수라원 (soo-la-won)

regular 물 냉면 (water-naengmyun)

type of food: korean

price: $0-20

atmosphere: the place is definitely a hole-in-the-wall. you probably will have to wait about 10 minutes to get seating around lunch/dinner time, but it's worth it. the place is decorated with faded, yellowing walls and old, cushiony booths. doesn't have TOO much seating (maximum capacity around 40 people?). parking can be an issue...only about 10 parking spots in the back, but theres always street parking as an option. service is quick and indifferent-- as with any other korean restaurant.

rating: 10 out of 10. even though the place itself might need a facelift and the staff can be a little bit more friendly (koreans are so stoic), the food stands alone and speaks for itself. the only reason the place is functioning and flowing with customers is the cheap prices and food. a bowl of naengmyun (like the one pictured above) is only ~$7. you can't beat that (not even yoochun...). the myun (noodle) has a bit of a bite to it and the cold broth is nice and refreshing. great little place to go for a quick and cheap lunch during hot summer days. 

2833 W Olympic Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90006

taste

kobe beef burger

cumen spiced pork chops with a side of mac&cheese.

demolished.

type of food: american.

price: $0-25

atmosphere: $4.00 valet?! yes. kobe beef burger?! yes. melrose ave?! yes. the place has expensive valet parking, great food, and is on melrose ave...what more can you want really? not much. okay...maybe a bit cheaper valet. other than that, the place is chic. there's tons of seating split between the inside and outside seating areas. the place is casual and "SO-L.A! like ohmygosh." its dimly lit inside and out with candles being the main source of light. the place is flooded with great, modern furnishing and gossiping LA dwellers. the staff is friendly and attentive-- big plus.

rating: 9 out of 10. kobe bryant is named after a...cow?! yes. and the cow is damn good. the kobe beef burger my friend ordered was gone within 10 minutes. my pork chops were gone within perhaps 15 minutes (im a slow eater...in korean standards). our plates (as show above) were basically licked clean. the burger (i got a bite or two) was juicy and heavenly. the pork chops were sweet with a little kick as an aftertaste. the mac&cheese were a bit eh (could have been better...a bit aldente), but overall: GOOD FOOD. 

8454 Melrose Ave

West Hollywod, CA 90069

sweet lady jane

outside sign.

choices, choices, choices...

almond roca cake.

vanilla cupcake.

type of food: desserts, cakes, tea.

price: $0-10

atmosphere: the place is a tight squeeze with only about seating for 10 people or so. the place is quaint and sweet. the decor is a bit granny and flowery, but what do you expect from a tea and cake place? parking can be a bit of an issue as seeing as how the place is on the ever-so-popular melrose ave. so, might want to loop around the blocks to find some metered parking.

rating: 9 out of 10. the cakes here are ridiculously large and scrumptious. the bread part of the cake layers are moist and fluffy; the cream and frosting parts of the cake are sweet and not too overwhelming. the cakes are wonderful. the cupcake was yummy as well with the cute mound of frosting piped into a shape of a flower. this place is a must for sweet tooths like me. :)

8360 Melrose Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90069

aroma coffee & tea company

look at the line...

loads of desserts and candy on display at front counter.

condiments/milk/cream/sugar/utensils/water station.

hot tea.

shrimp + lobster omelette.

the hulk.

type of food: american styled brunch/lunch, teas&coffee.

price: $0-15

atmosphere: in a nutshell: aroma has a sister (the Alcove), a line wrapped around the sidewalk, and really cute furnishings. you probably have to wait anywhere from 5-15 minutes depending on what time you come to eat and what day you come to eat. the actual house-turned-restaurant is small and doesnt have much seating (just a few high chairs surrounding a table-- the front counter and kitchen take up most of the house square feet). however, there are tons and ton of seating outside to the side of the house and, also, towards the back of the house. the outside seating is covered and bricked in-- still good to go for rainy days. the place is really charming with its choice of furnishings and its overall small-house charm. the area surrounding the place is filled with little, random boutiques and stores to check out afterwards as well.

rating: 10 out of 10. the food was awesome (im sad i couldnt take better pictures). period. my sister and i wiped our plates clean. my omelette was packed with mushrooms and asparagus, good for a healthy&strong start to a day. my sister's was filled with lobster and crab, just enough to get a piece in every bite, but not too much to hurl out lobster and crab onto the street after our meal. the hot tea helped digest the food. overall, our brunch experience at aroma was nice, casual, yummy, and happy. 

4360 Tujunga Ave.

Studio City, CA 91604

lemonade

rosemary watermelon, cucumber green tea, peach ginseng, regular lemonade.

ahi tuna with various sides.

various sides.

salmon with sides.

salmon with various sides.

type of food: american, sandwiches

price: $0-20 (depending on how many sides and main meat dishes you get)

atmosphere: lemonade is a light grey painted restaurant located on the ever so trendy Beverly Boulevard tucked onto a little corner. the place is simply charming and sleek at the same time. the architecture of the place is sleek with modern touches with the grey paint color on the exterior and stainless steel accents in its seating furniture. the place probably seats a good eight people inside and about another 20 people outside on the patio. parking wasn't too big of a problem with street parking; the most you would have to walk is about a block from the restaurant. 

rating: 9.5 out of 10. the food was light, healthy, bright, and tasty. you can either order a sandwich and some sides ($4.00 for one side, ~$7.00 for two, ~$10.00 for three...etc.) or just a plate full of different sides. they, also, have soups available along with various types of main meat dishes (salmon, ahi tuna, steak, chicken...etc) to go along with some side dishes. in addition, all the dishes are lively with color and taste (you can sample them!).  after ordering your main/side dishes, you bring your food over to the cashier where you're met with a variety of four different choices of lemonade mixes (different everyday) and desserts (brownies, cupcakes, cookies...etc). all in all, the place is a nice place to have a light and fun lunch with couple of friends. 

9001 Beverly Boulevard.

West Hollywood, CA 90048

nozomi

chirashi (hae-tup-bap)

my friend, cadengo, and his serving.

type of food: japanese, sushi rolls, teriyaki...etc.

price: $0-15

atmosphere: not too far from the UCSD campus is a little plaza with Tutti Frutti, Regents Pizza and Nozomi's. the plaza is frequently visited by UCSD students for a quick fro-yo stop or for some good ole pizza (use your coupons in your schedule binders you get in the beginning of the year! free pizza from Regents Pizza!). Nozomi's is pretty small in capacity, seating only about 25-35 people (including outside seating which has the bulk of the tables and seating available). outside seating is wooden benches and overhead heaters with some christmas lights outlining the place for a little bit of sparkle and fun. parking is free of charge and plenty in the plaza parking structure. the place is small and tucked into a corner, but always filled with students and locals. 

rating: 9 out of 10. the place doesn't offer the BEST sushi ever, BUT it does offer hefty amounts of food and is close to the school campus (close proximity to campus is always a plus for lazy students). the prices aren't too high (especially for "starving" college students...err...freshman 15?) and the rolls are presented in fun designs (rolls pieces either curing or making up a shape of a star...etc). the place is low-key and very casual-- definitely no need to dress up to eat here. the chirashi bowl is my favorite: 6 kinds of fish (sashimi), vegetables (salad), spicy sauce and rice. the dish is healthy and comes out in a huge bowl that can feed generously for 2 people. nozomi's is always a great alternative for a simple lunch or dinner with no fuss or thinking.

4150 Regents Park Row #190

San Diego, CA 92121