365 Places to Eat

I have the occasion to eat lunch at The Athenaeum, CalTech’s private on campus club, a couple time a year. I usually wouldn’t review a place that required membership, or accompanying a member, to get in, it is such a nice lunch that I figured I would drop a few notes about it.

Walking into the building, which looks like it would blend in on an Ivy League campus, I hear a string quartet playing in one room before veering left into the main dining room. How civilized. We walk through the Main Dining Room out onto the West Patio, taking a seat under one of the outdoor heaters. It turns out that the weather is warm enough that we turn the heater off before our backs are broiled.

So, the atmosphere is classy, how is the food? I plan on ordering a cup of the chowder and the steak salad, but my host suggests that I take a walk past the carvery buffet before I make my choice. I do and I decide to have a go at the buffet.

This is one tasty spread. I dive into the ceviche, pile a little arugala salad (with pomegranate seeds), skip the risotto, pick up some poached salmon appetizer, ladel a cup of Boston clam chowder (passing over the vegetable lentil), attack the plump asparagus (which are topped with roasted red and yellow peppers) and finally, I choose a few slices of roast lamb leg over the stuffed chicken breasts.

Now, had I wanted to, I could have piled a bit of everything on my plate (and there is more than I mentioned), just like any buffet. Unlike most buffets, I actually want to pile on a little of everything. It looks that good. I assume that it tastes good, but I know that looks can be deceiving.

The food. It’s good. It’s very good. If I was a member, and CalTech was anywhere near where I worked, I would come here for lunch. Often. The salads are delicious, the salmon moist and tasty, the chowder is decent — not a stand out, the asparagus is cooked perfect and the peppers are a nice touch. The lamb is tender and flavorful. Finally the ceviche. I don’t think I have ever had ceviche at a buffet, although it is a great buffet dish. This ceviche was excellent, plump shrimp and fish swimming in a tart vinegar and citrus.

The bill went on my host’s tab, but I did see that the buffet rings up at a very reasonable $10.75. A side note that the iced tea was very good. I have also had the strawberry lemonade, a crowd favorite, which is refreshing and also very sweet.

An interesting note of history about The Athenaeum:

The first formal dinner was held in February 1931, when Albert Einstein arrived for a two-month sojourn at Caltech. Three Nobel Prize winners, Albert Einstein, Robert A. Millikan, and A. A. Michelson, attended that dinner.

Kevin at LA Observed points out:

The building, by the way, was designed by Gordon Kaufmann, architect for the L.A. Times building and, improbably, Hoover Dam.

The Athenaeum (at CalTech)
551 S. Hill Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91106
(626) 395-8200

From the buzz about Huckleberry, knew that the place gets crowded fast on weekends. One Saturday when we were all up early, we decided to take a chance and walk down for gourmet brunch.

Even getting to Huckleberry before 9:00, the line was to the back door. Credit to Huckleberry, though, their line management is pretty effective. No table sitting until you place your order and the food comes out pretty quick. Plus, truth be told, the pre-10am crowd is usually the family set that is on a tight schedule to get in and out before the kiddies have a meltdown. The post 10:30 hangover set tends to linger as they nurse their cafes…

I couldn’t avoid ordering the signature Green Eggs and Ham: La Quercia prosciutto on
house made English muffin topped with eggs (poached in my case) and then covered with a fresh arugula salad and drizzled with a mild pesto oil. For $12, it seems expensive, but the ingredients and the combination of flavors make it a worthwhile treat.

Being a specialty bakery, the home made English muffin is a gem. Flavor, texture and depth kicks Mr. Thomas’s buns. We also tasted a couple of the sweet breakfast items. The fresh strawberry crostada was so delightful that we practically giggled while eating it. How could something taste so fresh and light and buttery at the same time?

With an expertly concocted Americano on the side, brunch at Huckleberry is a real treat. It’s true that the prices are high and that it’s crowded. The crowds are manageable and the prices are worth the quality and creativity of the menu. Also, most dishes are rich enough to be shared. I would split the Green Eggs and Ham along with a pastry between two people and you can get out of there for a comparable cost as most other local breakfast spots.

Huckleberry
1014 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-2311

We had a mixed experience eating at Fraiche last year. Good food, horrible service, but great desserts. We decided to give Riva, from the folks who brought you Fraiche, a try to see if things were any better over there.

I can say that yes, our experience was better and that yes, we had a terrific meal.

Riva has a sizable Crudo portion of their menu, about equal number of selections as their appetizer and entree sections. We started with a Japanese hamachi, which was cubed and topped with a very light citrus and green onion flavor. My wife determined, and I concurred, that two of the small cubes were a perfect bite to get the flavor and texture just right.

Along with the crudo, we also ordered the Wood Fired Mushroom salad. This was a little different than I pictured, but in a good way. I pictured large mushrooms, grilled and tossed with a little lettuce. In fact, the salad had a mixture of mushrooms, small in size, big in flavor. The greens and the herbs perfectly matched the mushrooms. A great salad to share, especially with the crudo.

I had asked the waiter for his advice in deciding between the pork chop and the chicken. His response was “where is the choice? The pork chop”.

I would like to try the chicken still, but the pork chop more that tantalized my taste buds. A generous Kurobuta chop with a melange of vegetables with pine nuts and small skinless grapes. I can’t pin down what the sauce on the side was, but I would like to. I love a juicy pork chop and this fit the bill.

My wife had a perfectly cooked pair of halibut medallions topped with crisps. I will forever be impressed with fresh fish that is cooked to be hot in the middle while staying moist and nowhere near being overcooked. I can get my fish nice and hot in the middle when I cook it, but it also ends up tough and overdone. The Riva halibut was heavenly.

For dessert we had a cherry crisp topped with almond sorbet and with a small mini carafe of whipped cream and a caramel sauce. The cherries were market fresh and were a nice treat.

I will mention the wine list, although I can’t remember exactly what we had. Each of us had a glass and I really appreciated that the waiter gave tastes before committing to the full pour. I find that to be classy and rare in many restaurants.

And so I give Riva my seal of approval. Would go there many times over Fraiche. There also a wood fired pizza menu that I would like to try for a more casual experience. The Riva space is airy and comfortable, with a nice bar and also a place to sit in front of the oven iteself - would be nice for some solo dining.

Riva
312 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.RIVA

Cafe Brasil is open and airy, and extremely clean. Normally, I wouldn’t mention cleanliness, but this place was spotless. The restrooms were nicely decorated and also insanely clean. That’s a good sign to start. I also liked the tables and chairs. Colorful wood and nice big pillows were scattered about. The menu is presented on a wide chalk board above the cash register.

The service is incredibly friendly and helpful. We ask for a few recommendations and get definitive answers. That also, is a good thing. I truly appreciate it when someone is willing to suggest one dish over another, “all of our dishes are good” does nothing for me.

We tried a few dishes. The Tropical Shrimp Plate was piled with plump crustaceans, bathed in a lovely Brazilian spiced sauce, along with fried plantains, rice and black beans. The rice was velvety, most likely laced with butter or some other magic to make it melt in our mouths.

We also tried the chicken. It is a light grilled breast, also topped with secret Brazilian herbs and spices. My wife and I ended up splitting the chicken and shrimp. Surf and Fowl.

Our dining companions both opted for the fish. It must have been good, because it disappeared before I got a bite.

Now, here is where I learned what “spicy” means in Brazil. When we made our order, I asked about the black bean soup. “It’s Spicy” I was told. “It’s Spicy” I said as I coughed through the first bite. The spice was one of those punch-you-in-the-mouth-but-disappear-quickly types. Next thing I knew, I’m addicted, scarfing down the bowl, alternating spice and delight.

After the meal I was craving some coffee. Where better to get coffee than from a Brazilian? I order the coffee and ask if it’s just Brazilian beans, or if there is something more to it. “It’s Brazilian beans, but it’s strong. Like espresso.”

It was like espresso, but instead of a couple ounces of brew, it was a full cup. A full delicious cup. Yes, that is a rock candy stick in the picture. I put a little cream in it, and tossed in a few marshmallows. Yep, they have marshmallows and I can’t resist marshmallows. I really enjoyed the coffee, but having it after dinner may have been a mistake. I was flying high for the rest of the night and long after I should have been asleep.

Cafe Brasil is a great spot. Dishes run from $11-$16 each and the portion sizes are large, but not overwhelming. It’s a great place to meet friends for a little taste of South America.

Cafe Brasil
11736 West Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
ph: 310.391.1216
fax: 310.636.1980

Bistro of Santa Monica is a neighborhood Italian joint, with a comfortable feel.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Bistro of Santa Monica. From the outside, it looks a bit formal. On the inside though, there is a bit more of a casual feel.

It’s easy to go to an Italian restaurant and find old favorites. Simple pastas and meats, with basic sauces and fillings. At BoSM (the waiter likes it when you call it “bosom”. But not really) the menu is refreshingly unique.

Take the filled pastas. There is the Messina: home made ravioli, filled with fresh spinach and ricotta in walnut cream sauce. Or the all Iden: Homemade chicken ravioli, fresh tomato, and light cream. The gnocchi bolagnese includes less traditional ground turkey.

It’s all good stuff, and flavors that you will remember afterward.

Prices are very reasonable too with the home made pastas in the $13-15 range. The meats and seafood are priced higher, for good reason, and the wine list sports a range selections to accompany your meal.

Bistro of Santa Monica
2301 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica
(310) 453-5442‎

Joe’s has been one of my favorite spots for a long time. When Joe Miller opened his small Spanish Tapas themed wine bar last year, I immediately added Bar Pinxto to my list.

It’s a tight space, with a max capacity of 30 people inside and a few tables outside. Bar Pinxto isn’t meant for lingering though. It’s a faced paced service of small dishes eaten on bar tables and small stools. You will get friendly with your neighbors, or in my case receive a few elbows in the back from the guy behind you.

The tight space sort of lends to the ambiance though. It makes you feel like you are in a much more central urban spot than being a block from the ocean in Santa Monica.

We tried the happy hour special, which runs daily from 4-7pm if you believe the website, or 4-6pm if you believe the sign outside of Pinxto. You get six small tapas for $6, plus $3 sangria or $1.50 Stella. Everything is small, but tasty. The drinks are 6-8 ounces? And the tapas are different specialties of the house served atop small pieces of grilled bread.

We sampled:

• Crimini Mushroom, Jamon And Diced Vegetables
• Jamon Sofrito With Fried Leeks
• Esparragos Blancos Con Romesco
• Endive, Roquefort Cream, Anchovy & Walnut
• Radish, Jicama, Avocado, Cilantro and Lime
• Fresh Tomato, Serrano Ham, Grilled Bread

And followed up with some full orders of:

• Dates Wrapped in Bacon with Cabralas Cheese
• Costillas De Cordero - Lamb Chop, Chorizo Crust, Small Salad
• Sauteed Brussel Sprouts with grapes
• Grilled White Shrimp with garlic and lemon

With a few glasses of sangria, the bill for the whole dinner for two was around $65. I would definitely go back, although not with too many more people. If there are more than four in your party, it’s too tight quarters.

Bar Pinxto
109 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.458.2012

Maybe not the best reason to go to the Getty Villa, but certainly a nice bonus is the Cafe. The Cafe at the Getty Villa is perched above the outdoor amphitheater. On a gorgeous day like the one we spent there, it is the perfect place to rest your feet and fill your tummy.

The Cafe “serves casual Mediterranean fare” which is reasonably priced and made up of seasonal ingredients. Browsing through the menu, we had trouble narrowing down the choices. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the biggest appetite and wanted something light. If not for that, I would have tried the Caprese Burger ($9.50) — a beef patty with pine nuts, peppercorns and fish sauce topped with local tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and herb aioli, served with roasted red pepper ketchup, wow!

Instead, I opted for the Villa Salad ($8.25) which is a mix of chopped romaine and radicchio, artichokes, chick peas, feta cheese, pistacios, topped with a creamy lemon yogurt dressing. For a warm day after walking the Villa, it was a refreshing salad.

My wife also opted for a salad. She had the Prosciutto and Stone Fruit Salad ($9.25) — Baby greens, prosciutto, peaches and nectarines, pecorino romano, toasted walnuts and a basil vinaigrette dressing. The salad was a hit, although the plate it was served on proved a bit difficult to wrangle.

Since the lunch was rather light and we spent much of the day walking the Villa, we ordered a dessert, the Lemon Panna Cotta ($5.50). I’m not generally a fan of Panna Cotta, so I’m not the best judge. I did like the fresh blueberries and the citrus lace wafer on top.

Because of the Getty’s limited entry policy, it takes planning to make a visit. For weekends, it can take two weeks or more to get a reservation. Plan ahead and enjoy a great meal.

Of course, there is more to see than just the food. A few pictures from the Villa:

I can say this with certainty. You would never randomly find this place. If you did happen to find it, you would never go eat here. You would be missing out.

Aliki’s Greek Taverna is in the LAX landing path, attached to a Super 8 Motel, across the street from rental car lots. Somehow, when you go inside, all of that disappears and the food comes to the front.

The owner and servers are very friendly, if not surprised that anyone found their restaurant. Frankly, I’m stumped why someone would choose the spot to cook up such delicious food. I’m no snob, but this is not a user friendly location.

The food is great. The prices are not expensive, but certainly not a bargain. With a drink and meal, lunch can run $10-15, but is well worth it. The gyro melts in your mouth with a variety of flavors evolving with every bite.

One of the sides at Aliki’s is lemon potatoes. I had no idea what to expect here. The potatoes are essentially large pieces, infused with lemon (maybe steamed?). Unique and simple, and flavorful.

There is a nice outside patio in the back with plenty of seating. Hopefully Aliki’s can survive in this location.

Aliki’s Greek Taverna
5862 Arbor Vitae St
Los Angeles, CA 90045

I had heard mixed reviews, which is the best way to get me to try a place. If I get a bad review, I usually skip it, if I get a great review, my expectations are usually too high. To cut to the chase, my review was that the food was great!

My wife ordered a Buffalo Burger and I went for the Haute Dog. The menu is limited mainly to salads and sandwiches. All of the options looked appetizing and even without a ton of choices, it wasn’t easy to narrow things down. I angled for the sandwiches but that Haute Dog caught my eye.

The Buffalo Burger ($8.95) was juicy and flavorful. It came on their panini bread, topped with onion, arugula, tomato, Fiscalini white cheddar and
Sweet Harissa Mayo. As far as I can remember, it was my first taste of ground buffalo. I agree with my wife who described it as “a more flavorful turkey burger”. The meat was leaner than a beef patty, but much juicier than a turkey patty. Over all the buffalo burger was a winner, well cooked, well topped and with great bread.

My Haute Dog ($7.95) was a smoked venison sausage, split in half lengthwise and sandwiched between two pieces of a French baguette. The dog is topped with horseradish mustard, blue cheese cream, and cioppolini onions. I liked the idea of the blue cheese cream, but the horseradish mustard way overpowered it. The flavors came together though, and the nicely toasted baguette was a perfect wrapper. Like the buffalo burger, I hadn’t had venison sausage before. 2 for 2 on new meats.

There were two soups on the menus that day, potato leek and lima bean. I ordered a cup of the potato leek to share. The soup was good, but was the very thin and brothy, I like my potato leek soups a little thicker. As far as I could tell, there wasn’t any cream either, the broth was the color of the stock (chicken, I assume). The soup wasn’t bad, but wasn’t remarkable either.

We did love the burger and dog. Two unique takes on American classics. I would have pictures, but there were no fewer than three 8×11 signs saying “no photography”. I’m always curious what spawns those types of signs. Is it blogger/yelp/chowhound backlash? Fear of copycats? Seems a little silly to me.

It does take a little while for the food to be prepared, but there is a nice patio to sit on. There isn’t much indoor seating, other than a small bar area.

Service was friendly and courteous. A lot of customers from the main store were in and out of the cafe. Most for some great looking coffee drinks. Others ordered meals and the servers at the cafe announce when the orders are ready over the PA system so customers could hear no matter where they were.

Cafe Surfas
8777 W. Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310-558-1458
Breakfast Served 8:30AM- 3PM Monday - Saturday, 10AM Sundays
Lunch Served From 11AM- 3PM

Arnold Palmer

Snug Harbor is exactly the kind of diner that you want to be able to walk to for breakfast on a weekend morning. Fortunately for me, I can!

Snug Harbor may be the only diner where I don’t always order coffee with breakfast. Their Arnold Palmers are the best of the best. Fresh squeezed lemonade topped with brewed iced tea. Served like a black and tan. Delicious.

The same friendly servers can be found each week, taking care of you at the counter, at one of the few booths or outside on the shaded patio.

Snug Harbor is well liked for their blackberry pancakes when the season is right. I pretty much stick with the huevos rancheros, I have strayed a few times and the huevos are the way to go.

Huevos Rancheros

My wife likes the 2+2+2 with pancakes, egg whites and bacon. Snug Harbor knows how to do bacon how she likes it, a little on the chewy side.

Snug Harbor is no frills, and that’s what is nice about it. Good prices too, around $20 for two to eat breakfast. Sometimes a bit of a wait depend on when you show up. Don’t forget the patio too, I didn’t even know it was there the first few times I went.

Snug Harbor
2323 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica
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