Eat In. Potato tacos.

Some of my favorite tacos in town are made with potatoes. El Carmen makes really delicious ones with a slice of avocado and salsa on top. Lotería's are great too. I've even seen potato tacos pop up at the Whole Foods hot food bar recently. I thought it was time I tried to make them at home.

At Gelson's I found some homemade-style corn tortillas which are chewy, like the ones I love at Poquito Más and The Spanish Kitchen. I boiled and mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, and added ripe avocado slices and a little spicy salsa. Pretty good!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Drink Out. Bar Lubitsch.

Bar Lubitsch is a Russian-themed bar in West Hollywood. I'd been a couple years ago and didn't find it that special, but returned this past weekend for a friend's birthday, and appreciated it much more this time 'round.

The Soviet Russia propaganda decor mixed with roomy booths and lots of deep reds makes one want to try the bar's many vodkas. A refreshing specialty cocktail featured on the chalkboard menu is a Moscow Mule, made with Russian Standard Vodka. They serve it in a tin mug, and it's adorned with a slice of candied ginger.

The bar is owned by the same Los Angeles group as Swingers, El Carmen, and Jones. It's actually quite a lot like El Carmen, just a Russian vodka bar rather than a Mexican tequila bar. The "red room" in the back is an added bonus, though. On Saturday night it was jam-packed with people dancing. There's a smaller bar back there, and I believe it can be rented for private parties (I've been to a play there).

Info: committedinc.com, (323) 654-1234

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: mediabistro.com

Do It. Cinco de Mayo options.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today being May 5, a celebration of Mexican victory over French invasion in 1862, probably means you're wondering where you're going to get a margarita tonight (or before tonight).

Y'all know my favorite margarita in L.A. is at El Carmen.

Silver Lake's Malo has some Cinco de Mayo specials (especials?), including a $25 gourmet margarita pitcher named "The Battle of Puebla" ironically rimmed with French sea salt. Santa Monica's Border Grill has $5 drinks and $3 tacos from 11:30 a.m. till 10:00 p.m. today.

If you feel like staying in this Wednesday night, but still want to celebrate the holiday a bit, make your own martini-style margarita!

Whatever you do, have fun, and be safe. I'm sure there will be a DUI checkpoint or two set up around town this evening.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: yumsugar