Lai Lai Ken

Hidden in a dead plaza between a comic book store and a tattoo parlor is a decently priced Japanese food restaurant that is open late and local (if you live in orange county), so you don't have to make those long drives out to Los Angeles. Choose from Katsu, Curry, Ramen, Noodles and other various dishes. They even have All-You-Can-Drink beer for $9.99 starting at 5:30pm-12:30am.

Lai Lai Ken
3024 W Ball Rd
Anaheim, CA 92804
(Crosstreets: Beach Blvd. and Ball Rd)

Porto's Bakery & Cafe

Friends would rave to me about this place and the first time I tried it, so many great adjectives came out of my mouth to describe it. I like the simplicity to it (family owned and expanded) but more, I love love LOVE the food there. Long lines, but friendly, speedy service.





List of must-eats for now: potato balls (papas rellenas), cheese rolls, fruit tart, creme brulee, MANGO MOUSSE, medianoche or cubano sandwich. I seriously always walk out with two bags of to-go orders.

http://www.portosbakery.com/

Porto's Bakery
315 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91203
tel. (818) 956-5996

3614 W Magnolia Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91505
tel. (818) 846-9100

Glendale is the closer option. I almost want to type one of the tags as "magical."

La Villa Mexican Restaurant

Small quaint place tucked away in Gardena. Tried their chicken soup and it was AMAZING. I never would have thought of using avocado in soup but it works with the chicken, tomatoes, rice, onions and cilantro. Great for when you're sick and have that sore throat and still great when you don't.

La Villa Mexican Restaurant
15333 Crenshaw Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90249
(310) 675-3393

Urth Caffe

Organic LA-type cafe, great desserts (chocolate flourless cake $6/7, a bit too much on the shavings). The other food looks tasty as well, but I still have yet to try it. Overal vibe, organic posh.

Urth Caffe
2327 Main Street (between Pico and Ocean Park)
Santa Monica, CA 90405

also in West Hollywood & Beverly Hills

Father's Office

Father's Office is the home of the renowned "Office Burger." The burger has earned accolades, such as "The True Burger King" from Esquire Magazine, "the burger as art," from Los Angeles Magazine, "the Glam Burger" from the Los Angeles Times, and recently Entertainment Weekly's "Most Powerful Burger."

"The Definitive Bar Menu," is a cross section of European bar snacks, casual French brasserie fair and Andalucian style tapas. We have daily specials and many seasonally inspired menu items. The menu was specifically designed to pair well with our vast selection of artisan beers and esoteric wines.

(taken from their website www.fathersoffice.com)


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I wouldn't call it THE absolute best burger but it's a good gourmet burger served on a sandwich roll for 11 bucks. Everything is self-service: asking for a menu, ordering, getting drinks all take place at the bar. Get there early to avoid standing around and creeping over someone for a table. Not too much food selection, more of a bar with some food, so it is 21+. The fries (frites) come "a la cart" and they really do mean the "cart" part.




Father's Office
1018 Montana Ave. (between 10th and 11th)
Santa Monica, CA 90403

El Rincon Criollo

Small, Cuban restaurant that serves homestyle-Cuban food.
Can get busy around noon time.
Pollo Asado is awesome!


El Rincon Criollo
4361 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, Ca. 90230
(310) 397-9295

curry house

japanese
open certain hours, casual dining, good food
cypress, irvine, gardena, torrance, little tokyo

10953 Meridian Dr., #P
Cypress, CA 90630
tel. (714) 527-6224