Restaurants: Hidden Patio Dining in the San Fernando Valley

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Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon

BY KAREN YOUNG Summertime means dining al fresco. But what does that mean for the San Fernando Valley?  The sidewalk patio is indeed making a comeback with a sprinkling down Ventura Blvd, but where are the  patios you can't always see?  We … [Read more...]

A Restaurant Worth the Drive: Fig & Olive on Melrose Place for a Taste of the Mediterranean

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fig&olive

BY KAREN YOUNG One of my favorite go-to restaurants "over-the-hill" is Fig & Olive  in West Hollywood. I first enjoyed the restaurant in New York (where there are three locations), so when it opened here  nearly 2 1/2 years ago  I was … [Read more...]

Budget Eats: Joe’s Falafel for a Fast and Fresh Mediterranean Meal

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joes585

BY KAREN YOUNG  (ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED June 17, 2012) One of my favorite things is to find little hidden eateries that are inexpensive and perfect for a quick on-the-go bite. My latest find is Joe's Falafel in a  non-descript strip mall on … [Read more...]

Welcome 2013: The New Years Eve Dining Guide for the 818

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Dining in the 818

BY KAREN YOUNG Still looking for a special New Years Eve dinner in the 818? Here’s some select restaurants with festive menus, a variety of cuisines, entertainment, times and budgets. Click on the links for more … [Read more...]

Tasty Tidbits: Restaurant News in the 818

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TT585

BY KAREN YOUNG   LA Creamery seems to be infiltrating Los Angeles with its pints of luscious gourmet ice cream over the hill, but the 818 has been slow on the uptake, however there's finally some waves — Olive & Thyme in Toluca … [Read more...]

Tasty Tidbits: Ye Olde King’s Head Opens This Week; Frank Leon’s The Village Coming Soon

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kingshead585 Photo: Karen Young

BY KAREN YOUNG The British Are Coming: It's the year of the Brit with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, so it's fitting that the  Ye Olde King's Head  is expanding from its first location in Santa Monica (which has been a fixture … [Read more...]

Lusy’s International Cuisine: A Quaint Mediterranean Love Affair in a Strip Mall

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IMG_1398

BY KAREN YOUNG I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—some of the best food in the San Fernando Valley can be found in strip malls off the beaten path. This time my wanderings landed me at Lusy’s International Cuisine at Woodman … [Read more...]

The Bistro Garden Unveils A New Tea Party

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Tea

BY KAREN YOUNG Spring is here  and that means it's the perfect time for having a tea party for a special celebration.  Studio City's The Bistro Garden is now offering a new concept — “Tea Party at the Garden” for special events—and you … [Read more...]

The Hummus Bar and Grill: A Taste of Israel in Tarzana

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There are six choices of hummus which could be a meal in itself. Photos: Karen Young

BY KAREN YOUNG The 818, particularly Ventura Boulevard west of the 405, has become an epicenter for Middle Eastern cuisine (Israeli, Persian, Armenian and Lebanese). There’s a plethora of restaurants serving various kabobs and hummus — each … [Read more...]

Mantee: A Charming, Mediterranean Oasis Awaits in Studio City

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The signature dish, Traditional Mantee  Photo: Karen Young

BY KAREN YOUNG I’ve eaten at  Mantee five times in the last six weeks. I got a huge crush on the place the first time I went and now it’s turned to love — the real deal. Okay, you get it. This is my new favorite restaurant. Quaint, sweet, … [Read more...]