Endless gourmet food trucks, trendy hipsters, and all the charm that is Abbott Kinney Boulevard—what’s not to love? These are just a few highlights of what you might find if you venture to Venice on the first Friday of every month. While “First Fridays” is a far cry from Westwood, there’s much to be said for the growing popularity of this monthly event. If anything, at least it’s a change of scenery from the college-ridden streets of Broxton and Weyburn. Should you decide to give First Fridays a try in November, here’s a few things you should definitely check out:
Food Trucks:
This is a given! There are so many trucks, each offering their own unique cuisine, (from Korean Mexican tacos to deep fried churro bites) that it can be quite tough to decide where to chow down for the evening. A crowd favorite (and my personal pick of the night as well) was definitely the cheesy mac n’ rib sandwich from none other than The Grilled Cheese Truck. This truck also offers other delicious menu items superior to the usual cheddar grilled cheese, including goat cheese and brie melts.
Samplings:
If you’re having trouble deciding where to eat, many of the food trucks and vendors do offer free samples to those strolling by. One sampling for your next visit however is a must-try—the chocolate sampler at a local Venice joint called Choco-Vivo. Even though it’ll cost you three dollars, it is worth every penny! Samplers include three chocolate varieties of your choice, and each one will pretty much blow your mind. Words cannot describe how rich and flavorful their chocolate is, so you must try it for yourself. An added bonus: Choco-Vivo makes chocolate in its purest form, so it is soy and dairy free!
Vendors:
From handmade jewelry to psychics waiting to tell your fortune, you’re sure to find something unique from the street vendors lining Abbott Kinney. In addition to these, there’s also the usual mix of stores and boutiques that are open late for the First Fridays crowds.
For more information on First Fridays in Venice, visit http://www.abbotkinney1stfridays.com. You can also check out their Facebook page, as well as Yelp for any food truck reviews.
http://mylalifestyle.com/2011/05/options-in-la-la-land.html
http://thewinecountry.blogspot.com/2011/02/grilled-cheese-truck.html
http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/2012/07/abbot-kinney-first-friday…