365 Places to Eat

Chaya Brasserie is the kind of place that you go for the LA dining experience that your friends who have never been to LA tell you about. A menu that may take itself too seriously, sleek and stylish interior, located on a trendy shopping street and filled with celebrities.

Stereotypes aside, the food is quite good and they do back it up with service to make your experience enjoyable. The happy hour with half price drinks and appetizers is also very popular.

Chaya Braserrie’s menu has been called “La Nouvelle Cuisine Franco-Japanese” (by themselves), which translates to New French Japanese for us simple folks. In other words,”Asian Fusion”.

Celebrities. I had dinner at Chaya Brasserie next to Willem DaFoe. I’m not easily star struck, but Mississippi Burning is an amazing moving and Willem Dafoe won my personal Oscar for that performance. I’m glad I didn’t say anything to him, because we coincidentally (I swear) ended up standing next to each other at both the valet stand and the urinals. It was special time for me, but he may have thought it a bit stalkerish.

Chaya Brasserie a little on the pricey side, but the food is good and unique enough that it’s not like eating just anywhere with a trendy name and brand consultant.

Chaya Brasserie
8741 Alden Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 859-8833

We stop in at Jack and Jill’s of Beverly Hills every so often for a burger. It’s not a destination that I go because of the burger, but I do like to walk around Beverly and Rodeo from time to time and Jack and Jill’s burgers are good.

Almost exclusively, I order the turkey burger. It’s a thick patty served on a whole wheat bun with gouda and the usual burger fixings. It also comes with a side salad and I always choose the sweet potato fry option. At almost $14, it’s a bit pricey, but if you can grab one of the three outside tables, the people parade that passes by makes the high price worth it.

Turkey Burger

My wife sometimes gets the Veggie Burger which is more than a handful to pick up and a mouthful to put down. It also comes with a small salad and choice of sides. It is similarly overpriced at $12.75.

Veggie Burger

I really like the iced tea at Jack and Jill’s, along with the lemonade. Go for both and have an Arnold Palmer if you’re feeling frisky.

The baked goods are usually quite good and you can browse their selection while you wait for a table.

I have also tried the salads and sandwiches at Jack and Jill’s, both were enjoyable. You can check out the selection on their online menu.

It can get very crowded both during the weekend and week, which can mean longish waits, especially if there is a large lunch crowd.

Jack and Jill’s
342 North Beverly
Beverly Hills, 90210