Ocean & Vine Sunday Brunch

Recently visited Ocean and Vine at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica for my friends birthday brunch. I hadn't been there since my high school prom and many of the ladies lunching were from my high school so it was a nice reunion with the hotel, which had been renovated since then.

The food and ever flowing mimosa were perfect for a sunday brunch with the ladies.  There was a large variety of meats from seared pacific salmon to chicken coq a vin, veggies, seafood and  pastries. Not to mention an omelette bar and waffle bar fully stocked with whipped cream, strawberries and warm syrup.  FYI if you liked bacon they have a smoked jalapeno bacon that is to die for. You might be there for a while if you are like us to let the never ending mimosa settle with the food. lol

The Original Farmer's Market

Visiting the original Farmers Market by the grove always brings back great memories of my grandma. We used to go there all the time to eat and shop before the grove existed. She used to make her own cough syrup and she would get her ingredients from the market (liveroil, rock candy, vodka).


I had an audition the other day and decided to stop by the farmers market for lunch on my way home. I went to The Gumbo Pot which is a little taste of new Orleans. I got a plate of collard greens, fried red snapper and cornbread with their homemade tarter sauce. It was delish and had lots of flavor. I will go back there to take my fiancé to test it out, since he is a southern boy.

There is always plenty of fresh desserts to try out at the many bakery stands at the farmers market. I usually like to pick up some callah bread for home and a big cookie for my fiancé.  They have fresh meat markets and fresh ice cream shops. Its like taking a step back into the past where folks new the local baker meat butcher and candy maker. Everything is fresh and taste wonderful. Many folks pass right by the farmers market and go straight to the Grove. I would urge you next time you are near 3rd and Fairfax to spend a day shopping and eating at the Original Farmers Market.

Magnolia Bakery in LA

Ok so I have only been to Magnolia Bakery during my years in NY. We used to wait in a line around the corner near Hudson on the way home from grad school. Low and behold there is a Magnolia Bakery in Los Angeles. It is near The Grove and Beverly Center on
8389 w 3rd Street.  I was so excited I got a vanilla cup cake with strawberry buttercream and I got their banana pudding that I used to love for my fiancé to taste when I got home.  I cant have sweets all the time but every now and then I will cheat a little and now I know there is def a sweet place to sneak away too. Yay and the verdict is in just as yummy as New York. If you haven't had a cup cake, cake, flavored cheesecake and or banana pudding try it at Magnolia Bakery.  Plus its so cute inside, take some time out get some coffee and sit inside and enjoy your sweets.  Open until 10pm.

Bonello's New York Pizza in Cali

So my fiancé loves pizza its his favorite. But after living in New York for a while I cant just get pizza hut or dominoes or those other chains.  If I am going to have pizza its needs to be new York style or it needs to be gourmet wood brick oven style.  Bonello's New York Pizza in Lomita is one of our fav spots to grab a quick pizza bite. They have the best pizza sub with drink and salad combo that we split. The pizza sub is huge def. big enough for two. From the crust to the sauce to the fresh mozzarella and fresh basil its just fresh everything for your mouth.  Beats the pasty dry chain restaurant pizza any day.

My Fav dessert at Bossa Nova

My absolute fav dessert at Bossa Nova is the banana xango. It is simply delish. Crusted fried pastry with a banana infused custard filling with a side of French vanilla ice cream sprinkle of powdered sugar and chocolate dazzled on the plate. Can you say dessert heaven. I don't eat dessert a lot but I def. make room in my tummy to order this greatness whenever we go to Bossa Nova on sunset. It is everything. Try it next time you visit.