the BEAT of the week: Short Order.

Now, I have yet to try out Short Order, the new restaurant from L.A.'s beloved Amy Pressman and Nancy Silverton, since it only just opened a week and a half ago, but I guess that's not really excuse.

Because still, it's surely one to recommend. It's been 30 years in the making for Pressman and Silverton, both of whom once worked at Spago, and the latter moved on to help build Mozza. Short Order also boasts a cocktail menu created by the award-winning mixologist Julian Cox.

So expect some big lines as you wait outside the Original Farmers' Market on Third Street. Once you get in, though, be prepared for some delicious burgers, corndogs, melts, salads and custard shakes -- all artisanal and handmade. What more can you ask for?

If you make it in sometime soon, report back! I'll be in line.

Short Order is located at the Original Farmers Market at 6333 W. Third St. in Mid-City.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Short Order

Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

My six-year-old linen Pottery Barn duvet cover finally got so worn/thin it tore, so I'm in the market for a new one. Ever since spotting it in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, I've loved the idea of the one from The Bowery Hotel (above) at home.

Speaking of The Bowery, my take on a pasta dish from their restaurant, Gemma.

And more food talk -- what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers.

If you're looking for something gripping to read -- Joan Didion's Blue Nights.

Two films to see this weekend -- A Dangerous Method, and The Artist.

Confession: I tried a chia seed Kombucha (I was so excited to see a grape flavor on the shelf, even the abundance of seeds didn't stop me!) today and was NOT into it. Recommendation: stick with the original.

Bazaar magazine Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey will be at Book Soup on Sunday afternoon (4:00 p.m.) discussing and signing Harper's Bazaar: Greatest Hits.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: concierge.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, readers! Whether you're volunteering, cooking a feast at home, eating out (in Palm Springs, maybe!?), or taking it easy on the couch and watching Thanksgiving movies, enjoy!

Check back tomorrow for our picks of the week, from Los Angeles and beyond.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: alfredhitchcockgeek.com

the BEAT of the week: Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities.

This Thursday, many of us get to celebrate all for which we are thankful with a beautiful, gut-busting meal. But as we all know, there are people out there who aren't as lucky. Take some time out this week to consider the little things you can do to make a big difference in others' lives.

Echo Park Now has a great round-up of local volunteer options for the holiday. There's the Echo's Gobble Gobble Give, where you can bring in a food dish, toiletries and blankets and clothing on Thanksgiving Day. A Place Called Home is taking pie donations. The L.A. Regional Food Bank needs help with food sorting.

It can take a couple hours but will be well worth it in the end. If you've got some time, you can lend it. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, and don't forget it's the season of giving.

-- Chau Tu

Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

I didn't have much interest in seeing The Descendants based on the trailer, but after reading and hearing lots of good things (it's a New York Times Critics' Pick), we caught it this afternoon, and I highly recommend it.

Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Order delicious pie(s) from Susina Bakery.

A simple Thanksgiving side dish, Green Beans with Lemon and Brown Butter, a Tori Ritchie Tuesday Recipe.

The Kardashians (Kourtney and Khloé anyway) will be at the Grove's Barnes & Noble tomorrow night for a signing of their new book, Dollhouse.

Latest great Target / designer collaboration: Harajuku Mini by Gwen Stefani. I just wish this dress came in my size!

Clarins and FEED Projects sets at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's (great gift ideas).

Demi Moore's divorce statement. I hope she keeps the house.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: impawards.com

the BEAT of the week: IAMSOUND at the Ace Hotel.

So it's fall. That doesn't mean you're not in need of a vacation. How about a little mini-trip to the desert?

This weekend before Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse for an escape. And hey, there's actually something going on in that desert land of Palm Springs this weekend beyond the bingo games. Local record label IAMSOUND is hosting a showcase at the always-hip Ace Hotel this Saturday and Sunday, urging everyone to come poolside and enjoy some good tunes. In the lineup is one of my favorite new up-and-coming bands, Electric Guest (the frontman is Jorma Taccone's brother!), as well as Sean Bones and Fidlar. And there'll be some DJing, too, of course, with maybe some surprises?

Best part: the showcase with the bands is free for everyone, and the daytime DJ sounds by the pool come with a $16 swim pass. So all you've got to do is get yourself to the desert! As if you needed any more prodding.

The IAMSOUND Showcase takes place this Saturday and Sunday at the Ace Hotel, located at 701 E. Palm Canyon Dr. in Palm Springs.

-- Chau Tu

Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

This weekend in Las Vegas, part-time Hancock Park resident and World Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao (above, training with Freddie Roach at Hollywood's Wild Card Boxing Gym) will fight Juan Manuel Márquez III. My money's on "PacMan".

As the holidays approach, a great card shop (locations include Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Thousand Oaks).

J. Crew has some really fun bright colors (including vibrant flame and vintage violet)!

HBO's "Enlightened", so good--hilarious, with heart.

Immortals and J. Edgar at the theater this weekend.

Beautiful dark nail polish from NARS' Holiday 2011 collection.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: fighthubtv.com

the BEAT of the week: Hedi Slimane's "California Song" at MOCA.

To put it modestly, Hedi Slimane is one of the most well-respected and most admired names in the fashion industry. He's helped build the modern fashion houses of Yves Saint Laurent and Dior Homme, and quite singlehandedly created what is the slim silhouette so common nowadays in menswear. But Slimane hasn't stopped there: he also designs album covers (Daft Punk), and writes and photographs (Vanity Fair).

His striking photography is getting its first proper West Coast show beginning this week, with the "California Song" exhibit at the MOCA Pacific Design Center. Divided into two parts, the installation will include a photo diary focused on California artists, musicians and youth culture, as well as a section with sonic, motion-photography. Select California bands, including L.A.'s own No Age and Ariel Pink, are also contributing music for the exhibition. Those two bands are slated to perform in the opening for the show on Nov. 11.

If you're familiar with any of Slimane's work, you already know that this exhibit will be beautiful and moving and distinct -- stark yet classy. You can take a peek at Slimane's photography here, in the meantime, but being able to see the work up close and personal will definitely be an experience of its own.

Hedi Slimane's "California Song" will be showing Nov. 12-Jan. 22, 2012 at the MOCA Pacific Design Center, located at in West Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

Joan Didion's latest book, a memoir (not her favorite word), Blue Nights, is out this week. On Wednesday November 16, she'll be in conversation with The Los Angeles Times' David Ulin at the Los Angeles Public Library.

Tower Heist looks so good! Director Brett Ratner will be at the ArcLight Hollywood on Friday November 4 for a Q&A following the 7:15 p.m. screening.

Meet Marky Ramone (and sample his marinara sauce!) at Whole Foods this weekend--in Venice on Saturday and in Westwood Sunday.

My favorite hair ties (made in Malibu)

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: Knopf

the BEAT of the week: AFI Fest.

Los Angeles' longest running international film festival returns this week, and the lineup of films is, as usual, quite spectacular. Look out for screenings of highly anticipated movies like The Artist, Shame, Into the Abyss, Melancholia and Butter, alongside acclaimed shorts and foreign films. Tickets may be a bit hard to come by for a lot of the popular films, but ticket packages -- like $100 for access to all Special Screenings -- are still available and can be a good deal.

Stay tuned to the website for more details.

AFI Fest takes place Nov. 3-10 at various locations around the city.

***

And speaking of a film screening at AFI Fest this week -- Roman Polanski's Carnage -- the two lead actors, John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz, are set to appear at LACMA this week. The intimate event is sure to bring some new insight into how they work and how they create the amazing performances they've become known for (Waltz is a Oscar winner, Reilly was Oscar-nominated) -- plus, considering Reilly's comedic background and Waltz's deadpan humor, there will probably be some good laughs too. They'll be interviewed by New York Times writer-at-large Charles McGrath.

A Conversation with John C. Reilly and Christoph Waltz takes place this Saturday, Nov. 5 at 3pm at LACMA, located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. in Mid-City. Tickets are $25 and available here.

-- Chau Tu