STUDIO CITY'S GIRASOL

The Valley is ever-so-slowly coming up in the food arena. With Girasol being at the forefront of this (opening almost two years ago), it is one of the best restaurants the area has to offer.  Executive chef and "Top Chef" alum CJ Jacobson, created a menu that they describe as refined-rustic California cuisine. And I have to say, some of the prettiest dishes around. Here's our recent meal.

Swirly greys, inspired by the sunflower - their namesake, cover their walls and ceiling.

Peach and Burrata Salad

Pan Roasted Mary's Chicken

Sea Bass (Fish Special of the Day)

Smashed Potato

Fresh Strawberries & Donuts and Chocolate Brownie Cake with Salated Caramel Gelato and a cappuccino for dessert. Forgive the dark shadowy pic and focus on the yumminess. 

If you are looking for an elevated dining experience in The San Fernando Valley, this is a good one. xx

Girasol is located at:

11334 Moorpark Street

Studio City, CA 91602

DINNER AT THE TASTING KITCHEN

It seems to me that Venice's Abbott Kinney is pretty much where it's at for restaurants these days. A few gal pals and I had a fun ladies' night out at Chef Casey Lane's The Tasting Kitchen. Featuring a daily changing "bill of fare," we tried a bunch of different dishes and drinks. Here's what went down.

Style is on point with the leather covered Eames chairs and the bare wood-top tables. Love the "indoor" trees.

Today's menu.

The frosted process coupe was a really nice touch, I gotta say.

Cheers, Ladies.

Warm housemate bread and butter is basically the best thing in the world. 

Five cocktails for four ladies. That's about right.

Charcuterie platter. The fluffy empanadas were fun to stuff with meats and burrata. 

Raddicchio Salad.

Pesce Crudo.

Muscles with Saffron Cream.

Tagliarini with Shrimp & Serrano, Roasted Lamb Leg and Creste di Gallo with Calabrian Sausage and Breadcrumbs

I think we tried almost every dessert.

Ice Cream is always king. Especially the house-made mint chip. Ladies night, every night? xx

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The Tasting Kitchen is located at:

1633 Abbott Kinney Blvd.

Venice

Open for dinner 7 days a week and brunch on weekends.

BRUNCH WITH MOM AT TERRINE

I had been dying to try chef Kris Morningstar's California brasserie, Terrine, on Beverly Blvd.. Mainly a dinner-serving restaurant, they also serve brunch Friday-Sunday, in the late morning. I thought it would be the perfect place for Sis and I to take Mom for a Mother's Day girls' brunch. And of course, "girls' brunch" means Miss Mila is in our crew too! She'll probably write her own piece for her toddler blog. 

I love all of this - brick walls, bentwood chairs, booths and mirrors. It reminds me of a restaurant in Paris where I had my 30th birthday dinner.

Gorgeous French-style bar.

Cozy lounge spot, perfect for cocktails, out on the pretty patio.

Really nice vibe out here.

Time to get down to business and order from this great brasserie menu.

First up: Charcuteries plate and really good bread!

Four delicious craft cocktails: Paloma, French 75, Terrine Mauresque and Gordon's Cup. I might need to call an Uber after this party. Who knew Mom was so wild!

Avocado toast. Enough said. 

Super delicious spread! Clockwise from top left: Fish and Chips, Brisket Hash, Butter Lettuce Salad, Avocado Toast, Fried Chicken and Grits.

The fried chicken and grits was everyone's favorite dish of the day. Two thumbs up!!

Happy Mother's Day! Love you, Mom!! xx

SILVERLAKE'S PINE & CRANE

Just yesterday my super adorable gal pal Ellen (apron designer to the stars!) took me to lunch at Silverlake's new Taiwanese-Chinese institution, PINE & CRANE. It was just as delicious (and pretty) as all of the rave reviews said it was.

I love the sleek black and wood decor. The concrete floors and walls added a super cool and modern feel, while the wooden ceilings warmed things up.

Great lighting everywhere! Upon arrival, you order at the counter. Then a waiter will help you find a table. If you plan to go for lunch, I suggest arriving right at noon (or even a few minutes before). The lunch rush got pretty intense very quickly! ALSO NOTE: They are closed on Tuesdays.

You can peruse shelves lined with beautiful tabletop items while waiting in line to order.

Loving this gilded pendant.

Spicy Shrimp Wontons (beyond delish!!) and Minced Pork on Rice. Love their stainless steel chopsticks. Great touch.

Pork Buns and Beef Noodle Soup

Three Cup Mushroom and Pea Shoots Rounded out the meal. (Photo cred: Ellen Bennett)

Loved it!!

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Pine & Crane is located at:

1521 Griffith Park Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026

*NOTE: They are closed on Tuesdays

THE BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART

I'm not sure that there's a place in town that I love more than the Brentwood Country Mart. Even though we don't live extremely close, I like to go there with my family once a week, if we can. Brixton loves it there. It has great shops and food, mixed with the most charming country style. Each spot in the mart could use its own feature, so it was very hard for me to condense this into one post! Here's just some of what you can expect to enjoy there.

Walking into the food court surrounded by super cute shops.

We usually arrive starving, so our first stop is Farmshop, one of our most beloved restaurants and specialty markets in the city. 

We love their gorgeous bar and restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The market section has endless goodies to offer. Have I mentioned how much I love it here?!

They have a fantastic wine selection for your upcoming dinner party and/or host gifts.

We love to get a bunch of different items from their deli case and have a "picnic" out in one of their two food court areas, outfitted with cute tables and benches (and high chairs!).

Someone really likes to ride the old fashioned quarter rides.

Sis and I are both huge fans of Poppy, this lovely children's boutique.

An absolute must for Brixton is checking out everything in the adorable Toy Crazy store. 

I love to stock up on beautiful cards and gifts at Sugar Paper. They really have some of the best stuff around.

Their newly remodeled store looks amazing.

Strolling through the mart's corridors and peeking in all the shops is a favorite activity of mine.

I think we could all agree that this is the cutest Post Office in LA.

Inside the impeccable Jenni Kayne boutique. Does this woman ever do anything less than perfect? I think not.

Another must for us is stopping into the Diesel Bookstore for a new purchase from this great independent bookstore.

Cutest red barn exterior and Intermix boutique on the south end of the mart.

I love small batches of happiness, so every trip to the mart must end at Sweet Rose Creamery. It's the law.

Sweet Rose has some of the freshest ice cream around. They are also the only place I know of that makes their own chocolate sprinkles (sans artificial colors and flavors!).

I'll take one of everything. Thanks.

I changed up my usual Fresh Mint Chip & Salted Caramel cone for a seasonal favorite -- Lemon Chiffon.

I never get sick of this place. It's always the best day when we come here. In the words of Ice Cube -- "Today was a good day."