Undercover Sting Snags Two Santa Monica Restaurants for Serving Alcohol to Teens

The Santa Monica Police Department caught Ocean Avenue restaurants Blue Plate Taco and Jimmy’s Famous Tavern serving alcohol to teens in an undercover sting operation recently, according to Santa Monica Mirror. Officers sent supervised underage decoys to the establishments where they attempted to purchase alcohol as part of a compliance check at six area restaurants on February 13; only Blue Plate Taco and Jimmy’s Famous Tavern got nabbed. Both employees involved at Blue Plate Taco and Jimmy’s Famous Tavern, respectively, were issued a citation. Del Frisco’s, Red O, Lowes Hotel, and Le Merigot Hotel passed the operation, refusing to give alcohol to minors.

In other news:

— Femmes in Food, an organization that celebrates women in hospitality, is partnering with Melody Wine Bar to host an all-day pop-up featuring four up-and-coming chefs on Sunday, March 8. On the docket from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. is Rashida Holmes of Bridgetown Roti and Kryssie Tinsay of Kitchen 1726. Samantha Tan of Sam Tan’s Kitchen and Larissa Da Costa will be cooking from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. All dishes can be ordered a la carte. No reservations required.

— Popular Mar Vista Indian restaurant Hurry Curry closes per Yo! Venice.

— Bang Bang Noodles will be pullin’ noodles at General Lee’s starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, while Marie King from the Tonga Hut Tiki Lounge will be serving cocktails starting at 7 p.m.

— For Pi Day this year, Fishing with Dynamite is selling full-size versions of its crowd pleasing Key lime pie for $32. Orders must be placed by Wednesday, March 11 and picked up on Saturday, March 14. Orders can be placed here.

— Also celebrating Pi Day is Sibling Rival, with miniature pies that feed two to three people priced at $3.14. Available in the restaurant, lobby, and at the coffee bar, the pies come in flavors like frozen orange creamsicle and chocolate banana. The special pricing runs through the end of the month.

— Christina Tosi is also feeling the Pi Day spirit. Milk Bar is offering mini Milk Bar pies in stores for $20 from now until March 24.

— Stella Barra Pizzeria & Wine Bar is hosting two dinners exploring Roman pasta dishes with wine pairings. Pasta & Pours 101 is scheduled at the Santa Monica location on Tuesday, March 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and in Hollywood on Wednesday, March 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $50. Call 310-396-9250 for reservations.

— Chef Rene Mata at Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois on Main in Santa Monica is hosting a wine dinner with Walt and Hall Wines on Wednesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. On the $185 menu is Shanghai lobster, Peking duck, and wagyu ribeye. Call 310-392-9025 for reservations.

— Hyper-local neighborhood app Nextdoor profiles Jamiah Hargins, a gardener in West Adams who founded Crop Swap LA, a monthly backyard gathering of 100 neighbors trading gardening supplies and anything homemade or homegrown within their community.