Say Cheese Please! The Grilled Cheese Truck rolls into the San Fernando Valley

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Grilled Cheese truck. Photo: Karen Young

BY KAREN YOUNG I love cheese. No two ways about it. My basic philosophy is that life without cheese would be bad. Well, let’s just say that life without cheese and tomatoes would really bad. Perhaps it goes back to those childhood memories of … [Read more...]

The Sweet Cookie and Brownie Madness of Xtreme Desserts

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Red velvet hearts.

BY KAREN YOUNG Have you ever bitten into a dessert that instantly made you smile? Well, that’s what happened when I tasted Xtreme Desserts' Red Velvet Cookie. My face just lit up. To be honest, the perfectly sweet taste of the cookie/cream … [Read more...]

Plush Puffs: Gourmet marshmallows take center stage

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Ann Hickey, President of Plush Puffs. Photo: Carole Rosner

BY CAROLE ROSNER Vanilla Bean, Caramel Swirl, Toasted Coconut and Chocolate Chipetta—these aren’t the newest flavors of trendy frozen yogurt or expensive coffee drinks. They are, however, some of the flavors of Plush Puffs®—light-as-air, … [Read more...]

Try a slice or a whole pie at Pepe’s New York Pizza

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Slices of Pepe's. Photo: Karen Young

BY ANA KACZMAREK Although I subscribe to the theory that any pizza is better than no pizza, a great pizza can turn a bad day to good, or a fun late night into a fantastic one. I’m always keeping my eye out for pizza places, and have amassed a list … [Read more...]

blue table: A hidden food gem in Calabasas

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Turkey sandwich. Photos by Erin

BY ERINN EICHINGER The fact that I even found blue table in Calabasas is what you might call a happy accident. I was hungry, driving around Calabasas and for some reason our car turned into a tucked away strip mall. I was so not sure about this … [Read more...]

Indulge in dining deals during dineLA Restaurant Week

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palate585

BY MY DAILY FIND STAFF Love food? Get dining! Take advantage of dineLA Restaurant Week and eat out for an indulgent dining deal — a specially priced three course meal for lunch and/or dinner (appetizer, entree and dessert). Diners can choose from … [Read more...]

Kings Road Cafe: A City Friend Comes to the Valley

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Kings Road. Photos: Karen Young

BY KAREN YOUNG Kings Road Café opened on Beverly Blvd. in West Hollywood the same year I moved from the City to the Valley. That was 1990. I spent a lot of time going back "over the hill" to Kings Road in those early days for meetings and to … [Read more...]

Melody’s Mexican Kitchen for an authentic, reasonable meal

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Salpicon Tostada.

BY MELISSA CHUA Whenever I have a craving for Mexican food, there’s only one place in the Valley I can think of for fresh, traditional and hearty Mexican cuisine, and where you don’t have to spend that much. Melody’s Mexican Kitchen is a … [Read more...]

Q-Cina Green Cafe: Indulge your inner foodie at prices that can’t be beat

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Seared ahi tuna and crab wrap with guacamole, arugula, tomato and herb ponzu aioli. ($9). Photos: Karen Young

BY KAREN YOUNG  (THIS RESTAURANT HAS CLOSED DOWN) Q-Cina Green Café is one of those exciting food finds tucked away in a strip mall that makes you say “why is this not located right next to my house because if so, it would be my new dining … [Read more...]

Panini Cafe replaces Pomodoro in Sherman Oaks; Coming to Woodland Hills soon

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Paninis are pressed sandwiches. Photo: Carole Rosner

BY CAROLE ROSNER Panini Café recently opened its doors for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Sherman Oaks’ La Reina shopping center, replacing Pomodoro. This “fast casual” multi-location café is sure to please with its hearty portions (that you … [Read more...]