LA Weekend Events November 15 to 19: Great Walk on Melrose, Chocolate Festival, 1886’s Birthday Blowout

— by Caroline on Crack

So many LA weekend events, so little time. OR can you do it all? Wondering what shape I’ll be in at the 1886 party after walking 17 miles across L.A. for the Great LA Walk. Anyone game to try?

Thursday, November 15

First 3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale Ever
For the first time, Phillip Lim‘s designer wear can be gotten on the cheap. The designer’s first sample sale starts today!  Score discounts off his chic, elegant women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes. All below retail prices. Proceeds will go to benefit the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts.

  • Thursday 12-6pm, Friday 9am-4pm. Cooper Building, 860 S Los Angeles Street, 11th floor, Downtown (map).

Saturday, November 17

The Great Los Angeles Walk 2012
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this annual 17-mile crosstown hike is a great way to appreciate L.A. As Angelenos we drive through our city not really getting to see it up close. Can’t see much from a car window. But this hike puts you on the sidewalk of those streets and boulevards that span through many neighborhoods. This year’s hike will take several hundred urban hikers down Temple, Virgil, Melrose and Santa Monica starting at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and ending in Santa Monica.

  • 9am. Free. Front steps of Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 South Grand Avenue, Downtown (map).

The Chocolate Invitational
The Malibu hills will be filled with the scent of chocolate at this new food event which showcases chocolate-friendly food and wine pairings, truffle-making classes and chocolate-inspired art. A golden ticket, OK maybe it’s not really golden, will get you 18 tastings while an additional $10 gets you access to the after-party where you can dance off your sugar blues thanks to the DJs.

  • 11:30am to 10pm. Tickets: $27. Great Spirits Ranch, Mulholland Highway, Malibu (map).

1886 Bar’s 2nd Anniversary Party
You may think that an L.A. bar celebrating its second anniversary isn’t a big deal but when it’s a bar that’s turned Pasadena into a cocktail destination, well that’s cause for a party fer damn sure. And at this special event, guests will be sipping on wines, craft beer and crafted cocktails, like new fall drink The American with Kolsch beer, bourbon, lime cordial and lime juice. And for nosh, Executive Chef Tim Guiltinan and Pastry Chef Jeffrey Haines have prepared some special small plates and sweets.

  • 8pm. Tickets: $86 online ($100 door). 1886 Bar at The Raymond, 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena (map).

Sunday, November 18

Mo-chica Debuts Brunch With Free Bellinis
Downtown restaurant Mo-chica keeps putting out the hits. This time it’s a new brunch menu that starts this weekend which will offer brunchie staples made the Zarate way. Think Eggs Benedict with rocoto hollandaise, asparagus and bacon or salmon. There are also creations like the Pan con Pollo with shredded chicken, grilled ciabatta bread, aji amarillo aioli and sweet potato fries. For day drinking options, there’s the Peruvian Bloody Mary with Pisco. And this Sunday guests will each get to start things off with a freebie Bellini. ****

  • 10:30am-2:30pm. Mo-chica, 514 W 7th Street, Downtown (map). Reservations: (213) 622-3744.