Market counter at La Grande Orange Santa Monica

After a Macallan scotch tasting at the Viceroy last night (set up by e*starla and attended by Caroline on Crack, LAist’s Julie Wolfson and LA-OC-Foodie – but more on that later), we headed over to La Grande Orange’s newest outpost in Santa Monica for dinner.

The good: The entrance is decorated with pots of homegrown herbs – nice touch. The market counter and wine display upon entering have a simple, clean presentation. This new location serves sushi, and the rainbow roll was excellent (go with the aioli dip, not the soy – too salty). The sweet potato roll, something I hadn’t seen before, was decent, though it was really just tempura-battered and fried sweet potato with avocado. The service was prompt and friendly. And when our server charged us for the wrong dessert item, she ended up comping it.

The bad: I wasn’t impressed with the food. Granted, it was opening night. I know it takes a while for restaurants to get it right. But after being impressed with LGO Pasadena’s food, I had high hopes. I ordered the turkey and vegetable meatloaf, which was a little bland, and came with broccolini. I thought surely it would be accompanied by mashed potatoes, or something of the sort. My fellow diners and I noticed some items were missing from the menu, too: deviled eggs, olive oil cake, and the pizza that has been touted as the Next Big Thing for LGO. The restaurant’s rep says Santa Monica is still tweaking its menu, so I guess we’ll see what ultimately ends up on it.

Of course, this isn’t a full review since the place just opened. All in all, I’d go back. I still have faith that it’ll be as good as the Pasadena location.

2004 Kentucky Derby. From photog1966 (Flickr).

I went to the Kentucky Derby four years ago. It was…an experience. Of course, my friends and I chose to go the cheap route and watched the race from Churchill Downs’ infield, which is nothing like what you see on TV. There are no rich people in oversize hats with mint juleps. The infield has mint juleps, too, but it’s more like Mardi Gras meets Nascar. But I digress. For those of you who are actually going to be in the Bluegrass State for this Saturday’s Derby race, here are some of my recommendations for where to shop, eat and sleep in Louisville.

• Sustain (Vogue Shopping Center, 3724 Frankfort Ave.) This boutique sells eco-friendly, sustainable and chemical-free products for you and your kids, pets and home. I have my eye on the phthalate-, BPA- and lead-free Laptop Lunch Bento Box.

• The Green Building (732 E. Market St.) The owners of this mixed-use building, a 110-year-old former dry goods store, are striving for LEED platinum certification. Housed within is 732 Social, a cafe from brothers Steven and Michael Ton who also own the James Beard Foundation Award-nominated Basa in Louisville. There’s also art gallery space, which is currently hosting work from Brooklyn’s Steve Keene.

• Cherry Bomb (960 Baxter Ave.) A cute vintage clothing store that also carries some private-label apparel.

• Ear X-tacy (1534 Bardstown Road) Awesome independent music store with tons of just about every musical genre you can think of. It has vinyl, too, of course. And music-related apparel upstairs. Ear X-tacy is great because the store really supports local independent music.

• Irish Rover (2319 Frankfort Ave.) Great Irish restaurant and pub with a welcoming, laid-back feel. Unlike some Irish pubs that serve food (Tom Bergin’s, I love you, but your food isn’t the best), the food at the Rover is excellent. And the owner, Michael Reidy, is actually from Ireland, so you’ll get some brogue with your Guinness.

• Jack Fry’s (1007 Bardstown Road) Best fish I’ve ever had, hands down. No joke. I cleaned my plate, and I rarely do that. I hear the lamb chops are great, too, though I don’t like lamb much.

• Seelbach Hilton (500 S. 4th St.) This four-diamond, four-star hotel (yes, such a place exists here) is the epitome of Southern opulence, with gold all over the lobby and public areas. The hotel even had a part in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” though it was called Muhlbach in the book.

For those of you staying in Los Angeles, here are some places that are marking the occasion. Go and enjoy the bourbon.

• South Santa Monica (3001 Wilshire Blvd.) The Southern-themed restaurant and bar is serving a special brunch and drink menu on Derby Day. The bar will be giving out prizes for the best dressed man and woman (ladies, plan on wearing your biggest, loudest, most flower-laden hat). And if you pick the trifecta, you’ll get $15 off your tab. From Caroline on Crack.

• Comme Ca (8479 Melrose Ave.) Why is a French brasserie serving $5 mint juleps all weekend? Because they’re delicious, that’s why.