Timeline
Sip on a Matcha
Cause it’s good for the knees
Koala Matcha
10:30 am
Learn to Lawn Bowl
cause it’s a true game of finess
SM Lawn Bowls Club
11:00 am
Brunch like a Boss
cause real bowlers brunch hard
Fia
1:00 pm
Details
The Santa Monica Lawnbowling Club has been operating since 1947.
One rule here: do not mix lawnbowling with the B word (bocce). Brain Studwell, the club teacher, takes his bowls very seriously…in a fun kinda way.
Stop One
Get yourself
to Koala Matcha
Stop one — 10:30AM-10:50AM
PRE-BOWL MATCHA AND COLLAGEN FIX
Koala Matcha
The mornings marine layer softly hangs over Santa Monica’s Douglas Park. Your typical Sunday morning crowd walks with their family or kids to breakfast or a playground. In a B line for a caffein fix you step up to Koala Matcha, a tiny window perfect for a grab n go. As your collagen concoction is poured and mixed you learn of the humble beginnings of the window and it’s charitable nature donating all its profits in January to the Australian Wildfire Fund. The story melts your heart until you take your first sip, then that matcha melts your taste buds in the best way possible. With drink in hand you bid farewell and scoot across the street to join in on a classic past time.
What to know…
- In the month of January 2020 all profits of the drinks you purchase will go towards
- This little matcha joint is inside the bar Gramercy. If the window is closed head inside and they can take care of you.
Stop Two
Walk
to Santa Monica Lawn Bowls Club
Stop Three
Walk
to fia
Stop two — 10:30AM-10:50AM
THE ULTIMATE GAME OF FINESSE
Santa Monica Lawn Bowls Club
You’re verbally summoned even before you get to the Santa Monica Lawn Bowls pitch by a group of retirees rolling their bowls, “Looking for Brian?” they happily ask. “Yes we are!” you interject. The calm man sitting at the bench gives a quick wave. You step into a square pitch surrounded by the now picking up hustle and bustle of the Santa Monica mid day. But within these gates time slows down on purpose. After signing releases and collecting the appropriate balls from the shack you’re face to face with former club president Brian Studwell. A former banker by trade he takes his bowls as serious as a Q4 earnings report, the exact guy you want to learn from. Once through a crash course you’re on your own to play a full game while Brian fixes your game from the sidelines. What would seem to be a slow afternoon quickly turns into a fierce competition with Brian’s commentary making the moment that much better. When your final score is called you’ll happily crown the victors, who in lawn bowling’s case buy the next round. As you bid farewell to your new friend Brian you’ll be surprised how much your appetite came around, perfect timing.
What to know…
- Your first lesson costs $20. This includes the first day along with a 2 month membership to the club. If you’re feeling like coming back you can call in or stop by when they have open bowls.
- In order to reserve a time, call their number ((310) 440-9400) and speak with Brian Studwell. Usually it’s an 11am meet up Sunday (however, he may open Saturday soon).
- The club has been around since 1947, so lots of tradition, care, and pride here. Granted, they don’t seem to mind if you wanna have a glass of rose with you.
Stop three — 1:15 pm ’til you’ve had your fill
ROLL INTO A HIDDEN BRUNCH SPOT
Fia
The quiet facade of Fia is a seemingly worrisome sight until you barrel down the cavernous walkway to the incredibly plush and vibrant back patio. Couples canoodle over mini brownies and their coffees besides groups of friends happily cheers mimosas and bellinis. Taking your seat it’s difficult to not rubberneck around the restaurant eyeing up the instagramable dishes at everyone’s tables. Opting for a loco moco, the Belgium waffle and, what apparently needs to be at every table, the friend chicken. The dishes come out as swiftly as you can get your phone to snap away. The best part is that on your first bite it delivers better expectations than the photos could ever produce. You slowly sample each other’s dishes reminiscent of Brian’s collective mantra and the vibe you bring into the remainder of your Sunday: “slowwwwww down.”
What to know…
- Definitely make a reservation and request an outside table. They request if you have 6 or more to fill out a credit card form to hold. We originally had 6 and they never sent this to us but just letting you know.
- Whats with the name? It’s actually named after Saint Fiacre, the patron Saint of gardeners and growers of vegetables, especially if they’re medicinal. When you’re in the back patio you’ll understand.
- Stand outs in the food: the fried chicken(seemed like every table had this), cornbeef hash loco moco, and the little brownies that came with the coffees (we could eat a tray of those).