365 Places to Eat

The Bookmark Cafe at the Santa Monica Public Library might be one of the best kept lunch secrets in downtown Santa Monica.

For around $8 you can get a half sandwich, a small soup and a small salad. Add in a brewed iced tea to go with it and you have a full lunch for $10 in the tranquil library courtyard.

Soups vary daily, last time I was there it was cauliflower (my choice) or lentil with sausage. You can choose from a list of sandwiches, I like the tuna on rye. Their tuna has some nice extra crunch from cucumbers, don’t see that in tuna too much. Teh small salad is no slouch either. It’s not just iceberg lettuce and dressing, there are pieces of broccoli, zucchini and mushrooms along with the normal salad base.

The cafe also has a full coffee bar and also serves breakfast and dinner. Afterward you can go check out some cookbooks…

Bookmark Cafe at the Main Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA
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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