Photo by Justin Leonard / CC BY
Okay, here’s the scenario. You’ve forgotten to plan date night. You want to have a romantic evening at home in Los Angeles. You live/work in West L.A. and you need to put something together FAST. In this article you will get detailed instructions on how to put it all together in no time at all. We’ve crunched the numbers and done all the legwork for you. Here is our recipe for an unforgettable night in, executed in about 1.5 hours and at a cost of about $100.
In this article we give you everything you need, specific things to buy, maps, directions and timings.
So here were the ground rules for our fast and dirty date night.
- As little driving as possible
- Keep the spend around $100
- Execute as quickly as possible
- Keep your thinking down to a minimum while seeming extremely thoughtful
Costs
- Oysters on the half shell X 2 – $6
- Smokey Fried Chicken – $13
- Short Rib Pot Roast – $15
- Sees Chocolates – 2 pieces – $2
- Bottle of Wine $19
- Lingerie – $40
- Papyrus Card – $6
- Candles X 3 – $12
- Video Rental – $5
Romantic Evening At Home in Los Angeles
Before You Head Out …
1. Order your food from Plan Check
You should hit plan check about 40 minutes after you arrive at West Side Pavilion, assuming light traffic.
- Know or get the following from your significant other:
- Their measurements for lingerie or yours depending on whether you are a man or woman
- Their food allergies. Remember, you may get something with nuts (chocolate)/shellfish (app at Plan Check)
Hitting The Road …
Location 1
Westside Pavilion
10800 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Stores: Papyrus, Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body works, See’s Candy
What you’re buying: Card, Lace Halter Baby Doll, 3 Mini Candles, 4 Chocolates
Time:45 minutes
We recommend you park in the lot on Overland Boulevard. Park on the top floor, it’s the fastest way into and out of the lot.
Get on the escalators and head to the first floor. Papyrus and Victoria Secret are across from each other near the center of the mal. Head to Papyrus first and pick out a card. They carry a bunch of 3D cards that unique to their store. Don’t waste a lot of time thinking about it. Pick fast and get moving.
Head to Victoria’s Secret, which is to your right and across the hall as you walk out of Papyrus.
Once at Victoria’s Secret, find someone to assist. Tell them you want a Lace Halter Baby Doll, provide the measurements and ask for the gift wrapping service. If you are a female, DON’T browse the store, we know it’s tempting, but you’re on a clock! We recommend wrapping either way, since your partner will dig opening it whether they are male or female. While the employee is wrapping the gift, spend a minute writing in the card you just purchased in Papyrus.
Take your items and swing a right out the doors.
Stop at Bath and Body works and pick up 3 mini candles for $12, we like Endless Weekend candle with vanilla and coconut. Don’t go for a single big candle, as these won’t light the room as well!
Head out the door and right toward the escalators at the far end of the mall. Head to the second floor and look to your left, there you will see See’s Chocolates. Ask for a free sample (you can eat or keep for your box). Buy 4 chocolates keeping in mind the allergies mentioned earlier.
Hit the escalators and head to the 3rd floor. You will need to walk past the food court and there you will find the escalator to the parking floor (top level).
Pay for your parking before heading to your car and exit going left on Overland, swing a left on Pico. Take a right on Westwood, head up a few blocks and park in the Wally’s lot on your left side.
Location 2
Wally’s Wine and Spirits
2107 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 475-0606
What you’re buying: Bottle of Wine
Time:15 minutes
Pickup your wine, grab something red and under $20. We say red only because it will pair with chocolate better and doesn’t need refrigeration.
Jump back into the car swing a right on Westwood, head back toward Olympic and then swing a right on Olympic. Go under the 405, take a right on Sawtelle and head to Plan Check. There is parking on Nebraska and meters across the street or you can pay $3.50 for the valet, your call.
Location 3
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar
1800 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 444-1411
What you’re buying:
Oysters on the half shell X 2 – $6
Smokey Fried Chicken – $13
Short Rib Pot Roast – $15
Time:10 minutes
Leave Plan Check and keep heading up Sawtelle. Right before you arrive at the video store, swing a left on Idaho and park in the public lot on the left hand side. Walk to Cinephile.
Location 4
Cinephile Video
11280 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 312-8836
What you’re buying: Video Rental
Time:15 minutes
Ask the clerk at the store to provide you with a movie that’s hard to find and romantic. They know their movies and will not disappoint. You will look like the hero.
So that’s it, dinner, a movie, some lingerie, desert and romance. You have planned a romantic evening at home in Los Angeles with help from your friends at Ride Of Her Life. All in less than 2 hours and with as little effort on your part as possible on your part!