Thursday Treats #8

Thursday Treats #8: Phillippe's

Phillipe's was found in 1908 in Downtown L.A. across the street from Union Station. Along with Cole's, it is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in Los Angeles and remains in competition with Cole's for the title of the creator of the French Dip Sandwich. Phillippe's serves breakfast to dinner, and is truly a dining experience.

Entering Phillippe's, you're greeted by at least ten picnic tables and benches on the rush covered floor. A long counter makes up a wall of the restaurant. Here, you get in one of ten lines until you get to the front to meet one of the ten "carvers," your servers, who cook up the sandwiches, soups, breakfast food and the rest of the good meals Phillippe's serves. Behind the counter are many signs that range over the decades, proudly displaying the restaurant's history along with photographs and model trains.

Once you get to the counter, you have your choice of a "hearty breakfast" from 6:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Afterwards, take your pick of any of the famous sandwiches made with roast beef, lamb, turkey or ham, and any variation of cheese. Add a side of cole slaw, potato and macaroni salads, or any other number of sides. And don't forget Phillippe's homemade hot mustard, with which you are advised to only take a little "because it truly is very hot French mustard." If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, there's the homemade beef stew, made daily. Of course, you can't forget drinks - all standard drinks are sold - and don't forget that coffee is still a nickel.

Now, sit back (be careful though, you are sitting on benches) and enjoy!

Website: www.phillippes.com
Address: 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Lazy Fridays #7

Lazy Fridays #7: LAX

What? LAX? What? Why would I include this? Well, LAX is what most people first see when they enter into Los Angeles. The Airport is the entry point for any planes landing in the area, unless you're in a small plane landing at Santa Monica or in Long Beach. So let's say, the entry point for commercial airlines.

Located in Westchester, the Airport is a great place for plane and people watching. There's an In-N-Out just by the runway in Westchester with a small patch of grass that's great to lie down on and watch the planes fly in. If you prefer being inside the airport, having lunch in the international terminal and then sitting by the windows to watch planes go in and out is fun too. This also gives you the chance to see the international travelers pass through on their way in and out.

If you're really looking for something unique to do, have dinner in LAX's Theme Building, which opened in 1961 and was styled with the Jetsons in mind. Just keep in mind that it is expensive to dine here.

Enjoy

Thursday Treats #7

Thursday Treats #7: Islands

I'm sorry, I'm getting so lazy with these. I have far too much homework and rehearsal. Anyways.

Islands Burgers, the Hawaiian, surfer culture inspired restaurant that dots the Southern California and Arizona landscape. Founded in 1982 by Tony DeGrazier in an effort to recreate the times he had in 0ahu while serving in the Navy, the first Islands opened in West L.A.

The decor is very much inspired by Hawaii. Thatch roof, tiki bar style counters make up the welcome desk, open kitchen and bar. Tables are styled like wooden, glazed surfboards. Tiki faces and surfboards line the walls along with photographs of surfers showing off their moves in wave tunnels. TVs are tucked into corners and consistently play x-treme sports footage.

The food is the best part. Favorites include the lemonade, shakes, fries, tortilla soup, tiki tenders, fish tacos and the wide selection of hamburgers. All burgers have names associated with Hawaii from the Big Wave to Maui to Pipeline. The original burger is the Big Wave. If you don't want your own set of fries or if your friends and family are known to steal a few, the endless basket of fries is a great option when with a group. You'll especially want this since the regular menu doesn't generally come with fries (you'll be picking off your kids). Any of the burgers are worth getting; my favorite though is the Maui burger. Be warned, these burgers are stuffed to the max, and there will be sauce dripping down your fingers.

This restaurant can be on the pricey side (about 10 dollars a burger), but is a great choice for when you want to go out to eat and have your family or friends with you.

Enjoy!

Islands: www.islandsrestaurants.com
Nutritional Information: http://www.islandsrestaurants.com/menu/nutritional/facts.aspx

Thursday Treats #6

I'm just going to post a short Thursday Treats today because I'm really tired, having just come back from my senior retreat. Well, Cafe Crepe is located at the end of the 3rd Street Promenade, across the street from the new Santa Monica Place. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful. When you first walk in, there is a dark stained wood bar, where the crepes and sandwiches are made. A majority of the seating are in booths and the walls are lined with posters advertising Perrier and the Folies Bergere.

The food is just as good; the menu has a variety of sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, and other appetizers. I especially love getting either dark chocolate or nutella sweet crepes with bananas or strawberries. The only caution however, is to go in less hungry because service does take a while.

Don't let that discourage you though, because if you are in the mood for a good crepe, the Cafe Crepe is an excellent choice!

Thursday Treats #5

Thursday Treats #5: Cole's French Dip Sandwiches

Cole's is located in the Historic Core District of Downtown Los Angeles and has the honor of being the oldest restaurant and bar in Los Angeles. Founded in 1908, Cole's is also the location of the original french dip sandwich, a title also claimed by Phillipe's French Dip Sandwiches (another restaurant in Downtown founded in the same year).

The restaurant itself if just worth the visit. Sitting slightly below street level, there is a small strip of patio for high stools and tables if you want to eat outside. Inside, it has a dark look and a feeling reminiscent of the 20s, 30s and 40s at the height of the prohibition period and when gangsters were smooth talking gentlemen. You're first faced with the beautiful stained wooden bar, which has been around since the original opening of the building. There are plenty of wooden tables in the back, and cozy booths made of brown leather tucked into the walls. The lighting is all original, which probably contributes to the dimness of the restaurant, but adds to the historic feeling of the place. The floor is all tile - none of that carpeted stuff for the original! Finally, pictures of all the celebrities that have frequented the restaurant or made it their haunt line the walls.

Now, onto the food. As speculated from the title, the restaurant is famous for its sandwiches. Served on french bread with your pick of deli meats and a cup of dip on the side, the sandwich is the main attraction on the menu. Other food includes other sandwiches, salads and the like. But if you're coming to Cole's, why would you get anything except for what its famous for? I'm personally a big fan of the roast beef french dip, which seems to me the most original sandwich you can get. The bar is a popular place if you're just looking for a drink - and Cole's is quite famous for its bar - but if you're underage like me, I wouldn't say no to the lemonade.

Enjoy!

Address:
118 East 6th Street, Downtown L.A, 90014

Lazy Fridays #4

Lazy Fridays #4: Abbot Kinney, Venice

It's really appropriate that this is a Friday post because what I want to talk about only happens on Fridays. Abbot Kinney Blvd. features small boutiques, art galleries and trendy restaurants. But on Fridays it becomes the site of "The Roachcoach Festival" as my friend so lovingly calls it. Starting a 6:30, food trucks from all over come and park on the Blvd. Suddenly, Abbot Kinney becomes flooded with people, making it almost impossible to walk or drive.

The food trucks range from Japanese to Mexican to Brazilian and everything in between. There are crepes and shaved ice trucks. There are tacos galore and plenty of sushi to go around. There's chocolate and ice cream and every other sweet thing you can imagine.

I was only just introduced this experience on Friday and it something fun and strangely exhilarating to do at night. While eating a coxinha (croquette) from the Brazilian truck, you can wander into the free art galleries that pass from one building to another. Or you can sit on the stoops of shops that have been closed for the night.

It's a very cool thing to do when if there's nothing else to do on a Friday night. The other pluses are that the food is cheap and the shops are open late. Enjoy!

Thursday Treats #4

Thursday Treats #4: In-N-Out

First off, I need to apologize for being lazy. School is only two weeks in and I'm already overloaded. Now, on with the show!

In-N-Out is the quintessential Californian fast food experience. As many of my friends (among other people say), Nevada and Arizona is lucky to share the deliciousness with us. The first In-N-Out burger opened in Baldwin Park in 1948. Over the past 62 years, it has become a staple in the California fast food business.

It's known for its fresh food (seriously, they make french fries right in front of you) and cheap prices (you can get a full meal, drink included, for a little over five bucks). The secret menu is available on the website, but everyone knows about it anyways.

You have your classics of milkshakes, lemonade, burgers, cheeseburgers and fries. Then you have animal style, 3 x 3 and 4 x 4 (three or four beef patties), grilled cheese and protein style (you skip the bun).

It's hard to describe the deliciousness that is In-N-Out. It can only fully be explained by visiting one on a trip here, sitting down at one of the tables and enjoying a burger while the sauce dribbles down your chin. The only thing I would recommend is skipping the In-N-Out by LAX. While still has good as the other locations, it is often the most crowded.

Website: www.in-n-out.com

Thursday Treats #3

Thursday Treats #3: Sprinkles Cupcakes

I would be lying spectacularly if I told you that Sprinkles Cupcakes was cheap. I would love if a dozen cupcakes were the same as buying a dozen Diddy Riese cookies. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

So why mention the Beverly Hills based cupcake shop on a blog about living a little more frugally? Because, well, even the best of us have to splurge sometimes. Take note though: Sprinkles Cupcakes are best left for birthdays, graduations, celebrations of any kind because it would probably kill you on a weekly/monthly basis.

With that disclaimer, Sprinkles Cupcakes are some of the best cupcakes around (you also have the option of Crumbles and Vanilla Bakery). The shop is special because it is an actual bakery. Nothing is being imported from some cupcake factory in the middle of nowhere. It's also special because of the variety of cupcakes it offers.

Sprinkles has its standard cupcakes: chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, pumpkin, etc. And it has its specials for holidays: key lime, caramel apple, orange cranberry, chocolate peppermint, eggnog spice. Each cupcake has a minimalist motif to it. Cupcake and icing with a single decoration on top (meaning, a heart, circle, letters, stars, ghosts for Halloween, Christmas trees for Christmas and all the rest).

On the website, you have the choice of creating cupcakes for parties, weddings, and gifts. You can design your own cupcakes or choose from a pre-decorated cupcake batch.

But be warned, these cupcakes are expensive. For a box of 12, expect to pay roughly 40 dollars or for a single, about 3.75. See what I mean about saving it for parties if you're looking to spend less money?

If you live outside of Los Angeles, there are several other locations as well as more that open this year and next, but the Los Angeles bakery is the original.

Enjoy your cupcakes!

List of Cities:

Los Angeles
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
Newport Beach
New York - Opens Feb 2011
Phoenix
San Diego - Opens Fall 2010
San Francisco
Washington D.C. - Opens Fall 2010

Los Angeles Address: 9635 Little Santa Monica Boulevard

Website: www.sprinkles.com

Lazy Fridays #2

Lazy Fridays #2: The Farmer's Market

The Original Farmer's Market opened in 1934, and has become another landmark in Los Angeles' cityscape. Located in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, the simple and chaotic charm of the Farmer's Market is nestled, if not overshadowed by the Grove.

The Farmer's Market is located at the very end of the Grove, where a sudden change becomes apparent. The Grove is very polished with expensive stores, art deco style buildings and a trolley. The Farmer's Market is a collection of small novelty stores and restaurants reminiscent of food stands. Many places require you to come up to the window to order before you go and sit down at one of the many picnic style or cafe style tables. Other restaurants have you sitting right up at the counter (much like the delicious crepe place where you watch them flip crepes in front of you).

Many of the original restaurants are still there, while included in the blend are new restaurants and coffee shops like Chipotle and Coffee Bean. The shops range from the expensive to the cheap; everything from Sur La Table to Sticker Planet (a childhood favorite of many of my friends).

While you do need some money to enjoy the delights of the Farmer's Market, it is a Los Angeles experience not to be missed. Enjoy!

Thursday Treats #2

Thursday Treats #2: Tito's Tacos

Opened in 1959, and now a city landmark, Tito's Tacos is what fast food Mexican food SHOULD be about. If you come to L.A. and think you're going to get your fill of Tex-Mex at a Del Taco you are dead. wrong.

The need for a Tito's fix in my family started with my grandfather, who would go to Tito's Tacos every time the family visited L.A. Well, the family is now permanently stationed in L.A, and we try to eat Tito's once a month at least.

So what's so great about the food? Well, Tito's is obviously known for its tacos. Their beef tacos are the epitome of cheap, good and greasy fast food (which is really why you should only eat it once a months). They're made with hard shell corn tortillas and stuff to the brim with ground beef, tons of lettuce and if you want, a mountain of melted Mexican mix cheese.

There's a certain joy in eating one of Tito's tacos. The bottoms of the tortillas bulge from the amount of beef stuffed in and the tips are crisp and crunchy. They're pretty thin tacos considering, so its not that hard to pack two or three (or more) away in one sitting.

Of course, you can order anything else like enchiladas, burritos, tamales and tostadas. To accompany every meal, getting Tito's tortilla chips, salsa, and beans is almost law. I don't know how many times my sister and I have snuck a couple bites of chips before dinner time, (and it is necessary to sneak them, because you will get accused of trying to eat them for yourself :) ).

When you're going out for a monthly fast food run, there really is no better place than Tito's Tacos for your Mexican food needs. Enjoy!

Thursday Treats #1

Thursday Treats #1: Diddy Riese

Diddy Riese opened in 1983 in Westwood, CA and is a staple in the lives of UCLA students, as well as Loyola Marymount and USC students that will take the time to travel for Diddy's. The store is the only one of its kind in ALL of the country, and locals are known to bring their out of town guests to experience the deliciousness of its food.

So, why is Diddy Riese so popular? Well, it has this little thing called the greatest cookies in L.A. Diddy Riese's cookies are the reason for coming; all of them are home made, and if you're lucky and get there right after they come out of the oven, you can walk away with a warm bag of fresh cookies. You don't have to worry about ever eating stale cookies either. Cookies only stay there for up to two days and people generally buy them out anyways.

Now, in addition for being a popular cookie place, it also sells ice cream. While just getting ice cream isn't as interesting, its really great to buy the ice cream sandwiches that Diddy Riese is famous for. You have the pick of 12 different ice cream flavors and any two cookies you want.

Now, if you're worried about price, that is the LAST thing you should ever worry about at Diddy Riese. It's always been good about having really low prices. How good do you ask?

Try a dollar for three cookies, a 1.50 for an ice cream sandwich, 3.75 for a dozen cookies. A one scoop of ice cream is a dollar. You will rarely find cheaper prices anywhere else.

I've been coming to Diddy Riese since I was a little kid, when my dad used to drive us down on summer nights for an ice cream and cookies. I still go to Diddy Riese with my sister to go buy a Diddy Dozen of Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate, Oatmeal and Candy.

Try it out; you won't regret it!

Address: 926 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Good Fast Food Options

Simple Tip #7 Supplement: Good Fast Food

Here are some options for good fast food (still, try and limit how much you eat):

Daphne's

Chipotle

Corner Bakery Cafe

Au Bon Pain

Panera

Simple Tip #7

Simple Tip #7: Cutting Out Fast Food

Let's face it, L.A. is one of those cities where you live in the fast lane (unless you're on the 405 at rush hour on a Friday) and you are ALWAYS busy. You run out of the house (like I do every school morning sans breakfast and with extremely wet hair) and forget your lunch (which I've done), a snack for later (which I've done), and therefore depend on vending machines (which I've done plus depended on my school's cafe).

Then you find yourself depending on your workplace/school's cafeteria or if you don't have one, the McDonalds/Starbucks down the street. Well, if this is the case, I would 1. suggest watching Super Size Me (which single-handedly put me off McDonalds for life) and 2. look up how many calories are in a frappuccino (and quite sadly the first suggestion that comes up in google search is "frappuccino happy hour").

There are better options than running out to the nearest Quiznos for lunch. Some involve a little effort and others are just better options all around when choosing to eat out. And hopefully, by writing this I will learn to lead by example.

First, options involving effort.

Grocery shopping. The most basic thing that will get you to eat food that isn't fast. When grocery shopping, make a list of what you need and how much you need of it. Go for healthy options that you will still eat and if you're interested in saving money, go generic. Keep in mind finding healthy items does not mean you have to go to Trader Joe's or Whole Foods or Bristol Farms. Your local Ralphs or Vons will do just fine.

Just remember that the list will keep you on track, and as long as you stick to it, you won't be tempted to buy those cookies that you want but don't really need at the moment, and chances are you will be saving money (also, to save money, compare prices). Once you're good on groceries, you will hopefully have enough to last you through the week (or two).

To ensure that you don't go overboard on fast food, EAT BREAKFAST. You won't get hungry as fast so you won't have to go on a Starbucks run halfway through the morning. And when I say breakfast, I mean eat a yogurt or something, not something you picked up at Randy's Donuts. Also, making yourself a lunch is a great idea. That way you know what you're eating, you can make your own portions, and you can ensure that it hasn't been ill made by the Subway employee.

Now, options that are easy on you. I would still suggest making your own lunch and bringing your own drink, but if you really need fast food, choose a good option or limit yourself to once or twice a month. One of my favorite options for good fast food is Daphne's Greek Food, but even that you have to limit yourself. If you want fast food and you are limiting yourself, go for something like Chipotle or Panera.

The way to live simply this way is you're cutting out what's generally considered bad, replacing it with a way for YOU to control what you eat, and most likely saving money doing it.

Food Donations

Simple Tip #5 Supplement: Food Donations

Here are some links to food banks and other services around L.A. that take food donations:

L.A. Food Bank

Westside Food Bank

Mission Lirio de Los Valles

Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition

Haitian American Food Bank

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

and more...

Simple Tip #5

Simple Tip #5: Recycling your Food

This tip isn't so much about living simple by donating what you've used and no longer need, but donating what you really have NEVER used.

I'm sure that everyone has been guilty at least once of filling their pantries with canned food, cake mixes, and other things that last forever. And I'm sure everyone at least once has been guilty of forgetting they had them there and never eat them. I know I have.

Well, sometimes the expiration dates pass because you've had something in there for years, and other times, the expiration date isn't for another couple years. Well, obviously you have to throw out the bad food, because you can never be too sure how good or bad it is, and its better not to experiment on your family or others. However, if you don't intend on eating something or you've bought way to much of something (like salsa or canned fruit), why not donate that?

There are a lot of great food banks and other services around L.A. that would gladly take that food and give it to the needy. So, why not go through your pantry every six months and decide what food you still want to eat (and will hopefully do so soon) and what food can be donated to the needy.

In a way, this is simple living, because contributing to the community always makes you feel simply wonderful.