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Tuesday, 29 January 2008 |
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Located in the middle of Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, this quaint little cafe dishes out gourmet food at reasonable prices. Order up at the counter/window and grab a seat outside for the best in L.A. people-watching, hands down. I ordered the Euro Burger ($7.50), a 1/2 lb. Milano-Style burger with robiola cheese, tomato, romaine lettuce, red onion on a sesame brioche. The patty was very fresh and well seasoned,and the robiola cheese was great accompaniment to the burger. Robiola is a white cheese with the consistency of fresh mozzarella with a slight sweet tang to it. The fresh baked sesame brioche was a nice change and it held the contents of the burger together perfectly. Also try the Pollo Panini ($7.95), a marinated & grilled chicken breast with roma tomato, baby frisee, and jalapeño aioli on a ciabatta roll. For dolci or dessert they have a wide assortment of gelato and sorbetto along with various other fine desserts. I indulged in a single scoop ($2.95) of an amaretto gelato and a scoop of lemon sorbetto. With numerous flavors you should definitely sample them before ordering; I wasn't going to and the very nice girl working there insisted and boy I was glad she did. The flavor I was going to originally pick was a Italian specialty that tasted like fruitcake, not bad just not my cup of tea. I can't wait to go back and try their latte Nutella ($3.50) with a croissant al gelato ($4.95) that's right a croissant stuffed with your choice of gelato/sorbetto; dangerous stuff. Cafe Bellagio is a great little cafe that you can relax, take in the sights and enjoy some really great food and desserts. Cafe Bellagio
1400 Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310)-394-3400 |
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Wednesday, 09 January 2008 |
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After hearing so many people rave about this Armenian “fast food” restaurant; I figured it was long overdo for a sampling. While everything on the menu looks great, the overwhelming majority of people recommended the Whole Chicken ($8.99) served with two pieces of pita bread and their much acclaimed garlic spread. My order was ready before I even had a chance to fill up my soft-drink cup with ice. Any comparisons to fast food stops here because the outstanding quality of their rotisserie chicken rivals any restaurant bird. Though not usually a big fan of the skin, I couldn’t get enough of it. Moist, succulent and flavorful I wrapped each bite of chicken with it, smeared it with the garlic spread, stuffed it into a piece of pita bread and quickly devoured it. As I looked around at the other patrons, it was clear that this was the preferred eating technique of choice. While being more than enough for 2 people, you might want to treat yourself to a side of Mutabbal ($3.99) grilled eggplant, fresh garlic, and tahini blended together and topped with olive oil and paprika or try a single Falafel for only ($.60). Also on the menu are their delicious wraps which include, a roasted chicken wrap ($4.29), a tri-tip shawerma wrap ($4.99)a marinated, flame-broiled tri-tip, diced tomatoes and tahini wrapped inpita bread. Now that I have had the pleasure of eating at Zankou Chicken; I have to agree that it is the best chicken in Southern California.  Zankou Chicken www.zankouchicken.com 1001 N. San Fernando Blvd. #100 Burbank, CA, 91504 (818) 238-0414 Open 10AM-10PM Daily |
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Thursday, 20 December 2007 |
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Situated in a nondescript strip mall Pita Kabob dishes out authentic Mediterranean food owned by a fine Lebanese family. Start out with their delicious Babba Ghanouj ($4.99) - a mixture of grilled eggplant blended into a puree with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and topped with extra virgin olive oil. Order 2 sides of pita bread ($0.45) to dip with and also try a side of (3) grape leaves ($1.75) stuffed with rice. If you're with a group, order their appetizer plate called Full Mezza ($14.99) which includes hummus, babba ghanouj, cucumber-yogurt dip, falafel, grape leaves, and tabbouleh salad. For the main entree you have the choices of kabob bowls, combination plates, rotisserie chicken, grilled meat and vegetarian pita wraps, or kabob skewers. I ordered a shish kabob combination plate which included charbroiled cubes of lamb marinated with special seasonings topped with roasted tomatoes and onions. The Combo plate includes fresh pita bread, cucumber-yogurt dip, and your choice of 2 sides; rice pilaf, hummus, garden salad, or fries. I elected for the hummus and garden salad which came with a olive oil dressing and lightly sprinkled sumac. It was some of the most tender and juicy lamb I have ever had, and the sides were phenomenal as well. After eating, treat yourself with a extremely dark Turkish coffee ($1.50) and a piece of their fresh daily made baklava ($1.50).  Pita Kabob and Grill
2226 S. Mooney Blvd Suite A-5
Visalia, CA 93277
559. 733.4016 |
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Friday, 07 December 2007 |
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A time travel back into what was once an Italian conclave in "the Valley". A full service Italian deli with Boar's Head cold cuts, sliced-to-order imported prosciutto and homemade Italian pasta and breads. One of the best peppersteak or pepper cheese steak (I add provolone) I have ever tasted. A perfection of lean roast beef sauteed with onions, mushrooms, bell peppers and a blend of secret spices. Served on a homemade Italian roll that is made by a bakery in Pasadena and delivered each day. It takes a little longer than the other sandwiches to make, but well worth the wait. A small is perfect for one person, and if you want to split one with someone, order a large. Small (6") $4.50, Large (9") 5.95. Everything is great at Ca'veretta's, from their marinated olives to their slices of homemade lasagna (which is a meal in itself) @ $5.95 a slice. There is one thing, though, that I can never leave without getting, and that is their homemade canoli's. A delicate cinnamon shell filled with sweet whipped ricotta cheese, Mini's $1.00 Large $2.00. Open Monday thru Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 10-5.  24045 Sherman Way
Canoga Park
818.340.6626
The San Fernando's Valley's #1 Deli Since 1959
"If you can't smell it, we don't have it." |
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Friday, 02 November 2007 |
Light and fluffy pancakes and waffles in minutes? Check. Organic? Yes. In an pressurized can? That's right--light, fluffy and organic pancakes and waffles that come in a pressurized can. According to Batter Blaster's website, BB is "fast, easy and fun for the whole family. Just point, blast and cook!" A few of the TLS staff are known pancake aficionados, and this product seems too good to be true. Their store locator indicates that Batter Blaster is available throughout the U.S. at Costco. |
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Tuesday, 30 October 2007 |
In searching for a good Sunday brunch spot this weekend, we stumbled upon (actually googled upon) this little gem on a relatively dodgy part of Melrose. Through the unassuming front door, past the kitchen which is packed into the entryway, the back opens up into a beautiful garden patio. Café Marly serves great french cuisine with brunch entrees ranging from $7 to $10. Try out the Eggs Florentine, covered with a tangy, mustard-mixed hollandaise sauce or the Croque Madame, the classic French sandwich topped with an egg, sunny side up. View the entire menu at cafemarly.com. Café Marly
6919 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038 |
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Wednesday, 24 October 2007 |
Butter is a restaurant and bar catering to a special niche market on the streets of San Francisco. The tounge-in-cheek self description found on their website smoothasbutter.com: "Butter is unparalleled in our ground breaking application of the latest in radiated cuisine. Tasty, homecooked selections just like your babysitter used to make. Utilizing multiple microwaves, our trailer chef is capable of a dazzling array of dishes skillfully prepared using just the right power settings and timing sequences." Operating out of an old aluminum trailer, Butter is a great spot for a cheap, fun dinner or an adult beverage late in the evening. Here are some excerpts from their menu... source: smoothasbutter.com Butter
354 11th Street
San Francisco, CA
415.863.5964 |
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