Black & white tees on servers, nose rings, male hair buns, sandals in the Winter, multi-colored hair design, jeans – formerly it might have been referenced as a “Yuppie” hangout. Let’s just say, instead, that TOAST on Temecula Parkway has a contemporary, hip vibe and, if today’s crush of anxious guests is any indication, it likely will be on a lot of to-do lists for breakfast or lunch (and they serve booze, too!).

The menu includes plenty of espressos, mochas, lattes, etc., but no Maxwell House. Visitors have a wide selection of craft beers on tap, wines, unusual cocktails and an array of Bloody Marys at their disposal.

My choice for breakfast features “Reuben Benedict” with rosemary potatoes preceded by a honey brown sugar latte. Susie opted for Biscuits & Gravy with potatoes preceded by an orange mocha. Both of these entrees caress the palate in a good way. The drinks achieve success in encouraging the taste juices to dance around (with “Bud”?) in the first place.

A noisy din envelops the environment which seats about 100. The service is just fine considering how hectic the circumstances are today. Prices are reasonable.

Looking to return soon to this small hoppin’ joint tucked away in the middle of a village shopping center. I desperately need to try that “Farm” Bloody Mary because sometimes one just needs a kick in the derriere!

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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Strolling the neighborhood streets of Culver City for a pre-show bite to eat, these wanderers find an array of eating outposts nearby the Kirk Douglas Theatre (Center Theatre Group (CTG)) in this enclave close to Beverly Hills. CITY TAVERN appears to have an intriguing menu with appropriate pricing. Bingo!

Indoor and outdoor spaces for dining are available and the locals seem to be “eating up” all of these restaurants nearby. Closer inspection of the menu options offer us plenty of choices from the latest foodie trends.

Susie puts her finger on Macaroni & Pimento Cheese accompanied by Blanched Brussel Sprouts w/ Pork Belly. Bill selects a Poutine with Pork and Pimento Cheese Curds Over French Fries (apparently a favorite at this restaurant). The affable waiter reminds us of the 10% discount for theatregoers and promises to send us on our way in time for the curtain.

The food proves highly satisfying. Skipping the extensive beer menu (it is a “tavern” after all) may be a mistake, but at least the wallet is thankful.

The dining experience is peaceful under the newly blooming Jacaranda trees. A return visit seems likely.

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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When I spot the sign for GREAT MAPLE adorning the restaurant in Old Town Pasadena, I have no intention of being a sap by leaving for another establishment. (OK  I’ll stop!) Really, though, I begin envisioning all kinds of dishes in which the maple flavor could be dominant. Well, because I surmise that this is the restaurant’s niche, a cursory look at the menu reinforces my initial impression.

It is a contemporary space featuring crisp  surroundings, an outside patio, extensive seating with a designated space for large parties and… a large, full-service bar, too!   The establishment teems with anxious, famished patrons, waiting patiently. This might be the norm because Susie and I are handed the de rigueur buzzer for notification purposes.

After 15 minutes I’m buzzed…and tickled that we’re on our way to nourishment. A few minutes later we’re excitedly perusing the “cast of characters” from the “program”. Susie chooses fried chicken accompanied by two of their signature doughnuts for her brunch entree. Instead, I elect an Eggs Benedict dish with fingerling potatoes to tease the ol’ tummy.

The wait for the kitchen’s bounty is too lengthy in my opinion. However, when the food finally arrives, both of us are pleased. The plates are full and we savor the unique approaches to flavor as well.

It seems as if this is a toddler in the chain restaurant business, offering only a few locations. Almost forgot. I desperately want to try one of their unique desserts, but it’s impossible to stuff this turkey anymore today. Another visit, though, is a foregone conclusion.

(N.B. Also visit the Norton Simon Museum and 26th Annual Chalk Festival while in Pasadena, Los Angeles (LA).)

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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Just down the road from the ROAD ON MAGNOLIA THEATRE in North Hollywood (NOHO), can be found a modest, contemporary eating establishment. Susie Reese and I stumble upon it during our neighborhood exploration just before a recent show.

The BAR-B-QUE BAR, THE lurks in a nondescript, tiny shopping center. In addition to its catering business, the restaurant/bar serves locals with an amiable attitude and a barbeque-centered menu of nourishment.

Both Susie and I masticate a pork sandwich with steak fries as we look out the front window and watch the world go by. While she sips on a Coca Cola, I am enticed to order a Boddington beer, one of 15 on tap. The taste meter approves of our selections. Thanks to some speedy efforts in the kitchen, it is not long until we are ambling down the sidewalk, primed for today’s theatrical adventure.

It doesn’t have the vibe of PORKY’S, yet the offerings still greet the palate with gusto. Maybe we should have driven the two blocks instead of “bacon” in the intense sun. (Sorry for the sorry pun, but my inner voice sometimes compels me!)

(N.B. Also visit the ROAD THEATRE COMPANY at the ROAD ON MAGNOLIA THEATRE while in North Hollywood, Los Angeles (LA) for RED SPEEDO.)

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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Wait a minute!  Apparently, it’s difficult to be seated at a table without a significant wait at REUNION KITCHEN + DRINK in Anaheim Hills. So, planners plan…and reserve online if possible. In this case the effort falls by the wayside and leads to a 30 minute delay anyway. Lesson learned. If another activity is planned after dining, allow a little extra padding on the time.

Fortunately there were no more major hiccups tacked on to this restaurant adventure. Fair to add, though, that the service does seem slow generally. The manager on duty chooses to comp an appetizer that was not ordered and a piece of butter cake that was. Satisfactory gesture for the long wait and appreciated, too.

The “Kitchen” allows a variety of dining spaces within its confines and a bar as well. Many comfortable booths and even long tables can suit one’s needs. An extensive bar awaits if a libation is in the cards. A trendy vibe permeates this restaurant one could say.

After the aforementioned complimentary calamari (Squid for the uninitiated), our entrees eventually arrive. Susie has chosen a Salad with Barbecue Chicken and Bleu Cheese Dressing. Bill rests his eyes on the Fish & Chips with Bleu Cheese Cole Slaw from the menu. Those offerings are only a couple from the fairly wide array of options by the way.

Pleased as punch with our selections.The taste buds do a happy dance. Their “famous” Butter Cake with Cream Cheese provides the “mmmm” soundtrack to the final portion of the meal.

Despite the delay, these diners expect to return at some point. Maybe next time the disappointing wait will have evaporated.

(N.B. Also visited  CHANCE THEATRE‘s GOOD PEOPLE while in Anaheim)

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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When visiting a new area, the first task at hand is the search for popular restaurants in the region. A 4.5 rating with thousands of reviews seems as if it might be a good bet, right? In this instance the area happens to be La Mirada and the selected restaurant??? TADA…CLEARMAN’S NORTH WOODS INN, one of four locations in the Los Angeles (LA) territory.

The log cabin, including some faux elements, may he a bit cheesy for some (e.g. “snow” on the roof in Socal…hmmm). Pot belly stove, bear, tiffany lamps, stained glass windows – it won’t be appealing to all.

Susie chooses steak cube skewer with the standard dinner accoutrements of their restaurant (i.e. baked potato, rice, 2 different salads and their signature warm cheese bread). Bill selects a combo platter with scallops, fried chicken plus steak and the standard sides as well.

These provide a huge repast which require a take home “2nd” feast from the leftovers. The excess doesn’t come cheap with most selections posted in the $30 range. The bar running the length of the main dining room offers liquid refreshment to accompany the meals. An alternative choice for the wary customer could be the many sandwich options (also very large) in the $10 – $15 range.

For these travelers, although the food mostly was delicious (or “delicioso” since I’m in a Cinco de Mayo kind of mood today), if we return it would be only for a sandwich. For us the portions seem too huge to “bear” and the menu prices may be a bit more than we are willing to spend for a casual meal.

(N.B. Also visit La Mirada SOUTH PACIFIC while in the area.)

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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After watching some of my favorite actors trod the boards in Laguna Beach, could Susie Reese and I select a more appropriate restaurant in which to replenish than LUMBERYARD? I doubt it. An added bonus is encountering friends Carlotta Malone and Adriene Edwards also filling their lunch pail at the same eating establishment.

The locale proves comfy and pleasant and not “run of the mill”. Susie chooses a meatloaf on a bed of mashed potatoes, while I opt for my “go to” fish and chips. Both of us love the vittles even without alcoholic refreshment. A return visit is certainly a possibility, especially when visiting Laguna Playhouse or the “Pageant of the Masters”.

Prices seem reasonable at this lumberyard and the workers are amiable on the job. Now all we need is our blueprint for the future. I am not going to rule out a “brewski” next time. (Sorry, friends, the puns are not up to my usual high standard.) Ha!

(N.B. Also visit DIRTY BLONDE while in Laguna Beach.)

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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This place quacks me up. Now that I’ve tossed that out of the way, let me wade into some commentary about Long Beach’s THE CROOKED DUCK.

Not unlike so many neighborhood eateries, the initial challenge is to find a place to park. The lot is miniscule, yet there are some other options down the street if walking is not a struggle.

It is fair to say that this local hole-in-the-wall favorite provides limited seating opportunities, features a personal sign-up clipboard at the entrance and exudes a laid-back, friendly vibe. It can be described – one supposes – as thoroughly “beachified” with its owner, outfitted in requisite shorts and tee shirt, welcoming patrons to the campfire.  A delay should be expected before seating while others on the list above the latest entry are methodically scratched off the penciled pecking order.

Once seated, the guest peruses a fairly standard brunch menu with a few distinctive, preening choices. Susie decides on a malted waffle with scrambled eggs for her indulgence while Bill selects the grilled reuben sandwich on rye accompanied by breakfast potatoes. Thank goodness for the generously- sized coffee mugs brimming with “joe” which elevate the promise of the day.  Pricing seems above average overall.

The friendly waitstaff hovers attentively, ensuring that coffee refills are ever at the ready. Our food selections, once delivered, prove to be ample and tasty (just “ducky” so to speak), although not particularly extraordinary. Loud conversations imbue the environment with an amiable flavor as well and that registers positively with these diners. Of course, there’s a pass on the available mimosas (which might have ruffled our feathers unnecessarily).

Given that these visitors do not normally frequent this particular neighborhood, could there be a choice to ford a different stream on the next visit?

(N.B. Also visit NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT at Musical Theatre West while in Long Beach.)

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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Yes, there exist a few eateries tucked away in Temecula cubby-holes that may be worthy of a visit. The family discovers just such a place off the beaten track in the TEMECULA PIZZA CO. nearby Temecula Parkway.

The rather extensive menu for a pizza hideaway features not only the headliner in plenty of variations, but also several appetizers, strombolis, hot Italian sandwiches and salads for those with waistline “panicea” (my word…whatcha think?). This company has a liquor license as well.

Bill chooses a sausage stromboli with mushrooms and mozzarella cheese. Susie selects a Philly Cheese Steak (minus a few fixins). The portions are rather huge, yet tasty, inevitably resulting in a feast to be taken home.

Not really a place for the penny conscious, it’s not likely to break the bank either. Service is pleasant, although not as “fast” as many would prefer.

A noisy din manages to be ever present (to be expected in a pizza joint, no?).  Also, family gatherings seem the norm while children can have a rambunctious time as well. Dig in!

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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Long tradition in my family since I was a tyke to eat fish on Friday. Even if I aim at vegan or vegetarian status, chances are I would settle on being a pescetarian. Shrimp, salmon, crab, scallops, etc. are representative of the repertoire that I crave. Therefore, when Susie Reese and I visit Victoria Gardens Mall in Rancho Cucamonga, KING’S FISH HOUSE is on the menu.

So what if it’s a chain restaurant, I still surmise that the outcome will be the sun, moon and stars all rolled into one fishcake. We do, after all, enjoy a history with this establishment. The Carlsbad location especially benefits from our patronage fairly often. (Who cares if he’s bad anyway?) (groan)

Susie Reese delights herself with a selection of the charbroiled shrimp with two sides. As for me, as a fairly finicky fish fan (always space for a bit of alliterative play), I choose KING’S FISH HOUSE medley of unhealthy, fried options: shrimp, scallops and a fish cake with coleslaw and boring french fries. Truth be known, I regret the latter as soon as the platter arrives tableside. Otherwise, our selections provide oceans of pleasure for both of us. Too bad their fresh corn option only pops up on the extensive menu seasonally.

The surroundings in this location appear fairly nondescript as compared to the other. In addition, the noisy atmosphere here proves not to be conducive to a restful dining experience. Service is fine; the host, in particular, deserves a salute from this Navy veteran.

The food certainly tickles the taste buds, yet that does not ring true for the entire dining adventure. Captain’s Log: 1800 hours…3 stars or possibly 4 stars. So, maybe we should try another restaurant on our return to Victoria Gardens. I know… we could skip the main course in favor of dessert only. Hmmm. PIE HOLE sounds like an intriguing eatery.

Smackin’ the Lips…Echoes from the Land of the Smudged Menu

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