I've Got A Bad Habit

My bad habit consists of loving good ol' American food like a burger and fries! No matter how much I try to be healthy, I always give in to my delicious food cravings. Good thing my boyfriend suffers from a similar syndrome, so it wasn't too difficult to convince him to join me at The Habit. For fast and cheap burgers, I have to say...this place is on the top of my list! The one I went to happened to be across the street from 5 Guys. I've decided that I like the Habit better because the burgers have more flavor and the french fries are grrrreat! Just looking at these pictures is making me want to eat there again... but wait--I'm trying to eat healthy right now....um...

[His and Hers drinks]

[Ranch is a must for onion rings]

[Close up of the burger perfection]

[Tons and tons of onions]

311 N. Sepulveda   El Segundo, CA 90245   (310) 524-9016   
www.habitburger.com

High Tea For You And Me

My mother always requests afternoon tea for her birthday. We normally go to the Beverly Hills Hotel, but this time, we tried the Living Room at the Peninsula Hotel. It was a splendid afternoon! The service consisted of champagne with strawberries and cream, then tea and scones, tea sandwiches, and desserts.  It doesn't look like a lot of food, but we were all so full afterwards! I had caramel pear tea which was a real treat! My favorite was the curried chicken salad sandwich and the egg salad. Everything was delicious though. Oh, and did I mention there was a harp player? I wanted to break into song when she started playing songs from the Phantom Of The Opera...

[Can't wait to see what's inside the menu...]

[Strawberries & cream with Champagne]

[Time to strain my tea]

[Caramel Pear Tea...Yes, Caramel]

[Tower of Treats]

[Some of the most delicious tea sandwiches]

[Chocolate, chocolate, & more chocolate]

[Vegetable Tea Sandwich]

9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd.   Beverly Hills, CA 90212   (310) 551-2888   www.peninsula.com/beverlyhills

Carneys' Chili Will Change Your Life

After seeing Wreck It Ralph, my boyfriend, mom and I had worked up quite the appetite. I was feeling like something delicious, so we headed up to Carneys on Sunset. First off, you get to dine in an old train! And you can watch the cars zoom by on Sunset Blvd. It's a total dive and the menu is short and cheap! But, if Carneys is known for one thing--it's their chili! Chili fries, chili burgers, chili dogs! I'm obsessed with their chili fries...they are so beyond amazing. My mom got the chili burger and she loved every bit! The good ol' train never disappoints...

[The famous train]

[Inside the train]

[View of Sunset]

[The best chili fries you will ever eat]

[Must wash down with coke]

[Chili burger at it's finest]

8351 W. Sunset Blvd.   West Hollywood, CA 90069   (323) 654-8300
www.carneytrain.com

Call Me Marie Antionette

Whenever I think of macarons, I picture Kirsten Dunst in the movie, Marie Antoinette having trays and towers of them around her. While I wish I could channel the queen and be in France eating authentic ones, I have found an excellent back up-- 'Lette in Larchmont Village. They have some of the best macarons I have ever tasted with unique flavors like earl grey tea! I could eat 20 of them at once, but I restricted myself to just four this time. I stuck with my all-time favorites which are salted caramel and almond wedding cake. Go soon, before I eat their whole supply...

[Peering in the window]

[Holiday Macaron Tree]

[Hmmm, what shall I choose?]

[The best view in the house]

[Vanilla & Almond Wedding Cake]

[My purchases]

[Count: 2 Salted Caramel, 2 Almond Wedding]

[Best bite ever]

122 N. Larchmont Blvd.   Los Angeles, CA 90004   (323) 469-3620
www.lettemacarons.com

Erewhon: Natural Foods Market

While I'd prefer to eat some chicken fingers and French fries, my father would prefer some steamed kale with a side of quinoa. He has been trying for years to get me eat healthier which has been blocked by my stubbornness. In any event, I accompanied him to Erewhon which is the mecca of all healthy foods, green products, vitamins, and much, much more. They have a "bar" where you can order immunity shots and weird juice concoctions. As much as I didn't want to admit it, the store is pretty sweet. My boyfriend decided to get a pressed juice and while to me, the cloudy green liquid looked frightening, he swore he felt amazing after consumption. Also, there was a lady giving out sample mineral shots. She claimed that this helped open your cells so they could absorb all the vitamins you take. My courageous boyfriend took the shot and later at the movie theater we joked, uh oh--hope this Icee and popcorn with artificial butter we are eating isn't absorbing throughout his whole body! 

Because this is LA, everyone in this store gives off the vibe that they are so coooool and natural...but you know what, I bet they are going to Taco Bell after they leave. Crunchy taco or a mysterious green liquid? There is an obvious winner, but hey... I'm biased...

[Anyone care for some coconut juice?]

[Serve yourself!]

[I think I'll have some chicken breast for dinner...]

[Endless nuts and seeds]

[I'll have one of those and one of these!]

[Daring BF tries the green mystery liquid]

[Large selection of juices]

[Pick your poison from the bar]

[Fresh coconuts]

[Spot the sign from the street & stop by]

7660 Beverly Blvd.   Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 937-0777
www.erewhonmarket.com

Griddle Cafe on Sunset

Griddle Cafe has to be one of my favorite breakfast spots in all of LA. But there is one set back... 100000 other people agree with me which means there is a line down the block every Saturday and Sunday. This past Saturday, my family and I thought we'd beat the system and wake up super early and get there at 8:30. No one in LA wakes up before 10...right? WRONG. There was still a huge line, but we lucked out and only had to wait for about 15 minutes. 

They are known for their hugeeeee pancakes with decadent toppings. We got "Mounds of Pleasure" to split for the table which is based on a Mounds bar...that means lots of chocolate, lots of coconut, and lots of whipped cream. These pancakes are so ridiculously sweet and delicious, you dont even need syrup. And if you can finish them all, you have a seriously large stomach. My boyfriend got the classic French toast, I got a baked potato scramble (potatoes, green onions, cheese, sour cream), my dad got a scramble with veggies, and my mom got a chorizo breakfast burrito. Everything was...outstanding. If you want to experience this amazing breakfast you've been warned...bring you lawn chair as you will be waiting on the sidewalk. But here's a secret, it's totally worth it!

[You can't even imagine what this menu has inside...]

[How can you possibly decide?!]

[Breakfast burrito with homemade tortilla chips]

[Baked potato omelette]

[Veggie scramble]

[French toast with lots & lots of syrup]

[The Finale: Best Pancakes Ever]

7916 W Sunset Blvd   Hollywood, CA 90046   (323) 874-0377

www.thegriddlecafe.com

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Tender Greens In Culver City

Whenever I want affordable, fresh and filling food, I always think of Tender Greens. If you haven't been there, then you need to go ASAP! They have a concise menu with no frills or fluff--just good, simple food that will leave you feeling satisfied and full. I get the same thing every time--the steak hot plate (marinated steak, mashed potatoes, & spinach salad). I consider myself a mashed potato connoisseur as they are easily, one of my favorite foods. And I gotta say...for a "serve fast" type of restaurant, they sure have their mashed potato recipe down! My boyfriend got the steak salad which comes with colorful beets and vegetables. We clean out plates every time! Oh, and I must mention that they have the best sparkling water ever called Noah's. It's so carbonated that the minute it hits your throat, you can barely swallow. Pure sparkling water bliss I tell ya...

[Steak Plate & Steak Salad]

[The best sparkling water...ever!!!]

[The mashed potatoes taste home-made, I swear]

[Cleaning his plate as usual]

9523 Culver Blvd.   Culver City, CA 90232   (310) 842-8300
www.tendergreensfood.com

It's Time For Apple Dumplings

If you saw my earlier post, you will know why I now have an excess of apples! I was about to make a pie, when I thought of something better...apple dumplings! Follow along to make your own...you can thank me later!

Ingredients:
-5 Apples
-Cinnamon
-Brown Sugar
-Butter
-Frozen Puff Pastry
-1 egg white

1. Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Peel and core your apples and mix the cinnamon and brown sugar in a bowl.
3. Cut out a square of puff pastry and place the apple on top.
4. Put a small piece of butter in the open core. Then fill in with brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Bring the sides of the puff pastry up around the apple so that it is completely covered.
6. Brush the egg white on the outsides (this will give it that shiny, golden brown color).
7. Lastly, sprinkle cinnamon and more sugar on the outside.
8. Bake for 15 minutes and then eat while hot!

[Using a mixture of red & green apples]

[This stuff is very easy to work with]

[Brown sugar & cinnamon make a great combo]

[Mixing the two together]

[Coring the apple. This too made it much easier!]

[Stuff as much sugary goodness as you can inside]

[A light egg wash to give it that golden brown color]

[Ready for the oven]

[5 perfect apple dumpling]

[The presentation]

[Time to eat!]