Tag: Los Angeles

Julienne | Eggs & Creme Brûlée French Toast in San Marino

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Feeling a little fancy, I decided to dress up and venture out to Julienne’s in San Marino to enjoy a nice breakfast with fancy toast.  The weather was just a bit crisp but sunny.  We opted to sit outdoors since the overhead heaters made for a comfortable environment.  This was my first time trying the restaurant, but I had heard great reviews about it.

Julienne's Coffee

Julienne’s is well known for their breakfast.  Their signature dish is a creme brûlée French toast served with fresh strawberry sauce and creme anglais.  Of course, this was the first item I had to try!

Baked Crème Brulee French Toast with Fresh Strawberry Sauce and Crème Anglais

Creme Brûlée French Toast

This dish is so decadent and sweet!  I would recommend sharing it so that you don’t end up in a sugar coma.

Poinsettia

The ambiance of the restaurant is intimate and quaint.  The restaurant consists of a dining patio and three adjacent store fronts, one of which serves as a gourmet market and gift shop.  During this particular visit, holiday music played in the background and the restaurant was decorated with twinkle lights and garland.

Raisin Rosemary Toast with Butter and Jam

Complimentary Rosemary Raisin Toast with Butter and Jam

After looking over all of the egg options, I opted for an omlette.  While all the egg dishes sounded delicious, the Green Omlette caught my attention since it was served with avocado.

Julienne's Green Omlette

Green Omlette – Asparagus, Broccoli, Spinach, Scallions, Avocado, Feta and Roasted Pepper Salsa

Everything was fantastic.  From the complimentary toast to the ambiance.  Julienne’s is a great place to start your morning with your girl friends chatting over a hot cup of coffee. Or a nice date place to take that special someone or even mom and dad.

Breakfast is served Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 10:45 am, with an intermission menu available from 10:45 am to 11:30 am. Brunch is served all day Saturday and the restaurant is closed on Sunday.  Check out their website or Yelp for more information.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar | Burgers and Churros in Los Angeles

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When my friend first asked if I wanted to try out Plan Check Kitchen and Bar, I thought maybe he typed too fast and autocorrect had changed the name of the restaurant… but no, Plan Check it was indeed!

Plan Check is a quirky neighborhood restaurant,

“serving modern American comfort food in a small plate format along with unique cocktails, premium whiskeys and craft beers.”

Their claim to fame is their ketchup leather, a dehydrated square of ketchup with a fruit roll-up texture.  (Tomatoes are considered a fruit right?)  I had to do a doable take when seeing this on the menu, but knew I had to try it right away.

PCB (Plan Check Burger)

PCB (Plan Check Burger) – americanized dashi cheese, ketchup leather, schmaltz onions, mixed pickles, crunch bun.

While I opted for the Plan Check Burger, my friend was more adventurous and tried the Chefs Favorite Burger; served with a fried egg and topped off with hot sauce!

Chefs Favorite Burger

Chefs Favorite Burger – cheese two ways, bacon two ways, ketchup leather, sunny fried egg, hot sauce.

To compliment the entrees we decided to split a goat cheese plate, sweet potatoe fries, and churro dessert.

Goat Cheese PlateSweet Potatoe FriesCruller Churro Donut

We both agreed that the ketchup leather was delicious.  However, the most tastiest treat on the menu has to be the churro donut!  Dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar, the crunchy outside hides the vanilla flavored lightly moist texture on the inside.  I’m not quite sure why they call it a “cruller donut” because true cruller fashion would consist of a dense filling, whereas this donut is light on the inside.  Served on top of cream with fruit, asking for it a la mode is really the only way to go.

Inside donut churro

If you are visiting Los Angeles and looking for your burger and churro fix, make sure to check them out.  They have three locations within the area, with one conveniently located in downtown.  Visit their website or check out their reviews on Yelp.

Happy eating!

Olvera Street: A walk through ‘La Placita Olvera’ in Downtown LA

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Here’s a look of a stroll I took down Olvera Street one hot summer day. Olvera Street is an outdoor marketplace that houses stores, sit-down restaurants, food stands, museums, historic monuments, and a performance plaza. It is an area that is colorful, vibrant, and full of culture. Talk about history, ‘La Placita Olvera’ is considered one of Los Angeles’ oldest historic sites. There are seven museums and four historic monuments located on the premises. Among these buildings includes the oldest existing residence of Los Angeles, Avila Adobe, which dates back to 1818. Strolling through the grounds you can stop to watch a live performance, listen to a mariachi band, drink a fresh fruit water (agua fresca), or munch on delicious rolled tacos (taquitos). There is so much to see and do. I was only able to capture a small portion. Hopefully it inspires you to take a stroll.

“The Olvera Street Mexican style outdoor marketplace is an internationally renowned space for visitors to casually stroll, people watch and enjoy foods, cultural souvenirs and traditional live entertainment.” – Calle Olvera
Aguas Frescas
Olvera Street
Dolls
Performance area
Pico House
Plaza tree
Native Dancers
Clothes
Watermelon and Horchata
Taquito stand
Shops
Restaurant
Aztec dancers
Museum
Entrance by plaza tree
Olvera Street

The Last Bookstore: Books, Art, and Records in Downtown LA

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Here’s a peek inside The Last Bookstore.  The store is various levels with rooms within rooms and things to see around every corner. If you try to go visit, be aware that certain rooms and stores close before the rest of the bookstore. I missed the chance to explore a couple of rooms because of this. But other than that, I was able to peek around the majority of the place. The Last Bookstore looks like something that should belong on the set of a Harry Potter movie. When I saw the wall of photos I was almost expecting the faces to start following me across the room. It’s a truly unique place and a really fun find.

“The Last Bookstore is California’s largest used and new book and record store. Currently in our third incarnation, we began in 2005 in a downtown Los Angeles loft.” – Last Bookstore
Book aisle with book light switch
Scary books
Book ailses
View from above
Star Wars books
Wall of paintings
The Last Bookstore Mannequin
Up close of flying books
Inside vaulted book room
Up close wall of paintings
Drawings on the wall
View overhead
Book loop
Alice in Wonderland style sign
Windy book aisles
Half mannequin
Curved book hall
Flying bookshelf
Secret light switch
Inside book hall
Industrial art
Vaulted book room
Random book aisles
Books flying in the corner ceiling

Check out my previous post for the address! 😉

Four Unique and/or Weird Things To See in Downtown Los Angeles

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Los Angeles is where I call home (for the majority of the time that is). So it’s funny for me to think that I’ve never really explored the downtown area. Now that I have a friend that lives in the area, I’ve been spending a significant amount of time falling in love with the city. Here’s a list of four weird and/or unique things to see in downtown Los Angeles. The best part, it’s all within a two block radius so you don’t have to worry about parking. 😉 Enjoy!

Downtown Los Angeles Main and 5th

Downtown Los Angeles Map, center point Main and 5th – Click to enlarge.

Cocktail from Varnish

The Varnish

118 EAST 6TH STREET
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Imagine yourself entering a French dip restaurant. Walking past the host to the back wall only to find an unmarked door which leads to one of downtown LAs oldest speakeasys. If this sounds like fun to you then make your way to The Varnish, located in the back of Cole’s restaurant. It is a small dark intimate space which offers amazing cocktails and an exclusive vibe. They don’t allow overcrowding so you have to wait outside of the speakeasy for a table. Grab a seat at the bar at Cole’s while you wait. Where else can you  grab a French dip sandwich one minute and then sip a Moscow mule in a speakeasy without ever stepping outside?

Peddler's Creamery

PEDDLER’S CREAMERY

458 SOUTH MAIN STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013

Have you ever heard of an ice-creamery where you can pedal for a free scoop? Well I hadn’t heard of it until I stumbled upon Peddler’s Creamery. Now the thought of having to exercise for 20 minutes before I can get some ice cream isn’t the most appealing thing to me, but some people go for that kind of stuff! So check this place out, even if it’s just to be a lookey loo to watch others bike for their scoop.

Angel Wings on Main by Colette Miller

Angel Wings on Main by Colette Miller

ANGEL WINGS ON MAIN

448 S Main STREET
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located right next to Peddler’s Creamery is the Regent Theater. What makes this place unique are the art installation pieces by Colette Miller. A pair of angel wings located on the sliding gates. Make sure to get there before the place opens, or else you’ll miss your chance for a photo-op.

The Last Bookstore

The Last Bookstore. Not sure if that was a reflection on my forehead or an orb. ;p

THE LAST BOOKSTORE

453 S Spring Street
LOS ANGELES, CA 90013

Now, The Last Bookstore may not really be the last bookstore but it is considered one of California’s largest. The store carries new and used books as well as records and art installations. You’ll find surprises around every corner… literally!