People Watching Restaurants

Situated on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, is Marmalade Café, a quaint European bistro. Marmalade’s ambiance is homey and relaxed and the restaurant prides itself on delicious food, spectacular service, and being an escape from the busy LA city life. Whether you’re looking to have a business lunch or just brunch with friends, Marmalade Café is the place to choose. Their extensive menu includes everything from frittatas, omelets, and benedicts to pancakes, salads, waffles, and soups. They even have a full espresso bar, take out, and are available to rent out for banquets and events. For a delightful meal stop …

Since its opening in 1975, More Than Waffles has been serving some of Los Angeles’ most delicious breakfast items. This family owned and operated restaurant continues to carry on the tradition of high quality home-style cooking that is a main source of the restaurant’s popularity. It’s décor is that of a personal dining room or kitchen with wooden tables and chairs inside and umbrella covered tables and patio furniture outside on the restaurant’s front deck. Located inside the Encino Town center, at the corner of Ventura Blvd. and Louise Avenue, More Than Waffles has expanded their original menu which consisted …

Chicago-native Brian McKeaney and Emmy-award winning writer, Tom Patchett hashave brought Chicago’s Rush Street to Culver City. The restaurant, under the same name as the infamous avenue in Chicago, is known for their innovative menu and ambiance that encourages social interaction. Their modern atmosphere with a kind of low-lit ambiance is both comfortable and stylish. Boosting a large sidewalk patio facing Washington Blvd., a rooftop patio, and one of the largest bars in Culver, the layout of the restaurant incorporates a seamless openness from within the establishment and with out .

Talk about a breakfast menu, The Griddle Café on Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles is home to one of the most extensive in the city. This café boasts more than 10 different kinds of pancakes, a ton of egg dishes, and all your morning favorites. In addition, they even have a lunch menu and serve the entire menu all day! Come out to this fun eatery in Los Angeles and indulge in all your favorite breakfast goodies. Whether you’re in the mood for a burger or something hot off the griddle, The Griddle Café is sure to be a crowd …

Rod Rotondi, founder and Executive Chef of Leaf Organics, is a culinary expert whose tireless crusade to bring organic foods into the mainstream has reached some of SoCal’s main retailers like Mother’s Markets, Rainbow Acres, Erewhon, and Whole Foods Markets. Rod’s dream was to create an eatery where diners can make healthy and positive changes in their lives. His dream came true and Leaf Organics is now the place to go to when you want to eat from a unique and organic menu. Creative and original items include salads, veggie burgers, rice and noodle bowls, pizza, vegan desserts, chai with …

Elysee Bakery & Café was founded in Westwood, Los Angeles, in 1979. Ever since then, they have been creating magnificent pastries, breads, and cakes from scratch. Using only high quality ingredients for their macchiatos and hot chocolates to their thick sandwiches with lots of add-ons and pastas, Elysee Bakery and Café opens at lunch so you can come by and get a very decent meal here. The bright yellow walls will help stimulate your mind and appetite for freshly made coffee and richly prepared sandwiches. So come by to the Elysee Bakery & Café for a meal to remember!

Located in the heart of Sherman Oaks, Pita Kitchen is the Middle Eastern restaurant that will appeal to both the healthy and the food connoisseur. All dishes are available in choices of lamb, beef/or chicken, and served with yogurt-based dressings such as tahini and tzatziki sauces. With hearty and hefty portions, diners looking for healthier changes in their diet will find the Pita Kitchen an apt choice. The restaurant can accommodate around 30-35 people including outdoor seating. But with the hustle and bustle of the popular eatery and the warm-friendly banter from the servers, makes this rather small setting all …

Open since 1983, Diddy Riese, located in Westwood, CA has been serving some of the Los Angeles’ tastiest cold treats. For only $1.50, you can choose your cookies and ice cream and create your perfect ice cream sandwich. Their cookies are baked fresh daily and are available for purchase to have in your own home. This landmark establishment is situated on Broxton Avenue, one of the main streets in the area where the college crowd hangs out. You are sure to find a line out the door, however, not to worry, Diddy Riese stays open late and the line moves …

Just North of the University of Southern California on South Union Avenue, Bacaro LA Wine Bar serves California Fusion cuisine and fine wine. A nice selection of European and domestic wines as well as imported and craft beers are available. Plates are served tapas style and include customer favorites such as Bacon & Brie Pizza, Lamb Stuffed Eggplant, The Bacaro Burger, and Nutella Panini. Happy Hour between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday is a crowd favorite and features all plates for only $5! The place is popular with the local students, so a quiet evening may be …

The Farm of Beverly Hills offers a California spin on classic down home cooking. Taking an innovative approach to everyday American comfort foods, The Farm of Beverly Hills’ breakfast favorites include the Farmer’s Benedict and Huevos Rancheros. Lunch sees staples such as The Farm Classic Cheeseburger, Meatloaf Sandwich, and Maple Baked Salmon Salad. Dinner features the renown Dill Pickle Fried Chicken and Farm Chicken Pot Pie. The Famous Farm Brownie will satiate any chocoholic’s sweet tooth. An array of options is available for every meal, and each menu throughout the day features the freshest ingredients available. For food that satisfies …

Fig & Olive on Melrose Place in West Hollywood has a menu created around carefully selected ingredients from farmers offering the finest produce in order to present patrons Mediterranean influenced dishes. A passion for extra virgin olive oil prevails in the kitchen at Fig & Olive; each dish is prepared with olive oil in place of butter. The beginning of each meal sees a variety of extra virgin olive oil offered to guests to sample. Lunch, served during the week, offers a la carte entrees like Mediterranean Branzino and Rosemary Lamb Chops as well as soups, salads, sandwiches, and pasta …

Inspired by the hospitable aspects of traditional Italian dining, Nonna of Italy offers a variety of delicious pastas, salads, soups, and deserts for both lunch and dinner. Enjoy Chef Kieth Silverton's innovative take on classic Italian dishes. The restaurant allows for people watching from the patio in the historic Sunset Strip area of West Hollywood. From the wood-fired pizzas, fine seafood, and crispy calamari, to the Apple Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Fondant and the other ever-popular desserts, Nonna of Italy prides itself on its traditional hospitality and traditional Hollywood style.

For a causal night out with family or friends, Chi Chi’s Pizza is the place. This Italian-American restaurant dishes up hungry patrons in the Simi Valley area an assortment of sandwiches, pastas, and pizza in a bustling environment. In the pasta department, Chi Chi’s homemade Spaghetti, Springs, Shells, Rigatoni, and Whole Wheat noodles are smothered with sauce. Pizza lovers can create the pizza pie of their dreams by pilling toppings ranging from classic pepperoni, to anchovies, to Fried Jalapeño peppers, for an extra kick. Those looking for the American side of the menu can order the “Famous Golden Pressure Fried …

Bamboo Café combines Vietnamese cuisine and stylish décor together to create a tranquil escape to a faraway land for Simi Valley locals. Hidden behind a façade of bamboo trunks awaits a healthy approach to Vietnamese classics. Starter favorites include standard Spring Rolls, and the Beef or Chicken Salad. Pho lovers have their choice of meats, but the pride of the restaurant is the Bamboo Café Noodle Soup, featuring Filet Mignon, Shrimp, and Beef in a tasty broth with Rice Noodles.Plastered around the restaurant are photos of Pho enthusiasts who conquered the “Pho Real” challenge by finishing a hefty bowl of …

D’Cache is a Toluca Lake local’s go-to spot for modern Spanish cuisine. This colorful restaurant is hidden in strip mall, and once diners step into the Spanish cottage, the lush décor and live music transports them on an exotic Latin vacation. Seated at comfy stuffed chairs or out on the enclosed patio, guests enjoy D’Cache’s take on modern Latin fusion cuisine in the form of tapas, pizettes, sandwiches, and entrees. Of its expansive menu, it is the tapas selection that keeps patrons returning for more. With options like Costillas Cubanas de Lechon, Baby Back Ribs in a Pasilla Honey B.B.Q. …

Up the stairs of the Via Rodeo, on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive is 208 Rodeo. A quaint and casual fine dining experience, 208 Rodeo has elegant outdoor patio dining that is perfect for people watching or just relaxing with old friends. The restaurant serves modern American cuisine made up of eclectic influences from around the world. Chef Alejandro Arrieta focuses on technique and ingredients when dishing up his signature cuisine. With a varied selection from the breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert menu, 208 Rodeo gives those looking to take a respite from the hustle of Rodeo …

Via Alloro is the brainchild of brothers Giacomino and Tanino Drago. The restaurant, named after the street that they grew up on in the town of Galati Mamertino in Sicily’s Messina region, boasts an authentic family oriented atmosphere. The menu features a range of dishes from Italy, including soups, salads, pasta, pizza, risotto, as well as appetizers and entrées based on fish, chicken, beef, lamb, and sausage. Maintaining fine dining aspects with a heated patio and formal location, Via Alloro is a great place to host a party or sit down for some authentic Italian cuisine.

On the 24th floor of the Ritz Carlton in Downtown Los Angeles is WP24 by Wolfgang Puck. The location offers patrons breath-taking panoramic views of downtown, just a stone’s throw from LA Live and the Staples center. The lounge at WP24 is a fine place to grab a bite to eat and a quick drink before a game, concert, or show. This Chinese-Fusion Bistro offers diners two Prix Fixe choices, a three-course and four-course meal, should they choose to dine in the main restaurant. Popular entrees include the Peking Duck, “Angry” Two-Pound Live Maine Lobster, and Whole Sea Bass Baked …

Just off Robertson Boulevard nestled in the heart of Beverly Hills lies one of Los Angeles’ premium Moroccan restaurants, Tagine. A fusion of old and new recipes combine to create both their ala cart and tasting menus. Each dish is carefully hand crafted and the menu is always seasonally fresh. An eclectic combination of beers and wines follow their ever-changing menu. Chef ‘Ben’ Benameur says about his restaurant, “all I want is a warm place where the food is made with love” and with such an intimate location and cozy ambience he has made this simple statement a reality. For …

Specializing in using the freshest fare, The Lazy Ox Canteen prides itself on the creative presentation of dishes. Owner Michael Hide Cardenas delivers a menu of both exciting and exceptional ingredients that that may seem unlikely, but blend to form fine flavors. Basing much of their dishes off the idea of hospitality and culture, The Lazy Ox Canteen is a dinning destination for first timers and foodies alike. Get the meal started with the popular Pig Ear Chicharron. For the main course, try one of the best burgers in Los Angeles, the 7 oz Lazy Ox Burger. Sample the Lazy …