WHY Great selection of sandwiches, salads, charcuterie and, of course, cheese, along with an excellent array of frozen goods and pantry staples. Call a day ahead and Nicole will make you a gorgeous quiche or a proper potato gratin. WHAT It all started with the cheese, and that’s still a prime take-home item, but the [...]
April 24, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Because Studio City needs a civilized, elegant spot for lunch and dinner. WHAT Raphael is an intimate bo’te with an eclectic yet traditional menu from chef Adam Horton, formerly of Saddle Peak Lodge. The interior, designed by Terry Raphael, is drop-dead gorgeous, with a comfortable lounge/bar and a warm dining room that has so [...]
April 17, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY A vibrant range of prepared dishes, salads and baked goods to take out. WHAT This flagship of the Marmalade mini-empire doesn’t have the seating of its siblings but has loads of tempting choices for takeout. Salads range from herb chicken ravioli in pesto to roasted beets with oranges and candied walnuts in rosemary vinaigrette; [...]
March 25, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Exemplary wine list; creative and confident cooking. WHAT This is certainly a contender for the title of “Best Upscale Restaurant” in the San Gabriel Valley. The patio’s the place for lunch; for dinner, the suavely modern dining rooms beckon. Standouts include the superb bouillabaisse and the grilled beef tenderloin. There’s usually a bread pudding [...]
March 24, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Terrific L.A.-style Euro-Asian fusion food, a swinging happy hour, four hours of free parking and a free shuttle to the Music Center. WHAT The youngest member of the great Chaya family is a hit. The serene, Asian-accented space has an impressive art-glass chandelier in the bar and comfy outdoor booths that, on a warm [...]
March 11, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Chef Akira Hirose, who trained with Joel Robuchon and has cooked at Citrus and L’Orangerie, brings his particular brand of culinary artistry to the French-Japanese restaurant that bears his name. WHAT Picture a townhouse on the Upper East side of Manhattan and you’ll have an idea of Maison Akira’s décor. Its quiet opulence—in the [...]
March 8, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Good classic French bistro fare: bouillabaisse, steak frites (great), sole meunière. The cheese bar is a dairy addict’s heaven. WHAT Dubbed a slice of Paris in L.A., David Myer’s place is really a Paris brasserie gone Hollywood, with slick Marilyn Monroe—white booths and old-school bartenders making excellent drinks. Some regulars come just for the [...]
March 2, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Breakfast croissants that are the best for many miles, and fab lunchtime sandwiches: egg salad, chicken salad and an amazing BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato). Excellent coffee, too. WHAT Sumi Chang’s extraordinary bakeries are also swell places for breakfast and lunch, especially this newer location, with its huge pecan communal table and large [...]
January 3, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY Proper Parisian baguettes (crisp outside, airy inside), more substantial sandwich breads, croissants and addictive oatmeal cookies. WHAT Known for its breads and for fruit tarts that are far lovelier than the neighborhood outside, Babette is a great and affordable find for breads, breakfast pastries and desserts (but skip the cupcakes in favor of the [...]
December 6, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Rustic pastries and breads complement the pâtés and terrines, jewel-like salads, imaginative sandwiches and savory tarts. WHAT Gold-framed mirrors, cobalt-blue walls and a marble bar give this Parisian-style shop/café a glamorous atmosphere. Carefully chosen beers and wines, foodie gifts and house-made jams round out the collection of spiffy eat-in or takeout dishes. WHO French [...]
November 15, 2012 | Posted in
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