ShopEatSleep

Still looking for something to do (or someplace to eat) this July 4 weekend? I’ll be in the Sacramento area for my best friend’s wedding (woo hoo! maid of honor time!), but here are some options for those of you sticking around in L.A.:

• Rush Street: Visit Chicago via Culver City this Independence Day weekend and partake in food and drink specials. Friday has $5 Jack Daniel’s drinks (from 10:00 p.m. to close); Saturday has specials on all domestic beers and hot dogs, lamb lollipops and spicy glazed ribs (all day!); and Sunday has $6 mojitos (from 9:00 p.m. to close).

• Le Merigot Hotel: In the courtyard of this JW Marriott in Santa Monica you’ll find upscale BBQ food, i.e., organic fingerling potato salad, kobe beef hot dogs, sweet white corn on the cob with ancho chili lime butter, etc., on July 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost is $35 for adults, $17.50 for kids 12 and under.

• The Resort at Pelican Hill: For a fancy way to celebrate our country’s birth, hit up Pelican Hill in Newport Beach. For $250 (yeah, I know) you can get a round of golf, either breakfast or lunch, and a $25 gift certificate for the resort’s golf shop. Fancy, indeed.

Haven’t figured out what to get Mom for Mother’s Day? If you’re anything like me, you’re probably still scrambling for plans (mostly because my mom is ridiculously hard to please – and she’ll attest to that). Try taking her to some of these  eateries:

• Robata-Ya: Mom eats for free from the Sawtelle yakitori’s combo menu, AND she gets a free drink. Recommended for poor and cheapskate kids.

• Ortolan: Brunch will be extended from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. this Sunday. Treat Mom to the Michelin-rated resto’s scrambled eggs and caviar or lobster spaghetti. Recommended for those with more dough to spend.

• The Resort at Pelican Hill: The newish Newport Beach hotel will offer four dining experiences: one a traditional brunch in the ballroom, and three prix-fixe menus in other areas of the resort, including the Coliseum pool. Recommended for people with hard-to-please moms who live in the O.C. (me!).