WHY To celebrate the Central Coast’s most cherished fruit. WHAT Going strong for more than a quarter of a century, this is a fine way to celebrate one of California’s greatest products. Music ranges from the Oxnard High Marching Band to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and there’s a strawberry-focused recipe contest, a strawberry tart toss, [...]
WHY Well-crafted, upscale cocktails and vibrant American cuisine in a classy setting. WHAT Don’t be surprised when walking through the non-descript entrance to Sonny’s Hideaway—the gorgeous restaurant and bar more than make up for the lacking aesthetics of the facade. Once inside, snag a seat at the bar and watch the masterful mixologists shake and stir to [...]
WHY Good German brats, fat pretzels and German beer on tap, including a hefeweizen that goes down very well on a sunny beach afternoon while the Boardwalk parade flows by. WHAT A refreshing break from the generic sidewalk cafés that line the Venice Boardwalk, this place is a German beer garden with decent food and [...]
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 [...]
WHY Flat, flavorful steak burgers and hickory burgers wrapped in paper, as well as fries and homemade pies, are the mainstays of this landmark counter-only joint. WHAT With more than six decades of cooking burgers and pie in the same charming 1940s diner, with servers of the same vintage, the Apple Pan is always busy, [...]
WHY Nice people, good organic coffee, smoothies and chai, copies of the L.A. Weekly and free WiFi. WHAT A bright yet soothing space done in earth tones makes for a comfortable spot to sit with a cappuccino or an iced chai latte. Interesting art-for-sale, too. WHO Writers, artists, friends meeting to chat quietly and assorted [...]
WHY You can change the mood of your tablescape by mixing and matching shapes and colors the same way you put together outfits from your closet. WHAT This venerable Venice pottery studio produces and sells its own handmade, collectible, durable dinnerware, bowls and serving pieces, which come in wonderful satin matte colors. Look for finds [...]
WHY No-nonsense deli sandwiches stacked high—don’t be afraid to get your hands messy. WHAT This L.A. landmark has been around since 1931 and is open 24 hours. The endless menu boasts breakfast food, soups and salads, but it’s the sandwiches you want, even if they are pricey. It’s not quite Langer’s, but Canter’s serves one [...]
WHY Vibrant classic and modern Korean cooking made with love by do-gooders. WHAT Kimmy Song, founder and CEO of !It Jeans in Vernon, wanted to use her success to give back, and because she loves food, she decided to do it by opening a restaurant. The result is a light-filled café manned by incredibly nice [...]
WHY The Chinese chicken salad. WHAT It’s not the most authentic Chinese food, not by a long shot, but New Moon makes a damn fine Chinese chicken salad and perfectly acceptable won ton soup, fried rice and stir fries—and the won ton strips with a plum dipping sauce are a tasty variation on chips and [...]
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