Rockenwagner - Santa Monica

Rockenwagner - Santa Monica

santa monica  

If you are walking down on the third street promenade and want some good pastries, this is one of the good place to stop by. I came here 2-3 times and really nothing amazing, just good bakery.

$3

Some kind of berries and custard inside, I believe. It was good, I liked the taste but when I had this, it was chewy, tough and didn't taste very fresh. Maybe just needed to heat up but still, I liked the taste.

Pretzel $2.50

Linzer cake $4
Meh.. it was ok

orange pretzel $3
It was big, little sweet side, but I liked it.  I just wish they heat up for people who eats here.

Almond croissant $3
It was ok, not the place I wanna get my almond croissant. Not flaky or crispy.

Go early in the morning

Day old 50% off baguette $2

Rating (food): 3.4 / 5
Rating (service): 3/ 5
Repeat: Yes

Rockenwagner
311 Arizona Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-394-4267

Monday - Saturday: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

http://www.rockenwagner.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/rockenwagner-santa-monica-2

You pick two 1/2 sandwich and soup at Panera Bread

You pick two 1/2 sandwich and soup at Panera Bread

North Hollywood  

The weather is turning colder, which means it’s the perfect time for a comforting bowl of soup. Panera Bread offers a variety of hot soups every day in their bakery-cafés, including classic flavors (such as French Onion and Broccoli Cheddar) and new favorites (such as Low-Fat Vegetarian Garden Vegetable with Pesto). Why are Panera's soups so satisfying and delicious? It starts at the most basic level – with fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients and the “Good Goes In” philosophy of making soup the right way. It's a simple truth that resonates with customers and gives Panera soup an extra measure of warmth and goodness.


CLICK HERE for pics from 2009
CLICK HERE for pics from  2007

Yes, they have some varieties of pastries too.

Cobblestone. I used my birthday offer for one free pastry.

I got "You pick two" 1/2 cafe sandwich and cup of soup
Mediterranean Veggie sandwich and french onion soup

Sliced onion sautéed in sweet butter and seasonings, gently simmered in a light beef broth with essence of tomato, topped with homemade croutons. I got my soup with no cheese. It was tasty. I loved homemade croutons.

check their soup story website too

Zesty Peppadew piquant peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro Jalapeño hummus on Tomato Basil bread.I really liked tomato basil bread.

http://www.panerabread.com/


 


 As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Panera bread gift card.

Vegetarian Thai Barley Stir-Fry recipe

Vegetarian Thai Barley Stir-Fry recipe

cooking  

Easy and tasty barley recipe. I didn't write down when I made this recipe so I can't exactly remember what I used for ingredients but I think I used ingredients below.

Recipe adapted from Barley Foods.

Thai Barley Stir-Fry  Makes 4 servings

1/2 cup pearl barley
1 cup water
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup thinly sliced eggplant
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1-2 tomatoes
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
1 tsp-1tbsp red curry paste
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Chopped peanuts
Shredded red cabbage and carrot curls, for garnish

Place barley and water in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Set aside. In large skillet or wok, heat 1 Tbsp oil over high heat. Add garlic and cooked barley; stir-fry 3 minutes. Add eggplant, bell pepper, tomato and onion; stir-fry 3 minutes. Add basil, mint, red curry paste and soy sauce; cook 2 more minutes. Sprinkle with peanuts and garnish with shredded red cabbage and carrot curls (optional).

Spitz - Little Tokyo

Spitz - Little Tokyo

little tokyo  

Do you like Happy Hour? I do. I've always wanted to go to Happy Hour here (for the food, not drinks). But since I wasn't really hungry and also I didn't see anything interested on the menu, I just had some fried pita strips.

Happy Hour menu

Menu

Doner Salads $9.99

Doner Salads $9.99

Fried pita strips with hummus $2.50

It's only $2.50 during happy hour. But as you can see, it was way too oily. I didn't enjoy it.

Rating (food): 2.5 / 5
Rating (service): 3.5 / 5
Repeat: No

Spitz
371 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0101

Mon-Tue, Sun 11 am - 10 pm
Wed-Thu 11 am - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 12 am

http://www.eatatspitz.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/spitz-los-angeles-3

Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi - Little Tokyo

Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi - Little Tokyo

little tokyo  

I finally tried Shinsengumi ramen on their 1 year anniversary week. They were offering $3 for a bowl of Hakata ramen.Good deal. But unfortunately, I didn't like the food here. I never been to any other Shinsengumi in L.A., so I don't know if the taste is same or not compared to the other locations, but I didn't like here. If I want ramen in Little Tokyo, I'd go to Men-Oh Tokushima.

extra toppings; corn $0.50 and spinach $1.50

Half Gyoza $3

half size Takana chahan (fried rice) $3.75

My rice was mushy but tasted ok

Hakata ramen $3

I didn't like the broth. To me, pork smell and flavor was too strong. Also my noodle was too soft.

Rating (food): 2.5 / 5
Rating (service): 3 / 5
Repeat: N/A

Hakata Ramen Shin-Sen-Gumi
132 S Central Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 687-7108

Mon-Sun 11 am - 12 am

http://www.shinsengumigroup.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/hakata-ramen-shin-sen-gumi-los-angeles

Coffee + Food - Los Angeles

Coffee + Food - Los Angeles

los angeles  

Coffee + Food, new coffee place opened recently in Larchmont area, right across from the Paramount Pictures. And it's hard to believe but there are no coffee place on Larchmont blvd (well, except Starbucks, coffee bean, and Peets) so I'm really happy that this place opened in this area. I didn't try but their sandwiches and pastries looked so good. My Flat White latte was good too. I've been to so many coffee shops in L.A. but I think this is the only place I've seem Flat White in L.A. So if you are curious, go check out.

cafe latte

I think this is cappuccino

This is my Flat White (s) $3

Rating (food): 4 / 5
Rating (service): 3.5 / 5
Repeat: Yes

Coffee + Food
5630 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038

http://coffeeplusfood.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/coffee-food-los-angeles