Botega Louie for Brunch

So my fiance and I were downtown shopping and we decided to stop by Botega Louie on the corner of 7th and Grand for brunch.  My breakfast was yummy. I had egg, smoked bacon, garlic roasted breakfast potatoes and toast with a mimosa.  My fiance couldn't resist getting a pizza, its his favorite food and we don't have a lot of gourmet pizza spots in our neighborhood so he opted for a half peperoni and sausage pizza with fresh mozzarella and fresh tomato sauce. 

 The service was extra friendly and the day was lovely so the bright lights from the sun filled the room that has large windows all around the venue.  It reminds me of a gourmet kitchen in New York so I love going there to remind me of times past.

Order from your table IPAD @ Stacked

Stacked in Torrance is a perfect place to go to when you want to eat get your food pay and go without hardly waiting. Perfect if you are grabbing a bite before movie for example. At your table you will find an ipad that you can scroll through the menu to pick your appetizers drinks food and dessert.  You literally begin to stack your ingredients on your burger, pizza or salad.  There are a variety of cheeses, meats, sauces lettuce and bread to choose from to stack to perfection.  Each person takes turns at the ipad then you push the send to kitchen button and you are done.  In a few your waiter will pop up at your table with your meal.  You can also pay right when you finish ordering or you can wait to the end of your meal either way you dont have to flag down a busy waiter you just swipe you card and go.  There is also a button to split the check and you can use multiple cards as well as call for a waiter and pay cash.  If you pay at the beginning and decide you want dessert you simply swipe your card again and stack your ice cream sandwich etc... and hit that send to kitchen button again. I love the fast service and the hands on approach to this restaurant. They also have happy hour and a full bar. Ilove their skinny fries with the curry ketchup or aiola sauce

Edendale in Silverlake

So I had such a wonderful time at Edendale in Silverlake this sunday morning. I celebrated my bday with a 11:30 brunch with friends.  Everyone had a wonderful dish from Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles, English Muffin Sandwich and some fancy salads topped off with some Mimosa's.  The  weather was nice so we had brunch on the outside patio. The manager and hostess were so helpful as well so that made everything run smoothly.   The building itself is so cute it used to be a old firehouse that they turned into a nice grill. They also have a bar that is frequented for their dinner hour that starts at 5pm

Santa Barbara Breakfast with a Kick

 

 The Cajun Kitchen in Santa Barbara was a great surprise for breakfast and lunch. The prices were inexpensive and the portions were massive. I would have to say it was a guilty pleasure definitely somewhere I would not go to everyday because of all the extra butter fried goodness.  I had a New Orleans omelet filled with cheese Louisiana hot sausage bell peppers and onions.





My fiancé had a catfish po boy sandwich piled high he couldn't even take a bite. The thick fries looked wonderful and were overflowing on the plate.

Santa Barbara Fishouse

After walking around the wharf for a while on this perfect sunny day we ended with some fish and shrimp at the Santa Barbara Fishouse.  It was a nice laid back atmosphere. We just walked in but I would suggest having a reservation if you are going for dinner on a Saturday night.  The fish and shrimp taste fresh and the warm appetizer bread was yummy.

Brazil Cafe in Santa Barbara

 

For my birthday weekend my fiancé and I drove up to Santa Barbara. While we were on the famous State Street where the streets are lined with shops, eateries and tourist, we stopped at Brazil Café as recommend by trip advisor.  It was a nice and popular place it filled up quickly. Luckily the service wasn't slow.  There was also a capoeira class going strong in the back studio of the restaurant. So we dinned with African drums and chanting in the background which was cool. I got a beet salad with avocado, grilled tri tip and mango dressing. It was delish and just the right portion. Mostly everything was organic and even gluten free at Brazil Café. Donovan got the tri-trip sandwich with salad and French fries and he ate up every bit so I think its safe to say it was delish as well.  We might hit it up again tomorrow before we leave unless we venture to try another lunch spot at the harbor or back at state street. Either way it was a feel like a beach town eatery would have it reminded me of my days in Santa Cruz.

Slow Cooker for Thankgsiving

Slow Cooker Recipe

Cream of Potato Soup
Sliced Potatoes
Three cheese
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Dump all into slow cooker and set on high for 3 -5 hours

Garnish with your fav herb on top after you plate your thanksgiving masterpiece.

Aroma Cafe in Studio City

So Aroma Café in Studio City on Tujunga is the perfect lunch spot for a quick bite before or after an audition in the valley. Whenever  I have to travel to the valley or north Hollywood for an audition or rehearsal I try and link up with my friends who live out that way because otherwise I would not see them. I live in the southbay and even though its the same distance south from mid city folks just like to drive north instead of south. I got a Mexican tortilla salad that was lovely. It had black beans, avocado, grilled chicken, tomatoes, tortilla strips on a bed of lettuce all plunged into a fried tortilla shell with a nice tortilla dressing on the side.  I like to dip my salad in the dressing in case I don't eat it all that way left overs wont be soggy.