school food blooming roll

cute placemats

variety of different kinds of rolls

dduk-bok-gee (spicy rice cakes)

a close-up

type of food: korean street food

price: $~10

atmosphere: the place is typical korean cute with white&pink decor, a playful chandelier, comfy seating and modern styling. the place is situated in a new plaza that is about almost done. there's free parking available and the place is on the third floor. it's a really cute place to go with some girlfriends for a light lunch.

rating: 7.5 out of 10. the food was good and tasty. yes, a little overpriced for "street food," but what do you expect from a cute, korean place in k-town? this is no hodori. the rolls were fun to eat especially because of their various fillings. some had anchovies, others had fish eggs-- i know, i know. sounds a bit fishy (ha-ha) and questionable, but really yummy! the dduk-bok-gee was a perfect mix of spicy and sweet. they were also sized perfectly with the rice cake part of the dish being a nice bite size. the service was great: all men servers (he he he), attentive, and the food came out quickly. this isn't a place to go to for some gourmet korean food, but it is a nice environment to eat some familiar dishes at with a few friends.

621 S Western Ave #301

Los angeles, CA 900059

0005

mikawaya

gelato

mochi/pastries

strawberry&green tea swirl ice cream; various mochi and pastries.

type of food: desserts: mochi, gelta, japanese pastries

price: $~5

atmosphere: the place seems like your typical japanese pastries shop-- settled in Little Tokyo, tacky christmas lights hanging, and filled with flavored mochi. it's a nice pit stop to make when in the area, craving something sweet and yummy or just for some dessert after dinner in the area. there is metered street parking available and a parking structure that validates up to a hour free with $10 purchase (enter on alameda).

rating: 9 out of 10. the mochi and gelato were excellent. pretty authentic japanese desserts made well. only reason i jibbed a point was the fact that that was exactly what this place was-- authentic japanese dessert place; there isn't much else different about this place than the next japanese pastries joint. just mochi, pastries and gelato.

333 S Alameda St.

Los Angeles, CA 90013

the downbeat cafe

lox

quiche

prosciutto&melon

interior seating

wall art

type of food: american/brunch/sandwiches

price: $10-15

atmosphere: my friends and i passed by this place numerous times, while driving on alvarado, and always have said that we would dine here; so we did. the hipster/trendy little place is...cool. the interior decor and wall art screams hipster/80s/cool kids. the people who visit tend to be from the area-silverlake/echo park. we felt a little out of place (3 korean girls don't mix too well with the artsy fartsy crowd), but oddly comfortable. the workers are friendly and nice. the place is a nice place to stop by to have a simple lunch or sip of coffee at. parking can be an issue at certain times (metered street parking on alvarado), but most of the time shouldn't be-- there's also free parking at the library next door.

rating: 7 out of 10. the place was fun and casual, but the food wasn't all that great. it was mediocore. they didn't have anything on the menu that was original nor did they have a vast number of items on their menu. however, still a nice neighborhood cafe to try out.

1202 N Alvarado St.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

favorite place restaurant

really cute interior

rosemary lemonade

bread, olives, butter

pea soup

tomato salad

summer delight

from russia with love

my husband's favorite

type of food: sandwiches, tea room

price: $0-15

atmosphere: tucked into a little corner right across the street from the CPK on wilson and brand is one of MY favorite places. the place is known to be a tea room, but sandwiches are its specialty. the place is cutecutecute and have really hospitable staff. the place is a really nice surprise and treat in glendale. great place to go with the girlfriends for a get together. parking is plentiful with metered parking structure right behind the restaurant.

rating: 8 out of 10. the sandwiches were great. the complimentary soup and tomato salad were yummy and homemade. overall, the place was really sweet and cute. the food was good, but not DELICIOUS. worth a try!

115 West Wilson

Glendale, CA 91203

bottega louie

the way they present the bread is so cute&rustic

bread&butter

arugula salad

napoli pizza

fettuccine belmondo

great decor

cupcakes&macarons

my goodies.

chocolate&vanilla eclairs

lavender macron

type of food: desserts, pizza, modern european

price: $0-25 (depending on what main dish you get at the actual restaurant part of store)

atmosphere: situated in the midst of the fashion&toy&jewelry districts is this big jem-- and i say "big," because this space is unusually a huge amount of square footage for downtown LA. The decor is modern european with marble slabbed everywhere from the walls to floors and gold accents used all around. the place is plain CHIC. the people are locals who live in the area. the place is great for a casual lunch, pastry/dessert run or just to have coffee/tea. parking is tight with street parking (metered)-- it IS downtown LA...what else would you expect?

rating: 10 out of 10. the place is worth all the fuss over parking-- hands down. i came back to this place three days in a row just for more goodies. the actual food is GREAT and priced pretty moderately considering the area and decor. the pastries&desserts are to DIE for. you must go if you have a sweet tooth like i do. everything is moderately priced and made to PERFECTION. they do have a market breakfast-- haven't tried it, but have heard good things. a must go!!!

700 S Grand Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90017

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