Sandwiches galore is what Philippe has to offer, but they also have sides, such as salads, soups, chili, and of course, desserts. Their famous sandwich is the French Dipped Sandwich, which is a French roll dipped with the “jus” from their meats. Sounds a bit odd, but it’s addicting. The potato salad makes a great compliment to any sandwich. If you’re looking for something different, they have picked eggs, beets, and even pig’s feet. Yep, that’s right. Pig’s feet.

Philippe isn’t just any sandwich shop, they get a bit classy with their wine and beer list, so you can take your meal up to the next level. They open at 6am and it’s worth coming in early just for their breakfast specials. Their French toast is thick and will melt in your mouth. If you’re looking for a healthier breakfast, they’ve got cereals, and even fruit.

Opened in 1908, they stay true to their recipes and are eager for customers’ feedback. They’ve been in the business for a long time, so they know what people like. Their proud of what they do and as they say on their website, only their prices have changed. Philippe is probably one of the best places to go to for a sandwich and the original French dipped sandwich was created here, so you know it’s got to be good.

Philippe The Original Restaurant
www.philippes.com
(213) 628-3781
1001 N Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Mon-Sun 6am to 10pm

Food, drinks, ice cream, and a bakery can all be found at Milk, a young, hip restaurant that constantly gets rave reviews. They’ve had their share of write-ups in newspapers and have even been on Cupcake Wars, so you know that they know what they’re doing. Reminiscent of an old-fashioned soda shop, you can find just about everything you want for a quick lunch.

If you’re hungry, then grab a soup, salad, or sandwich. They even have a couple of pasta dishes. Got kids? No probs. They’ve got a special kids’ menu just for them. As far as drinks go, they’ve got the regular coffee, teas, and juices, but they’ve also got a rocking dulce de leche latte. And if you need a pick-me-up, then try the caffeine rush. Coffee with a shot of espresso is guaranteed to knock your socks off.

Best of all is the desserts. They’ve got a gorgeous signature cookie basket with iced spiced molasses, snicker doodles, and more. And of course, you can’t forget the cakes. If you’ve got a birthday coming up, you should try the ones they have on offer. You can’t leave without trying their ice cream: shakes, ice cream cakes, and sundaes all add to the soda shop mindset. Next time you’re looking for something to do on a lazy afternoon, come to Milk.

Milk
www.themilkshop.com
(323) 939-6455
7290 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Mon-Thu, Sun 9am to 10pm
Fri-Sat 9am to 11pm

Having trouble deciding what to eat? The Riverside Café’s got it all: French, British, and American food. Typically British, dogs are welcome and can even eat there every once in a while there’s even horses! While they don’t serve alcohol, you’re welcome to bring your own, they don’t care for corkage and if you do they’ll provide the wine glasses. It’s very laid-back and casual, which is something you’d expect from the American side of the restaurant.

The food is fresh and diverse, of course there are heaps of teas to choose from as well. They’ve got fresh baked bread to go with just about anything. Be sure to try the onion soup, or gazpacho if you need warming up. The Shepherd’s Pie, omelettes or steak casserole are great for a main course.

The atmosphere is very homey and the wait staff is exceptionally helpful and will make suggestions if necessary. The owner cares about his restaurant and welcomes your feedback in order to make your dining experience even better the next time around. If you’re looking for a place to relax and pass the afternoon, the Riverside Café is the place to go.

Riverside Café
www.iheartriversidecafe.com
(818) 563-3567
1221 W Riverside Dr
Burbank, CA 91506
Tue-Wed 11am to 8:30pm
Thu-Fri 11am to 9pm
Sat 8:30am to 9pm
Sun 8:30am to 8:30pm

If you’ve never had pho, you have no idea what you’re missing. Putting ramen to shame, pho is a hot Asian noodle dish that’s a meal on its own served with a bit of lemon to give it a kick. Served steaming hot and smelling delicious, you’ll be ready to risk burning your tongue to try it. They’ve got the standard eggrolls that you can order as well as a three-color drink.

Prices are pretty low, so you won’t have to keep a running total in your head. A large only costs 50 cents more than a small, so you’re better off ordering a large. If you can’t finish it yourself, go with a friend and split the costs to be even more cost efficient.

Bamboo décor adds to the peaceful environment, however, due to its popularity, the wait staff will be hurrying between the kitchen and the tables, serving and bussing food and giving people their checks. True to its nature, service is fast, no sooner have you ordered, taken a sip of your water and your waiter is back with a steaming bowl of pho so you can chow down.

Pho Pasteur
(626) 292-5888
8821 Valley Blvd
Rosemead, CA 91770
Mon-Sun 9am to 9pm

American diners became popular years ago and while many of them have died out, a precious few have stayed open and Nat’s is one of them. For more than three decades, they’ve been serving up delicious homemade American dishes and have even branched out to Mexican and health food. With special kids’ meals and servers that know how to talk to children, you can’t go wrong.

Breakfast dishes include scrambles, fruits, cereals, hot cakes, French toast and waffles. If it’s lunch you’re looking for, you’ll find burgers, soups, salads, and sandwiches galore to choose from. As usual, dessert is often the best part of the meal. They’ve got a couple of set pies to choose from and desserts that change often enough, so be sure to ask your waiter for some recommendations. They even have dinners available, but as is often the case with diners, there isn’t much selection. That being said, if you’re at Nat’s for dinner, you can choose from chicken, fish, turkey, or meat dishes.

The décor is typical of a diner, a bit gaudy, but happy nonetheless. As with most diners, their hash browns and coffee are pretty good and always ready. They’ve got a number of daily specials to choose from as well as their regular meals. They’ve got more than a few loyal customers who keep coming back for more and whether it’s the food or the service, or a combination of both, Nat’s Early Bit Coffee Shop sure hits the spot.

Nat’s Early Bite Coffee Shop
www.natsearlybite.com
14115 Burbank Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91497
(818) 781-3040
Mon 6am to 3pm
Tues-Fri 6am to 8pm
Sat 6:30am to 4pm
Sun 7:30am to 4pm

Family owned and run, you’ll be sure to get hearty meals and great service here at Polka Polish Restaurant. Their dishes certainly do justice to Polish food. All meals come with soup and salad, in addition to potatoes and veggies and the large portions mean that you can probably get away with ordering less meals than there are people or taking food home at the end.

Though their menu is limited to only 15 dishes, as they say at Polka’s, “Take it or leave it”. If you want to sample all their dishes, you can try the All You Can Eat Party, which at $20 a person is pretty much a bargain for what you get. Even vegetarians will enjoy eating here as Number 10 is a Vegetarian Plate. With 10 items to choose from, their tea menu is almost as big as their meal menu. From Golden Seal to Black Tea or Green Tea, you’ll have plenty to choose from.

If you’ve got kids, they’re more than welcome here. All their meals can be made to be kids’ meals, they simply halve the price and the portion. As far as desserts go, they don’t have much to offer other than pudding and ice cream or coffee, but that’s only one downside to Polka Polish Restaurant. If you’re looking for authentic Polish food and a homey atmosphere, then Polka Polish Restaurant is the place to go.

Polka Polish Restaurant
www.polkacatering.com
4221 Verdugo Rd
Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 255-7887
Wed-Sun 11am to 9pm

Health nuts take heart, more and more restaurants are opening up that cater just for you. Cru serves raw food, which is believed to be healthier and more satisfying than cooked food. Squimish people need not worry, you’re not going to be served sushi or raw meat. Raw food refers to vegan, uncooked food, so there’s no need to worry about salmonella. Though technically not completely vegan, they do use honey, you won’t find diary in their dishes, but you will find creative and innovative dishes. Their vegan lasagna uses cashew cheese and mushrooms rather than the traditional meat and cheese filling. Once you try it, you’ll see why people say different is good.

Unlike many of the new-aged, vegan restaurants, Cru is far from pretentious and pricey. The casual, laid-back atmosphere goes hand in hand with the friendly staff. Fast service can’t be added to the list, so you might have to wait a bit for your order, but that will just give you more time to appreciate the ambience.

Don’t know what to order? Ask the wait staff, they’ll be sure to offer a couple suggestions to help you out. In addition to the lasagna, try the raw spring roll, or raw noodle bowl. There’s vegan ice cream on the menu and free truffles that the waiters pass out at the end of the meal. After your meal, you’ll feel full, but not heavy. That along with the tasty treats you’ve had to eat should be enough to convince you why Cru has become so popular among the vegan and non-vegan crowds.

Cru
www.crusilverlake.com
1521 Griffith Park Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 667-1551
Mon-Sun 11am to 4pm
Mon-Sun 5:30 to 11pm

The salmon was a little dry, but the green juicy fatty sauce poured all around the filo dough made it succulent.

Is this dish Italian or a Persian pizza? I think u could spin off a whole new type of pizza restaurant with exotic pizza dishes like this.

There is nothing like going to a restaurant and leaving with baked goods. Only in LA, only good in LA.

I swear I could eat here every single night of the week. Some of the best salads in LA. If you think you know a place with more exotic, fresh, and delicious salads – email me: WriteForThisBlog@LARestaurantDaily.com

Caffe Etc. is a quaint restaurant located in Hollywood on Cahuenga and Selma. There are meat, vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

My favorite thing about eating at Caffe Etc is how I feel afterwards. No matter what I order I feel good! There are “healthy” choices. For example, my Sundried Tomato Panini ($10.75) came on wheat toast with a side salad of mixed greens and a balsamic vinegrette dressing. I also had a Chunky Chicken Salad ($9.95 Whole) that had beautiful white meat chicken chunks, tomatoes, celery, white onion & lemon juice. This sat on a bed of baby mixed greens. The portion was HUGE (see pic). The special treat for after your meal is the gelatto. My favorite was the Pomello and Coacoa. The flavors were so strong and again, not leaving me feeling bad after eating it.

The service was very friendly and knowledgable. They can immediately tell you about the ingredients, whether it is Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian or their favorite on the menu! The atmosphere was very comfortable. Seating with a wide selection of magazines and wi-fi internet to keep you entertained with your fresh cup of coffee for hours. The drinks offered are specialty coffees (blended, iced or hot), regular drip coffee, espresso, tea, hot chocolate and smoothies!

Def stop at Caffe Etc if you are in the area. Bring your coworkers here for lunch! Eat in or take out! Free delivery is available for the immediate area with a $20 minimum order.

6371 Selma Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Neighborhood: Hollywood
(323) 464-8824
www.caffeetc.com

Who could resist traditional American style cooking? Hot out of the oven homemade apple pies and hearty breakfasts can be found at The Village Kitchen. While it’s a little bit difficult to find, it’s well worth the drive out there. Be sure to ask about any specials that they have; those usually aren’t listed on the menu, and if you ask, you’ll receive a delicious treat! Portions are pretty well sized as well, so you won’t be going home hungry.

If the food isn’t enough of a reason for you to try The Village Kitchen, then you should go because of their ethics. Not only do they give jobs to women who need them, but they all give some of their profits to the homeless shelter that is right behind the restaurant. In fact, The Village Kitchen is run by the Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children.

If you’re not hungry enough for a full meal, then try something from their bakery. Their red velvet cakes are constantly popular with their customers. The apple turnovers, blueberry muffin, and cream puffs also must be tried. So if you’re looking for a great place with good food and want to help support a good cause, then try The Village Kitchen.

The Village Kitchen
1667 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Mon-Fri 6:30am to 6:30pm

Pink Orchid
1927 Westwood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Neighborhood: West Los Angeles

(310) 441-4410

Located at 15500 S Broadway St in Gardena, this little café has a lot going for it.   It’s located near warehouse, but this hidden gem will have you going back for more.  The food is delicious and the prices are fantastic.  Their pizza is famous and rightly so.  While there are many Italian places out there, Eatalian is one of the best. Try the thin crust version and you won’t be disappointed.  There’s more than just pizza to be found at Eatalian, you can also get fresh, made-to-order salads, pasta dishes, and honest-to-goodness Italian desserts such as gelato.  The owner Antonio puts as much love into his food as he does his customer service.

The décor mixes the old and the new and because of this you’ll see many cheeses along one wall, an old fashioned espresso machine, and a huge overhead projector set up to watch the games.  Due to rave reviews it got in the LA Times, the place has been packed and as such, don’t expect a quiet dinner.  You’ll hear the friendly chatter of other customers and the staff preparing the food.  The hustle and bustle of Rome is right here in LA.

The owner and staff work hard on their customer service skills and honestly want to listen to suggestions on how they can improve things.  The restaurant is new and as such has some kinks in it.  While the service is slow, the food more than makes up for the wait.  If you’re going to go to Eatalian, make sure you’re not pressed for time and can enjoy a leisurely meal, Italian style, complete with cappuccino at the end.

Eatalian Cafe
15500 S Broadway St
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 532-8880
Mon-Sat 7am to 9pm

Second location:
14842 Crenshaw Blvd
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 516-0121

Cacao Coffee House
11609 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Neighborhood: West Los Angeles

(310) 473-7283

– FREE RESTAURANT REVIEW –

So stupid and perfect and stupid and perfect I hate you I want you I hate you I want you I hate you again again again. Can it get do it again Can can it again do it again. Again and again. Say my name say my name say my stupid name. Stupid how we always do it again. Uh oh. So stupid and perfect and stupid and perfect I hate you I want you I hate you oh again again again. Again and again again and again do it again do it again.” – The Bird and The Bee.

Vegas baby! Swingers is a great movie and so is this restaurant. Try it. Your stomach won’t regret and neither will your pocket book.

Swingers restaurant has an awesome California feel. The restaurants logo is iconic. The wait staff is funky. The food delicious. We had the Hell’s Kitchen mixed omllete (didn’t have much hell fire in it – so I had to add a lot of hot sauce), some sort of vegie burrito, and a stuffed grilled cheese sandwich with avocado. The california hamburger on the menu looked pretty good too.

Santa Monica has incredible restaurants and a lively night life.

I will posses your heart. I will posses your heart. You reject my advances and desperate pleas. I won’t let you down so easily. So easily. You gotta spend some time love. You gotta spend some time with me. And I know you will find love. I will posses you heart. You gotta spend some time love, you gotta spend some time with me. I know you will find love. I will posses your heart. You gotta spend some time love, you gotta spend some time with me. I will posses your heart.

Swingers
802 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Neighborhood: Santa Monica

(310) 393-9793
www.swingersdiner.com

I don’t go to Starbucks anymore. I just drink generic instant from Ralph – it’s the new Starbucks.

It’s cheaper and actually tastes better.

Stop drinking Starbucks. Go to your local grocer and get a can of instant, and get the generic it tastes even better. Go to Trader Joes if they offer it – they are so nice and chill. Good karma waves hit you at the Olympic / Santa Monica location. Hopefully Trader Joe’s will stay small, true, and local to their values – let’s hope they don’t get bought out by Walmart and turned into a corporate tool.

Use a kettle to boil water and pour on your instant coffee in a nicely rounded coffee cup. When my Grandmother would put her cream in her glass before pouring the coffee she would say, “That’s called Boston coffee Johnny… That’s how we did it in Boston.” Instant coffee tastes great. Stop drinking Starbucks. Save the planet. Save your soul.

Starbucks marketing idea: Now if Starbucks started selling glasses of instant for .29 cents – that’s a good monthly promotional idea