Boulder & Denver, CO

The lovely Colorado

I've madly fallen in love with the weekend.

But I'm not talking about all that thrives in our local Instagram albums. I'm saying I've taken back the weekend and turned it in to something more than just two days we use for eating, drinking and playing within the 3-mile radius of our homes.

This is a love for the weekend spent out of town.

Of course, a whirlwind weekend where you get home at 9pm on a Sunday night having not done your laundry or the grocery shopping isn't for the weary. But, if you prescribe to the notion that life should be lived to the fullest, then heck. A teeming basket of laundry is a trophy of triumph.

Travel Tip:
It's important you don't spend too much of your precious time on travel. I say limit "each way" to 4 hours, which means the longest plane ride you can take is 2 hours, the furthest you can go north, south, or east is 120 miles (if you drive the limit). I recommend leaving Friday night so you can utilize Saturday on-location to the fullest, or, if you must, leave super early Saturday morning (no traffic - you'll be shocked how far you get in a matter of minutes).

Pearl Street

Here's how to do Boulder & Denver, Colorado!

Depart: LAX at 6pm, arrive in Denver, CO at 9-ish pm.

Rent: A car. You'll need it, and from Friday night until Sunday night mine cost roughly $50.

Stay: Find a friend. That's what Facebook is for. Or, opt to stay outside of Denver (cheaper) or using Hotel Tonight which lets you score super-last minute hotel rooms for uber-deep discounts. 

Boulder

Visit: Pearl Street is Boulder's "Main street." Coffee shops to restaurants, hiking apparel to high-end duds an everything in between, check out the site for more ideas and to plan your promenade stroll.

Linger

Eat: Oak at Fourteenth 

Drink: Ozo Coffee 
Hike: This site has a cool list of all the local hikes (like a picture menu)
Ski: Eldora Mountain Resort (35 minutes out) or Vail (2 hours out)

Denver

Run, walk, or picnic: Washington Park

Eat and drink: Linger
Smoke pot (it's legal!) plus related news, laws and locations: Colorado Pot Guide

Truxton's Bistro

Hits-your-nose-when-you-bite-it-sized Burger (The Gilly) and Garlic Fries

Truxton's Bistro

1329 Santa Monica Blvd

Santa Monica, California 90404
Phone: (310) 393 - 8789

Menu

Review:
If Truxton's didn't stand for "everything and then some," I'd be amiss. Having opened in July, I've eyed the transformation from vacant corner cinder block to quaint and optimistic second location (the original Truxton's is in Westchester) and have finally matched my vow to stop in.

As you should. And don't procrastinate - Truxton's is a multi-option menu that offers three meals a day plus a full bar of beer, wine, and seasonal cocktails to satisfy any taste wish on the westside. With such an eye-catching variety of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, pastas, and pizza, the sooner you go, the faster you'll get through you new "Next time I'll get...- list."

Aside from the warm brick walls and attentive, intuitive staff (when I asked for extra aioli I was given two additional to sample), I'm super digging Truxton's because the flavors and combinations are over the top of what you'd expect.

Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower

Starting with the Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tower, Rachel and I savored the house-made Taro chips and totally cleared the plate of the fresh tuna standing heartily on a bed of avocado. Light and gingered with green onion and yuzu, we noted that this could make for a simple dinner for one, all on its own.

As a gluten-free diner, Rachel went for the Apple Chicken Burger on a GF Foccacia Bun (Grilled Freshly Ground Chicken Mixed with Sautéed Apples & Onions. Topped with Smoked Gouda, Caramelized Onions, Mayonnaise & Onion Sprouts), and said the bun tasted as good as she can remember "the real deal." I chose the Gilly (Caramelized Onions, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Tomato, Shredded Lettuce, Tillamook Cheddar Cheese, Topped with Crispy Onions & Spicy 1001 Dressing) and had a hell of a time trying to wrap my mouth around the medium-rare doublefister.

The garlic-parm fries were crisp and resulted in a dragon-mouth-on-fire type of end result in the way all garlic lovers covet. 

Highly recommended (and the list for "next time"):

- 

Truxton's Monkey Bread

Pull-Apart Housemade Bread with Cheddar Cheese & Garlic 
Dipping Sauce (Marinara, Ranch, Garlic Butter)

11-Spiced Brisket Taco Salad

Our Signature Beef Brisket Tossed with Shredded Lettuce, Black Beans, Poblano Corn Salsa, Cheddar & Cotija Cheese, Tortilla Strips, Pico de Gallo & Spicy 1001 Dressing. Served Over a Crispy Wheat Tortilla

Kicked Up Mac & Cheese

Jumbo Elbow Macaroni in Our Creamy Sauce Made with a Blend of Five Cheeses, Applewood Bacon & Roasted Tomatoes. Topped with Crispy Onions

The Portland

Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Fontina Cheese, Lettuce, Caramelized & Crispy Onions, Roasted Garlic Mayo. Drizzled with Balsamic Glaze

Chocolate Soufflé Cake (Gluten-Free)

Made Daily with Callebaut Bittersweet Chocolate and Served with Vanilla Ice Cream & Bourbon Caramel Sauce

Fort Worth Breakfast Pizza

Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Bacon, Chicken Sausage, Mozzarella Blend, Cheddar Cheese, Basil, Roasted Tomatoes, Pico de Gallo, Green Onions & Sun Dried Tomato Pesto. Choose From Regular, Wheat or Gluten Free Crust

As you can see...I could probably go to Truxton's for a week straight and not get bored. Safe to say I'll be back, it's hard to say when the habit will end as Truxton's offers brunch, daily specials, sports broadcast...So take a break from holiday shopping and get your grub on!

Oscar's Cerveteca

Drink up!

Oscar's Cerveteca
523 Rose Ave
Venice, CA 90291
Menu

Review: If I had a dollar for every time I declared my promised return to Oscar's Cerveteca, I'd buy you dinner. Here's the thing - Oscar's is hip. Actually, a bit too hip. Everyone here is dressed like you'd imagine LA beach-dwellers who like to eat well and live well might: really, very cool. Fresh-faced, toned, and effortlessly efforted, don't go here if you're having a bad day. In other news, Oscar's sits on Rose and neighbors Superba, Cafe Gratitude, and several other bars and eateries that all pose the same. But oh, who cares. Oscar's is so good that I'll turn a blind eye, fork over my wallet, and wait out on the sidewalk in order to sit and eat and drink from that Cerveteca menu.

Must-eat: The La Puente Backyard Burger. The Chicano Cheese Pots. The Mac 'n Cheese with Bacon. Patatas Bravas. Key Lime Pie.

Must-drink: Fresh coconut. Everything else beer and wine related.

Fun: Brunch on Sunday's offers an entourage of Beer-Batter Waffles. Chorizo Breakfast Burger.

Simply? I'll see you there.

Chaya Venice

Fontina Macaroni with Truffle

Chaya Venice
110 Navy St
Venice, CA 90291
Dinner Menu
Sushi Menu
Bar Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Happy Hour
Company: Entire patron pool probably lives within 1 mile of the beach
Tip: Amazing Happy Hour.

Review:
What a mix - Think an american steakhouse in Japan and you've just about understood what Chaya really is. Simply, two of my top kinds of restaurants fused in to one - and with a full bar to boot, it's unlikely that you'll leave hungry. Perhaps your wallet a tiny bit empty, but eh, semantics.

Sushi

Per the usual, we started with the veggie tempura which was at par with the best, but more importantly is that the miso dip was the best tempura sauce I've ever had. More like a dressing, I almost asked for more just for the bread. Following, I went for the Miso Marinated Sea Bass and the Fontina Macaroni with Truffle. The last side was the Spider Roll, and dessert was shared Apple Tarte Tatin.

Pretty tasty for a place that spreads itself wide in terms of menu items, genres, and palates. I'd definitely go again for the tempura, seabass, and sushi, and recommend you try it out on your next hip date.

Blue Daisy Cafe

French Toast

Blue Daisy Cafe
2303 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, 90403
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch (8am-5pm)
Company: Serious brunchers, lunchers, and any-time munchers
Tip: Get the zucchini fritters no matter what

Review: I love weekend brunch. It's uncertain which came first - my dear swoon for the weekend, or my obsession with long midmorning meals over piping coffee and delicious spreads - but no matter how you take it, I'm always on the lookout for a good brunch spot. Impressively rated on yelp, and right next to Bread & Porridge and Snug Harbor on the 23rd block of Wilshire, this petite cafe holds its own against the local bigwigs. 

BDC is known for the crepes, french toast, lox, and benedict. Also, something I've never seen anywhere else - the zucchini fritters, which are basically like potato pancakes but with shreds of zucchini instead of potato. Delish. Per the usual, there is the typical fare of coffee, tea, and espresso. On order you'll find sandwiches and salad, so whatever your breakfast-lunch craving is, it will, undoubtedly, be met.

Hole In The Wall Burger

Beef Burger, Regular Fries

Hole In The Wall Burger Joint 
2200 Colorado Blvd
Santa Monica
(310) 449-0147
Menu

Type: Restaurant, To-Go
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Company: The best of Father's Office with the welcome of special requests, customizations, and vegetarianism of the Counter
Cost: Somewhere between In-N-Out and Rustic Canyon
Tip: CASH ONLY - There's an ATM inside.

Review:
What don't I love about HITW? When everyone (including the burgers) genuinely smile, the ranch is house-made (and the best I've ever had), the chocolate chip cookies could quite possibly steal the show, and the owners (Bill and Susan) are there because they love it (Bill: "I just want her to be happy," which is heart-rakingly sweet considering they're actually divorced) - there is no other burger joint to which I'd rather shell out a few bucks.

Veggie Burger, Sweet Potato Fries

The thing is, you've seen HITW before. Prior to re-opening on Colorado Blvd, HITW used to be a well-known secret as literally a hole-in-the-wall on Santa Monica Blvd in a tiny strip mall. So rest well that the food, passion, and following is tried and true. Here's how it works:

1. Enter and pick up an ordering form.
2. Choose a protein (Beef, Turkey, Veggie, Chicken, Special of the week)
3. Choose a bread (Pretzel, Whole Wheat, Old Fashioned, Brioche, Bowl)
4. Customize with spreads, cheese, toppings, extras
5. Sides: Sweet Potato and Regular, Side of the week
6. Drink: Bottled soda, Lemonade, Ice Tea, Milkshake

Drop it off at the counter. Pick up a chocolate chip cookie for dessert (get two, you'll want more later), pay, and wait for your order to be handed to you wrapped in paper, in a paper bag. Pick up a few containers of the best ranch dressing I've ever had and the homemade ketchup, and you're good to go. To test it all out, we sampled the following:

Pick a bun!

1. Beef Burger, pretzel bun, onion mayo, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, bacon, fried egg & regular fries
2. Veggie Burger, brioche bun, chipotle mayo, pepper jack, avocado, mushrooms & sweet potato fries
3. DANG soda (butterscotch root beer!)
4. Chocolate chip cookies, fresh chocolate pudding, rice pudding, brownie, chocolate ganache, caramel sauce

Some items you won't find on the menu, and that's how you know you're eating from a chef who simply loves food, loves cooking, and really enjoys trying things out. The specials this week were a chorizo burger and potato chips, up soon will be a mac-and-cheese, various milkshakes with house-made ice cream, and gluten free buns.

So, how was everything?

1. Beef Burger: No anti-biotics, no added hormones, all fresh ingredients plus that heavenly ranch sauce? Delicious, and just as Bill said: somewhere between In-n-Out and Father's office (as in, the price trends toward In-n-Out and the taste/quality is much more like Father's office).

2. Veggie Burger: As someone who has never ever ordered a veggie burger, I've finally found one that I would. Black beans, brown rice, peppers, corn, onion, panko, spices - you can actually discern the patty-made-of-veggies, and it's hearty, tasty, and a perfect meatless meal.

Save room for dessert!

3. Desserts: Dive in to the chocolate pudding, forget about tomorrow, and try to restrain yourself from having another. The chocolate chip cookies were perfectly crispy and butter on the initial bite, then caramely, and chewy on the inside. Dare I say the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had?

Just as I was finishing off the last of the cookies and joking how my next step would be much more of a roll, Susan introduced herself (I had been talking to Bill for the entire visit). Beaming, busy, and with eyes as bright as summer she shared some renovations plans with Bill, who then asked for my sake if she remembered the first meal he ever made for her - laughing, she rubbed her stomach and rested her hand on her heart.

"Of course I do -" and as she went on for a minute about some salmon-noodle asian fusion dish with butter and miso, I looked over at Bill whose expression was as content as ever. And just as something like a burger joint between a Starbucks, a dry cleaner, a smoothie shop, and a Japanese restaurant just fits, so does this version of their relationship.

A welcomed addition to the block, I'm happy to claim that it's in my neighborhood, and that I'll be there often (as will everyone else).

Dan Tana's

Your table will be the size of the napkin

Dan Tana's 
9071 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA
Menu

Type: Restaurant, Bar
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Late-Night
Company: Leave the claustrophobes and diets at home
Tip: Make a res or make out with the maitre di Christian - otherwise, it's Taste of India next door for you!

Review: 
The last of its class, Dan Tana's is old school Italian, which means that it's pricey, hefty, and absolutely delicious. Unlike you'd anticipate, while you go here to be seen, you also go here to eat. That's because every main dish comes with a side of pasta (angel hair, spaghetti, penne) with sauce (marinara, meat, garlic and olive oil) and complimentary bread and butter. The most popular dishes are the Chicken Parm, the Veal Piccata, and any cut of steak.

Caesar

There's also a table-side Caesar, but considering there's barely enough space between tables to say you're dining without everyone else in the room, it's usually made in the kitchen. Salty, tangy, and with the perfect hello from anchovy, the Caesar is worth every forkful and the slight detour from the inevitable carb-coma.

I'd also recommend the "potatoes and onions strings" which is something like "home-made potato chips and french-fried onion strings" also known as "you'll eat the entire lot of them and not be able to finish your main course" (not that you would otherwise - unless you are eating for two). If you fancy boozy desserts then get the Zabaglione because here it's also handmade and if warm and custardy in a wine glass is your thing, then this will be a closer. If you like things a little more PG, then do the Chocolate Mousse which is a baseball-sized chocolate bonbon encasing vanilla ice cream.

Potatoes. Strings.

Luckily, there is valet parking for a reason, and it will be the best $8 you ever handed over since the idea of walking to your car after tucking in to a full-on italian spread is worth three times that just to avoid. Cheers!

LA's 8 Most Off The Couch Dishes

Here at Off The Couch LA we firmly believe in menu motto: Try Everything Once. And in the past year or so, we've had great opportunities to do just that. If you are looking for some ideas, here are our picks LA's 8 Most Off The Couch Dishes:

1. Typhoon: Scorpion on Shrimp Toast
2. Tar & Roses: Whole Fish

3. Superba Snack Bar: Cauliflower Steak

4. FIG: Bacon Wrapped Bacon

5. Shoop's: Salmon Belly Bacon (special order)

6. Robata Bar: (from Sushi Roku) Kurobuta Pork "Kakuni"

7. Chego: Sriracha Bar

8. Ushuaia: Crispy Sweetbreads

Go on - dig in, get weird, and remember the moments!

BOA Steakhouse

Swanky lighting wants you to eat, not snap pics

BOA Steakhouse 
101 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Company: If you like Sushi Roku and Robata Bar, this is by the same folk
Tip: This is the only time you'll ever hear me recommend to sit inside instead of outside. Why? The seats are super narrow long the window, so unless you like to slide while you eat opt for indoors!

Review:
I got called a carnivore last night, which is fine by me, especially since my steak of choice was the Bone-In Ribeye cooked medium-rare. I've been rather curious about BOA after learning that it's owned by the same group that runs Sushi Roku and Robata Bar (literally, across the street). Could I order from the Sushi menu? The answer is no, but don't fret - there are so many combinations and permutations at BOA you'll find yourself practically pleading for suggestions.

Here's some direction:

Our table ordered the Tuna Tartar, the special Mushroom Cappuccino, the Truffle and Crab Gnocchi, and our respective Steaks. Each steak comes with your choice of rub, crust, and sauce, so naturally I uber-ordered and got a sauce "tasting" (aka every single of one them) and my steak delivered medium-rare with herbed butter. Next time, I'd go for blackened and skip the herb butter since the butter was rather fragrant and over-stepping.

OTC Tip: Re - the Sauces - I loved the Peppercorn. All the others - Creamy Horseradish, Chimichurri, Bernaise, Cabernet, and Signature - I'd skip.

Tasting the Mushroom Cappuccino (think a mushroom soup with a white foam on top) I'd definitely order that again/or opt for the french onion soup (oh how I love). The Gnocchi was delectable, with huge pieces of crab in a lush truffle cream bath. The steaks were huge, and if you're wondering how big, I'll admit I took 1/4 of mine home.

The dessert menu is as teasing as the regular menu. We got the S'mores, but next time I'd get what our neighbors got which was the Banana Pudding. The S'more were sort of random (imagine a chocolate gooey cake, ice cream, marshmallow fluff, graham crackers) and definitely needed a douse of creme anglaise to wet through the cake.

Definitely a great steak, but for the price I'd vote for an ambiance less "vegas-meets-beach" (think blue-lit stones) and opt for either more traditional (Maestro's) or less focused (The Wilshire).

Wilshire Restaurant

Kale Salad with Burrata

Wilshire Restaurant
2454 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Happy Hour
Company: Pretty people. Hungry people. Party people. Families. The whole caboodle!
Tip: You must get the Sticky Toffee Pudding. In fact, get more - one won't ever be enough...

Review:
You've probably seen Wilshire Restaurant for some time now, as it's next to The Charleston (where I have the Sallie Unswined cocktail) - but you probably didn't know that it's owned by the La Vecchia restauranteur and is run by executive chef Nyesha Arrington (Season 9, Top Chef). Nyesha's mother is Korean, so you'll find a few asian twists to Wilshire's predominately seasonal and American menu.

Steak Tartar

Tip: Best outdoor atmosphere in Santa Monica. Reminds me of Primitivo - fairy lights wrapped around trees, a roaring propane fire, gigantic heat lamps, and a multi-dimensional layout that promises a different experience from every angle.

Check:
1. Steak Tartar with arugula, quail egg
2. Kale salad
3. Braised Short Rib
4. Filet Mignon
5. Truffle Fries
6. Sweet Potato Gratin
7. Sticky Toffee Pudding

Truffle Fries & Gratin

As mentioned, you must get the Toffee Pudding - it's light, eye-rollingly delicious, and the product of a few years in the making (says Chef Arrington). Also perfected was the Filet Mignon and the Truffle fries. Spectacular presentation went to the Kale salad, and of course - the entire backyard decor.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Cafe Del Rey

Wagyu Beef Tartar

Cafe Del Rey 
4451 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Bar, Happy Hour
Company: Locals, business dealers
Tip: Request a table by the window!

Review: Aside from the 50's orange and blue color scheme, Cafe Del Rey makes a mean meal at which you'll have to fight to eat any fewer than three courses. Spanning a dock's length of view at the Marina Del Rey yacht club, Cafe Del Rey promises a view that makes up for the otherwise clashing decor (sorry).

Tip: Whatever other full plates you get, order the truffle pizza. It's a perfect ratio of caramelized onion, truffle cream, and reggiano.

Duck in a bowl

Fun to note is the Raw Bar menu that gets prepared in full-view. If you can, linger and stare at executive chef Daniel Roberts as he tenderly slices Wagyu beef for his tartar. Then, get it. It's a delicious combination of Wagyu, black currants, almonds, olives, shallot, and harissa. Served with chips, in some small eater's world it could be enough for a meal.

Check:

1. Truffle Pizza
2. Wagyu Beef Tartar
3. Sea Bass (brussel sprouts, green apple, cippolini, pancetta, potato)
4. Pan Roasted Duck Breast (duck confit, cassoulet, baby carrot, pom gastrique)
5. **Rosemary Brown Sugar Bacon** (not a side or appetizer...definitely a snack embedded in the entree section)
6. Chocolate Truffle Cake (off menu)

Truffle Pizza

As noted, definitely get the Truffle Pizza (appetizer or main), the Beef Tartar, and the Roasted Duck. Our mains came in deep and large bowls, which I took particular delight in since the bowl is my plating of choice for everything (minus coffee). I also hear Cafe Del Rey is delightful for lunch, which adds the highlight of daylight on the fabulous Marina view.

Sherman's Deli

Pastrami between LATKAS!!

Sherman's Deli
73161 Country Club Drive
Palm Desert
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Company: Big eaters only
Tip: Come hungry. Bring your hollow leg. Dinner specials start at 4pm.

Review:
Sherman's is not in LA, but if you are in LA then you can get there in a few hours, so it *most certainly* falls within the allotted OTC territory. Plus, with the number of weekly specials, early-bird steals and combo plates, this isn't just an LA-must. It's a CA-must. True, I had just gotten down from a hunger-inducing rock climb/hike (which I also recommend) but everything at Sherman's is so delicious that even once I was full it still tasted good - therefore, it must be.

As you intuit, Sherman's is a Kosher-style family restaurant by claim, and a place for big stomachs by proof. The red-boothed, old brown-lacquered walls accompanied by plates of complimentary pickles are expected but so much better than you can fathom. So go for breakfast, and/or lunch, and/or dinner (you'll want to) and let your taste buds tour your guide.

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup. Love in a broth, basically

I went on Monday around 3pm, just one hour short of the early-bird specials. Immediately I went for a bowl of matzo ball soup, followed by what is best described as a Jewish take on KFC's double-down: a potato latka sandwich made of two latkas and a pile of your choice: pastrami or corned beef. I chose pastrami, and added onion and tomato. The dining partners got something similar but the same (typical boys)- pastrami sandwiches.

Oh the ribbons of red and fatty, super-perfectly salty and cured beef squashed in to thick and crisp potato pancakes. Juicy tomato and rude onion cut the fat, and the mayo slaw on the side gave it all enough green and cream to fill in any holes. Called the Beef 'N Latkas, for future reference.

The only caveat is the forewarned food coma that awaits every diner as he/she steps through the exit. Like it was ordered, it will descend upon you like the wooziest of all sheep-sized fogs. A bank, perhaps - a cloud bank, to be sure. So, there you have it. The best Jewish deli I've ever been to and the longest-lasting food coma/hangover I've ever happily succumbed.

La Vecchia

La Vecchia
2654 Main Street
Santa Monica, 90405
Menu

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Dinner
Company: Traditional eaters
Tip: Don't skip the bread, and angle for the table next to the window

Review:
La Vecchia is old italian, meaning that it has been on Main street for over ten years and is just as busy or busier than any of the younger and neighboring bars, tapa houses, and pizza joints. Aside from delving in to a robust and tasty menu, La Vecchia has what most italian restaurants do not - a full bar. And a bar menu. Which means that you can get your vodka soda, gin and tonic, or apres-meal night cap straight up or with a twist. Now isn't that grand.

I have yet to go wrong at La Vecchia, but if you want spot-on here are a few gold-glowing winners:

Lamb shank and mashed potato: tender, gigantic.

1. Caprese: Layered multi-colored tomatoes nestled next to a scoop of burrata, leaves of basil, and a tangle of prosciutto, a final touch of drizzled balsamic and olive oil makes this a winning appetizer to share

2. The complimentary bread basket and dish of basil, garlic, and olive oil. Best make sure your friends eat it too; it's a pungent and seconds-worthy

3. Rigatoni Bolognese

4. Rotolo Alla Brace: Chicken wrapped around eggplant, zucchini, and mozzarella (I think this is my favorite!)

5. Ossobuco Alla Romana: Braised and messy, it's melty enough to eat with a spoon


6. Molten chocolate cake with ice cream: Can't go wrong here

I've also been told the pizza is divine and the steak is one of the best in the city. Mangia!

SugarFish

SugarFish 
1345 2nd Street
Santa Monica, CA

Type: Restaurant
Category: Snack, Lunch, Dinner
Company: Must love fish
Tip: Always opt for the Trust Me - and don't share it
Menu

Review:
For a place that doesn't take reservations and insists that you trust the chef, SugarFish is super popular. If you want a measure of how good this fish is, I'll note that the service sucks and the ambiance is tiny. This is what happens when nobody cares about anything but the fish. Which is fine. Go for the fish. Go back because the fish doesn't taste like sushi or really any other kind of fish you've ever had before. Expect silken. Anticipate butter. Enjoy everything.

Blue Crab Hand Roll

Shoop's

Banana Pancakes

Shoop's
2400 Main Street
Santa Monica, 90405

Type: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Category: Cafe
Company: Only good food by and for good people
Tip: Always get a banana pancake no matter what else you've ordered

Review:
Everyone has a place. And if you don't then you should. Some call it home, others call it their spot. Mine is named Shoop's, and it's one block from my apartment and has 23 seats and a wall of haribo candy.

You'll see why I've been shy to share. Shoop's is my favorite place for breakfast and brunch and it's truly a treasure and I'm yet to speak to the menu. So if you go: tread lightly, eat heartily, and only say I sent you if you exhibit to like food and love to eat.

Shoop's is European deli by pantry, and cafe by menu. Breakfast lists eggs, omelets, wraps, and pancakes. Lunch offers sandwiches, salads, and soups. The coffee is copious, and no matter what time of day you go there will always be a table of cops. If you see a guy in a red chef coat his name is Matt, and he's the owner. The tall blonde with short hair is his wife, Llonna. Their menu is built on local favorites, personal likes, and regulars' customizations.

The most popular item is the body wrap. The banana pancakes taste like griddled banana pudding and are creamy and crispy and heavenly. The omelets are big enough to share, and once you try the garlic potatoes you'll see that they aren't optional. Matt also makes his own smoked salmon, which is great on a sandwich or just by itself. Also fantastic is Matt's daily soup, and the line of hot sandwiches on baguette. Here's what I love:

1. Banana Pancakes (the best in Los Angeles)
2. The Body Wrap (egg whites, chicken, mozzarella, spinach) - get no salsa and I add pesto, yam, onion
3. The Ranger (hot roast beef, swiss, grilled onion, coleslaw, russian dressing)
4. Smoked Salmon BLT Wrap (lettuce, mayo, havarti, bacon, tomato) - I add onion and avocado
5. Green Eggs & Ham (poached eggs, ham, pesto, baguette)

My most recent order is taking the first breakfast wrap listed on the little plastic table stand of specials and making it an omelet (sub sausage for turkey) - I believe it's swiss, eggs, onion, mushroom, spinach, and bacon.

And thus, I am at the same time sharing and thankful.

Library Ale House

Courtesy of Ben F. via Yelp

Library Ale House
2911 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Type: Ale House
Category: Lunch, Happy Hour, Dinner, Late-Night
Company: Beer nerds, food geeks

Review:
Pretty much a nook of my favorite things: hard-wood everything, books, a beer and wine list akin to Noah's arc, and a varieteful menu to match. Oh, and high table tops and outdoor patio seating. Swoon.

Luckily, Library Ale House knows how to handle what could quite possibly mount to several thousands of combinations of beers and foods and wine. Can't decide on just one pint? Try the customized beer sampler, and or the weekly happy hour offerings.

OTC Tip: Happy Hour is M-F from 3pm-6pm and includes $3 off wine by the glass and certain red-chalked beers. Snacks and plates (think fries, sliders, mac 'n cheese, etc) $2.5-$7.

Since nothing goes better with beer than a burger and crispy-salty-fried sides, whenever I've been to the Library Ale House I've opted for a hand-held. Every burger is worth each bite, and I'm particularly fond of adding a side of onion rings with extra aioli.

OTC Tip: Monday night you can take off $3 from any burger!

Also delicious to note is that the salads look particularly abundant and amazing - it's rare (ok never) that I'll order a salad when out, but these are quite captivating and head-turning. So, if that's your way then definitely do it here. Also - the fried pickle chips (frickles) can't be skipped.

OTC Tip: Top the night off with a beer-cupcake.

Cheers!

Superba

Chef Neroni. Let him feed you.

Superba Snack Bar 

Type: Restaurant
Category: Lunch, Brunch, Dinner
Company: Those who like to munch and moan
Cost: $8-$19

Review:
As I've said before, I'm pretty reliable for taking pictures of good food. Heck, I can usually stay on task in the midst of great food; the real issue is when it's outstanding.

As luck would have it, Superba is an exceptional exception. Self-announced as a "modern take on a Pastaria," the experience was best described by our counter-top server as "we get funky with it," which we did - and I have pictures to prove it. In sum, just go, as it's the best restaurant that I've been to in months.

OTC Tip: Sit at the bar. Seek chef Jason Neroni. Let him feed you.

At first glance, the menu looks typical in size and stature, variety and focus. Italian themed tapas, for ordering  to share (or hog), you'll probably even note how well-priced it all is considering the location (Rose, the hip younger sister to Abbot Kinney), the decor, and the hype (snacks/starters are $8, bigger dishes are all under $19). But the thing to do here is surrender, and like us let chef Neroni prescribe and pace your entire meal.

Here is the Must List:

PB&J: Pine Nut Butter. Lamb Tongue. Pickle.

Brussels. Poached Egg. Dashi.

FRIED CHICKEN.

S'mores!

As you close the bill and heave yourself off your stool, remember to grab a flyer for A Tale of Two Jason's, the first of many collaborative dinners thrown by Jason N. and Guest. Reservations required, $100/pp. Can't hold out? It's OK, you'll be back, or at least your dreams will take you to this 4-bite moment over and over again:

Benny's Tacos

Benny's Tacos
427 Lincoln Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

Review: Like all of my childhood friends, my entry in to burritos, quesadillas, and nachos exists because of Gordo's on Solano Avenue in Berkeley. A hole in the wall taqueria 1/2 mile from home, Gordo's is known for its Super Burrito which contains a steamed-and-cheese melted tortilla, authentic rice, beans, meat (shredded chicken, crispy carnitas, marinated steak, and grilled chicken), sour cream, guacamole, and hot sauce all for $5.35.

Perhaps Gordo's carries nostalgic cred, but I have yet to find a burrito in LA that stands up to the ideal. The issue tends to be in the tortilla and rice: Gordo's does it thin and steamed with short-grain and almost sticky mexican rice. Everything else here is thick and grilled, dry and almost chinese-like.

Then it happened, as most stumble-upons do: I was in the mood a for a burrito, and spotting Benny's Tacos I pulled over. Like the initial impression of any bi-themed restaurant (Benny's is Mexican and Mediterranean) I was a tad skeptical, but nonetheless I thought I'd give it a whirl.

Opting for the burrito with steak and carnitas, rice, pinto beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and extra chips I forked over $8.73 after being given (without asked) a 10% discount and card for all future purchases. Grand! Walking out I grabbed a few (ok six) little containers of mild salsa (pico de gillo) and medium (green).

Verdict?

YAY! The size of a football and expertly rolled, my Benny's burrito was not only satisfying and exactly what I had ordered, but it reminded me of my usual order from Gordo's at home (minus the hot sauce). Topping off at sub-$9, Benny's won a coveted weekend OTC post. So, go. And if you try something from the mediterranean side, do report back.

Magnolia

Go for dessert, but dinner first is the way to go!

Magnolia Restaurant 
6266 1/2 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Menu

Type: Restaurant, Bar
Category: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Late-Night
Company: Anyone willing to hang out on Sunset

Quickie: Like a person, you can tell a lot about a restaurant by the hours it keeps. Magnolia is open from 11am-11pm Sunday and Monday, Tues-Thurs 11:30am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30-1am. Basically, this resto is 25 in people years and enjoys late nights and brunch.

Review: I love the moments when I realize that the more I eat, the more I become aware of what I haven't eaten. More specifically, it's rare that you'll find this beach-dweller east of the 405 - and even more rare to be on Sunset in Hollywood. Holly-what/why? But the joke is on me - pulling up to Magnolia on Sunset, the flanks of restaurant options flooded my periphery vision and despite my focus (dessert at Magnolia) - "what a dunce I am" was all that really came to mind. There are so, SO many restaurants in Los Angeles, and the drive or traffic is never what we remember about a day, food, or moment, now is it? So, get up and off to Magnolia....

Enter Magnolia. Unsure how hip/busy it is 10pm+, but there's a bar, several tables, cool booth-chairs flanking the wall, a few back rooms, and the general ambiance that "this is the hangout of local industry types." The menu is simple and classic, nothing that you'd need a degree in gastronomy or mixology to re-create which is nice in face of hipper things that tend to trend on this side of town. Despite going for dessert, we opted for dinner first (how mature, I know) - and I sifted through the following recommendations:

Waitress: Beet and Avocado Salad. Tuna Tartare. Herbed Jidori Chicken. Macaroni and Cheese.

Dining Buddy: Pappardelle Bolognese. Pan-Seared Scallops. Cobb Salad.

Since Dining Buddy put dibs on the Pappardelle Bolognese, I wavered between the Mac and Cheese with a side of brussels sprouts (with which I hold a mild obsession) and the Pan-Seared Scallops. Finalizing on the latter, I was thrilled when the three caramelized scallops arrived nestled in a cloud of parmesan risotto and diced asparagus. Delicious, warm, and one of those plates where it was just what I needed - I highly recommended it. I also nabbed a bite of the Bolognese, which was an equally delicious experience of wide noodles cloaked in a rustic tomato-meat sauce highlighted by a hint of sweet carrot.

Then - DESSERT!

Like many destination restaurants, Magnolia is known for one sweet ending in particular: The Ice Cream Sandwich. A twin set of hulking sized chocolate cookies, smashed on both sides of your choice - salted caramel ice cream or mint chip (choose the mint) cut in to quarters (makes sharing optimal) and flanked by a strawberry. Oh my, get this - it's worth the trek and whatever else you may have to endure. Even though it will only last three seconds, I've heard that's all we remember anyway.

City Tavern

Table Taps - you won't find these anywhere else

City Tavern
9379 Culver Blvd
Culver City, 90232

Type: Restaurant, Bar
Category: Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Company: Classy enough for a date, but laid-back enough for a casual evening out.

Review:
When the first thing that comes out of your mouth is "it's like a tactile ORGASM" - there are three things you simultaneously think:

1) I hope nobody heard that.
2) Yep, they did, those people right there are looking at you with  a strange expression
3) The food and drink better be just as good

Back: Fried Grits. Front: Poutine

Luckily, City Tavern pulls through. Just as you would hope from a place that is as hip as to have walls coated in blackboard paint, hand-made tables from old barn wood, gnarly-cool lights made from re-purposed metals, and coveted booth seating with ""table taps," City Tavern is the exact opposite of cool and stuffy.

Why you know it: City Tavern is the little brother to "up the block" Rush Street.

Why you'll love it: Table-taps for select booths. Quirky spins on classic food and drink - like seasonal beer popsicles nestled in pop rocks, and the chef's understandable obsession with bacon. Beer served in milk bottles during happy hour.

What you should eat: Poutine, Fried Grits, House Buttermilk Dressing, Fried Chicken Nuggets, Roasted Mahi, Warm Peanut-Butter Brownie.

What you should drink: Any of the beers on tap via tasting flights. The Cool Hand Luke and Grape Goose from the cocktail menu.

Roasted Mahi with port, artichoke, and fig reduction

Made by locals, for locals, City Tavern is an excellent option to add to the tried-and-true options in Culver City. Plus- apparently, you can say anything here and still get served!