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Unfiltered Dassai 50 sake. Available only in the United States.

I love finding great hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and Sushi Central at the corner Palms Boulevard and Overland Avenue is just that: an under-the-radar sushi joint that serves good quality fish in a no-nonsense environment.

When I was invited by a sake sommelier Yuji Matsumoto to a sushi and sake pairing at a Palms sushi restaurant, I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially because I’m not normally a big fan of sake. But what we diners got was an epic meal with seven dishes and four sakes — a delicious and enlightening experience that has made me now like and appreciate sake.

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Eastside favorite LAMill just announced the addition of beer, wine and sake to its menu, including two new drinks. The Tea Champagne drink is made with Imperial Palace Brut Blanc de Blancs and LAMill’s Organic White Pomegranate or Holiday in the Cup tea. The Black & Black is half Old Rasputin Imperial Russian Stout and half iced organic LAMill house coffee. That one sounds way too heavy for my palate, but if you try it, let us know what you thought of it! Expect a variety of wines, sparkling wines, beers (especially the Japanese kind) and sakes.

• Rush Street’s Christmas in August: On Friday (that’s today!) and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15, the restaurant that is a little bit of Chicago in Culver City is holding a Christmas celebration. Why? They say it’s an homage to a summer camp tradition, but I wouldn’t know anything about that since I’ve never been to summer camp. Sounds like the restaurant is trying to capitalize on recession spenders’ nostalgia, eh? Anyhoo, expect nights full of holiday food and cheer, including Christmas tree decorating and Santa on Friday, and a white elephant gift exchange on Saturday. Dinner will feature holiday favorites such as maple-roasted turkey breast with cider gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing and glazed brussels sprouts. Friday night’s festivities start at 5:00 p.m., and Saturday’s start at 7:00 p.m. Drink specials on Saturday, too.

• L.A. Sake Festival: With a karaoke room, how can a sake event be bad? On Sunday, Aug. 16, taste from more than 100 sakes, including some in cocktail form, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There’s also an introduction to sake class from a pro so you’ll understand what you’re tasting. Or just chug and sing, whatever.  Entrance fee is $50.

• Gnosh Pit at Verdugo Bar: This is where I’ll be Sunday, Aug. 16. The Glassell Park bar will be home to the vegan culinary stylings of Hot Knives, two former line cooks and current food bloggers who will be serving up “pulled pork” sandwiches, curry seitan bahn mi, homemade potato chips, cole slaw, and beer — yes, beer — popsicles. Get the food for about $4 each from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. [Full disclosure: Evan George, one-half of Hot Knives, is a former colleague of mine. No, we didn’t work at a restaurant together; we worked at a newspaper. Nuts, I know. So go to this event and support local journalism at the same time supporting local eats!]

Ari Soffer, outfitter of leather and studs to the rock n’ roll crowd, has opened a flagship store for his line, Soffer Ari, on Robertson Boulevard (that’s South Robertson, by the way – with all the vacancies on that stretch of the street, he must have gotten a good deal on rent). The store, which held an opening party last week, features Soffer’s intricate leatherwear, innovative belt buckles and edgy jewelry, among other items.

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