Located in the fashionable part of the valley, Mexacali Cocina Cantina has a reputation for being a trendy spot to have lunch or diner. With that reputation comes both the good and the bad. Dark wood tables, soft lighting and tightly packed tables gives Mexacali a very comfortable feeling. Perhaps known for their very attractive waiter staff, almost all of whom are aspiring actors, and the celebrities that frequent the restaurant (Jessica Simpson most notable) as much as for there food, Mexacali continues to be a chic spot for those looking to see and be seen.
The Food
Don't come here expecting to get authentic Mexican food. The name says it all. The food is a standard mixture of everything you would find in a traditional Mexican restaurant, but done with a California sensibility. Flour over corn tortillas and esoteric spices such as saffron and cilantro are just a few of the differences. Some of the more popular dishes are the Tortilla soup, the shrimp fajitas and the Shrimp and Crab burritos. If you are looking for some drinks with your meal try their signature drink, the Margatini. It's as potent as it is tasty, packing enough licker to get most people buzzed with the first glass.
The Service
The service here is what you would expect from a trendy restaurant with an actor heavy staff. You get pleasant chit chat, your meal and a couple of refills on chips and drinks. If you come for diner expect a long wait. On some nights the wait can reach forty-five minutes as the place gets packed. Lunch is usually easier to get in without a wait or reservation.
Parking
Parking is perhaps the best I have seen at any restaurant. They share an adjacent lot with the surrounding business so there is plenty of it.
A local favorite since 1997, Cafe Balcony is a quaint little coffee shop located in West Los Angeles. Tucked away along Rochester Ave (right off of Santa Monica Blvd and Centinela) , this neighborhood gem takes an interesting approach in creating the perfect cup of coffee. Brewed using a unique hand-crafted Siphon (see picture below), the result is a remarkably great tasting cup of coffee that’s always made to order.
The contraption resembles a chemistry set that you may have used in High School. The Siphon is made up of three parts: a burner, a water chamber, and a brewing chamber which holds the freshly ground organic beans. The burner heats up the water and essentially creates a vacuum effect which forces the water into the brewing chamber. The coffee is brewed in the chamber for a few minutes, funneled back down into the water chamber, and then served.
If this all seems a little too scientific for you, don’t worry…they also offer some simpler alternatives. Using the finest Italian coffees from Illy, all of their espresso drinks (lattes, cappuccinos, etc.) are absolutely fantastic.
Cafe Balcony also provides free wireless internet and is open daily till midnight.
NOTE: They don't accept credit cards so remember to bring along some cash.
If you’re looking to enjoy great sushi without putting a dent in your pocketbook, you absolutely must give Sushi Dan a shot. Located on the second floor of the Sunset Plaza complex (above the Virgin Mega Store), Sushi Dan serves a plethora of Japanese specialties with an innovative twist. They have all your favorites…sashimi, specialty rolls, baked rolls, and a fantastic assortment of hot teriyaki meats and udons (Japanese noodle soups).
The Sunset Plaza location can get a little dark in the evening; it’s great for intimacy but not too helpful when you’re trying to read through the menu. The restaurant is broken up into three sections – an indoor dining area, sports bar, and a heated outdoor patio. Parking is available at the complex but make sure that you get your ticket validated at the restaurant before leaving (otherwise, the parking fee can be pretty hefty).
Sushi Dan currently has two locations in the Los Angeles area. The location shown above (Sunset Plaza) is in West Hollywood while the other is nestled along Ventura Blvd in Studio City. Both locations sport an upbeat vibe, attentive service, and sushi that is surprisingly affordable.
Located in Westwood, Coffee Zinio is a cozy neighborhood Café that’s nestled along Westwood Blvd – about a block north of Santa Monica Blvd.
Since it’s a Persian Café and located in a predominantly Persian neighborhood, you’ll hear lots of people speaking Farsi. Don’t worry though…the staff is always courteous, helpful, and they really do their best to make you feel welcome. There are about a half dozen tables to choose from inside; alternatively, you can opt to sit outside on the patio. Smoking is allowed on the patio, so if cigarettes and/or hookah smoke bother you, I suggest sitting indoors.
If you're hungry, Coffee Zinio serves fantastic Panini sandwiches, an assortment of fresh pastries, and fine Persian Teas. In the evening, the upbeat atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to hang out with some friends or a date; if you're into smoking hookah, they have a variety of flavors for you to choose from. For the Soccer (football) enthusiast, they have a large Plasma TV with satellite coverage from around the world.
If you can’t find any parking along Westwood Blvd, you can park for free in the parking lot right next door to the Café (right below Ross).
Gone are the days of purchasing a 12’’ sub, fries and a drink for $4 plus tax. Roll Inn Sandwich used to be one of my favorite spots to visit after a night at the bar or club…it was open late, cheap, and the food hit the spot. I haven’t eaten at Roll In for years and last night a friend called me and said, “Ron, lets get that $4 sub in Westwood”. Hungry and a little short on cash, I gladly obliged.
The first thing I noticed on their window was a sign that read something along the lines of, “We Now Serve Very Expensive Bread”. I was never really a fan of the old bread so I was thrilled that they changed it up…but how much of that cost would be passed on to me? I ordered my usual foot-long steak sub and diet cola…I decided to skip the fries this time. The cashier punched in my order and the total came to $7.25. Wow, that must really be expensive bread.
Turns out that the management recently changed; that’s probably one of the reasons for the the price increase. The quality of the meat hasn’t changed (it’s still chewy and fatty), but the bread was surprisingly good. My friend went with the Chicken Kabob sandwich which I found to be a little dry. The best part of my experience was trying to get enough napkins…they only hand them out to you one at a time.
In the past, I would’ve been willing to deal with the parking in Westwood for $4, but with the price increase…it’s no longer worth the effort.
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).
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.