Satisfy your sweet tooth at Sprinkle’s in Beverly Hills, off of Santa Monica Blvd.  This modern bakery is bound to have a line out the door when you arrive, but trust me when I say, “It’s well worth the wait.”  Not to worry, the line moves quickly so make sure you’ve decided upon the cupcake of your choice by the time you get to the front!  Most Sprinkle-goers would agree with me that you can’t go wrong with the southern style Red Velvet cupcake, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.

Sprinkle’s endless selection of mouth watering cupcakes include staples such as their Vanilla Milk Chocolate, Carrot, and Cinnamon Sugar, all of which are baked fresh throughout the day. Look good and send a box of a dozen or more cupcakes to the office or your “sweetie” and Sprinkle’s will deliver just about anywhere in the Los Angeles area (48 hours notice required).  Sprinkle’s even offers dog-friendly cupcakes for sale, so whether your picking up something sweet for you or your pup, I strongly advise ordering online before you leave the house.  Order ahead of time, avoid the line, and indulge! 

Tips:  Opt to park in the metered lot on Santa Monica and Camden (street parking is limited).  The cupcakes can be pricey so expect to pay $36 for a dozen or $3.25 per cupcake (maybe it’s because the chocolate sprinkles are imported from France?)

Sprinkle’s
9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA

Located atop Cahuenga Ave, one of the primary gateways of Hollywood, is a small French coffee house known as Solar De Cahuenga.  On the corner of Cahuenga and Franklin, Solar is one of the first business you see upon your approach to the bright lights of the city.  The java spot prides itself on being a chill atmosphere with the promise of great food and comfort.  With free Wi-Fi and multiple seating areas and styles, I have had the option to kick back with a pillow and a book, throw the laptop on a table or sit on the patio and enjoy the weather.  They carry an assortment of salads, sandwiches, crepes, and coffees prepared from all natural foods, so you can fill up your stomach without draining your pockets.  Open nightly, you can check out Solar before you hit the club.

Solar De Cahuenga
1847 N Cahuenga Blvd,  
Hollywood

For those of you that reside in California and have never had the pleasure of a good ole fashioned southern cooked meal, Stevie’s Creole Café & Bar has the recipes for your appetite. Located on Balboa and Ventura Blvd this Cajun based restaurant is as good as it gets to Southern dishes. Me, being from Texas I was doubtful at first that a restaurant on the West coast could satisfy my dirty south appetite. The menu has numerous appetizers and entrees to fulfill any taste bud, as well as mixed drinks like their famous “New Orleans Hurricane”(named well before Hurricane Katrina). My entree of choice has been the catfish and grits, if you have never had grits before or never had southern grits I can tell you these are as real as it gets especially with butter and a little salt. Most meals are southern fried and have a little spiciness to it, hence Cajun style restaurant. Other notable options are the calamari with its spicy ranch and many choices of gumbo and po’ boy sandwiches. The prices are pretty high with the catfish ad grits meal priced at $22 but well worth the price. The restaurant itself has a southern feel with wooden tables and chairs, not too comfortable and nothing fancy but they do have a few flat screen TV’s for fight nights and game days. Around the bar area are several pictures of the many celebrities that also enjoy their tasty cuisines. Also, on some selected weekend they have live jazz bands which are perfect for you and your someone special.

Stevie’s Creole Café & Bar
16911 Ventura Blvd
Encino, CA 91316

Now that you’ve probably spent a good chunk of your paycheck on tickets to the UCLA Jazz/Reggae Fest and a new outfit for the weekend, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to afford anything else (i.e. gas, parking, a decent meal, maybe drink or two). Fortunately for the working young adult, Westwood isn’t just a baller’s paradise. Just follow the aroma of fresh-baked cookies & ice cream and you’ll find a line of people stretching out the door of Diddy Riese Cookie’s.

The menu is filled with more than 10 kinds of oven-baked cookies and 12 different Dreyer’s ice cream flavors. I strongly suggest creating your own ice cream sandwiches, with choices ranging from peanut butter Twix ice cream to Sugar Cinnamon. If you are in decisive you can practice by building your own Ice Cream Sandwich online. The pairings are endless and sometimes so is the line, but it’s well worth the wait! If dessert or a late night snack is at hand, then swing bye Diddy Riese and spend your last $1.50 on the best ice cream sandwich in LA .

Diddy Reese Cookies
926 Broxton Avenue
Westwood, CA 90024

In true fat-boy fashion I am working on a top ten burger list. The Counter is definitely in the top five. It is a concept restaurant that focuses on one thing: really good hamburgers! When you’re seated they don’t give you a menu, they give you a checklist-style order form where you can choose from dozens of toppings to build a true meal on the bun. If you are ever on the west side, stop by The Counter.

The Counter
2901 Ocean Park Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.399.8311

In places like New York you can walk down the street, get a hot dog off a cart and be satisfied. LA, on the other hand, is different; most people are not going to buy any food product off the street. Under drunken influence one may buy a Curb Dog in front of the club around 2:15am, but that’s about as far as it goes. If you take a short drive down La Brea on any given day you can see people lined up in front of a small white building, this phenomenon is called PINKs.  Since 1939 Pinks has served Hollywood, and as the hype has grown, you can be sure to wait on line for at least an hour. With a fully loaded menu with all types of food named after different Hollywood icons and events, there is something for everyone. But you will never see me eating a foot long hot dog, my signature meal is the Chili Cheese Chicken Burrito. Two fresh chicken breast, chili and extra cheese, make this burrito something special. Add chili cheese fries and two classic flavored sodas like Bubble Up or Grape Crush and you have a truly elevated meal.

Pinks
709 N La Brea
Hollywood, Ca

I don’t know if it’s because it’s available on every corner in LA, but I could seriously eat Mexican food every day…and probably do, in some form. So this makes me an authority on quality Mexican food (in my mind at least). Nonetheless, when my two girls and I came from getting massages at Chiang Mai a few weeks back, we decided to stop in at La Cantina Taqueria to grab some food. I ordered the Dos Tacos de Pollo–two chicken tacos, for those of you who failed Spanish 1 in high school–and was pleasantly surprised by the crispy goodness that came before me (soft tacos are also available, FYI). From the chips and salsa to the beans and rice, everything was on point.

I also recommend the fish tacos, enchiladas, La Cantina Fajitas, and any of their wide array of alcoholic beverages. Disclaimer: La Cantina–which is owned by the same company that owns Element Nightclub–isn’t necessarily the most authentic Mexican food you’ll come across, so if you’re looking for “hole-in-the-wall,” go to Lucy’s. But if you want to awaken your taste buds and enjoy some drinks with friends, La Cantina will not disappoint.

The taqueria is also open late for your convenience. Call or visit their website for more details.

La Cantina Taqueria
6541 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323.871.1363

“CHA CHA CHA” Is a refreshingly authentic Caribbean restaurant off Melrose and Virgil.  Once you step inside you’re immediately drawn to the eclectic décor and inviting ambiance.  After you’ve been seated, make sure you start with their infamous Sangria (don’t worry, they’ll leave a pitcher if you ask).  If you’re trying to impress your date you may want to brush up on your Spanish and order “la paella” or “Empanaditas” to start.  The tapas are by far the best option if you are going with a large party; you can choose from jerk chicken, coconut shrimp, ceviche, or if you’re not big on seafood they’ve got a tasty garlic clove/goat cheese pizza.  Their entrées are pretty generous in size and the service was quick and efficient. Most of the dishes come with fried plantains, black beans and dirty rice, but if you talk to your server they can substitute bread pudding, tortilla soup or homemade guacamole instead.  Street parking isn’t the best in this area so make sure you’re prepared to valet.  After leaving Cha Cha Cha you’ll be glad you chose this Caribbean escape to offset the typical LA eateries you often visit. 

Cha Cha Cha
656 N Virgil (@ Melrose Ave)
Los Angeles

Bella Cucina Italiana has to be one of Hollywood’s best Italian restaurants.  Though the portions aren’t the largest, what the meal lacks in size is made up for in great taste.  The Lobster Ravioli in a creamy pink sauce, coupled with their great drinks–an extensive wine selection and special drinks like the “Blended Bella Bellini”–definitely give this restaurant the status of good eats.  Their menu is full of tasty contemporary and southern Italian cuisine. It’s a step up from a normal dinner spot, so remember you get what you pay for. And quality food and ambiance aren’t cheap. Also, be sure to make reservations.

Bella
1708 N. Las Palmas
Hollywood, CA 90028
323.468.8815

Stationed within walking distance of the LA Times building, I was told this place was once a depressing destination for overworked, perpetually anxious journalists needing a drink and a break from the grind. OK, so, I cannot confirm whether or not this used to be true, but I can confirm that, depressing, it is not.

Surrounding by darkness in the part of downtown that has not yet been affected by overzealous developers, the bright red sign of the Redwood Bar and Grill lures you in for late night eats or drinks. It’s dim and chill inside, decorated like they’re in constant preparation of Halloween, and the large, intimate booths are nice to for large groups are a date.

I’m a big fan of their burgers (turkey, beef, whatever) and their salmon gets the thumbs up from me, as well as the friends that have ordered it! But the last time I went, I noticed they served my favorite inexpensive red wine (Smoking Loon) and I knew this was the laid back, anti-Hollywood back I’ve been looking for.

There’s no rush there. Parking is easy at night. So kick back and enjoy…before the suits turn it into a Cheesecake Factory. (Music and dancing on lower level some nights.)

Redwood Bar and Grill
316 W 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 680-2600

When I stepped into Falcon, I was immediately drawn in by its ambiance and the architecture of the space. The front entrance opens up to the bar and a cozy lounge area. Around the corner is additional seating that is open to the heated patio downstairs.

This modern, Asian-inspired restaurant / lounge is much more relaxed than the normal club scene. I went on a Monday night—their hip-hop night—and the music was good, drinks were tasty and the vibe was nice. The actual restaurant is open 6 pm to 12 midnight Monday through Friday, and 7 pm to midnight on the weekends. If you stop in early for food and drinks you won’t need to be on the after-hours guest list.

Falcon Hollywood
7213 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90046
323.850.5350

Our good friend Reecie from Honorable Media hooked us up with a  guest post  where she shares some great info on another spot for some Good Eats.

The Griddle Cafe is a trendy and always packed hole-in-the-wall spot on Sunset in Hollywood. It’s a blink and you’ll miss it but you won’t miss the loads of people waiting outside to get a taste of one of THE best breakfast spots in town. If you have two hours to kill for a leisurely breakfast or lunch before you get your day in full swing, then this is the place to check out.

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