cafe santorini

risotto con porcini

my sister attacking her grilled chicken kebob

type of food: mediterranean.

price: $0-20

atmosphere: cutely tucked into the backyard of old pasadena. it's a bit less casual than usual restaurants in this price range (ie: cheesecake factory), but really nice place to have a nice lunch at. there's a screened in outside eating area that sits overlooking oldpas choppers and other diners. 

rating: 8 out of 10. food was well prepared and cooked. just lacked that extra umph. the flavors were there and you probably can't go wrong with just about everything and anything on the menu. always a nice place to dine at. nice place to have large get-togethers and celebrations as well.

70 W Union St

Pasadena, CA 91103

spitz

the classic doner in a lavash wrap with a side of sweet potato fries

types of food: doner kebabs, salads & gelato.

price: $0-10

atmosphere: small, cute place in eagle rock. has a modern touch to the architecture of the place. very casual and comfortable.

rating: 8 out of 10. 1 point knocked off because of horrible parking. besides the 4 spaces they have in front, youre on your own with street parking. another point off, because of the such tight space. theres only 4 tables inside to sit at (tables for 2) and approximately another 3 or 4 outside. a little inconvenient. besides all the parking and sitting inconvenience, the food is great. the price is great as well. the gelato is a nice finish to the kebabs. c-c-check it out!

Eagle Rock location:

2506 Colorado Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90041

Little Tokyo location:

371 E. 2nd St

Los Angeles, CA 90012

home restaurant

my sister and her "build your own omelette"

vegetarian pizza

types of food: american style breakfast/brunch/lunch.

price: $0-15

atmosphere: cute, very LA-like, casual setting. with both outside and inside seating, you would think there's more than enough seating available...but no. theres usually a wait of anywhere from 5-15 minutes. not too bad for trendy LA. another one of those eating "hot spots." 

rating: 8 out of 10. although it is characterized as another LA "hot spot" where celebrities can be found eating at, the food is surprisingly pretty good (no wonder its so popular...). they have good breakfast/brunch food that can be served with your choice of freshly squeezed fruit juice. they have nice waiters/waitresses who are friendly and strike up a nice, comforting conversation. overall, nice place to eat at casually with friends or family. 

1760 Hillhurst Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

scoops

mango gelato & graham crackers/oreo cookies gelato

types of food: gelato ice cream

price: $0-6

atmosphere: hip and funky. they have a wall of flavor suggestions that have suggestions varying from kimchi flavored gelato (which they really had one time) to butternut squash flavored gelato. they also feature and display a whole wall featuring an artist-- a gallery of some sort. you can buy the artwork/photographs displayed. 

rating: 10 out of 10. the flavors are a mixture of classics and whackness. they always have some fruity concoctions for you fruity people and always some chocolaty and extra sweet ones for sweet-tooths like me. 

712 N Heliotrope Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90029

pure luck restaurant

sweet potato fries

spinach with rice noodles, grilled tofu and topped off with some peanuts. 

sandwich with tofu & avocado with a side of soup of the day: curry soup (forget what it's actually called...oops.)

types of food: vegan

price: $0-15

atmosphere: funky/cool/hip. the place is a tight fit, but really cozy and clean. the outside of the place is tagged up with graffiti giving the urban vibe, while the inside is filled with contemporary/rustic furniture (weird mix, but works!). 

rating: 8 out of 10. although im not the biggest health nut, decided to check out this place with a friend. the food was surprisingly filling and tasty. 

707 N Heliotrope Dr

Los Angeles, CA 90029

niko niko sushi

from top left clockwise: dynamite roll, rainbow roll, lobster roll.

type of food: sushi rolls.

price: $0-20

atmosphere: in the heart of cerritos town center lies niko niko (next to golden spoon!). the interior is nice and clean (like any other sushi restaurant). service is nice and complementary.

rating: 7.5 out of 10. the sushi rolls were good, but not the best. but then again, you cant REALLY go wrong with sushi rolls. the service was quick and the food came out timely. prices are average ($6-14 a roll). overall, a nice & average sushi restaurant.

cerritos location (they have numerous others):

12731 Towne Center Dr.

Cerritos, CA

andre's italian

shrimp spaghetti with a side of caesar salad & garlic bread

spaghetti with meat sauce, mushroom pizza and garlic bread

types of food: italian, soups, & desserts.

price: $0-15

atmosphere: low key, tucked in the corner of a plaza right across the street from the Grove. plenty of cushioned booth seating.

rating: 10 out of 10. prices are low, amount of food is hearty and its not technically a sit down restaurant. its buffet style with the customer picking up a tray and placing whatever he/she wants onto the tray (asking the workers behind the counters for pasta, sauce, pizzas, soups...etc) and paying in total at the end of the line. food is authentic italian and none of the fancy schmancy stuff. just good, hearty food.

6332 W Third St

Los Angeles, CA 90036