Romance in the sky...

Looking for an awe-inspriring backdrop for a night of romance in LA? Well look no further than Yamashiro Restaurant in Hollywood. Set high above in the hills overlooking Hollywood with views from Downtown to the coast, this is one spot that will seal that kiss quite unlike any other. Although I love the food at Yamashiro, I find it the perfect spot to have a drink and soak in the view. Grab your cheeky companion, make your way up the winding roads and settle into the bar with a drink list sure to send anyone off to Betty Ford before the night is over. With drink in hand, saunter down to the majestic Japanese Gardens. A lovely stroll sure to put your Romance meter in overdrive.

A couple of personal recommendations are the Green Tear Drop, made with citrus vodka and green tea liqueur. The Blue Sapphire Martini, made with vodka, sake, lychee juice, and blue curacao and The Pom Pom made with vodka, pomegranate puree, and sweet-and-sour with sugared rim.

Built in 1911, the grounds are an exact replica of a palace located in the Yamashiro mountains near Kyoto, Japan. The pagoda, koi pond, polished teak and million-dollar views are intoxicating. The menu is vast, encompassing sushi, sashimi, sushi rolls, soups, salads, steaks, fish, and more – but whether you’re here for drinks at the bar, to dine in the sophisticated dining room, or in the beautiful interior courtyard, you won’t be disappointed. You might leave with your wallet noticeably lighter, but it'll be worth every cent.

For those on a budget, I would bypass the restaurant with date in tow, have drinks for two and settle in for a romantic night of sunsets, views, gardens and of course... seal it all with a moonlit kiss on the bridge for two in the magical garden.

Yamashiro Restaurant - Hollywood Hills

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

All the fun minus the gun!

For the kid and Gumshoe in you, I offer you, 'CSI: The Experience' at The California Science Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Grab your date, polish up your badges and head down for some crime solving...CSI Style!

You’ve seen the award-winning television drama. Now it’s your turn to put your investigative skills to the test as a crime scene investigator. Created in cooperation with the hit CBS franchise, CSI: The Experience invites you to step into the world of cutting-edge forensic science and investigative techniques. Guided by investigators from the television show and their real-life forensic science counterparts, you’ll formulate a hypothesis, validate your findings based on evidence, and solve the crime.

Best of all... It's Free!

California Science Center does appreciate donations and offers an opportunity to give a little back on both their website and in the lobby.

California Science Center - Downtown Los Angeles

CSI: The Experience

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

What a Gem!

Having lunch in Beverly Hills everyday can certainly become costly on the wallet, but what is a working girl supposed to do? Enter Pizza Rustica. This has to be one of the most authentic pizza places I have tried since living in Los Angeles. For those of us that love those east coast customs, it's nothing to call up and order a slice, salad and soda, all delivered locally within minutes! Fresh, fast and not expensive.

If you fancy dining in or having something more than a slice, Pizza Rusitca has a fantastic menu filled with delicious pastas, wonderful salads and amazing sandwiches. For the ultimate chocolate fantasy, indulge in a slice of Pizza Chocolate - thin pizza filled with european chocolate - so good!

I highly recommend the Caprese pizza or the angel hair pasta with chicken - and you won't go wrong with any of the salads.

Situated in the heart of Beverly Hills on Santa Monica and Rodeo, you will find yourself surprised by the authenticity and even more so by the prices. A must visit for that first casual lunch date or a welcome break between shopping with that new special someone.

Pizza Rustica - West Hollywood & Beverly Hills

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

It's a Dog eat Dog day at the Beach...

Nothing says California Sun quite like an afternoon at the Pier. It also provides the perfect opportunity to grab a bite, have a lovely bit of sun and people watch... all without breaking the bank. A wonderful shortcut into the Pier, without paying Pier prices to park, is to head north on Ocean Boulevard past Colorado Ave and make a right on Seaside Terrace. At the bottom of the street lies Hot Dog On a Stick and is surrounded by a metered parking lot, with a going rate of about a $1 an hour. With the Pier just to the right, a wonderfully romantic Merry-Go-Round and a bevy of Carnival games, the Pier can make even the most staunch adult, feel like a kid again.

Another easy on the wallet option is to stop by and grab a Corn Dog at Hot Dog on a Stick. The employee-owned corporation staffs its branches with perky workers who don the brand's iconic 1960s-inspired uniforms: whimsically colorful jockey caps and striped smocks. The short menu offers 100 percent turkey franks, which are served skewered and battered, as well as all-beef wieners in a bun. Extras include "Cheese on a Stick" (also coated and deep-fried in the secret-recipe batter) and shoestring fries.

Be Merry, be Cheeky and save a pound while doing it.

Hot Dog on a Stick - Santa Monica Pier

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

A Lovely Day on a Dime...

A stroll, a kiss and a moment in time... All can be found on the 3rd floor of the Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens in Downtown Los Angeles. A Japanese "Garden in the Sky" is a miniature half-acre version of an historic 400 year-old, ten-acre garden in Tokyo.

The seven principles of Zen were utilized in the construction of this garden. Here you will find: asymmetry, simplicity, naturalness, calmness, austerity, subtlety and spirituality, presenting nature in its purest form. Kyoto Grand gardens are traditional "strolling gardens". It's path is not merely a functional entry into the garden; each step signifies a release from the realities of work and worry. An important classic technique in Japanese landscape architecture is called "shakkei", or borrowed landscape. This method beautifully incorporates surrounding landscapes into a garden's panorama.

There is no cost to tour the Gardens. If the mood strikes you, I would highly recommend a stop in the one of the three Hotel restaurants or drop by one of the two bars to top truly capture the moment. All are beautful and a wonder for the senses.

Kyoto Grand Hotel & Gardens - Downtown Los Angeles

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Time for a little Mingle N' Match!

We at SpeedLA Dating our proud to present our very first Mingle & Match Bash! Debuting April 1st 2009 at the wonderfully romantic, One Sunset in West Hollywood. You asked for it and we delivered! All the fun of our Speed Dating events made for those who like to take things at their own speed. Grab your SpeedLA Scorecard, delight in gorgeous One Sunset treats with our compliments, enjoy our cheeky Ice-Breakers and chat up other singles for four, five or even twenty minutes...How ever long strikes your fancy!

Our charming British hosts keep the night moving ensuring everyone gets a chance to chat each other up. The only mixer that does the match work for you. Find your nearest host, give them your scorecard and see if love is in the air for you! You'll be notified within 24 hours of your event with your Date-Mate matches. Join us in the wonderfully romantic Champagne Room while you mix, mingle and match - SpeedLA Style!

As sexy as it is chic, this spot has all the glitter of Sunset minus the attitude. Nibble on One Sunset's delicious Mushroom or Prosciutto Flatbreads, delight in their 'Adult Candy' - bacon-wrapped, blue cheese-stuffed dates and enjoy the out of this world, Lobster-Shrimp Quesadilla...All with our compliments. Ladies can still enjoy a Complimentary Make-over and of course, who can forget Marley, our resident bear. Catch Marley heading to the bar and win $50 cash. Fancy a go?

SpeedLA Dating - Los Angeles - Mingle N' Match Singles Mixer

One Sunset - Sunset Plaza - West Hollywood

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

NBC/Oxygen's "Bad Girls Club" Come to SpeedLA Dating!

SpeedLA Dating and “The Bad Girls Club” know how to have fun! Our latest Speed Dating Event at the incomparable Les Deux included none other than the fabulously fabulous girls from NBC’s/Oxygen’s hit show, “The Bad Girls Club”.We at SpeedLA can’t get enough of “The Bad Girls Club” and know you can’t either!Season 3 is back and hotter than ever. Click here to see our Event in action and find out if the girls found love or just got plain cheeky! Check your local listings and website for additional info.

From all of us at SpeedLA we would like to personally thank the cast & crew for choosing SpeedLA Dating and would like to say, “We love you too!”Anoush x

Written by: SpeedLA Dating

Turning Virtuality into Reality...

Websites aren't just for business' anymore. More and more of us are having our own personal website, somewhat like a business card, for ourselves. Very often I get compliments on our SpeedLA site and questions on how and who made it happen. When I first decided to bring my company stateside I wanted a fresh, innovative and most of all, easy to navigate site with a pinch of English Flair. A lot easier said than done. After a myriad of failed attempts with other web designers, I finally came upon Virtuosity Inc. The owner, a talented individual by the name of Harshad, was my knight in shining HTML. The inspiration for the site was none other than my favorite shop back home, HarveyNichols.com. Virtuosity understood my vision and worked tirelessly to make it happen. One especially important aspect was the animation at the top of my site. Few designers can pull off such a intricate and complicated task. It requires talent, knowledge and most of all... Creativity. And Virtuosity has those in spades.

If your looking for a site of your own and are tired of the same old cookie-cuter, out of the box sites, look no further than Virtuosityinc.com.

Be you, be fun and don't settle.

Virtuosityinc.com - Web Site Designer and Developer

Written by: SpeedLA Dating