Where Every Newly Signed Laker Goes to Party, and More A.M. Intel

Luol Deng likes to party

Luol Deng hasn’t been a Laker for very long, but he’s already learning the celebrity ropes apparently. Namely, he’s been spotted by TMZ outside popular club 1Oak, which is a hotspot for movie stars, singers, and athletes alike. Deng’s going to fit right in.

A new look for Beso in Hollywood

Looks like the ten year old Beso in Hollywood is going to be down for a bit, as the long-running restaurant/lounge/venue has plans to head for a complete overhaul. That will take a few months, with folks saying Beso should be able to return by September at the earliest, sporting a glossy new look.

Santa Ana’s newest bar is Vacation

Downtown Santa Ana continues to thrive thanks to its still-burgeoning nightlife scene. Case in point: Vacation Bar, which will open later this year at 204 W. Fourth Street. Originally planning to be a spot called Spurgeon Social, the West Fourth Hospitality team of Evan White and Harrison Kho are planning to bring drinks drinks and food to the strip by sometime this August.

Harold & Belle’s throws a block party

Now that they’ve returned in all their glory, Harold & Belle’s on Jefferson is throwing a massive block party. The Saturday event costs $35 at the door and will run for six hours, with all-you-can-eat gumbo, jambalaya, fried catfish, and more. There’s going to be live music too, plus lots more.

Gingergrass DTLA is close to opening

Looks like an early next week arrival for Gingergrass into Little Tokyo. The Silver Lake modern Vietnamese brand was plotting a spring arrival but it looks like they’ll be kicking off lunch next week instead inside the former Lazy Ox Canteen space on San Pedro.

Jamba Juice gets innovative in Pasadena

Great news for Jamba Juice fans, as the California-born juice and smoothie company is almost ready to dive into Old Town Pasadena with a cool new Innovation Bar, right on Colorado Boulevard. Much like the nearby Panda Express Innovation Kitchen, the idea is to use this new location as a testing ground for expanded menu possibilities, from quinoa bowls to juice flights on down. Grand opening runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 14, with the first 500 guests in line getting a free drink and a gift card. 60 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.

Poke invades Northridge

Is no neighborhood safe from the invasion of poke madness? It looks like not, as Northridge is even doubling down with the incoming FishBowl Poke Co., slated to arrive soon in a strip mall near Nordhoff and Reseda, says a tipster. The place isn’t up and running yet, but it appears to be a build-your-own bowl spot, as opposed to something with a slew of finished recipes to choose from.