Souplantation is a tried and true buffet. True to their name, they have lots of soups and salads. Their clam chowder is especially popular. You’ll get your greens and eagerly go back for more. The Won Ton Chicken Happiness salad is delicious and crunchy. Souplantation is a popular spot and often gets very crowded during the lunch and dinner rush. So go early so that you have first dibs on all the food and don’t have to wait for anyone.

It’s cheap to eat there, and you can often find coupons in your mail, making it even more of a bargain. They’ve got such a variety that you could go back a couple times a month, or week, and find something new. They change their soups and salads on a weekly basis. They’ve got restaurants all over California and in many of the western states, so you can always find a location near you.

You can eat just about all you want and not have to worry too much about calories, which is great news for those who are trying to get into tip-top swimsuit season shape. If you go to their website, you can find nutritional information as well. Though don’t get too carried away, because they have excellent desserts.

Souplantation
www.souplantation.com
(626) 458-1173
2131 W Commonwealth Ave
Alhambra, CA 91803

The dog days of summer are upon us and what better way to stay cool that a nice ice cream. Scoops has original and new flavors, such as lychee and green tea. They’ll let you try a couple flavors for free, but don’t get carried away or they’ll hit you with a $1 fee for trying too many. Still, it’s a small price to pay to find the perfect ice cream.

As if that’s not enough, the flavors change just about every day, which is a perfect excuse to go back and try some more. Some tried and true favorites are maple oreo, brown bread (sounds odd, but vanilla ice cream, caramel, and syrup make it a favorite for people of all ages), and pear and plum wine.

As a luxury treat, prices are a bit high than what you’d pay for other ice cream shops, but it’s well worth it. Pick the time of day you go, because when classes are in session, you’ll be struggling to find a parking place. No credit cards are accepted, so remember to bring cash with you. Young and old alike will enjoy this summer treat!

Scoops
(323) 906-2649
712 N Heliotrope Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Mon-Sat 12pm to 10pm
Sun 2-6pm

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

Ok, so we all know that hotdogs aren’t the healthiest food in the world, that being said Brats Brothers have wonderful hotdogs, brats, and sausages. So when the craving hits, be sure to go to 13456½ Ventura Blvd and try what they have to offer. German style through and through, the owners are German, you’ll find some great classics such as smoked sausages, sauerkraut, and best of all German Cheesecake.

The variety they have to offer is amazing, you’ll find choices ranging from new Zealand, Aussie, Cajun, and Swiss style sausages available. Ingredients range from the norm to the exotic – you can find buffalo, ostrich, alligator and even wild boar sausages.

The sides and desserts are fantastic as well. Freshly baked pretzels and German cheesecake can be had as well as a tried and true recipe of Grandma’s Sauerkraut. And boy do they love their sauerkraut, you’ll get a nice big portion of it, so you might want to order one portion and share it between two people.
Something has to be said about the owners. Germans, Peter and Roland, take pride in their homeland and their food making sure that it’s authentic German food and of high quality. All their sausages are naturally made and by European trained butchers to boot; you can’t go wrong when you go to Brats Brothers.

Brats Brothers
www.bratsbrothers.com
13456 1/2 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 986-4020
Mon-Sat 11.30am to 9pm
Sun 12pm to 4pm

While bland and boring may come to mind when you think of vegan food, Flore Vegan Cuisine located at 3818 W Sunset Blvd will have you changing your mind in a heartbeat. Laid back with sidewalk seating, the staff will happily offer you suggestions on what to order if you have a tough time making up your mind. Portions are more than generous and dressing is often included for free.

Tofu is often a staple for vegans and vegetarians alike and rightly so, because by combining it with veggies and spices, you’ll get a perfect blend that creates a wonderful dish. There’s a wide variety of veggies, such as green, beets, peppers, zucchini, and whole grain rice. Their drinks may sound a bit odd, but once you try them, you’ll be going back for more. The tonic juice is a combination of fruits and veggies and is definitely a power drink. If you’re looking for something more traditional, try the PB banana smoothie. They even have desserts, try the chocolate cupcakes, they’re divine.

The staff is young, hip and very helpful. It’s got a boho feel perhaps due to the local musicians and artists that gather there to enjoy the good food and just catch up with friends. It’s just for people watching as well; you might even spot an actor or actress there. Flore Vegan Cuisine is a great place for health conscious diners to go and enjoy a tasty meal.

Flore Vegan Cuisine
www.florevegan.com
3818 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 953-0611
Mon 11am to 4pm
Tues-Fri 11am to 10pm
Sat-Sun 10am to 10pm