MONTECITO'S THE HONOR BAR

Nothing makes me happier than a daycation to Montecito (Santa Barbara), and The Honor Bar (from Hillstone) is a favorite spot for lunch. It's a small setting with a small menu (which is always a good sign).

The Macho Salad (chicken, avocado, almonds, dates, goat cheese, corn) and Flat Iron Steak with Chimichurri. Toddler hand not included. 

Some great chairs to lounge in while having something refreshing to drink.

Really a pleasant setting to get you into that daycation state of mind.

TOLUCA LAKE'S OLIVE & THYME

I'd like to personally thank Melina Davies for bringing Olive & Thyme to Toluca Lake. She and Alex Eusebio of Sweetsalt are certainly responsible for establishing the neighborhood's food scene.

Walking into Olive & Thyme, you're enveloped in eye candy, with lots of little details: from the flowers (peonies on every table) to the vintage farm animals sweetly placed in each nook.

The gourmet restaurant and marketplace serves breakfast, lunch and dinner but my favorite is lunch. Their Cobb salad with spicy Russian dressing is a go-to. 

The case is always filled with vibrant salads and sides, as well as incredible cheeses and charcuterie.

The space is quite large and lends itself well to pursuing the marketplace filled with sweets, cookbooks and home decor treats. Our fave, Hedley & Bennett, is represented with mini aprons. 

Olive & Thyme is located at 3821 Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake. Closed on Sundays.

TRY THESE 7 GRAPEFRUIT RECIPES

It's citrus season and February is National Grapefruit Month, so before we indulge in Valentine decadence (chocolate, donuts, ice cream, cookies, what?) we turn to the antioxidant-filled grapefruit to boost the immune system with fiber and vitamin C.  Inspired by this hybrid's Latin name, which translates to citrus of paradise, we've rounded up a day full of grapefruit-filled recipes that we consider heavenly.

Yummy breakfast with this Honeyed Grapefruit Yogurt Parfait with Popped Amaranth from The Kitchn.

Martha gets us every time.  Look at this stunning citrus platter.

Ready to dive right into this Grapefruit, Salmon and Avocado Salad.

Perfect mid-afternoon snack of Grapefruit Guacamole from No Recipes, olé!

Refreshing Grapefruit-and-Mint Mojito.

Seared Scallops with Shaved Fennel, Cucumber and Grapefruit.

And end the night with a delicious Homemade Pink Grapefruit Sorbet from Say Yes.