LYST 102

Gingerbread Bake Sale, A Watch With A Wink, Does John Waters Hate You?, Desert Dandy and more.

GINGERBREAD BAKE SALE

LA’s gingerbread scene is cooking with the inaugural LA Gingerbread House Gallery and Bake Sale hosted by Eastside baking personality Ben Mims, a chance to see and buy creative gingerbreads for a good cause. This one-day event on December 11 (today!) from 5 to 9 pm supports LA Family Housing and brings together bakers offering everything from classic gingerbread cookies to citrus loaves and beautifully iced holiday cakes. Several of the gingerbread houses will draw inspiration from LA architectural landmarks, a fun way to see the city in sugar form. If you want to go deeper into the craft, Discovery Cube in LA or Orange County is showcasing more than 200 gingerbread houses this weekend as part of the largest competition in the state. Sweet!

DESERT DANDY

Any day now, Beaton’s will open its doors. This new intimate lounge sits right next to Bar Cecil, which remains the hardest reservation in Palm Springs. I already know my January won’t be a dry one because I am determined to get a table at either spot. Bar Cecil is a 75-seat restaurant inspired by Sir Cecil Beaton, the late British photographer and designer, and it leans fully into the glamour. The walls hold pieces from the owners’ private art collection, from Calder to Hirst to Warhol, and the martinis arrive ice cold. Feeling flush? You can order the supersized fifty-dollar version under the “Why Not?” section of the menu. The burger has a branded bun and a loyal fan base. I’ve also been told to check out the bathroom for any faux cocaine mirrors that haven’t yet wandered off and to catch the French music playing through vintage radios. With the opening of Beaton’s, there might finally be a little more room to slide into a table or at least claim a spot at the bar for some Palm Springs style served neat.