Sotto9575 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 277-0210
http://www.sottorestaurant.comFood : Chef/ Owner Zach Pollack makes an amazing spaghetti with octopus ragu!! You also have to try their grilled pork meatballs- so delish!
The Raymond/ Bar 18861250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 441-3136
http://www.theraymond.comGreat cocktails
Racion119 W Green St., Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 396-3090
http://www.racionrestaurant.comSpanish food on Green Street
Kings Row Gastropub20 E. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 793-3010
http://www.kingsrowpub.comCraft Beers and pub grub
Handsome Roasters Coffee582 Mateo St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 621-4194
http://www.handsomecoffee.comGreat coffee and pastries for breakfast.
Market on Holly57 E Holly St., Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 844-8811
http://themarketonholly.comSunday brunch, also stop by the bodega and pick up some locally produced packaged food gifts for friends.
O2 Sushi
245 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 844-0239
Sushi
redwhite+bluezz70 S Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 792-4441
http://www.redwhitebluezz.comLove the NOLA Boozy Brunch. Live jazz (most nights). Great for steak and Bourbon Old Fashioned.
Stella Rossa Pizza Bar2000 Main Street Santa Monica, CA
(310) 396-9250
http://stellarossapizzabar.com/
The Tasting Kitchen1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd Venice, CA 90291
(310) 392-6644
http://www.thetastingkitchen.com/Food: Good ambiance and a great atmosphere. Simple and clean food.
Angelini Osteria7313 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036 Cross Street: Poinsettia Place
(323) 297-0070
http://www.angeliniosteria.comFood: Roman food. Wonderful lasagna!
The Bazaar (At SLS Hotel) 465 South La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 246-5555
http://www.thebazaar.comFood: Jose Andres who has restaurants in Washington, D.C. Great traditional and modern Spanish tapas.
BLD7450 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-9744
http://www.bldrestaurant.comFood: Great for brunch.
Capo1810 Ocean Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-5550
http://www.caporestaurant.comFood: The best steak in town, but expensive!!
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop9683 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 858-1383
http://www.capriottis.com/Food: If you go, order: A small Bobbie (this is the turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing on homemade roll) or A small Capistrami (this is the lean pastrami, Swiss and cole slaw)
Comme Ça8479 Melrose Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 782-1104
http://www.commecarestaurant.comFood: A brasserie similar to Balthazar in NYC.
Gjelina1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd Venice, CA 90291
(310) 450-1429
http://www.gjelina.comFood: Great truffle pizza.
Hamasaku11043 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 479-7636
http://www.hamasakula.comFood: Amazing sushi and fun, creative rolls. A strip mall gem.
Il Ristorante di Giorgio Baldi114 W Channel Rd Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 573-1660
http://www.giorgiobaldi.usFood: Romantic and has some of the best homemade pasta.
The Ivy and The Ivy at the Shore113 N Robertson Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90048 (310) 274-8303 And 1535 Ocean Ave Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-3113
http://www.theivyla.comFood: Fantastic vegetable chopped salad, ice cream sundae and bread!
Joan's on Third8350 West 3rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2285
http://www.joansonthird.comFood: Yummy Chinese chicken salad- love the dressing. Also great mini cupcakes.
Kitchen 241608 North Cahuenga Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 465-2424
http://www.kitchen24.infoFood: Upscale, hip café. Great for people watching. Great “Smac and Cheese” and “Big Baller” (large meatball sandwich that Todd loves.)
Locanda Portofino1110 Montana Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 394-2070
http://www.locandaportofino.comFood: Great classic Italian food.
Lou on Vine724 Vine Street Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 962-6369
http://www.louonvine.comFood: Really great wine bar with the best pork candy!
Lucques8474 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 655-6277
http://www.lucques.com
M Café de Chaya7119 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 525-0588
http://www.mcafedechaya.comFood: Macrobiotic food. Delicious.
Mendocino Farms300 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 620-1114
http://www.mendocinofarms.comFood: Great for lunch in downtown LA.
Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza6602 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 297-0100 And 641 North Highland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 297-0101
http://www.mozza-la.comFood: Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton are owners of these fabulous restaurants.
R+D Kitchen1323 Montana Avenue Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 395-3314
http://www.rd-kitchen.com
Umami Burger4655 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 669-3922
http://www.umamiburger.comFood: You can't go wrong with the umami burger! One of my hometown favorites!
Wood Spoon107 West 9th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 629-1765
http://woodspoonla.comFood: They have the best chicken pot pie!
Elyse Walker15320 Antioch Street, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 230-8882
http://www.elysewalker.comFun: Great shoes and handbags- A hidden gem in the Pacific Palisades.
Jaimie Geller15310 Antioch Street Los Angeles, CA 90272
(310) 454-5392
http://www.jaimiegellerjewelry.comFun: Awesome jewelry!
800 Degrees10889 Lindbrook Dr Los Angeles, California 90024
(424) 239-5010
http://www.800degreespizza.comAwesome pizzas and a really fun Burrata bar. Also, save room for their gelato from LA Creamery!
Short Cake6333 West 3rd St, Stall 316, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 761-7976
http://shortcakela.comSuper yummy sweet and savory treats by chef Amy Pressman
The Little Woman
3238 Pacific Coast Hwy
Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
(949) 640-0551
Homemade macaroons, pies and all sorts of sweet bites.
Fig Restaurant at the Fairmont MiramarFairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows 101 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 319-3111
http://www.figsantamonica.comFantastic Chopped salad and Quinoa Salad. It's a great seasonal menu that changes all the time.
Villetta246 26th St
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 394-8455
http://www.villetta.usYou must try the Neopolitan Pizza Margherita. Plus, all the pastas and desserts are awesome.