Panini

I totally <3 paninis so I have wanted to try local chain Panini (clever huh?) for some time. I've only gone to the one in Marina del Rey, but I know there is at least one other location in West Hollywood. Breakfast is served all day, but I of course go for the lunch paninis. My first try was a turkey and brie sandwich with cranberry spread. So good! I loved the gazpacho even more - it tasted just like the one I make without the huge mess in my kitchen. Second attempt was equally as fulfilling with a prosciutto, goat cheese, and red pepper panini that was simply divine! Here's the only weird thing about this place - if you want your sandwich pressed, you have to ask for it. But isn't a panini by definition a hot sandwich? Maybe I'm wrong on this one though.... The Marina del Rey location has a nice little patio they share with the surrounding restaurants as well as a decent interior (think slightly above Panera). Panini is also a bakery with an entire counter full of baked goodies if you make it to dessert. I also should mention that next door is Marble Slab - a Texas treat! All organic ice cream gets mixed with toppings of your choice before being stuffed into a freshly baked waffle cone. YUM!

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/151348/marina_del_rey_ca/panini_coffee_cafe.html

Valley Girl - New Posts on Studio City!

With family on that side of the hill, it's not that unusual for me to eat dinner in Studio City. Here's some of my family's favorites that I've had recently:

Suzanne's Country Deli:

My mom is so proud that she found this place on a visit out here once, and with good reason. It's a great little lunch spot with loads of salads and sandwiches, not to mention their popular chicken torta. The portions are huge, so we 4 of us shared the chopped salad, the turkey cranberry artichoke sandwich, and the chicken torta. Everything was good, but the panini was by far the best for me. It's so much more than Thanksgiving on a French roll with cranberry mayo and one of my all-time favorite ingredients, artichokes. I was almost sad I had to share this one because it was so good. The salad was good as far as chopped salads go, but I wouldn't say it stood out among others. The chicken torta was good, but different than what I expected. I always picture tortas as being kind of like a taco salad on a big crispy chip, but this wasn't crispy at all, and rather on a French roll. Otherwise it was pretty similar to a taco salad with chicken, tomato, onions, lettuce, salsa, avocado, and Jack cheese. Still, I'd probably prefer a crispy taco salad any day. 

http://www.suzannescountrydeli.com

Cedar House:

I've never been that into Mediterranean food, but this shiz was great! We had a couple of sampler platters to split between 6 or so people and we still had food left. The complete feast comes complete with hummus, babaghannouj, grape leaves, tabouli, falafel, beef kabob, chicken kabob, kafta, and kibbeh. The tabouli and falafel were phenomenal. And all this time I didn't think I liked falafel. What a shame! the meats were really tender and the whole meal was an overall great experience. I will definitely be going back next time I'm in the valley.

http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/41357060/north_hollywood_ca/cedar_house_cafe.html#

Papoo's Hot Dog Show:

The corner of Riverside and Rose Ave. in Toluca Lake seems like it mustn't have changed much since 1949 when Papoo's Hot Dog Show opened. With a Bob's Big Boy drive-in across the street that often hosts classic car shows, it's really like taking a step back in time. Regardless, this corner is cholesterol mecca. I read the less than stellar reviews of Papoo's before going with my niece and nephew, but once you get past the initial heart attack, it's really not that bad. It's especially great for kids as there are a few arcade games that are only $0.25 a pop. The hot selection will remind you of the world-famous Pink's (Papoo's 10-year senior). I decided to go all out and have the bacon avocado dog that comes smothered in partially melted cheese. There was way too much avocado, almost like they just cut up one entire avocado and put it on top. The cheese could have been more melted too, but the bacon saved the day. Who doesn't love bacon? Thick cut fries are always nice too!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/papoos-hot-dog-show-burbank

Jack N Jill's

In honor of their new restaurant opening, I wanted to pay homage to Jack N Jill's. With one location in Beverly Hills and one in Santa Monica, there are certainly rich families filling the seats, but it's not due to high prices. It's all about the great food, great location, and great atmosphere. Chase and I have come here a couple of times and really enjoyed it both times. For one of the first times since the creation of this blog, I am having a hard time remembering what I ate here. I do recall once having the California pear salad (pears, peppers, feta, raspberries, walnuts in a citrus vinaigrette), which I remember being good. Looking over the menu again, everything sounds great, especially the breakfast goodies. I believe the second time we were here is was for breakfast, and I tried the Savannah Strawberry Oatmeal Pancakes. Yum! Good reason to believe that their new restaurant, The Creperie, on Robertson will have superb breakfast! Other intriguing dishes on the Jack N Jill's menu include the Malted Belgian waffles, country fried steak sandwich, chicken ponzu wrap, and last but not least, the Louisiana Banana Pudding. The atmosphere is very relaxed and family friendly; don't expect anything fancy here. Free 2 hour parking is available up the street and you can do a little shopping on the way back to the car.

http://www.eatatjacknjills.com/home/bh_menu.html

Artisan Cheese Gallery

I'm not particularly a sandwich person, but the paninis at Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City are not to be missed. Despite the many, many cheeses and dry goods they have for sale here (including flavored peanut butters and honeys), the sandwiches are truly the shining star. My favorite is the turkey panini with brie and granny smith apple slices. The ham, cheddar, and bacon is another great one, as well as the Mr. Fred (ham, gouda, spicy brown mustard). You can also find a roast beef and several vegetarian sandwiches on the menu (i.e. tuna, veggie melt, portobello, mozzarella, and grilled cheese). There are daily specials as well to try. Each sandwich comes with sweet & spicy pickle slices, which are good if you like that kind of thing. Pretty much you can find about any gourmet ingredient here. Especially intriguing is the vast array of soda. While the food is always good and the service always nice and genuine, one thing that can't be said about Artisan is that it's particularly cheap. Most of the sandwiches are $9.50 as well are the salads, despite their lack of portions on the salad. The daily specials usually run a dollar or so more. I usually end up coming here on a Sunday afternoon, which is in fact probably the worst time to come because people tend to wonder over from the farmers market directly behind the store. But if you are lucky you will still be able to grab a parking spot in the lot out back. If there was ever a cheese you wanted to try, here's the place to do it.

http://www.artisancheesegallery.com/index_files/Page508.htm

Meltdown, etc.

Located in the heart of downtown Culver City is the lovely and delicious Meltdown, otherwise known as the grilled cheese place. But oh! do they have so much more. While you may expect to visit here and get a fistful of cheesiness, you should really just expect to get a great sandwich in which the type of cheese plays an integral part. The menu is short and accents both the sweet and the savory sides of cheese. Highlights on the savory side include the classic three cheese grilled cheese with the option to add tomato or bacon, the turkey melt, which features a brie and turkey sandwich with cranberry horseradish mustard on walnut bread, and last but not least the cheddar, ham & apple sandwich. All sandwiches are served as paninis with a fresh homemade dill pickle on the side. The sandwiches are pretty filling, so you may want to share a savory sandwich and then share a dessert sandwich. On the sweet menu is the PB&J or the PBH&J (peanut butter and strawberry preserves on egg bread, add honey for the second variation), the brie and apricot on walnut bread, the fig goat cheese, and honey on walnut bread, and the ever important banana nut (bananas and nutella on egg bread). The drink selection is varied yet specific, serving Calypso teas, Coke in a bottle (made with sugar not corn syrup), mint water, and the like. Come early because they're only open for lunch and seating is limited to about 25 chairs on the outdoor patio, which is completely full by about 12:30 when all of the Culver City workers are released for lunch. One of the sweetest parts about Meltdown, beside the dessert sandwiches and the sweet price of everything being under $9, is the sweet old man who delivers the food and helps you find a table. He's guaranteed to bring a smile to your face any time you visit, if the free parking doesn't do it first!

http://www.meltdownetc.com/

Mani's Bakery & Cafe

One of Fairfax District's gems is Mani's Bakery & Cafe. Chase and I have been here a couple of times between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mani's is a little bit hippie, a little bit hip, and all really good. For breakfast, I've had the breakfast wrap with Yukon gold potatoes, salsa, and turkey bacon and I've also tried the multigrain pancakes. Both were really good, but I always remember thinking that the lunch menu sounded a little bit better. My favorite thing on the menu is chicken mango salad. It's a really full salad with grilled marinated chicken, avocado, mango, tomato, and red onion with a really yummy lime cilantro dressing. It's one of the best salads I've ever had and Chase and I can get full pretty much just off of the salad. Their burgers are also really great and I've always wanted to try their turkey chili. One of the most unique things about Mani's is the 400 calorie menu featuring a couple of egg white breakfasts, a turkey/basil/artichoke wrap, another wrap that is almost like a variation of the chicken mango salad, and last but not least, a veggie burger on pita. To wash down your hippie burger you can enjoy one of the teas (hot or iced) or juices, then to finish it off, grab a pastry from the bakery. I haven't tried much out of the bakery, but what I have had is really good! Eating inside Mani's is nothing special and the tables can fill up pretty quickly on weekend mornings and afternoons, so you might prefer to do take out, though if you don't get a dessert, you may find yourself wishing later that you had. Mani's is definitely a must try spot for people in the area, as it's a viable option for any meal.

http://www.manisbakery.com/

Doughboy's

Despite the love/hate relationship I currently have going with Doughboy's, I've decided to blog on it anyway. When I first went here a couple of years ago, I fell in love with the place, but lately it's more like I love it, but I'm not in love with it. The dish that became the apple of my eye was the after school special, comprised of an outstanding grilled cheese sandwich with fontina, emmenthal, and white cheddar on two slices of buttery French bread with a creamy tomato soup. Time after time I went back and was impressed by the breakfast, sandwiches, and pizza. Particularly enjoyable on the breakfast menu was the breakfast quesadilla. I'm not sure what's in the salsa they give you with this, but it's a little sweet and absolutely delicious. Also good are the fiber-packed blueberry flaxseed pancakes and Griffin loves the breakfast sandwich. They also have a rice krispy pancake with a marshmallow sauce that sounds delish! Additional sandwich highlights include the french dip and the roast beef. The pizza's are good too, and the extra soft crusts are like only a bakery could make. The meals are quite large so plan to share or take half home for later. If you are just going for bakery goods their bread is great and their red velvet is supposed to be fantastic (it's Ellen Degenerous' birthday cake of choice). Here's the problem, however. The 3rd St. location closed down once they opened the Hollywood location (I think the cross street is Willoughby?). The Mid-city shop closed reportedly due to a rumor of rats, but El Carmen, the tequila bar that shares a kitchen, is still open so I either they are dealing with the rats, or the rumor isn't true. Unfortunately the Hollywood location hasn't lived up to it's predecessor so far except in decor (think industrial chic) and the degree of difficulty to find street parking before having to wait for a table on a busy street corner. The last time I went to the Hollywood location I had my usual after school special, but the sandwich was all different and the tomato soup was far too chunky with huge pieces of tomato and onions. I wouldn't say it was bad, it just wasn't as good as what I was used to. It looks like they are finally making some progress on the 3rd St. location, so hopefully it will reopen soon and I'll give it another try.

http://www.doughboys.net/

Milk

If you Google "Milk Los Angeles, CA" you'll get three results all within about 2 miles of each other. Two of those results are all about the baked goods, though Milk (a.k.a. The Milk Shop) has quite a bit more to offer. Milk rests in a corner spot on Beverly and Poinsettia and shares a parking lot with El Coyote, to give you some perspective of location. When you walk in, you are immediately greeted with baskets of baked goods and jams available for sale. Next to that stands a small refrigerator full of beverages, including fresh bottled milk (plus, if you return the bottle they'll give you $2 back!). As you move forward in the line, you have the opportunity to check out the homemade ice creams and gelatos as well as an entire fridge full of ice cream sandwiches. On the other side of the counter you'll find all of the baked goods, ranging from a few varieties of cookies (my favorite is the ooey gooey chocolate chocolate chip - rich but delicious), and a few cakes and pies as well. I'm always intrigued by the deserts they serve that change regularly. Once I remember seeing a blue velvet cake, Milk's take on the popular red velvet variety. I regret that I didn't try it though, as I couldn't tear myself away from my usual. Listed on the menu board are the scrumptious shakes and malts available. From fruity to chocolate-y these are pretty tasty. If you need a little something savory before diving into the sweets, Milk offers a small selection of sandwiches, salads, and entrees. In all honesty, I think the kid's menu sounds the best and I've tried a bite of the mac n' cheese, and it's pretty tasty. Kid's could also get their choice of an all beef hot dog or a grilled cheese. On the big kid menu are a number of paninis, from the Media Noche (pulled pork, manchego cheese, pickles, and roasted garlic mayo) to the grown up ham and Swiss (baked ham and Swiss with peppered greens) to the prosciutto and provolone (with arugula, potato slivers, onion, and black pepper cream). The salads are of garden variety with a Caesar, Chinese chicken, Cobb, and garden salad. Milk also serves one type of noodle bowl, which to me seems out of place, but to each their own I guess. If it's nice outside, the outdoor tables are pretty pleasant for people watching on Beverly. If it's not so nice out, I'd do to go if you're headed to Milk because there really aren't that many tables indoors. If you're going just for desert you can spend as little as $1 on some of the cookies (and trust me, they are rich enough that one might be enough) or you could spend about $10-15 a person and get lunch/dinner and desert. I only wish this place was open for breakfast, I'm sure it would be fabulous.

http://www.themilkshop.com/

BLD

Next door to the still newish and popular Hatfields on Beverly stands BLD, though the logo makes it a little hard to read. In fact, the first time Griffin and I went here we had to ask the hostess what the name of the restaurant was (only slightly embarrassing). After seeing couples and families enjoying a nice meal and the California summer weather, Griffin and I tried this place for breakfast. It's been almost a year since we first visited BLD, but it's never left our minds. It was still pretty new when we went and we didn't have to wait, but now I'd recommend making a reservation, whether you are going for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (all three are served here, hence B-L-D). The brunch menu is really great with a wide selection of cuisines. You can even get cheese plates if your palette can take them that early in the morning. To accompany the cheese (or not, up to you) are several types of Spanish meats, ranging from chorizo to Serrano ham, to Spanish salami. And it's not just a mini trip to Spain, the meats and cheeses come from all over the world, though most are from Spain, Italy, or France. If you are in the mood for a more traditional breakfast entree, they've got that too. French toast, Ricotta blueberry pancakes, and crepes are all served with an adorable tin cottage full of the most delicious maple syrup, warmed. Popular egg dishes like frittata, eggs benedict, juevos rancheros, and scrambles are all great choices too, but no matter what your entree be sure to try the bruleed grapefruit. That's not a mistake, it's a halved pink grapefruit with thick sugar crystals melted with direct heat on top. Even if you don't like grapefruit that much give this a try. It's not only inventive (way to go BLD!) but extremely tasty. Brunch costs are about what you'll find anywhere, around $10 an entree, give or take, and the meats and cheeses are about $6 a pop if you go for that. We've also been to BLD for dinner and I have to say the dinner menu is pretty disappointing. While the food is still great, the menu items are better suited for lunch, majority of which are sandwiches, burgers, and salads. They've got the meats and cheeses for $6 each for all meals, so you know you are at least covered there. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, butter lettuce, avocado, tomato, and garlic aioli on a sourdough roll with a side salad and Griffin had the short rib sandwich with fries. Everything tasted great, it's just a meal we'd normally get at lunch. We usually try for something a little heartier and with more zing than a sandwich for dinner. Not to mention for dinner sandwiches, BLD's are a little pricey, averaging at about $15-20 each. It seems like the lunch menu is a little bigger than the dinner perhaps and has more of a sandwich selection, though unfortunately with no price break. BLD does have a fun little wine section and they offer a full bar where you can eat if the wait's too long for a table. They've got a few tables outside too, so if it's a nice day (which it usually is in SoCal) go for it. Like everywhere else in LA, BLD has valet, but if you are lucky you'll find a spot on the street. We haven't gone back to BLD since moving back over the hill, but we need to. Just thinking about it makes me hungry!

http://www.bldrestaurant.com/
The site isn't built out yet, so in the meantime here's a link to the Citysearch page where the menu is available.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/42940063/los_angeles_ca/bld.html#

Philipe the Original

Ever wonder who had the great idea of dousing a roast beef sandwich in au jus and thus creating the oh-so-yummy French dip? Search no more! The story of the French dip starts in a two-story downtown LA restaurant with wooden benches and saw-dust covered floors. In 1918, owner Philipe accidentally dropped a French roll into a roasting pan still full of piping hot juices. A policeman in line said he'd still eat the sandwich and returned the next day for another. Philipe's is still making amazing French dipped sandwiches and have expanded their menu a bit. Several short lines form in front of the display case and servers dish out French dipps in beef, turkey, ham, pork, and lamb varieties, available with or without cheese and singlely- or doublely-dipped. My personal favorite is the traditional beef French dip with Swiss, double-dipped. If you are not into French dipped sandwiches I've heard that their chili and stew are also quite delicious and if your sweet tooth is jonesing, they offer about 12 different kinds of pie. One thing to consider before going to Philipes is take cash. They are cash only and while they do have an ATM, you're better off being prepared when you go in, but you shouldn't need more than $10 a person. Once you get your order, you may have to search high and low for a seat at the many picnic tables. One of the most charming things about Philipes is how down-to-Earth it feels, with a make-shift convenience shop in the corner offering candy and cigarettes, just like you would expect a restaurant from the early 1900's to have. Unlike so many restaurants in LA, Philipes does own a parking lot across the street. The parking attendants are always really nice, and the parking is free, so if you have a couple of spare bucks on your way out, I'm sure they'd be more than appreciative of your generosity.

http://www.philippes.com/

Chado Tea House

Chado Tea Room, nestled in the strip of restaurants on 3rd St. near the Beverly Center, offers an extensive tea menu and an impressive sandwich selection. Many items on the tea menu can be served hot or iced, and when iced, they'll throw in some fresh fixin's such as strawberries and grapes for the fruitier teas. Some may find the 20-ish page tea menu overwhelming, but big parties can enjoy ordering several different teas and sampling a few. Though there are only a few varieties of sandwiches, they are all quite flavorful. My favorite is the turkey and cranberry, served on a normal slice of white bread with the crusts cut off. With all of the artisan breads served at modern sandwich shops it's easy to forget how good a piece of just regular old white bread can be. The sandwich combo is a good option that allows you to pick 2 different sandwiches (or two of the same kind if there's one you are really excited about). Also delicious is a side order of scones, served warm with fresh cream and strawberries. Yum! This is the perfect spot to have lunch on a warm summer day. It's light and fresh and won't put you in a food coma for the rest of your day. Chado is also very popular for events like ladies' birthday parties and baby showers. Prices aren't bad either and you can usually eat and drink to your heart's desire for under $15. The only downside is that there is no parking lot and street parking in the area is limited due to the number of great restaurants packed in to this small space. Chado does offer valet parking during certain hours of the day, but I've always been lucky enough to grab a street spot so I'm not sure on the details of the valet. If you've got someone who can wait in the car, Chado will prepare meals to go and you can buy many of their loose teas in bulk to enjoy at home.

http://www.chadotea.com/tearooms.asp