Celeb-Rated: Tara Mack
By Joshua Hinsdale, City Editor
Tara Mack dishes dating advice to men while putting them through the rigors of dating as the witty and attractive host of Playboy Radio's improv-centric dating game show "Play Date" on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 198.
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Red Pearl Kitchen
6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
"My favorite restaurant, hands down. Red Pearl's Chinese fusion food never disappoints, the drinks are creative and phenomenal (you have to try the Jade Mistress), and the atmosphere is fun and lively but you can still see and hear each other. I held the 'Play Date' Holiday Party here." -
Casa Vega
13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA
"I was introduced to Casa Vega before I moved to L.A., met my best L.A. friends here, and continue to meet them here. Casa Vega's open, friendly atmosphere is conducive to meeting new people. The margaritas are simply the best you'll ever taste in your life--and while tequila tends to put me in a headlock and leave me begging for mercy, I have never had a hangover following a Casa Vega experience. I've also never had a bad time at Casa Vega." -
Mixville
2838 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles, CA
"They serve the best mojitos I've ever tasted and you always know you'll have a good time. I've held and been to several birthday parties here. There's one of those photo booths in the back where you can take obnoxious pictures with your friends once you're loaded. It's also a fun, historical Hollywood place to go to if you're visiting. The building was a fire station in the 1920s and was located adjacent to where Hollywood cowboy Tom Mix built his studio." -
Citizen Smith
1600 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
"The food is good, the drinks are fantastic, the bartenders are fun and full of attitude, and it's a great hookup spot." -
The Hollywood Sign Hike
Mount Lee in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA
"Once you get on top of a mountainous area at night, it feels like you're on top of the world and is the perfect place for a first kiss. It also feels a little dangerous because I think it's illegal. Almost getting arrested while sneaking up to the Hollywood sign in the middle of the night just to get a kiss--BEST DATE EVER!" -
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
6922 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
"This is not news to people in L.A. but if you're from out of town, it's a must stop. The Coffee Bean has the best ice blended coffees anywhere. Try The Ultimate Vanilla or the Caramel Ice Blended." -
The Ivy
113 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
"Totally overpriced but the Ivy Gimlets are delicious. Also, if you're into celebrity watching, there's usually a few in here. Waiting in line for the one-toilet bathroom gives great opportunity for conversation with people of the opposite sex waiting for their one-toilet bathroom. Owen Wilson hit on me at The Ivy. Of course, Owen Wilson hits on everyone so I wasn't that flattered." -
Magic Castle - Academy of Magical Arts
7001 Franklin Ave, Hollywood, CA
"The brilliance of The Magic Castle is you can't get in unless you know a member who has to call you in. It's not that easy to find someone who is a member. Once you get in, though, it's an experience like you've never had before. Password access where a wall opens up to gain access to the club, winding staircases, secret rooms, W.C. Fields pool table room, plus magic shows in various rooms all mean great fun. The food is good, too!" -
Nobu Malibu
3835 Cross Creek Rd Ste 18A, Malibu, CA
"Everything I ate was great. I wasn't crazy about the drinks but the food was astonishingly delicious and worth the price. Plus, Sam Elliott was sitting next to us and if he doesn't make dinner a little more spectacular, then what does? Kind of weird though because the restaurant is in a strip mall." -
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
"Drink close to the water with your feet in the sand. It's also a popular place for couples with kids who can eat in the restaurant and then head out to the private beach." -
ArcLight Hollywood
6360 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA
"Simply the best movie theater anywhere. At the Arclight, you reserve your seat; the chairs are high, roomy, and comfy; there's never a head blocking your view; and a bad view doesn't exist. An onsite restaurant allows you to eat and drink before the show, and the waiter keeps an eye on the clock for you. Great gift shop, too."
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Playboy Club
4321 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV
"Hi. I work at Playboy. But seriously, you get to feel like Sinatra with all the bunnies dealing your cards." -
Loveless Cafe
8400 Highway 100, Nashville, TN
"I'd always heard about the Loveless Café when I lived in Nashville but it's a bit of a drive so I never went there. A friend of mine came into town as I was literally moving out of town and we met there. I couldn't believe I had squandered my time in Nashville without the Loveless Café. It's the best southern cooking in the history of southern cooking." -
Fantasy Inn & Wedding Chapel
3696 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
"If you're on a romantic getaway, you have to stay at The Fantasy Inn. The theme room idea is a little cheesy in concept but The Fantasy Inn pulls it off. The showers are super-cool. Plus, the rooms have all the sexy and romantic accoutrements beyond what you can imagine but done in a classy-not-creepy way. You will never forget your stay here." -
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA
"Theme rooms are always fun but some of them can be sexy as well. I always stay here when I'm in the area, but the rooms with waterfall showers are always booked by the time my procrastinating self makes reservations. Either way, your girlfriend will appreciate the creativity if you book a night here."
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Ragged Point Inn
19019 Hwy 1, Ragged Pt, CA
"Literally in the middle of nowhere, you can stay here after visiting Hearst Castle. It's breathtakingly beautiful, the grounds reek of seclusion and romance, the food in the onsite restaurant is delicious, and you can hike down to a little cove where the most beautiful and unusual rocks wash ashore." -
Monterey Bay Lodge
55 Camino Aguajito, Monterey, CA
"Every time I stay in Monterey, I stay here. The Monterey Bay Lodge is this off-the-beaten-path place close to Fisherman's Wharf (but not too close). If you have kids, the Monterey Bay Lodge has to be the ultimate place to stay with a small side room with bunk beds and free video games, plus it's directly across from the Dennis the Menace Park, one of the most unusual playgrounds for children with a real steam engine." -
iO Theater
3541 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
"I received incomparable improv training at the legendary Second City in Chicago. However, I was blown away when I went to see an Improv Olympic show and saw the brilliance that is 'The Harold.' I was completely inspired. I’ve never been the same."
