Everyone loves Italian food and pizza and Bottega Louie has some tasty dishes that are combined with beautiful décor that you’ll have a hard time believing that you’re in LA. You simply have got to try the Portobello fries that everyone is talking about. And you can’t forget the onion soup either. It’s a perfect side dish for any entrée. As far as main dishes go, you can’t go wrong when you order the pizza. The pizza comes straight out of the oven piping hot and the ooey, gooey cheese is fantastic.

The décor is breath taking. The ceilings are high and elegant and the simplicity of the design adds to the ambience. It mimics Italy with the white marble, glistening bar and white walls. But it’s not one of those little Italian cafes, it’s huge and is loud, so don’t plan on having important conversations. The wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes and restaurant.

They’ve got a full bar, so you can get any drink that you want or have a bottle of wine to go with your romantic dinner. You definitely have to try their desserts. The chocolate peanut tart is a perfect blend of chocolate and peanuts. Overall, four stars and a nice place to go to escape LA.

Bottega Louie
www.bottegalouie.com
(866) 418-9162
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Mon-Sun 6.30am to 11pm

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

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

If you’re tired of the same Asian cuisine, then you’ve got to try eating Tibet Nepal House. Authentic food and great service makes this restaurant stand out among the rest. At $9, the lunch buffet offers the perfect chance to try out the various dishes and not have to worry about expenses. The food is similar to Indian food, but not as spicy. The lunch buffet has about five dishes, as well as sides such as rice, pita bread, and veggies.

The restaurant is super small, so don’t go with a large party. Your best bet is to get it to go. The décor is pretty zen-like with a Buddha and water fountain to add to the experience. Vegetarians will enjoy this place as they’ll have lots of options to choose from. Like the lunch buffet, the rest of the menu has reasonable prices, you’ll eat well and have enough left over to go to a movie afterward.

Their website offer five pages of photos and explanations of the dishes, so you can choose what you want before you go. The Aloo Achaar, which is potato with spices, is delicious and filling. They’ve got lamb, seafood, chicken, and even goat meat to choose from. Their Nariwal Jhinge Machha at $15 is a bit expensive, but if you consider that it’s shrimp with coconut milk and spices, it’s a steal.

Tibet Nepal House
www.tibetnepalhouse.com
(626) 585-0955
36 E Holly St
Pasadena, CA 91103

Even when spending under $10 for a meal – you would expect a little something for your money! The service can at times be slow and outright neglectful, or it can be stupendous and “everything-and-then-some” type service. I’ve probably eaten at Norms 6 times in the last 3 months. The Tuna Fish sandwich with soup and salad is a good deal for around $7.00. When at Norms, less is always more. I enjoy watching the servers socialize and take care of one another. I enjoy watching the host turn waiter because a server is overworked and completely besides him or herself. The manager at this location runs a tight ship and holds it all together 24/7 365 days a year. Try it out, and keep your tab under $10 to make it a worthwhile experience.

11001 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Neighborhood: West Los Angeles
(310) 479-2978