search, browse, and book appointments at the top health and beauty spots in Los Angeles for free. You'll not only find exclusive deals, but you'll earn rewards towards your next appointment each time you book. Lifebooker.com negotiates exclusive deals at Los Angeles' top health and beauty spots which ensure the best deals in town all while making you feel not only fabulous when you leave your appointment, but fabulous from the time you put your appointment request in. Feel like that Industry bigwig with your own personal assistant. Minus of course, any cell phone throwing. :)

Now you can book a massage, blowout, or any other service, quickly and privately. Another lovely bit of fun is is the Reward Dollars offered towards any service on their site. For example, book and rate a $100 facial for your first appointment and they'll give you $5 in rewards. Unlike other online directories, they only display ratings and reviews from clients who have actually honored appointments. Their system also records the specific service your fellow Lifebooker client received, so you'll know if a rating refers to a manicure or a haircut.

Think of it as a Travelocity for all things beauty and health. Not just for women, men can enjoy all the pampering and styling LA affords at a price, everyone can afford.

Lifebooker.com - Los Angeles/New York

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Foodie Foreplay

Few things in life are more sensual than food -- other than actual sex, of course. Food involves all five senses, as well as your hands and mouth, which is pretty much a recipe for getting all hot and bothered as far as I'm concerned. The acts of cooking and eating are the perfect excuse to get close to someone else, to lick something off a significant other's spoon, to place a tender morsel on their tongue, to share something spicy or something sweet -- few things make for better foreplay than that. At least not foreplay you can get away with in public.

Lucky for us, Los Angeles provides plenty of opportunities to feed your appetite for food, and for the aforementioned foodie foreplay, of course. And, the best part is, there are a lot of delicious -- even decadent -- date destinations that don't cost decadent dinner dollars.

The best place to start for some culinary courtship is, of course, the Farmer's Market. What's sexier than sharing a bite of a juicy sample strawberry or feeding each other the fiery freshness of a picante pepper. It's hard to top the Farmer's Market when it comes to perfect daytime dates -- it's cheap, sustainable and perfect for people watching and conversation catalyzing. How can the conversation not flow freely when food is involved?

In my opinion, the best Farmer's Market for romantic roaming is definitely the Sunday morning Hollywood Farmer's Market at Sunset & Ivar. With tasty treats ranging from tongue-tickling tamales to cool coconut milk, there's something to please every palate. I especially recommend the goat cheese lady who always sets up in the middle aisle of the market -- her jalapeno goat cheese is a spicy, sensuous treat that's perfectly engineered to be lustily licked off the spoon of your significant other.
If you're looking for more of a meal, check out the newly-opened Farmer's Kitchen, where skilled chefs whip up delectable sustainable fare right from the Farmer's Market while also providing hands-on culinary training and nutritional education to the area's low-income locals. Last time I was there, my brunch of a fresh fritatta, savory spinach and sausage, perfectly prepared polenta, mouthwatering melted cheese sauce and fresh squeezed orange juice only cost around $10 -- less than what you'd pay for parking at plenty of places in the area.

If you're looking for something slightly more adventurous than the airy aisles at your local farmer's market, why not embark on a food-finding mission and take your date on a trip to track down one of LA's notorious twittering trucks of traveling tastiness. Anyone with Twitter (or a newspaper subscription) in the LA area has probably heard of Kogi's Korean Barbecue -- the Mexicasian fusian mobile that delivers delicious tacos with a tasty twist to Tweeps all over LA, who follow @kogibbq to find out where the palate pleaser will be parked every night.

If the fusian of flavors found in a Korean barbecue taco isn't quite exotic enough to thrill your date, try tracking down @ Dosatruck instead. It's a relatively new addition to the mobile munchies scene that offers the crispy crepes of its name sake, amongst other savory South Indian treats. And if you still find yourself fiending for fuel-fired fusion food, why not add @LomoArigato and @FishLips_Sushi to your roaming romantic repertoire for Japenese Peruvian fusion and fresh fish, respectively. All you need for a perfect culinary quest of a date is a car and a mobile device that gets Twitter. Simply crank up the tunes, roll down the windows and find your way to the finest food on four wheels. Call it a foodventure, and get bonus points from your beaux for creativity and cutesiness.

Just don't expect me to let you cut in line when it comes to those Korean barbecue tacos -- I don't care how adorable you and your date are, you ain't gettin' between me and my one true love.

Written by: Mollie Vandor - SpeedLA Dating Resident Blogger

Top Chef Masters * First Date Dinner

Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters' sizzle for 60 of our Matchmaking daters!

We had the pleasure of hosting Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters' and their world-renowned chefs for a very special, 'First Date Dinner'. See if our Matchmaking daters found love or fell in love with their dishes!
Top Chef Masters' - *First Date Dinner *

Written by: SpeedLA Dating & Matchmaking

Seduction: Salsa Style

There are few things more prevalent than Mexican food on the LA culinary scene -- except for maybe actors turned waiters who serve it. With options that run the gamut from tongue tacos served by trucks to high end fare created by culinary giants in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles offers more options for Mexican dining than the salsa bar at your favorite Baja Fresh. Of course, with so many restaurants to choose from, how does an enterprising suitor choose the best place to take a date? Simple. Think salsa.

If you're rolling in green, a la salsa verde, you can afford to go to the high end huevos and horchatas. Which means you should go directly to Frida in Beverly Hills. Do not pass go, but do collect $200, since you might need it to pay the bill. Recession aside, Frida is a fantastic date choice, with its soft lighting, bright colors and vibrant art-adorned walls giving you and your date plenty to chat about -- if, of course, the margaritas don't take care of that for you. The food is great, with beloved Mexican classics getting the requisite Beverly Hills facelift via the addition of some seriously high end touches. From pumpkin mole to salty ceviche, Frida is truly a treat for the eyes and the stomach -- if not the wallet.

If you're more into the chunky home-style salsas, then I've got one word for you: Loteria. Well, actually three words: Loteria Grill Hollywood. Sure, you could go a little more upscale and hit the one at The Grove Farmer's Market, but in my humble I-grew-up-in-LA-and-I-know-my-damn-tacos opinion, the Hollywood outpost of this Angeleno standby is where it's at. And by it, I mean the most amazing tacos, salsas, burritos and jalapeno margaritas (yes, jalapeno margaritas) this side of the taco truck. And the best part for us amorous Angelenos? It's one of the few restaurants in its part of Hollywood where you can walk right in, sandals a'blazin' and not be stopped or scorned by a burly doorman. Which makes it that much easier to clean up the tomatillo sauce you'll eventually end up spilling during the requisite foodgasm you're guaranteed at Loteria. Oh, and I've heard that whole 'honey, you can wear your basketball shorts and Rainbows to dinner' thing really gets a guy going.Of course, some people just want the classic -- spicy, savory, medium-heat salsa. Just exotic enough to tickle the tastebuds, but not too far fetched for a gringo to get their head around. That's where restaurants like El Compadre in Hollywood and Coral Beach Cantina in Malibu come in.
El Compadre's got flaming margaritas, massive take-it-to-work-for-lunch-the-next-day portions and a mariachi band to complement the whole Disneyfied "Desperado" thing it's got going on. The food is good, solid, stick to your ribs Mexicalifornian and the service is always more than solid. Just make sure you don't go on an empty stomach during peak dining hours, or you'll end up waiting at the bar while your date gives you the stink eye. Coral Beach Cantina in Malibu, on the other hand, is always worth the wait. With its lantern-lit patio and close proximity to a post-dinner walk on the beach, it's a great date option if you don't mind the drive. It also happens to be the home of the first word I ever read by myself -- 'burrito.' Even at age 3, I knew what I wanted at Coral Beach Cantina. Make sure you also try the enchiladas, smothered in sauce and sour cream, if they don't get your date to warm up to you, you're probably better off leaving him or her on PCH and going off in search of someone who really deserves to share your salsa.

Frida - Beverly Hills

Loteria Grill - Hollywood

El Compadre - Hollywood

Coral Beach Cantina - Malibu

Written by: Mollie Vandor - SpeedLA Dating Resident Blogger

Think Pink...Orange County Style

A shopping must-know for all the flirty girls out there - if you don’t know about Pink Ice, allow us to introduce you. Pink Ice is affordable fashion at its best. Based in Orange County, Pink Ice has been catering to sexy Southern Californian girls since the late 80’s. With locations as close to Los Angeles as Santa Monica, you don’t have to live in Orange County to wear the lifestyle...and you don’t have to be super rich either. The mission of Pink Ice is to allow fashion driven young women to be ale to access trendy, sexy and unique clothing at affordable prices. Not to mention, shoes and fabulous accessories!

Their hot spot on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica has been featured on several film and television productions and all Pink Ice locations are becoming well known for their outstanding reputation throughout Southern California, both for their inventory and amazing customer care.

This is a must stop shop for any ladies looking for that cute and flirty Date-Night outfit or looking to impress your first date this weekend! Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are there to help with any styling questions or advice - you simply can’t go wrong.

Visit www.pinkice.com for store locations and online shopping too!

Happy shopping daters!! xx

You Can't Beat The Rush

Alright girls, if mac and cheese, microbrews and buff bartenders sounds like your idea of heaven, then you need to book your next dinner date at Rush Street in Culver City. With its industrial-loft-meets-funky-flea-market-chic aesthetic and multi-tiered location in the heart of the chi chi side of Culver City, it's easy to dismiss Rush Street as just another sleek urban oasis for the post-work popped collar crowd. And, I'm not going to lie, the last few times I've been there, I have run into at least one popped collar every time. But, its brushed steel chicness belies a mind-blowing menu of updated comfort food classics that runthe gamut from luscious lamb lollipops to curried pumpkin ravioli, and of course, the aforementioned mac and cheese.

If that's not enough to lure you past the more-bark-than-bite girls at the door (who are actually sweet as pie, and have never once turned me away even when it's clear that my flip flops might be the only pair in the room), then just take a gander at the restaurant's extensive beer and liquor offerings. With a rotating selection of specialty brews on tap, a wine list that holds its own against the wine-focused Ugo across the street and bartenders that know their way around a bottle of Booker's, the bar at Rush Street is worth a visit alone.

If you can talk your way past the sentinels guarding the VIP section, I highly recommend checking out Rush Street's upstairs balcony and outdoor patio, both of which provide plenty of space to sprawl out and enjoy a plate of truffle fries or a pint of Delirium Tremens, not to mention a stripper pole tucked away in the back of the aforementioned balcony. Of course, you could also just hang out in the main restaurant area on the bottom floor, which turns into the closest thing Culver City has to a Hollywood-style see-and-be-scene club on the weekends, with DJ, dancing and all. Just make sure your date pops his collar properly first.

Rush Street - Culver City

Written by: Mollie Vandor - SpeedLA Dating Resident Blogger

Beat The Beaten Path...

Okay, so LA isn't exactly always Melrose Place or 90210. But, some stereotypes about the city of angels do have their roots in truth -- preferably well dyed roots. For example, odds are good that pretty much every waiter you'll ever have in LA is also an actor/model/writer/insert dream Hollywood job here. The paparazzi really are everywhere. And, there's nary a restaurant in sight that doesn't have a low carb option on the menu.

The stereotypes come out in even more full force when going out in Hollywood. Every bar is packed to the brim with blondes, bunnies and businessmen, and everyone's running as much professional game as personal. Of course, there are places you can go to get away from the whole stereotypical scene. But, once The Dime became a haunt on The Hills, I personally started losing my faith in the future of those out of the way watering holes. Which is why as much as I love the bars, there's also something to be said for some of LA's more unexpected singles scenes -- especially if you're looking to close a date with a real guy, not a deal with a reality producer.

If you're into the witty writer types, Book Soup is the place to pick them up. With writers from Al Gore to Sarah Vowell gracing their tiny store stage for readings, the shop attracts an eclectic event crowd. Browse the stacks and the shelves, work your way through the classics and the contemporary and maybe find your way to flirting over some fiction. Nothing makes a better pickup line than "hey, have you read this?" Plus, you can always test your potential pick up by asking him what he thinks of "Twilight."

Another bookstore with big boy finding potential is the newly opened branch of Santa Monica staple Hennessey & Ingalls. This sleek shop specializes in books about fashion, photography, art, architecture and design, and they just opened up a branch in the brand new Space 15 Twenty complex in Hollywood. The books are incredibly beautiful, inspiring and compelling, and the hunky hipsters and debonair designers that frequent the place aren't bad either. Strike up a conversation over that book about Schnabel or that coffee table Taschen tome, and then casually make your way over to Snackbar for a beer.

If grappa and grape talk are more your thing, head over to Silverlake Wines, where weekly tastings provide the perfect pairing for picking up foodies and fine diners alike. Tastings range from $12 to $20 a person, and come with a flight of wines accompanied by farmhouse cheeses, fresh breads and olives, as well as plenty of valuable vino knowledge, providing you with plenty of things to talk about and enough liquor to lubricate that whole awkward first conversation.So, bust out your sexy librarian look, brush up on your blancs and your burgundies and check out one of LA's lesser-known single scenes. Or, if you really want to get adventurous, you could try to cram all three pickup possibilities into one crazy book and booze filled singledom spree. Just make sure you pick up a moleskin at Book Soup so you can keep track of all your conquests.

Book Soup - West Hollywood

Hennessey & Ingalls - Santa Monica

Silverlake Wines - Silverlake Area

Written by: Mollie Vandor - SpeedLA Dating Resident Blogger

Bravo's 'Rate The Date' * Fancy a Go?

SpeedLA Dating had the pleasure of hosting Bravo for their very special, 'Rate The Date' series. Viewers chose which couple they felt made the perfect match and the winning couple enjoyed a romantic dinner for two. See if love was in the air or they just got plain cheeky!

The Winners of Bravo's 'Rate The Date' series...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKKI6tSH4s0

SpeedLA Dating @ Geisha House

Rate The Date - Bravotv.com

Looking Good. Feeling Good.

It is important in all levels of dating to continuously look ones best. Ladies, as you know, at our Events you will receive a complimentary makeover. How great would it be to go get your hair blown out earlier on in the day? I know just the place! 'Kevin Josephson' salon in Beverly Hills for all things beautiful. There are many highly talented stylists for men also.

They make the dull, fabulous in a matter of minutes. A full service Kerastase salon, allow yourself to be pampered at a reasonable price.

Ask for David, one of our favorite Colorist/Stylists, mention SpeedLA Dating and receive 20% off your services.

Kevin Josephson - Beverly Hills

Written by: SpeedLA Dating