Square One

Breakfast. Brunch. Such an LA trend. The ladies love to do it. But I guess there's others that love breakfast (waking up early was never something I did well, and I believe I have a slight aversion to anything that is based around waking up early). But if you want fine morning eats, Square One is the place to go. However I only go when I have friends in town, because you definitely pay for what you get. The benedict's are phenomenal. The pancakes are ridiculous. Everything is truly delicious here, and very organic. I naturally had to get the benedict...

Classic Benedict :: poached eggs, smoked canadian bacon, baby spinach on a tuscan roll with hollandaise

Oh, and those are just thyme garlic roasted potatoes. Tied together with an arnold palmer, this meal was $15. 

Om nom nom~

Komodo Cafe

Komodo Cafe is somewhat a part of the beginning of a trend. The food truck explosion of 2008/2009 created a panic among the brick and mortar restaurants, not only was there a delectable choice of food near your place of work or home, but your options continued to change. The quality of food was good, and the recipes were unique. But I'll stick to Komodo for now. Once the food truck is successful (and it is), they have been opening up their own brick and mortar. Komodo Cafe is one of these places. 

These restaurants are typically used to test new items, see if they would work for the truck. Also just a great place to serve lunch and items that wouldn't do well on a truck. My buddy John ordered the Komodo 2.0 taco and the loko modo burrito. 

Komodo 2.0 :: Seared Top Sirloin w/ Jalapeno Aioli & Southwest Corn Salad. 

I ordered the loko modo taco, and the asian marinated chicken burrito. 

Loko modo taco :: Hawaiian-style grilled ground Sirloin w/ Island Sweet Sauce & Eggs

Asian marinated chicken burrito :: Grilled Marinated Chicken w/ Stir-Fried Rice & Mandarin Oranges

Uh, I get fries with everything. Especially these garlic fries. 

With unlimited sriracha, and the sun at your back, no better way to enjoy Komodo. Unless you're at their truck!

Tacos $3 / Burritos $8 / Sides $5

Om nom nom~

Larchmont Wine & Cheese

Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits, & Cheese is a subtle store front located on Larchmont in the small "uptown" portion of the neighborhood. It is very similar to most other little towns of Los Angeles, such as Los Feliz and Franklin Village. Except Larchmont is typically free from tourists, so lots of locals (and celebrities) frequent this area for lunch, coffee, and shopping. It's a very dog friendly strand. The wine and cheese shop is know for their sandwiches. Baked fresh baguettes and ciabatta bread daily, often selling out of bread by 1-3pm on weekdays (closed on Sunday). The line is usually to the door, daily. 

The best thing to get is their #3. Soppresatta salami, mixed greens, sun dried tomato mayo, and their balsamic vinegar on a baguette. It's that type of bread that tears apart the roof of your mouth, but you absolutely love every minute of it. Fresh and incredibly crispy on the outside, a fine layer of fluffy on the inside. To die for. My other favorite is their #1, Caprese, with fresh buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil and tomato, along with their balsamic. I add prosciutto to this to make it my favorite. 

(Left: #3; Right: #1 add prosciutto)

I ordered both with a friend. We split them half for half. Best of both worlds. In my opinion, this is the best sandwich in Los Angeles. There's one other that is a formidable opponent, a worthy runner-up. But that's another day, another lunch.

P.s. - the root beer here is to DElicious. (I mean, it's no Dog 'n Suds, but damn good). Beer? Yep, beer. 

All sandwiches $8 and under. 

Om nom nom~

Spitz

Yes. 

Oh Spitz. I just can't pass up the opportunity to eat anything that has garlic in it. Chopped garlic, crushed garlic, minced garlic, garlic butter, garlic aioli, roasted garlic, whole clove garlic; you get the point. Spitz is a Mediterranean restaurant that specializes in Döners. These are similar to a gyro, but sandwich form. Fucking delicious. I went with the French Döner. 

Yes. Those are FRENCH FRIES. 

Döner with Pommes The French version with fries inside. French fries, fried lavash chips, garlic aioli, extra tzatziki.	Veg. $8.00 Meat $8.50

I don't even know what lavash chips are. But this was amazing. The meat was a beef/lamb mix. Broke the bank on this one, probably due to my unquenchable thirst for hefeweizen beer. 

Okay. Probably any beer. 

Om nom nom~

Guatemalteca

Guatemalteca is a Guatamalan bakery and cafeteria style restaurant. They've got all sorts of food I can't pronounce that looks delicious, and is VERY affordable. Various stews and sandwiches, not to mention their fabulous bakery attached. There is something to be said about the bread here. They provide a loaf if you order the stews, and it (obviously) comes with the sandwiches. I was in the mood for something simple this time. 

So I ordered the "Pan con chile." This translates literally to "bread with chili." It's a pepper stuffed with meat, dipped in egg batter and fried. Topped with lettuce, mayo, and a mildly sweet tomato type sauce (whichever they provide with the pupusas). Between a small loaf sliced in half. And the bread... the sweet sweet bread...

This was $3. Got a pupusa on the side, but the sandwich is the real spotlight here. Not to mention it's walking distance from my apartment. A few mispronunciations later, you've got yourself a meal!

Om nom nom

Myung in dumplings.

Anthony Bourdain has a television show called "Parts Unknown." One episode featured Koreatown, very close to my neighborhood. One of the restaurants was a dumpling spot called "Myung In Dumplings." We got a few dishes, all equally amazing. I hope Myung wasn't in my dumplings! This restaurant is located on Olympic, near Normandie. 

[I love that everyone taking photos in this photo]

First order was the #4, steamed pork & veg dumpling. 

Next was the #8, basically the same thing but what appeared to be pan fried like a gyoza. 

Lastly, my favorite was the #3, the spicy shrimp dumplings. 

These were featured on Bourdain. As well as #1 (pork & veg bun), however these were sold out. This was actually my third time visiting, the first two times they were sold out of everything before 2pm (thanks Bourdain!).

Om nom nom~

Eat Chego.

Chego. A beautiful creation from chef Roy Choi, creator of the delectable Kogi Truck. Chinatown, Los Angeles, hidden in a small strip mall. 

Small, but wooden benches to eat on just outside. 

Apple Pop (yup I said it). Sriracha. The wait. 

The Beefy T. May all your worries be gone. Dishes ~$8-$9.