Another client meeting but this time instead of finishing up with food we started with food, breakfast for that matter. A deli down the street from the bank was the choice and it looked grand as we walked in. I knew I was up for something good at this place and obviously did my client as he obviously is a repeat offender of this deli.
We ordered from a menu that was very nice, it did not have too much on it but enough for you not to feel helpless in case your taste buds were on a break. My client ordered the traditional 3 egg breakfast with home made chicken sausages, coffee and an orange juice. I ordered the #11, a croissant filled with scrambled eggs, sausage and cheese, coffee and orange juice. My breakfast croissant was just what I needed; the solid egg breakfast with the buttery, sweet almost dessertish croissant. The highlight of the breakfast was the orange juice as it was the freshest I have ever tasted with a sweetness that was unbelievable. But then again, shouldn't it have been for $6.50 a glass, I think so.
I highly recommended this deli for anyone in Santa Monica that is looking for a breakfast, lunch or dinner restaurant.
Overall Rating: 4
Food Rating: 4
Cost: $$
1457 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401
http://www.broadwaydeli.com/
Showing posts with label Santa Monica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santa Monica. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Father's Office - Santa Monica, CA
As I asked the cab driver to take me to "my father's office" he sort of laughed in an polite way as my joke had probably been used more than once. I thought I was sort of catchy but after you hear that same joke over and over it probably gets old. The cab driver responded; Father's Office on Montana Ave. it is.
As I arrived it did not fail to live up to it's hole in the wall, jam packed, hustling and bustling gastro pub name it has earned since opening its doors. I was asked if I had been here before and i responded no. The host told me that try to find myself a place to sit and please order by the bar. (No table service here) No tables were available so I hit the bar and after some back and forth thoughts about staying or leaving on bar stool finally came available. The menu is very Spanish influenced with its Tapas created around Chorizo, Sobrasada, Jamon Serrano, Manchego, Piquillos, warm almonds etc. but I did not come for that. I came for the acclaimed 36 selection of microbrews, the burger and the fries with aioli. Don't bother asking for what comes on the burger or even adjusting what you want on the burger. The only question you are allowed to give your personal preference on is what temperature you would like the burger cooked at. Yes, there is no Ketchup in this place so don't even bother asking for it and if you don't like something that comes on the burger it is up to you to pick it off. I went with Medium-Rare and the sweet potato fries. Excellent choice I have to say....the burger was succulent and moist with a great sweetness exuding from the caramelized onions. Instead of lettuce I believe they use Arugula or Spinach. The sweet fries dipped in the homemade aioli were a great play on the sweet and salty marriage. The beer I had the bartender choose for me was excellent; it matched the taste I told her I prefer of strong ale with that Indian red bite.
I would recommend this place anytime but would recommend it for 2 people because any larger crowd can make this a very hard place to be accommodated in. Great ambiance with great food!
Overall Rating: 4
Food Rating: 5
Cost: $$
1018 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11416036/santa_monica_ca/father_s_office.html#profileTab-reviews
As I arrived it did not fail to live up to it's hole in the wall, jam packed, hustling and bustling gastro pub name it has earned since opening its doors. I was asked if I had been here before and i responded no. The host told me that try to find myself a place to sit and please order by the bar. (No table service here) No tables were available so I hit the bar and after some back and forth thoughts about staying or leaving on bar stool finally came available. The menu is very Spanish influenced with its Tapas created around Chorizo, Sobrasada, Jamon Serrano, Manchego, Piquillos, warm almonds etc. but I did not come for that. I came for the acclaimed 36 selection of microbrews, the burger and the fries with aioli. Don't bother asking for what comes on the burger or even adjusting what you want on the burger. The only question you are allowed to give your personal preference on is what temperature you would like the burger cooked at. Yes, there is no Ketchup in this place so don't even bother asking for it and if you don't like something that comes on the burger it is up to you to pick it off. I went with Medium-Rare and the sweet potato fries. Excellent choice I have to say....the burger was succulent and moist with a great sweetness exuding from the caramelized onions. Instead of lettuce I believe they use Arugula or Spinach. The sweet fries dipped in the homemade aioli were a great play on the sweet and salty marriage. The beer I had the bartender choose for me was excellent; it matched the taste I told her I prefer of strong ale with that Indian red bite.
I would recommend this place anytime but would recommend it for 2 people because any larger crowd can make this a very hard place to be accommodated in. Great ambiance with great food!
Overall Rating: 4
Food Rating: 5
Cost: $$
1018 Montana Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90403
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/11416036/santa_monica_ca/father_s_office.html#profileTab-reviews
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
El Torito - Santa Monica, CA
After a long morning of meetings my last visit asked me to go with him to the local Mexican restaurant around the corner called El Torito. At first sight it seemed like any other large chain, currently 69 locations in California, Oregon, Arizona and Japan, yes Japan..., and as we entered the typical decor and huge space confirmed it. We had obviously missed the lunch crowd which made the space seem even bigger and the last buffet buckets were cleaned out. Buffet stations are another sign to lower your expectations. In the back a table with people congregating, most likely the staff preparing for dinner service and a couple of servers still on shift.
We sat down at a 4 top and the waiter hurried over to take our order. The choice of drink was a Tropical Ice Tea, house recommendation and it was really good. The dried up slice of decorative orange only plumped up once dropped into the tall glass of ice and tea. As I always like to ask the waiters what their choice of preference is I proceeded to do the same here. After the standard questions; level of spice, meat preference, level of hunger he proceeded to recommend the Mexico City Tacos. 3 corn tortillas with chicken, beef and carnitas sprinkled with cabbage, queso fresco, tomatoes and salsa fresca. On the side a portion of rice, frijoles de olla (spicy beans) and some home made guacamole. These tacos were just excellent and at one point I thought to myself; did my lunch guest notice that I devoured these like they were little amuse bouches or was he also lost in his lunch??? I guess you can ask my wife why this thought may have crossed my mind because I hear it from her every time I eat. My excuse: ever since having children I have adapted my eating to world record speed and mouthfuls’ not from this earth and I guess I sometimes forget that I am not in the house.
Overall rating: 3
Food Rating: 4
Cost: $$
3360 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
http://www.eltorito.com/menumain.asp
We sat down at a 4 top and the waiter hurried over to take our order. The choice of drink was a Tropical Ice Tea, house recommendation and it was really good. The dried up slice of decorative orange only plumped up once dropped into the tall glass of ice and tea. As I always like to ask the waiters what their choice of preference is I proceeded to do the same here. After the standard questions; level of spice, meat preference, level of hunger he proceeded to recommend the Mexico City Tacos. 3 corn tortillas with chicken, beef and carnitas sprinkled with cabbage, queso fresco, tomatoes and salsa fresca. On the side a portion of rice, frijoles de olla (spicy beans) and some home made guacamole. These tacos were just excellent and at one point I thought to myself; did my lunch guest notice that I devoured these like they were little amuse bouches or was he also lost in his lunch??? I guess you can ask my wife why this thought may have crossed my mind because I hear it from her every time I eat. My excuse: ever since having children I have adapted my eating to world record speed and mouthfuls’ not from this earth and I guess I sometimes forget that I am not in the house.
Overall rating: 3
Food Rating: 4
Cost: $$
3360 Ocean Park Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
http://www.eltorito.com/menumain.asp
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