2 1/2 Stars

Clementine bakery and café in Century City bustles with the activity of patrons who make regular appearances at this sidewalk café. Sensory overload hits guests the moment they cross the threshold into the restaurant. A display case greets patrons with freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, bars, and mini key lime pies. Just when a sweet tooth might surrender to making a meal of just pastries, the smell of homemade soups, fresh sandwiches, and seasonal salads wafts by. Curbside pickup and a take-out dinner menu round out this charming, breezy, bistro like gem. With a new menu every season, highlighting the freshest, …

For a taste of Mexico in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, look no further than Agaves Kitchen & Tequila. This urban chic establishment is adorned with an impressive portrait, depicting Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, and a mural for the plant that is native to Central Mexico, the agave. Known for its extensive drink menu and the 100 types of tequila they serve, Agaves is the ideal place to have a drink or two with friends or co-workers. The spicy De La Casa Margarita, which utilizes habanero syrup, turns up the heat for all the thrill …

Dino’s Chicken & Burgers may have a full menu featuring breakfast items (served until 11:00 a.m.), sandwiches, burritos, tacos, and burgers, but what makes this Los Angeles restaurant a local fast food institution is the famous charbroiled chicken. The Chicken Dinner is ½ a Chicken, French Fries, Homemade Coleslaw, and Tortillas and diners come back time and again to get their hands stained red with Dino’s famous marinade. The chicken is served on top of the fries, and it is one of the rare instances where soggy fries are an added treat. For an affordable meal in South Los Angeles, …

Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles is a pop culture icon and a must-visit landmark in Los Angeles. It is the epitome of soul food- tender and crispy Southern-fried chicken and tasty waffles doused in maple syrup culminate in a meal that strikes the preverbal nail on the head that is the tricky balance between sweet and savory. Although the combination of fried chicken and waffles is an east-coast transplant, Southern Californians have taken a shine to the wonderfully sweet and crispy combination. Top it off with one of their signature side dishes (the macaroni and cheese is always a …

Trendy, chic, and elegant, Takami Sushi and Robata Restaurant is provides an elegant setting to dine for those in Downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant sits 21 floors in the air on the corner of Wilshire and 6th in Downtown Los Angeles’ Financial District. Enjoy selections from their sushi and robata menu for lunch and dinner. With signature cocktails and a wide variety of wines and beers, Takami offers a unique dining experienced with a patio view unlike any other.

For quick but quality Chinese food, head to China One for a hefty portion of deliciousness. Located on Summit Avenue in Fontana, this casual eatery serves Chinese favorites like Vegetable Egg Rolls, Kung Pao Beef with Steamed Rice, and wok fried Mu Shu Chicken. While many frequent the establishment for their efficient take out service, those wanting a causal lunch can enjoy one of China One’s lunch specials. Offered daily until 4:00 p.m., diners choose between a variety of delights, from Orange Chicken to Beef and Broccoli, served with either Fried or Steamed Rice and Chow Mein Egg Drop soup. …

Providing an exquisite menu that features Argentinean cuisine in a hip environment, Gaucho Grill in Brentwood creates palate teasing dishes that guests will enjoy. The menu showcases an arrangement of delicious dishes that utilize Latin herbs and spices like the New York Santa Fe, a succulent 10 ounce Grilled New York steak with sautéed mushrooms over a white wine sauce or the Suprema Napolitana, breaded chicken breast lightly fried with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Both use traditional Latin cooking techniques and flavor combinations. Gaucho Grill also offers burgers and sandwiches like the Chicken Chimichurri burger that couples an …

Located on the corner of Pine Avenue and East Broadway in Long Beach, Gaucho Grill showcases a sensational Argentinean menu in a hip and chic atmosphere that guests will surely enjoy. Gaucho Grill’s outside patio is adorned with traditional Argentinean décor and polished steel accents, marrying a sense of modern day swank with rooted Argentinean notes. Inside, the dining room is dressed in deep red with wood panel walls and a stone archway, giving guests a juxtaposition of three different medium textures, while the atmosphere offers subtle sonnets of Argentinean classics played by a live guitarist. Just like its décor, …

Dukes West Hollywood dishes up tasty diner fare, sandwiched right between the ultra popular Whisky A Go Go and The Cat Club on the Sunset Strip. Steeped in music history as the former location of the London Fog Night Club and the one-time living quarters for Jim Morrison, Dukes has earned its place on the strip as a legitimate watering hole serving up breakfast all day and other classic diner food. Since 1968, Dukes has been a go-to spot for celebrities and musicians, and locals and tourists looking to satisfy their appetites with decidedly unfussy yet reliable diner food.