Right on the border of Mar Vista and Culver City is a collection of date spots that are easy to string together. Begin the evening with an authentic Italian dinner at a small wine bar, and then head to a bowling alley down the street. End the night with some of LA’s finest ice cream.
Try authentic Italian home recipes at Sara the Wine Bar
📍 3936 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
Forget the tablecloth-clad formality of most Italian restaurants. Sara The Wine Bar is your cool aunt’s living room after she spent a year backpacking through Tuscany. Exposed brick walls and mismatched furniture create a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the air thrums with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Serving up a curated list of Italian wines alongside small plates of family recipes, it’s a spot that attracts aficionados and casual sippers alike, all united in their appreciation for a good glass of wine and a taste of la dolce vita.
Know Before You Go
✔ Get the meatballs, thank me later.
✔ Order a few menu items to split, there are so many great options to choose from.
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Grab a lane at Bowlero
📍 12125 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066
Bowling alleys: usually the land of questionable fashion choices, questionable nachos, and shoes that mysteriously stick to the floor. Bowlero Mar Vista throws a strike at those tired stereotypes. By the end of the night, you’ll be laughing so hard your cheeks hurt, and you might even have a newfound appreciation for your bowling skills (or lack thereof).
Know Before You Go
✔ Reserve a lane before you go to guarantee a spot.
✔ They usually have great deals available on Groupon.
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Indulge at Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams
📍 12550 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Forget the sterile, brightly lit efficiency of chain ice cream shops. Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams is Willy Wonka’s fever dream, minus the questionable chocolate river and boat tours. The air is filled with the intoxicating aroma of freshly made waffle cones, and local ingredients are featured in artfully crafted ice cream & house sauces (they actually make the ice cream right in the store). It’s easy to see why many crown Ginger’s as the best ice cream in the city.
Know Before You Go
✔ You can sample two flavors, which they give you on silver spoons.
✔ Vegan options are available.
Noise Level
Reservation Difficulty
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