Marino

It's one of my greatest pleasures to introduce people who love to eat great food to restaurants who know how to consistently use quality ingredients with great skill to provide delicious meals. Marino has been in Hollywood since the late 1950's and I had the pleasure of eating at chef Sal Marino's Il Grano many times before he came back to his family restaurant.

I chose this restaurant for people in the restaurant business who came out from NYC because the cuisine was rooted in classic old school techniques, using the freshest Californian ingredients. 

We started with a bottle of Barolo (#4505) and the large Marino salad, with chopped mixed greens, eggplant caponata, salame, cheese, and legumes for $19 to share.

The night we went, there was a special halibut crudo with beautiful radishes.

Zucchini blossoms filled with ricotta and marjoram for $17 was devoured as soon as it got to the table.

Classic linguini vongole with manila clams for $21 was wonderfully aromatic with sliced garlic.

It's been too many years since I've eaten my favorite lasagna. It was like meeting an old friend with a comforting long heartfelt hug.

It's hard to pick my favorite dish, but branzino, Mediterranean striped bass,  for $38 is definitely in the top 3, delicately and exquisitely baked, served with vegetables that are equally simply and expertly cooked. 

It's good to be in sunny warm Southern California in November, especially when feasting on the skills of a master chef.

Good Day Thai

A good Breakfast / Brunch at a Thai restaurant? YES! Good Day Thai offers a week-end brunch with both American and Thai choices that will please the palates of picky eaters of all ages. I started off with an oat milk cappuccino that was both large and nicely done. Kritz, my server, displayed the remarkable skill of memorizing every order perfectly without a pen, paper, or tablet!

Their waffle for $9 was crisp, flavorful, and addictive enough that I finished it before the rest of my meal arrived. 

I ordered the "Joke" aka rice porridge for $13 with minced pork, fresh ginger, poached egg, green onions and crispy noodles that was a huge meal in and of itself! This was the first time I had eaten "jook" outside my house since I left NYC and it was a refreshingly upgraded version with a good soup base and contrasting textures. 

Their small chicken wonton soup for $9 was enough to share or be a meal if you are not too hungry. The broth was nicely complex, and the wontons, chicken slices and bok choy, all combined for a very satisfying soup.

Their eggplant for $15 used quality Japanese eggplants, but I found the sauce a bit too sweet and the garlic bean sauce was too lightly nuanced to add much to the dish.

I had to try their regular menu after enjoying their breakfast dishes, so I started with the classic pad Thai for $13 and found their version to be a great paradigm for the medley of textures and flavors that made this dish the go to order for most Americans.

I tried several of their appetizers and thoroughly enjoyed the steamed dumplings with their silky smooth consistency enveloping the minced filling on a bed of shredded cabbage topped with crispy garlic for $8. If you are not very hungry, this could be a meal in and of itself!

Their chicken satay for $12 made with chicken marinated in coconut milk was a delightful and generously portioned protein appetizer.

Chicken larb for $13 is a refreshing salad choice for a lighter meal with a lime based dressing, fresh cabbage and cucumber.

Kao Man Kai for $15 was a Thai version of the classic poached chicken and rice dish from many other countries. I found their chicken a bit dry and the soy ginger sauce lacked punch, but their ginger rice was delicious.

I love rice noodles and their Pad See Ew for $13 with choice of protein (I chose tofu) was a comforting version with Chinese broccoli and American broccoli. The combination of the two broccoli types was a good epitome of how Good Day Thai does a great job of combining two food cultures in the same place.

Bianca for Brunch and Dinner

Getting a table at a great place to eat brunch on the week-ends is a quest that sometimes leaves me feeling like Don Quixote fighting for an elusive seat at prime spots between 11am-1pm on week-ends. Thankfully Bianca is not only a beautiful place with easy garage parking, attentive service, and delicious food options, but it is also EASY to get a seat on the gorgeous patio by simply walking up at 11am on a week-end! 

Their cappuccino was a harbinger of the beautiful food to come, with perfect crema. 

One morning I chose their simple scrambled eggs for $14 and was enthralled by the creamy texture, perfect salinity, and beautiful toast with home made jam that came as an accompaniment. The plate is deceptively filling, and I was sad to leave a few bites on my plate as I was too full to finish everything.

The eggs Benedict for $19 was very rich and the dish to order for anyone who whose doctor gives a green light to this decadent rendition with gorgeous prosciutto cotto and an unctuous hollandaise.

The salmon toast for $21 is equally rich with scrambled eggs, so pick your vice and use your cheat day.

Their house salad for $18 is a medley of fresh textures that helped lighten up all the rich albeit delicious options. I would order this salad as a stand alone if you want something refreshing, light, and delicious.

The meatballs for $18 are a light and superb rendition that sits atop a marina that I could eat by the spoonful.

The branzino for $36 was presented before deboning and I found the vegetables delectable, but the fish a bit over cooked.

The moules (mussels) for $30 cooked with pastis and plenty of fennel were not only delicious, but a full pound made this a filling meal with the piece of bread at the bottom soaking up the delectable broth.

The grilled prawns for $40 were spectacular on the plate and the larger ones were cooked perfectly, but the smaller ones were a bit over done. The vegetables were marvelous and the quality of the prawns shone through. 

The service on every occasion was on point, friendly, and professional, and the atmosphere is gorgeous on the patio whether you go in the day or at night, so go while you can still walk in for a Sunday brunch and while you can still easily get a dinner reservation.

Surf and Sand / Splashes

I used to drive to the Surf and Sand from Palm Springs just to get a breath of ocean air and a taste of the coastal vibe when the dessert heat became oppressive. I stayed in the hotel for a few nights back in the 1990's, but aside from a meal or two at their beachside restaurant Splashes, I have not frequented the places in decades. It was wonderful to revisit and find that the service, food, and seaside jewel are still in prime condition.

I booked a discounted package deal room a few weeks in advance and about 1 week before I was due to check in, I got an email offering an upgrade for $21 per night to the King Tower Ocean view room. Considering what I paid and the upgrade offered, this deal was 30 % less than the regular rate, so I was very happy to accept their offer :)    

Very nice linens, towels, and robes, along with 2 USB outlets near the bed, a mini fridge, Keurig with regular and decaf pods, water bottles, and wifi included in the resort fee of $25, and unlimited in and out for the nightly valet parking fee of $40. The television was an older LG unable to cast to from your phone and the toilets throughout the resort are VERY low, so ask for an ADA room if you need a more accessible toilet (like me). I found the bed and pillows very soft since I prefer extra firm, but I was able to sleep, and the chaise and outdoor furniture were all very comfortable.

I had a glass of crowded house sauvignon blanc for $16 and shared the mushroom flatbread appetizer with friends who live nearby the night of my arrival at the bar,

but my meal the last night of my stay was as wonderful as all the meals I've eaten here in the past. The Caesar salad for $17, used anchovy as it should and I was so happy to taste a dressing I liked.

Crispy octopus for $19 was perfectly prepared

The seared scallops for $45 were nicely seared with tender centers,

and I couldn't resist the sorbets offered at the end of my meal, with strawberry basil and mango, how could you say no?

Since I can always watch the video of the view from the King Tower room, I can revisit anytime :)

GGET Go Get Em Tiger

I love living so close to so many excellent coffee purveyors! GGET or (Go Get 'Em Tiger) has 8 locations around town, so pick the one closest to you :) The staff is very personable and professional and their menu is delicious. I usually get the oat milk cappuccino, but one day they were out of oat milk! In the spirit of community, Tyler suggested two nearby coffee places that would satisfy my preference and I appreciated that very much. Daniela also offered a gift one day after seeing me come in several days a week (thank you)!

Their blueberry corn muffin is the only sweet I have tried and I liked both the texture and the restraint of sugar use in the muffin.

When I can't really eat much, I order the granola with oat milk and I am always happy with the lighter coconut granola and gigantic golden raisins in it! 

A slightly more substantial breakfast is their scrambled eggs and biscuit with a side of avocado for $11 with a fermented hot sauce that is addictive!

Their protein breakfast for $13 includes the perfect scrambled eggs, brilliant bacon, side salad and avocado. An ideal meal for those who love this combo :)

Their breakfast sandwich is what I grab on the go, made with their homemade English muffin, sausage, egg, roasted tomatoes and spicy aioli for $9 this is a perfect choice when you are not too hungry but need to sustain yourself until lunch. 

Lunch can be the chicken avocado sandwich for $12 on beautiful Bub and Grandma's focaccia with frisée.

Their burger for $12 is 5 ounces of old fashioned nostalgia, with Cooper's American cheese, caper aioli, grilled onions, and butter pickles. Get smashed potatoes on the side for $4 and then call your cardiologist :)

For hunger pangs, their burrito for $12 with bacon, avocado, eggs is the way to go.

The only salad at the Culver City location is the chicken kale caesar for $15 

It's easy to get to GGET, but the quality ingredients, deft use of them, and the wonderfully personable staff are the main reasons I keep going back.