All posts in Restaurants

Good ol’ Nichol’s

by Nanette on July 6, 2011 in Opinion, Restaurants with No comments -->
Nichol's

NICHOL’S a friendly neighborhood upscale american coffee shop – serving gourmet and classic traditional. It’s in Marina del Rey, 15 minutes away from LAX (don’t let the strip mall location deter you). Sometimes there is a 10min’s. to 15min.s wait but is definitely worth it. The attention to fresh high quality food.

The salad dressing’s are superb, made from scratch, the bleu and the ranch (with I usually pass on, is a must to try). The soups du jour, made from scratch (like carrot ginger, zucchini curry, and the chicken noodle) are partically delicious – served with homemade (usually warm, just baked) sourdough rolls.

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Cha Cha Cha — a perfectly fine tamale and a kick a@# sangria

by Nanette on February 20, 2010 in Drinks, Entrees, Lunch, Opinion, Restaurants with No comments -->

My sis and I just went to Cha Cha Cha (their original location on Virgil) for a long overdue brunch-date. I had the Black Bean Tamales and the Caesar Salad. The tamales were made with sweet corn (which I love) but it came topped with a cold tomatillo sauce, which unfortunately, I’m not crazy about. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not because it’s not a good sauce — I’m just not a fan of tomatillos. No doubt, next time I’ll try a different sauce.

The Caesar Salad was good, but it didn’t have enough dressing or garlic croutons. The dressing was a traditional Caesar dressing (with the anchovies) which was also good. My sister had Huevos Al Salmon (grilled salmon filet over scrambled eggs with garlic and basil), she really enjoyed it. She also highly recommends the Swordfish Caesar and the Tortilla Soup on a rainy day. Continue reading →

Have you ever tried watermelon juice?

by Nanette on February 17, 2010 in Breakfast, Drinks, Gluten-Free, Lunch, Opinion, Restaurants with No comments -->

I found it at Lulu’s Café in L.A. (on Beverly near La Brea). They have fresh-pressed watermelon juice (as well as orange, grapefruit, apple, carrot, pineapple, celery, beet, parsley and ginger). I have occasionally seen it at some local health food stores (and mail order), but it’s fairly hard to find and nowhere near as good as the fresh.

As you may or may not know already, watermelon juice is extremely good for you — a natural diuretic, detox cleanser, nutrient-rich and of course, absolutely delicious. As with most good things, I have to have it again and again. I’ve sent my poor husband day after day, until I had my fix (similar to my recent Thai Iced Tea and Almond Croissant habits).

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Petito me please…

by Nanette on February 11, 2010 in Opinion, Restaurants with 3 Comments -->

I’m so happy that Poquito Mas (my favorite fast mexican food) has a “Petito Menu” (small portion). Even their famous tostadas are smaller. I wish that every restaurant had this option as I always (and I mean always) find myself taking home a “to go” box with leftover food. It may be available in other Poquito Mas’, but I only seen the petito menu in Burbank. A note to Poquito Mas if you’re reading this; please add this menu to all of your stores — pretty please. Continue reading →

Vegetarian Eggs Benedict at Paty’s are to die for!

by Nanette on February 11, 2010 in Breakfast, Restaurants with No comments -->

I recently had breakfast with my husband at Paty’s in Burbank — it’s an old studio hangout that has been around for decades. Not knowing what to expect, I ordered the Vegetarian Eggs Benedict (I know, eggs aren’t really vegetarian, but I’m not quite that strict). When my order arrived it came with an english muffin crowned with tomato, avocado, cooked spinach, (I ordered scrambled eggs as opposed to poached), hollandaise, a side of green onions,  and a side of hashed browns. It doesn’t get any better! Unless its bernaise sauce instead of the hollandaise, of course.