LOS ANGELES RESTAURANTS – A LOOK INTO MY TRIP THROUGH FOOD & DRINKS
Before my vacation to Los Angeles, I had a number of recommendations for places to eat and grab cocktails. The good thing about LA is that there are so many great choices for vegetarians. The northeast is getting better with vegetarian options. but the west coast has been effectively marketing a plant-based lifestyle for quite some time.
Take a look at where I ‘wined and dined’ during my stay in California.
READ ALSO: Los Angeles Bucket List
Day 1:
CAVA | Culver City | LOVE
I spent the entire day at ‘the Price is Right’, I had whatever junk food I could get because I did not anticipate the taping to take 6 hours. I chugged a Redbull to stay awake and ate 2 cookies, because of course they ran out of the vegetarian meals. After I got back to my friend’s place, she took me out for dinner and cocktails. We walked through beautiful Culver city and stopped at Cava. Cava is like a Mediterranean version of ‘Chipotle’. And who doesn’t love Mediterranean food?!?! So yes I jumped at the chance to eat here. I got a grain bowl with; brown rice, crazy feta, falafels, pita chips, kalamata olives, more feta, tomato, onion and yogurt dill dressing. This grain bowl was absolutely delicious and so filling, I love all the flavors. There are so many options, you can create many different types of combinations and try something different every visit.
CAVA Grain Bowl in Culver City LA
THE WALLACE | Culver City | LOVE
After dinner, we walked around Culver a bit more, explored the Culver hotel and grabbed a drink at The Wallace, which is most known for being locally sourced with a modern industrial feel. We sat at the bar for a drink. It wasn’t like the typical place where you can grab any cocktail you want. I typically do sangria, which they didn’t have. I asked the bartender if he could make me a drink with Vodka and he made me something fruity. And whatever the bartender was really good and filled with flavor. I didn’t know what to expect because the only vodka they had was a craft brand that I had never heard of, but it worked out! When I go back to LA I would love to try the food, because everything looked appetizing. I also loved the ambiance, with the industrial look and feel.
Day 2
AEIRLOOM BAKERY | Toluca Lake | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
The second day of my trip was Warner Bros Studio Tour day, I was so eager for this tour, for nothing else but the ‘Friends’ set. I started my day by taking a lyft to Toluca Lake and meeting up with a friend. We then drove to a cute breakfast/brunch spot close by. Aeirloom Bakery, which focuses on artisanal coffee, pastry & baked-goods stemming from organic & sustainable products. We were sat at a communal table, and had the pleasure of chatting with 2 local women similar in age to us, which was fun! I ordered the “Kalamata Cutie” (currently obsessed with Kalamata olives), which is organic eggs, organic basil pesto spread, valbreso feta, Kalamata olive, organic spinach, organic heirloom tomatoes, with roasted potatoes and thick toast. I cannot stress, how AH-MAZING this brunch meal was. I absolutely love it. My entire meal was so delicious I ate the whole thing. I would highly recommend to everyone looking for a cute ambiance with great food.
Aierloom Bakery, Kalamata Cutie – Toluca Lake
RIVERSIDE – RED DOOR | Toluca Lake | LOVE
After that, we were off to the WB Tour which was a few hours. They had a café called ‘central perk’ which was such a cool experience for me since I’m obsessed with Friends. Since I was hungry I grabbed a quick snack. It was enough to hold me over. After the tour, we drove to Riverside bar which is also known as Red Door. This place was really cool, on one side it was an outdoor and indoor restaurant and then you go through a “Red Door” and its like a secret room which a change of ambiance, that has giant tufted leather couches with a small bar. There wasn’t any spots open in Red Door, so we just grabbed a drink outside in Riverside. I would go back to this venue again for a drink.
CHIN CHIN | Brentwood | OKAY
After Riverside, I took a lyft to Brentwood to meet another friend for dinner. We ended up going to Chin Chin. She recently moved from Massachusetts to Brentwood and was still exploring new places to eat, so we decided to try Chin Chin. It was okay. We both didn’t order that much, so I think it was pretty basic. They do not serve alcohol, so that was a bummer as I usually grab a cocktail with dinner. The menu might be good but my meal was vegetarian and kind of plain.
Day 3
BLAZE PIZZA | Universal City | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
My third day was all about Universal Studios! I was so pumped and knew this would be a long day! Probably got there early afternoon and spent the day walking through the entire park and doing all the rides we can. After we were done with the park, we walked the city walk for food. And stopped by Blaze Pizza. I got the ‘Art Lover’ which has artichokes, mozzarella, ricotta, garlic and then I added Kalamata olives and pesto sauce. It was absolutely BOMB. I could eat this pizza all day, every day. Also, they had blood orange lemonade, I kept going back to get more. Overall this entire meal hit the spot. If you’re a pizza lover, I would 100% recommend.
Blaze Pizza, Art Lover – Universal Citywalk
VOODOO DOUGHNUT | Universal City | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
After a nice filling dinner, we wanted dessert. So we stopped by Voodoo Doughnuts. It’s a cash-only bakeshop that serves artistic donuts in colorful, quirky creations. This is a small shop but filled with so much flavor. They have any type of outrageous donuts that your heart desires. My friend who is hosting me loves donuts so I had to grab a few for them… and me! And the whole place is PINK… love!!! I ordered 3 cake donuts; chocolate coconut cake, triple chocolate penetration, and butterfingering. Who doesn’t love the names of these awesome donuts! Need I say more? A must!
Voodoo Doughnut – Universal Citywalk
READ ALSO: Los Angeles Bucket List
Day 4
MIXOLOGY | Los Angeles | LOVE
On the fourth day of my trip I am finally able to sleep in and chill. I hung around a couple hours at the house and leisurely got ready. In the afternoon I took a lyft to the Grove to walk around and do some shopping. I needed a snack, so I decided to try Mixology because they have a rooftop area that was intriguing. Mixology is a sleek, contemporary restaurant and bar with mixed drinks & modern bites. I was just in time for happy hour, so I grabbed a sangria. I also ordered hummus and pita to snack on while I waited for my friend. Overall, the sangria was delicious and the hummus and pita was tasty. I would recommend for atmosphere, cocktail and food.
Mixology, Happy Hour – The Grove
GRACIAS MADRE | West Hollywood | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
After that, we headed back to the house to get ready for dinner. We had reservations at Gracias Madre in West Hollywood. Gracias Madre is a meatless Mexican restaurant, all vegan & organic, equipped with a giant drink menu, in a chic space. Décor was gorgeous, the restaurant was primarily white and the furniture followed a rustic theme. Just an elegant space! I can’t remember exactly what was ordered, some of the items were tuna tartare, tacos, cauliflower. We even ordered dessert. The items were all exceptional and it was fun to try vegetarian versions of popular meat and seafood items. They have an outdoor area but it was closed for a private event while I was there. I would definitely recommend for atmosphere, cocktails and cuisine!
Gracias Madre – West Hollywood
LISA VANDERPUMP | West Hollywood | OKAY
After dinner we walked over to SUR to grab a quick cocktail. I am a huge Bravo fan, and I love Lisa Vanderpump and Vanderpump Rules. I was ecstatic to see her restaurants in person. SUR was so over the top. Glass and flowers everywhere. Even the TV was glass with a projection of the show Vanderpump rules. I know from the shows that Lisa always spends thousands and thousands of dollars for fresh flowers for her restaurants. And that is the only thing I really loved about SUR. The aroma of flowers was so powerful. She has all kinds of flower arrangements, which also incorporated my favorite flower, the stargazer lily. I only went there to see the restaurant, so I am not sure about the actual menu. I would go back during the day time just to smell the flowers.
*we also walked by PUMP which is right around the corner, just so I could see it! 😊 – super fanning right now.
Day 5
MADESIMPLEPALEO | Culver City | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
My friends are awesome and Tom is an amazing cook. On Saturday he made us homemade breakfast – papusas with egg, peppers and salsa. I have no words, I ate the entire plate. And I could have had seconds and thirds.
SALT & STRAW | Venice | LOVE
After breakfast, we walked all over Abbott Kinney. One of the most amazing streets I have seen. Lots of vibrant colors and places to stop to shop or eat. Salt & Straw was recommended to me by a few people so I wanted to try it. Salt & Straw originated in Oregon and is known for inventive flavors & farm-sourced ingredients. Ice cream is legit my favorite thing in the world, so I am always up for it. I was in LA during Halloween, so they had a lot of funky Halloween themed flavors. There were many choices, I can’t even remember what I ordered but it looks like something strawberry flavored. I devoured it. I love the uniqueness of this ice cream parlor. I would love to go back and try more of the fun creative flavors!
Salt & Straw – Venice
Salt & Straw – Venice
BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER | Venice | LOVE
I have heard amazing things about Buther’s Daughter so I wanted to make sure I stopped at some point during my trip. While walking down Abbott Kinney, we stopped by to try their ‘elixir’ shots. It was my first… and probably my last time doing a healthy shot. Cant even remember which one we ordered but I was just happy I had a water bottle in my bag. Even though I didn’t eat anything here, I gave it a good rating based on popularity and next time I visit, Butcher’s Daughter is on my list to dine at!
OLIO COAL-FIRED PIZZERIA | Los Angeles | LOVE
After lots of exploring in Venice, we made our way to downtown to the Skyspace slide. After that we headed to Grand Central Market to grab a bite to eat. I opted for pizza again, why… well because… PIZZA. I ordered a three-cheese pie with garlic and you guessed it… Kalamata olives. Another delicious pizza place checked off my list!
McConnell’s Ice Cream | Los Angeles | LOVE
While still in Grand Central Market, I had to get ice cream! Ice cream, twice in one day… Yes Please! So we stopped by McConnells. I made my own ice cream sandwich. I don’t remember the flavors or the type of cookies, but it was so yummy. Ice cream is just always delicious and a good idea. So I recommend!
McConnell’s Ice Cream – Grand Central Market Los Angeles
Day 6
MADESIMPLEPALEO | Culver City | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
Another homemade breakfast on Sunday by Tom! Avotoast, YES YES YES! I wanted so much more of that bread, it was sooo delicious. Another favorite for me! 😊
MADESIMPLEPALEO | Culver City | ABSOLUTELY LOVE
On Sunday, we spent the day exploring Malibu and Santa Monica. And then home to relax and another homemade dinner. Italian is literally my weakness. I had an amazing pasta dish with bucatini at a restaurant in Boston, and I was overjoyed when Tom told me he was going to make us pesto bucatini for dinner. Everything he makes is with fresh and simple ingredients. Nothing is overly complicated. And he made the pasta fresh as well. I loved this meal. I wish he would make meals just for me and deliver them to the east coast! 😊
Day 7
CORNER BAKERY & CAFE | Chino Hills | OKAY
My amazing friend, Alicia, took me all the way to Chino Hills to see my religious temple. She also stayed and did the prayer ceremony with me as well. After that we needed some sustenance before our drive back, we headed to Corner Bakery & Café and grabbed some sandwiches and cookies. It was a good place to park and grab a quick bite to eat.
And that rounds out all the places I visited for brunch, cocktails, dinner, and dessert! Overall I had a pretty great experience all around! All of the places I visited I really enjoyed and would definitely want to go back and try something different.
READ ALSO: Los Angeles Bucket List
