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.
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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