With one of the best locations in the city, Gladstone’s of Malibu is situated only feet away from the water. In fact, if there’s anything worth coming to Gladstone’s for…it’s the ambiance. Whether you’re sitting indoors or out on the patio, you’ll be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and Coastline. After you eat, or while you’re waiting for a table, walk down to the sand and take a stroll along the beach. It gets a little cool in the evening so make sure to bring along an extra jacket.
The Food
I have frequented this Gladstone’s location on a number of occasions, and while the food is good, I don’t think it’s worth the price. On my last visit, I decided to go with their catch of the day; it runs about $25 and is accompanied by two sides. Although the fish was fresh, it was a little too bland for my palate and the taste reminded me of hospital food; that’s a pretty extreme comparison, but it was the first thing that came to mind. The corn-on-the-cob was served cold and undercooked, while the side of steamed vegetables resembled the frozen Birdseye variety available at your local supermarket.
Reservations
This Gladstone’s location can get really busy during the weekends, so unless you’re prepared to wait a few hours, I strongly recommend that you make reservation ahead of time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the area and want to enjoy a sunset by the beach, Gladstone’s is the perfect spot. Add a few drinks and an appetizer, and you’ve got the perfect Sunday afternoon. As far as the food goes, you’ll probably be better off a few miles north along PCH.
Are you an avid sushi lover? If so, head over to Isshin Sushi. Isshin Sushi serves fresh sashimi and sushi with a whole lot of taste. Their spicy tuna is especially flavorful, yum! Though some of its items are a bit on the pricier side, compared to other sushi restaurants nearby, its quality cooking does all the talking. With that said, it’s pretty reasonable. This sushi restaurant has more of a family and group friends feel to it. Sports fans will appreciate the big screen TV.
As a family owned and operated restaurant, Isshin Sushi offers friendly service. Did I forget to mention prompt service as well?
On a Friday or Saturday night, Il Tramezzino is a great place to visit for a late night snack. If you’re tired of always eating the same thing after getting out of the bar or club, and you’re still ok to get behind the wheel, head over to Il Tramezzino for some great food and desserts. They have two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Studio City, but the one in Beverly Hills is open till 4:00am on Friday and Saturday.
If you’re in the mood for something a little spicy and don’t mind the carbs, try the Penne Arrabiata. It’s a very simple dish; short tube pasta covered with a spicy sauce made from tomatoes, hot chilies, and garlic. If you don’t want to go the pasta route, I suggest going for one of their Panini Sandwiches; the most popular Sandwich is the Chicken Special (the first one on the menu). If you still have room for desert, try the chocolate croissant. A generous amount of Nutella chocolate is spread on the croissant and then grilled Panini style. You can also add bananas, strawberries, and other seasonal fruits as well.
If you visit the Beverly Hills location on a Friday or Saturday evening, you’ll notice that it looks a little like a nightclub outside. That’s because they employ a couple of bouncers, line you up against the wall (with a portable heater nearby), and even have a purple velvet rope. Don’t be shocked…it’s not a club. Just tell them how many people are in your party and it shouldn’t take too long.
It’s a little annoying having to wait behind a velvet rope to get a sandwich, but it’s worth it. If you’re really impatient (like me), take something to-go and walk across the street; there are some steps where you can sit down and enjoy your food. Just make sure to clean up after you’re done…there are tons of shiny trash bins all over the place (after all, it’s Beverly Hills).
Located directly across the street from the Westside Pavilion along Pico Blvd, Apple Pan has been serving Los Angeles for decades. In fact, many will remember it as the Peach Pit in the first season of Beverly Hills 90210.
As you walk inside Apple Pan, the first thing you'll probably notice is that the u-shaped counter is completely full. You will also notice people standing along the walls waiting for a seat to open up. There is no seating system or wait list so just look around and be aware of who was there before you. Don’t be discouraged if there are a lot of people waiting, the service is really efficient and you will probably have a seat in 10 minutes or less.
The Service
Don't expect 5 star service when visiting Apple Pan - you won't get it. What you can expect is to be in and out of there as quickly as possible. As soon as you sit down you will be asked to order and your drinks will arrive about 30 seconds later. You’ll get your burger shortly after and then your check. It’s not warm and fuzzy, but it works.
The Food
The menu features 2 types of burgers, the Steak and Hickory. They also serve Tuna and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, but don’t come to Apple Pan for that. Regardless of which burger you choose, you won’t be disappointed…they are simply fantastic. The patty is thick and juicy, the lettuce is crisp, and the cheese is melted just right. If you have room after you finish eating, I highly recommend that you try the Apple Pie a la mode. Baked on the premises, the pies arrive warm, crisp, and oozing with filling.
The Cost
The cost of a burger at Apple Pan is on the pricey side. Expect to pay around $7 for a burger with cheese. Add fries and a drink to that, and you’ll easily hit the $12 mark.
As far as I’m concerned, Apple Pan serves the best hamburger in Los Angeles. Sure IN N’ OUT is great, especially for the price, but when you bite into a burger at Apple Pan…you’ll know the difference.
If you haven’t tried Pinkberry, I’m sure you’ve at least heard about it by now. With only two flavors of its non-fat yogurt, Plain and Green Tea, Pinkberry puts the simplicity back into frozen desserts.
Pinkberry isn’t the taste you’ve become accustomed to with traditional soft serve Frozen Yogurt…it’s sweet, but not too sweet. With only 125 calories in the small serving, it’s a healthy alternative when you’re looking to indulge.
So what’s the catch? Well, it doesn’t come cheap. A small serving of Pinkberry yogurt will run you about $5 with your choice of 3 toppings. Toppings include seasonal fruit (great quality), granola, cereals, and a few others that I am probably missing. Be prepared to wait a little bit – on an ordinary day, you would be hard pressed finding a Pinkberry location without a line snaking out the door.
There is also a little issue with parking at some of the locations. The Los Angeles Times refers to Pinkberry as, "the taste that launched 1,000 parking tickets" – because trying to find a parking spot at the original West Hollywood location was almost impossible. Finding parking at their Westwood location is no picnic either. But if you’re already in the area, I suggest you visit the new location at the Olympic Collection on Olympic and Sawtelle. There is ample parking in the underground lot and you don’t have to constantly look over your shoulder for parking enforcement.
So is it worth it? The taste isn't for everyone and many will say that it’s a waste of money. Although I frequent Pinkberry from time to time, I still enjoy other frozen yogurt shops like Bigg Chill and Penguins. Give it a shot and decide for yourself.
Located on Robertson Blvd just north of Olympic Blvd in Beverly Hills, Feryano's Restaurant is practically my home away from home. The cuisine at Feryanos is Eclectic / American, and they serve everything from Tuna Salad Sandwiches to Gyros and Greek Salads. Often frequented by celebrities, you’ll notice that they have devoted an entire wall to autographs – from Playboy Playmates, Maroon 5, and even the original Barney (the purple dinosaur).
The Ambiance
Feryanos is set up like most diners; a long counter spans the entire restaurant and about a half dozen tables set up both inside and out.
The Service
Aside from the food, my favorite part about coming to Feryanos is the excellent service. Feryanos is a family owned and operated establishment, so when you’re there, it feels a lot like home. If you come in the afternoon or on the weekends, you’ll most likely run into Mike; he is super friendly, accommodating, and always makes me laugh.
The Food
Whenever I visit Feryanos, I usually leave it up to Mike to make me whatever he “thinks” I want…and I have yet to leave unsatisfied. If you’re into Greek food, I highly recommend the Gyros which are simply amazing. The Burgers are also great…they are the perfect size and piled high with veggies. If you come in for breakfast, I suggest you go for the Spinach Omelette or the Scrambled Eggs with cheese.
The Price
The prices at Feryanos are not cheap, but considering they are located in Beverly Hills, it’s still quite reasonable. A Burger Combo, with fries and a drink, will run you $8.88 with tax.
If you’re in the neighborhood, I highly recommend that you stop by Feryanos; you won’t be disappointed.
My last post was a little negative and highlighted a restaurant that I was not too happy with. This time around, I am going to give a positive review of Blowfish, an upbeat Japanese restaurant bordering West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The location is actually a little off the strip, and if your heading east along Sunset Blvd, this is exactly where the strip begins and Beverly Hills ends (across from the Jaguar/Land Rover dealership).
Like Katana, the ambiance at Blowfish is upbeat and energetic…but it somehow feels a little more authentic. The lights are dim and there is an interesting blend of Reggae music in the background and Japanese Anime films being played on Plasma TV screens. My girlfriend and I have eaten here on several occasions and she swears that they play the same Bob Marley record each time…but I never noticed.
If you’re eating at Blowfish on the weekday, you probably won’t have any trouble getting a table without reservations. On the weekends, it’s a different story. The restaurant is usually packed on the weekends, and frequently hosts events and parties, so I would suggest you make reservations early in the afternoon (or possibly the day before). If you’re really eager to eat there, you can simply walk-in and try your luck at the Sushi Bar which is seated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The sushi at Blowfish is on the pricey side, ranging from $12-$18 per roll. But unlike Katana which I featured in my last post, the Sushi at Blowfish is always fresh and full of flavor. My favorites at Blowfish are the Spicy Tuna Roll and the Animal Style Roll…but I am really partial to the latter. They serve several specialty drinks made with Sake or Japanese Vodka…my personal favorite being the POM (Pomegranate) & Vodka. If you still have room for dessert, I would suggest going with the Green Tea Cheesecake.
If you’re looking for overpriced Sushi, then Sunset Blvd is the place to go.
At a whopping $12-$15 per roll, the majority of Sushi restaurants located on the strip fall short when it comes to quality. This isn’t to say that the sushi is bad; it just isn’t worth the price. For instance, take Katana – a very ordinary sushi restaurant with extraordinary prices. I heard a lot of good things about Katana before I went, so it’s possible that I could have come in with really high expectations. If you decide to go there on the weekend, make reservations ahead of time as it gets really packed. I went there on a weekday so it wasn’t too packed, but even for a Tuesday, the ambiance was upbeat and very energetic.
Although Katana does serve much more than just sushi, including traditional Japanese skewers (Robata), we we just went with the sushi. We ordered about 6 different rolls (hand-cut) and a couple orders of sashimi between the two of us. I really hate to make the comparison (since it could have been a one time thing), but the Sushi reminded me of the rolls you purchase from the refrigerators at Ralphs. The fish wasn’t fresh, the avocado was brown, the rice was hard packed (not sure if that’s the correct term), and it was just bland.
I also enjoy Spicy Mayo with my Sushi and they couldn’t even get that right. The Spicy Mayo they brought out had the consistency of margarine; I thought the whole point was to dip your sushi into it, not spread it. The service was also nothing special; the waitress would disappear for long periods of time and never came around to check up on us. On a positive note, the 5-minute souffle (it takes 5 minutes, hence the name) we had for dessert was quite good.
Although I may give Katana another shot, I don’t think I will be coming back in the near future.
With one of the best locations in the city, Gladstone’s of Malibu is situated only feet away from the water. In fact, if there’s anything worth coming to Gladstone’s for…it’s the ambiance. Whether you’re sitting indoors or out on the patio, you’ll be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean and Coastline. After you eat, or while you’re waiting for a table, walk down to the sand and take a stroll along the beach. It gets a little cool in the evening so make sure to bring along an extra jacket.
On a Friday or Saturday night, Il Tramezzino is a great place to visit for a late night snack. If you’re tired of always eating the same thing after getting out of the bar or club, and you’re still ok to get behind the wheel, head over to Il Tramezzino for some great food and desserts. They have two locations in Los Angeles, one in Beverly Hills and another in Studio City, but the one in Beverly Hills is open till 4:00am on Friday and Saturday.
If you haven’t tried Pinkberry, I’m sure you’ve at least heard about it by now. With only two flavors of its non-fat yogurt, Plain and Green Tea, Pinkberry puts the simplicity back into frozen desserts.
