The Stir Fry: Weekly Dining News and Deals
Ice Cream, Truffles, Tequila, Sake We're Celebrating It All This Week.

Hump Day Happy Hour at Taste on Melrose
Get a little happy on Wednesdays with this new all-day happy hour special from one of West Hollywood's swinging-est bistros. You don't even have to eat, just have a liquid dinner (or lunch), and make the most out of mid-week.
8454 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90048, (323) 852-6888

Late Happy Hour at Le Merigot
The reason bars and restaurants can offer such unbelievable deals for happy hour is that no one with a decent job can get out of work to take advantage of them by 5pm. That's why Le Troquet Terrace at Le Merigot Hotel in Santa Monica is starting a new happy hour from 8-10pm on Monday-Friday. Appetizers and small plates are 30% off, and well drinks are half-price. So before you rush out of the office to meet your friends for drinks, take your time, file that last folder, and clean yourself up a little. There's no hurry.
1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401, (310) 395-1700

Ice Cream Sliders at Reservoir
We're told that in addition to holding Tequila Day (see below), July is Ice Cream Month. Man, we looooooove July! So chef Gloria Felix has created a special new dessert item at her new restaurant, Reservoir, in Silver Lake. From now till the end of summer, you can enjoy $8 ice cream sliders for dessert. Felix uses homemade ice cream to fill sweet Hawaiian buns with a side of crispy puff pastry fries and accompanied by sweet dipping sauces like white chocolate and strawberry puree. We'll slide on over there for some of
National Tequila Day
that.
1700 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026, (323) 662-8655

National Tequila Day Friday, Olé!
This Friday is National Tequila Day in the U.S., not Mexico. Apparently Hallmark will do anything to sell a few cards, or shots as the case may be. Whatever the reason, you can go out and celebrate in style at any number of fine dining establishments, but the most intriguing fiesta will be at Copa d'Oro, where they'll be serving up specialty drinks like a "Rhode Island Red" with Partido Blanco tequila, Chambord, agave nectar, fresh lemon juice, ginger beer, raspberry, and orange bitters. Hopefully this will turn into tequila month before long.
217 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401, (310) 576-3030

La Cena Al Contrario at Piccolo, July 29
In case your high school Italian is a bit rusty, this is a "backwards" dinner from Piccolo in Venice, and the theme this month is: truffles. That means you pick your wine first, and the kitchen will tailor your food to your choice. You just have to choose 3 (for $70) or 5 ($110) wines from the wine list, and then enjoy the results chef Roberto Ivan comes up with.
5 Dudley Ave., Venice, CA 90291, (310) 314-3222

Sake "Aftertaste" at Katana, August 5
Perfect your sake sniffer with 37 different sakes from all over Japan on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 6-8pm at this spot with one of the best views on Sunset Boulevard. You'll get to try gold and silver award-winning sakes and enjoy a number of Katana's appetizers as well. By the end, you might just be able to choose your own taste from Sake Sommelier Eiji Mori's 50-sake-strong menu.
8439 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, (323) 650-8585