Category Archives: Brunch

Desert Rose: Mediterranean Oasis of Los Feliz

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

Desert Rose, an oasis of warmth and tranquility in the heart of Los Feliz village, specializes in California-Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant’s namesake, a glistening statuesque glass sculpture of a rose, stands proudly in the entry, welcoming all hungry travelers to the flower garden and expansive tile patio. The area tantalizes the senses, as you are caressed by the lolling sound of fountains, cooled by the welcoming shade of umbrellas, and serenaded by the sensual strumming of a live Spanish guitar. With the delicate scents of roses and jasmine from the garden, the warmth of the sun, and the caress of the afternoon breeze… it is as if you have transported from the bustling streets of Los Angeles… to a relaxing Mediterranean terrace.  With all these, your taste buds can’t help but enjoy a leisurely and delicious meal.

click to enlarge

Continue reading →

Royal/T Cafe: Fusion Cafe, Shop, Art Space – CLOSED

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

click to enlarge

Royal/T Cafe is a restaurant/art gallery that celebrates Japan’s tea culture and is inspired by Tokyo’s maid cafes with the waitresses dressed in maid uniforms.  A wide variety of teas are offered alongside Japanese influenced food with a California touch.  The multi-purpose space is in a large warehouse with exposed trusses, wooden beams, industrial skylights and full-length wall display cases which create a unique vibe for the cafe as well events and art exhibits.

The five-year project is concluding and the Culver City space will be closing its doors sometime in Summer 2012.  Fortunately, there will still be upcoming roaming special events, exhibits and pop-ups in the Los Angeles area. The venue’s final show, “The Art of Cooking,” will run April 27 through Aug. 1, 2012.

Continue reading →

AOC: Wine, Tapas, and now Brunch!

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

AOC is an L.A. gem, commonly known for its wine selection and small plates menu.  Chef Suzanne Goin’s California French menu has some Mediterranean influences and is driven by seasonal ingredients.  It is an excellent restaurant for dinner that I would recommend anytime (must tries are the arroz negro with squid with saffron aioli; brussels sprouts with pancetta and parsnip puree; grilled pork confit with potato, apples, dijon mustard, and cabbage).  Now AOC is open for bunch on the weekends!  The delicious culinary decadence of the AOC dinner menu is brought forth in a divine brunch menu.

click to enlarge

Continue reading →

Larchmont Bungalow

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

click to enlarge

Breakfast all day, like music to my ears!  Larchmont Bugalow is located in the charming Larchmont village.  The cafe is set up like a little country home with an antique coffee grinder displayed in the front window; an old school stove where you can get water and fix-ins for your coffee; a living room area with a fireplace and couch; a patio area in the back with additional seating.  At the counter you see the delicious assortment of muffins and other baked goods they offer, such as macarons, cupcakes, cakes… You order at the counter and sit wherever there is room available.

click to enlarge

Continue reading →

Meet French Bistro

Posted on by Stoli The Foodie

click to enlarge

Meet, a French Bistro, located where L’Hermitage Bistro used to be, is a lovely addition to the Culver City area.  This is not a typical pretentious French restaurant with exorbitant prices.  The all French wait staff is very attentive while still maintaining a very unhurried atmosphere.  Dinner is served at a French pace, no one is rushing to turn over your table, so you can have a nice leisurely meal.  The service is excellent, new plates and silverware are brought between courses, the waiters aim to be unobtrusive and always try to serve to the left and clear to the right.  We had mussels during our meal and when our bowls were full of shells they were replaced before we even realized it was necessary.  Our table had a slight wobble that we didn’t even notice, but when one of the waitresses was setting something down she noticed it and had it fixed immediately.  I was quite impressed with this unassuming establishment.  It’s located in a less congested area of Culver City so sitting out on the patio is like sitting in a little cafe in Paris and the food is just as good too.

Continue reading →