It’s the new kid in town, and The Waffle is trying to stay in the game. We decided to pay a visit to this much-hyped late night spot to see what all the fuss was about. With its kitchy brown, gold and burnt orange color scheme, it reminds us of a higher class Waffle House. Surely that can’t be a great first comparison. But unlike the Waffle House, the place known simply as The Waffle has a menu selection that should offer a little something for anyone. Click CONTINUE READING

Los Angeles’ NoHo Arts district has been on the up and up over the past couple of years—new high rise condos and apartments, cleaner surroundings and cute eateries for neighborhood patrons. When it comes to local restaurants, North Hollywood is not known for housing the top spots that feed the rich and famous, but that’s not why people go to the Valley anyways. The Valley is known for its slower pace and down to earth tone. And that’s why people are flocking to EAT. To read more click HERE!

It’s no surprise that this is the big Superbowl weekend! In honor of the upcoming football extravaganza, we’d like to give our love muffins a new way to spice up the cocktails at your party. Think of it as a precursor to the usual Work Your Weekend! When it comes to drinks, you’d be surprised what you can do with the average bottle of beer. All of these feature one of the best light beers from Tecate.

Tecate Mojito: Muddle six sprigs of fresh mint, 4 tsp. of sugar syrup and 2 tsp. of lime juice in the bottom of a tall glass. Add 2 Tbsp. of light rum (optional) and stir. Pour 12 oz. of chilled Tecate Light into the glass and enjoy!

Nueva Cuba: Pour 6 oz. of Coca-Cola into the bottom of a cold glass, followed by 6 oz. of Tecate Light. Squeeze a lime slice into the mix and drink up!

Bloody Bull Lager: Mix 2 tsp. of lime juice, ½ c. of spicy tomato juice and 2 Tbsp. of vodka (optional) in a glass. Pour 12 oz. of Tecate Light, and top it off with a crisp celery stalk!

Citrus Explosion: Pour 6 oz of citrus soda and 6 oz of Tecate Light into the bottom of the glass. Stir well and enjoy!

Try one or two of these suggestions, and you’ll definitely find that there’s more to the Superbowl than chips and dip!

The most intriguing thing about fusion food is that it brings together complete opposites that somehow manage to complement each other naturally. Asia de Cuba’s menu takes the flavors of Latin food with Asian cuisine to create various plates that open your mind and tingle your taste buds. Sweet and spicy, fruity and savory, crisp and creamy—these are just a few of the tastes and textures that make up the menu. A new world awaits…on your plate.

If atmosphere is a deciding factor when it comes to dining, then Asia de Cuba should be on your list for that reason alone. The vibrancy of the scene starkly contrasts with the colorful menu because the entire restaurant is lacking color. In fact, the interior is a monochromatic setting of bright white and creamy beiges designed by Philippe Starck. The outside patio with its lighted trellis, oversized terra cotta pots overflowing with trees and vines and views overlooking the city adds a splash of color to any outdoor dining or cocktails. The design is very much in line with the remainder of the Mondrian Hotel, which stands out from other Sunset hotels with its sleek, sophisticated interior. The restaurant is just a matching addition.

Serving breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner, Asia de Cuba dishes it out from early morning to late night. The prices may run high, but the presentation and quality of food make it worth the price. Breakfast, lunch and brunch are individually plated, but the dinner items are meant to be shared. Plates are served family-style, so everyone can fill their plate with whatever is on the table. The evening specialties include calamari salad with bananas and sesame orange dressing, spiced pork spare ribs with corn and avocado salad, hoisin roasted duck with papaya, cuban barbecue chicken with coconut sticky rice and the renowned miso cured butterfish, which is cured for at least four days and served with tempura shisito peppers. To read more CLICK HERE!

Today LBS launches a new nightlife guide. We will be reviewing new restaurants and bars as they open as well as older establishments that are still around for good reason. The nightlife guide is a growing resource of reviews for select venues that we visit often and recommend regularly. If it’s on the list, then we love it and think you will too!

Clubbing in Hollywood these days revolves around dealing with over-priced car scratching valet drivers, bribing bouncers and VIP lists that are no more exclusive than the yellow pages. We are constantly checking out new places and things to do around Los Angeles that will make your night out an experience worth talking about at work the next day.

This week: The Woods, Spanish Kitchen and Malediction Society.

West LA is such an eclectic hole full of eateries. Insert 3 Square Cafe & Bakery and Rockenwagner. It’s actually two different places—3 Square holding it down in Venice and Rockenwagner Bakery located in Marvista. Both are the creations of Hans Rockenwagner, a renowned chef and restauranteur with a worldwide experience that spans from Germany, France and Switzerland and of course Los Angeles starting in 1984.

With such an interesting background, we had to give the Rockenwagner trifecta a try starting with 3 Square. It’s called 3 Square because it offers what it considers the obvious–”3 square” meals, each day. The menu is intriguing. Breakfast is only offered during the week from 8:00 am-11:30 am, but you can get your fill of authentic muesli with cream and berries, apple pancakes, vegetable frittatas, ham and cheese paninis or the day’s featured omelet. Of course there are various early morning sides like assorted breads and pastries from the bakery, smoked bacon, and their infamous pretzel rolls. Lunch picks up from 11:30 until 3:00 pm, and the menu offers a selection of gazpacho, calamari, vegetables with couscous, vegetable burgers, salads and number of sandwiches and other entrees such as salmon “Monte Cristo”. Sides include green salads with a housemade, creamy dressing, mixed berries, French fries, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try the avocado fries. Of course you can’t forget a midday dessert. Try the citrus pound cake or the chocolate caramel tart. Finally, around 5:00 pm, there’s dinner. Start off your meal with avocado fries or spinach-ricotta ravioli. For the main course, there’s authentic German spatzle, pecan-crusted chicken breast, mini burgers, grilled salmon steak or halibut and the well known pretzel burger.

For some reason, there’s something about a restaurant’s potential to serve a nice brunch that always stands out. At 3 Square, you’ll find it every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm. Toast to the lovely weather with a mimosa or bellini over a breakfast of huevos rancheros, chicken-hazelnut salad or veal sausage and eggs. For your side, take your pick of the sauteed potatoes or fresh breads served with homemade jam and Plugra butter—a richer, creamier European-style butter. The breads and pastries are available at the adjacent bakery, which stays open from 7:00 am-6:00 pm, so after breakfast, you can take a bag of sweet treats home.

3 Square carries the entire line of pastries from Rockenwagner Bakery located just a couple of miles away. If you’ve ever wondered what the flavor of German or Austrian pastries could be like, it’s worth it to give Rockenwagner a try. There’s the triberry scone, Rudolf Steiner bread (a specialty multigrain bread), lemon cherry cookies, linzer cookies and the ever popular pretzel roll in addition to a variety of breads, cakes, muffins and croissants. Ever heard of a berliner? It’s their speciality version of the traditional German doughnut, and you can only get them from Rockenwagner on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Inside the fried dough, you’ll find raspberry jam, and outside, it’s covered in cinnamon and sugar. How can you go wrong with cinnamon and sugar.

With all of this food, you need a way to wash it down. Try their selection of waters and teas from around the world along with a variety of lemonades and teas that you wouldn’t find just anywhere. They also carry the Austrian Julius Meinl line of coffees, teas and espressos. It’s not your average venti americano from Starbucks.

It’s not often that Angelenos can get a taste of Germany or Australia by the sunny beach. But 3 Square Cafe and Rockenwagner Bakery offer just that, right over the hill. By offering you those “3 square” meals, you should have plenty of opportunities to try breakfast, lunch and dinner (but don’t forget brunch!). As for Rockenwagner…well, how many times can you say you’ve had a true berliner?

3 Square Cafe & Bakery
1121 Abbot Kinney
Venice, CA 90291
310-399-6504
www.rockenwagner.com

Rockenwagner Bakery
12835 Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310-578-8171
www.rockenwagner.com