Coffee shops are sprouting up all over the place and it seems like the bigger chains such as Starbucks are taking over and making coffee shops the same across the board. Aroma Coffee & Tea is a nice change from that. Originally a home which was converted into a café, it retains that homey feeling, complain with a beautiful backyard where you can take your high tea. With 15 years experience, they’ve perfected the art of service, sweets, and drinks that will make you want to come back and try the different things they have.

Fresh is the key ingredient here and with breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes combined, you’ll have over 50 dishes to choose from. The salads vary from traditional to exotic, such as olasslo oobb salad which has chicken, bleu cheese and a variety of veggies. As if that’s not enough, you can add extras to any salad and create is just the way you like it. If you’re looking for hot sandwiches, such as paninis and melts, you’re in luck. That’s just the lunch menu, there are many more dishes to choose from on the breakfast and dinner ones.

It’s a popular place, so either go when it’s not crowded or be prepared for a chatty café experience. Your best bet is to go with a friend or two, they can scope out a table while you order. By the time you get your food, you should be able to find a good place to sit. If that’s not an option, you can always get your food to go and have a picnic in a park.

Aroma Coffee & Tea
www.aromacoffeeandtea.com
4360 Tujunga Ave
Studio City, CA 91604
Mon-Sat 6am to 11pm
Sun 7am to 10pm

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

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