**** (4 stars)
Tacky Tiki to the max. There aren’t many of these venerable old Tiki bars left, and we need to cherish them. The Tonga room lacks the fancy glassware and smoking drinks of some, but it does have a pond and a barge for the band. Definitely a fun spot for before or after dinner drinks, although I’d skip the pricey buffet.
Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 772-5278
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tonga-room-and-hurricane-bar-san-francisco
**** (4 stars)
I have a sentimental attachment to this place, because I used to go here with my parents in the 1960s, when it was The Sea Lion. In those days the waves splashed against the glass in the bar. Since then rocks have been added to protect against storms, but there is still an amazing view. I’m sure the food is better now, too. A variety of fresh fish selections are available, along with a variety of preparations. On a recent visit we enjoyed a hummus trio appetizer, tuna poke tacos and a roasted basil and black garlic fish presentation. All were excellent, and the greens that came with the entree were scrumptious! It’s a great place for a seaside break from the city.
Duke’s
21150 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 317-0777
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dukes-malibu-malibu
**** (4 stars)
If you like English food, this is a great spot for it. Most is authentic, and what’s not authentic is in general an improvement. The BLSt used English bacon, and was a delicious combination of ingredients. The Ploughman’s Platter was more extensive than any I’ve had in England. And the chicken salad had just the right amount of curry.
The decor is really charming, much quainter than most real English pubs.There’s a cozy dining space and also a more traditional pub. There’s also an extensive outside dining area along the sidewalk.
Next door is an English shop where you’ll find many hard to obtain foodstuffs.
Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 451-1402
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ye-olde-kings-head-santa-monica
**** (4 stars)
This is a good, but not great restaurant. The preparations are elaborate, and most results are quite tasty, but it is rare that things come together in that transcendental experience where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
The wine list is good if, expectedly, pricey. There are some hard to find gems, although no great depth of vintages.
Service is efficient and accommodating, neither stiff nor particularly friendly.
Atmosphere is understated although the open room and fairly bright lighting aren’t particularly intimate.
A fine restaurant, but after two visits to check it out, not one that beckons me back.
Melisse
1104 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-0881
http://www.yelp.com/biz/melisse-santa-monica-2
***** (5 stars)
I can attest to the fact that Stan’s has been making the best donuts on the planet for forty years. My favorite is the glazed buttermilk bar, but anything with buttermilk or maple in the title is a winner. I don’t really understand why anyone would eat a donut from anywhere else. I’ve even ordered them shipped to Florida!
Stan’s Doughnuts
10948 Weyburn Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-8660
http://www.yelp.com/biz/stans-doughnuts-los-angeles
***** (5 stars)
This is my favorite spot in Los Angeles, and I have hundreds of candidates for that list. I like to go around 6:30 because the opening act is great dining music. It’s usually piano and bass. The place has amazing acoustics, and you can hear every note perfectly, yet still have a dinner conversation in a normal voice.
And what food! Anything beef is great, but I like the tuna tartare, salads, and enjoy the lamb lollipop appetizer as an entree.
Great wine list–although somewhat pricey, there are a few gems. Check out the Opaque Petite Verdot if you like big, chewy monsters.
Vibrato Grill Jazz
2930 N Beverly Glen Cir
Los Angeles, CA 90077
(310) 474-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vibrato-grill-jazz-los-angeles
***** (5 stars)
Amazing decor, and great food. I love being able to get Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cuisine all in one place. Favorites were the summer rolls, samosas and short rib vermicelli bowl. The two or three course lunch is a great deal. It was our server, Jordan’s, first day, and she did an amazing job.
RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen
10250 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90067
(310) 552-9988
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rocksugar-pan-asian-kitchen-los-angeles-2
**** (4 stars)
In our taste off of four different Solvang bakeries, I found that Mortensens has the butteriest tasting cookies. I particularly liked the plain round ones with the curved tops. They have a long, buttery finish that is slightly salty and not as sweet as some.
Mortensen’s Danish Bakery
1588 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-8373
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mortensens-danish-bakery-solvang-2
***** (5 stars)
This is one of four bakeries in Solvang where we purchased tubs of butter cookies for a taste off. They were among the best, but the real standout here were the pastries. The macaroon was the best I’ve ever had, with a perfect crispy crust and chewy but not soggy interior. The cinnamon pastry, a sort of palmier with a cinnamon crust was amazing. We nursed it for breakfast three days in a row, and it was still just as good!
Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery & Coffee Shop
1529 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-6314
http://www.yelp.com/biz/olsens-danish-village-bakery-and-coffee-shop-solvang
**** (4 stars)
This is one of the best bakeries in town. As of this writing their butter cookies still come in the traditional waxed cardboard tub rather than a plastic bucket. We compared the butter cookies from four bakeries, and these were the softest and crumbliest. The standout is their plain, round, flat butter cookie, simple and very buttery.
Birkholm’s Bakery& Cafe
460 Alisal Rd
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-8188
http://www.yelp.com/biz/birkholms-bakery-and-cafe-solvang-2