WHY Coffee and tea drinks such as boba, Korean snacks, desserts and sandwiches. Drink prices are on the high side because many patrons stay for hours just ordering one drink. WHAT A lavish space catering to the Korean community features several heated outdoor areas, including one with a fire pit. All the amenities are provided, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Because the front patio and back porch are spacious, and the menu is broad enough for any time of day. WHAT This Silver Lake stalwart offers not only a full range of coffee drinks but also hearty breakfast burritos, a decent burger, salads and desserts. WHO Silver Lake moms, screenwriters jousting over power outlets, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Flashback to the 1980s with spicy curly fries (great) and burgers topped with just about anything you want, all served al fresco at the Country Mart. WHAT Solid, if not brilliant, beef and turkey burgers. The fries, variety of burger toppings, and outdoor picnic tables (perfect for messy tots) are the draw. WHO After-school [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Ordering the Dianne salad marks you as a true Pasadenan. WHAT This institution does a brisk business in Cal-American cuisine. There’s a popular outdoor patio and a modern-coffee-shop interior, but wherever you choose to sit, the go-to dish is the Dianne salad, its ginormous take on Chinese chicken salad (for a more reasonable serving, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Great chicken curry and egg salad open-face sandwiches; good lemon tarts; a communal table with loaves of bread serving as idiosyncratic napkin holders; excellent vegan and vegetarian options. WHAT These Belgian-based cafés offer a level of quality that’s almost never seen in chains. Fresh, flavorful, often organic ingredients go into the delicious open-face sandwiches, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY A chance to hang out with the local hipsters in a laid-back neighborhood café. WHAT This funky-cute cottage across the street from Virginia Park is emblematic of the gentrification of Santa Monica’s Pico neighborhood. Pull up a chair at one of the adorable little tiled tables on the ivy-shaded patio and enjoy one of [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY It’s the best secret café in Santa Monica. WHAT You don’t have to keep this quiet: The café in Santa Monica’s fabulous Main Library offers good, made-to-order-food including turkey burgers, panini, wraps and an amazing range of salads (chef’s, Cobb, Caesar, Greek, apple-walnut). You can eat in a large, sunny courtyard, and savor the [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY The turkey-avocado wrap and chopped salad. WHAT This cute-as-a-button coffee shop isn’t as good as we wish it would be—the service can be spotty, the prices are on the high side for such simple fare, and the kitchen is inconsistent. That said, it’s got a good vibe and is a pleasant place to meet [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Tasty oat bran muffins and other healthy treats. WHAT This friendly café is well located in central Santa Monica, just a short walk from the Promenade. The coffee drinks are carefully made, and the food is actually good for you: veggie burgers, quesadillas, organic salads. Try to score a table on the patio. 530 [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
WHY Major Dickason’s blend. WHAT If you must drink at a chain, this estimable Bay Area institution is the one to pick. The coffee drinks are robust and made by actual baristas, the take-home beans are addictive and thoughtfully ground, and all the locations were carefully chosen to showcase Peets’ outdoor tables in lively, people-watching [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
Discoveries |
Read More »
RSS Feed
Become a Fan
Follow Us
