tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81702373419229767882024-03-13T13:00:39.858-07:00COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTUREWelcome to our first Brawerman CSA.LA FOODIEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12948820259088268329noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170237341922976788.post-74029433000470135002009-10-26T22:46:00.000-07:002009-10-27T00:42:56.200-07:00Great food at the right priceLets talk food. Good food should not always be expensive. Some of my favorite places are low key, not trendy and family style. I love the <strong>HUMMUS BAR</strong> in the valley they have it all right. This is hands down the best Israeli food that I have had in Los Angeles. I love the food and the service is always great. Friendly Israeli staff who love family and make the experience a memorable one. First they come out with an amazing array of small sample plates of Harif, pickled veggies and garbanzo beans with Tahini (no charge). They serve this giant Laffa Bread that just keeps on coming (no charge). I highly recommend the Middle Eastern Kebab, the ground beef with fresh herbs and onions is super tasty. The chicken thigh skewer is tender, juicy and has great spices added to make it a winning dish. The Israeli salad is great. I can't say enough good things about this place, the only thing I that needs work is the Hummus. I recommend they pick up Trader Joe's Middle Eastern Hummus and replicate the hummus taste in their restaurant. Located in Encino, address 18743 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356 (818) 344-6606 hummusbargrill.com<br /><br /><strong>SUNNIN CAFE</strong> is the best Lebanese restaurant on the Westside. It is a total dive, you will hear lots of swearing in Arabic so brace yourself. The food is good and cheap. They have a great Fattoush Salad made with the traditional flavors and pieces of crispy pita. I enjoy the Kefta kebab plate with the ground beef, which has a great grilled flavor. The Chicken Kebab plate is served with tender pieces of chicken filet marinated in garlic, grilled on skewers, served with Rice, and Lebanese Salad. The hummus is delicious, just the right amount of tanginess. The Spicy Kefta baked in a spicy tomato sauce with herbs, is a must try dish. Located on the in Westwood. 1779 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024-5646 (310) 477-2358 www.sunnin.com<br /><br />Pizza, pizza is such a personal choice. I like thin crust and extra crispy. I enjoy going to <strong>JOE'S PIZZA</strong> in Santa Monica. Great fresh mozzarella, sweet light tomato sauce and yes crispy. Know that's what I am talking about, it takes a New Yorker to open up a pizza place in LA to show us great pizza. Cheap and awesome.<br />Joe's Pizza of Bleecker Street. Located in Santa Monica at 111 Broadway, Santa Monica CA 90401 310-395-9222 www.joespizza.comLA FOODIEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12948820259088268329noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8170237341922976788.post-66492933072909426712009-10-18T19:02:00.000-07:002009-10-18T21:07:39.440-07:00BEST WEST LA BREAKFAST PLACESIn the last few weeks I have had some great breakfast around town at various restaurants. I will list my favorite and not so favorite picks. These are some great places that mainly serve organic produce. I will not recommend a place based on trend, it is all about the food.<br /><br /><br /><strong>AXE</strong> located on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Abbott</span> Kinney is a great place for breakfast with great food. I had fried eggs with mozzarella, chopped basil and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">tomatoes</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ricotta</span> with grilled bread. It had just the right amount of mozzarella, fresh creamy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ricotta</span> and fresh crunchy bread. Great coffee too!<br /><a href="http://www.axerestaurant.com/">http://www.axerestaurant.com/</a> 1009 Abbot Kinney <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Blvd Venice</span>, CA 90291-3372 (310) 664-9787<br /><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"></span></strong><br /><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">URTH</span></span> CAFE</strong> I enjoy the Mexican <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Omelet</span> which has three eggs topped with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Roma</span> tomatoes, mild green chilies, red onions, jack cheese, cilantro served with an organic mixed greens salad dressed in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">urth</span></span> vinaigrette (tangy) and fresh crunchy sourdough bread. It has a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">myriad</span> of flavors: the mild heat of the chilies, the fresh salsa and the right amount of gooey cheese flavor in your mouth. I love this dish, I recommend it with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">egg whites</span> in order to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">taste</span> the different tones of flavors in your mouth. Another dish to try is the two eggs poached with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Parmesan</span> cheese and fresh cracked pepper, served with fresh <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">baguette</span>. This is a great dish when done medium, simple with great flavor. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Unfortunately</span> sometimes the dish comes out too well done and then the dish is worthless. This is the place for true coffee lovers. They have traditional Italian roasted espresso. I am all about the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">pastries</span>, I recommend you try the cinnamon twist and the croissant. <a href="http://www.urthcaffe.com/">www.urthcaffe.com</a> 8565 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Melrose</span> Avenue, (310) 659-06288<br /><br /><br /><br />LE PAIN <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">QUOTIDIEN</span></span> Parmesan & Pesto <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Omelet</span> is a must. I enjoy the nutty flavor of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Parmesan</span> combined with the fresh pesto, yum. Don't leave with out having the hot chocolate and dip your pain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">au</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">chocolat</span></span> (chocolate croissant) inside your drink. The hot chocolate is not too sweet and perfect with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">flaky</span>, light, crunchy and creamy croissant. I would say they have one of the best chocolate <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">croissants</span> in LA... outstanding. You can always order the bread basket and spread the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">noir</span></span> chocolate spread all over your bread and you will be in heaven. It is too bad this restaurant lacks variety in their menu. Otherwise I would frequent it more often. <a href="http://www.lepainquotidien.com/">http://www.lepainquotidien.com/</a><br /><br /><br />HUCKLEBERRY CAFE in Santa Monica is a great addition to the 'hood. I like the pastries and they always have different <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">varieties</span> to choose from. I love the coffee, which is from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">CAFFE</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">LUXXE...</span></span> strong <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">European</span> Italian coffee, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">espresso</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">cappuccinos</span>. I have yet to find a breakfast item (othe than the pasties) I like at Huckleberry, but I haven't given up.<br /><a href="http://www.huckleberrycafe.com/">http://www.huckleberrycafe.com</a> 1014 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Wilshire</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">BlvdSanta</span> Monica, CA 90401 (310) 451-2311<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error"></span><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">CAFFE</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">LUXXE</span></span> on Montana has great Italian coffee and they serve Bread Bar's pastries. Great place for a pick me up.<br /><a href="http://www.caffeluxxe.com/">http://www.caffeluxxe.com</a> 925 Montana <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Ave., Santa</span> Monica, CA 90403 (310) 394-2222<br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">AMANDINE</span></span> PATISSERIE it is a European influenced patisserie with Japanese influence. It is a great place for a large variety of baked goods, rolls, bread, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">pastries</span> and cakes. Dive into their delectable pastries, which are always <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">flaky</span>, crispy, light and delicious. The croissants and the coco twists are a must. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Unfortunately</span> the coffee is just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">OK</span>.<br /><a href="http://amandinecafe.com/">http://amandinecafe.com</a> 12225 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Wilshire</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Blvd Los</span> Angeles, CA 90025 (310) 979-3211<br /><br /><br />LA <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">GRANDE</span> ORANGE: I have been there several times and they just miss the mark each time for breakfast. The egg dishes are just OK, coffee OK. The restaurant is fairly new and perhaps they will get it together at some point. I love the build out and the feel of the place. I would recommend it for a drink and appetizers prior to hitting the town at night.<br />www.lagrandeorangesm.com 2000 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405-1010 (310) 396-9152<br /><br />I will keep you in the loop of all my new adventures to all the great eats in LA.LA FOODIEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12948820259088268329noreply@blogger.com0