WHY The usual faddish cupcakes (red velvet, dark chocolate, vanilla bean) and beautiful whole cakes to order in advance—for true comfort, get the Mom’s Birthday Cake, a yellow cake with milk-chocolate frosting that will leapfrog you back to the ’50s. WHAT A small and stylish bake shop specializing in cupcakes to go (large or mini), [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Classic white sourdough in the San Francisco style—as good an example of the type as you can find in L.A. WHAT The remaining vestige of what used to be a large and thriving bakery in Venice, Pioneer is now a smaller Montana bakeshop that still makes the best San Francisco—style sourdough bread in town. [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The best falafel on the westside, and good gyros and schwarmas, too. If you like it fiery, ask for the fresh hot sauce. WHAT This no-frills little counter joint boasts low prices, friendly owners and light, crunchy, delicious falafel. Juices are hand-squeezed (try the apple), and the lamb schwarma is dreamy. WHO SMC students, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Good coconut curry, ginger chicken and the ‘Top of the World’ appetizer, at reasonable prices given the high-rent beach neighborhood. WHAT This longstanding Santa Monica Indian is handy to know about when you’re looking for something less expensive than the Ocean Avenue fancy-schmancy places but less touristy than the Promenade traps. WHO Date-nighters fleeing [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Pan-Asian delicacies, with an unforgettable side serving of small planes taking off over the Pacific at sunset. WHAT This place is just plain fun. With a window-lined dining room overlooking retro Santa Monica Airport, a chic Asian décor with aeronautical touches, a good bar and a fairly priced menu of dishes from Singapore, Korea, [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Quick, authentic and California-inspired tapas, including jamón serrano, served until midnight. WHAT This New York shotgun-style bar has tapas lined up behind a counter up front, a sidewalk ‘counter’ and a half dozen bar tables in back for a delicious—though pricey—snack and glass of vino. WHO Fans of chef/owner Joe Miller who don’t want [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The burger—made with Meyer beef, Niman Ranch bacon, wild greens, a brioche bun and either Point Reyes blue cheese or sharp Tillamook cheddar—may be even better than the one at Father’s Office On Mondays, the chef experiments and makes more creative burgers that he pairs with craft beers. WHAT We wish all neighborhood restaurants [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Despite its strip-mall location, this is the kind of intimate, authentic trattoria you dream of finding in your own backyard. WHAT You arrive to seductive, garlicky odors wafting through the door and the attentions of cute, heavily accented Italian waiters—and food that lives up the anticipatory promise, from the hearty pasta arrabbiata to a [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY The seafood’s usually outstanding, including almond-crusted rainbow trout and pepper-crusted ahi with green-tea soba noodles. WHAT JiRaffe epitomizes the California bistro, with its elegant chandeliers hung above cozy tables, first-rate service and the creative market-based California-French cuisine of surfer-chef Raphael Lunetta. Bargain hunters, take note of Lunetta’s fantastic three-course Monday-night dinner, a bistro-style menu [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Honest fare at great prices: pourquoi pas? WHAT So many restaurants claim to be a neighborhood bistro these days, but it’s a shock to actually find one. Le Petit Café is the real deal, with chalkboard-toting waiters, tiny bistro tables topped with Provençal linens and fine, straightforward bistro food at surprisingly good prices. WHO [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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