I see a few posts on the LA board about sausages and sandwiches from Normandie Bakery, but I thought I'd throw out a good word on their pastries and breads, too.

I bought four huge items around 1 pm today -- a pecan roll (looked similar to the babka at Sycamore Kitchen, so I had to sample), apricot croissant, almond croissant, and blueberry muffin. Total was $10. I liked all of them, esp the pecan roll which had a heavy cinnamon flavor, and the almond croissant -- nice and flaky w/o being crispy. I'd imagine it's killer straight from the oven. The fresh baguettes, bolillo, and dinner rolls on the bread rack looked good, too.

I love Maison du Pain up on Pico, but this is another great neighborhood bakery IMO. Haven't sampled the soups, salads, or sandwiches in the cafe but they're probably decent if the pastries are any clue.

3022 S Cochran Ave
Los Angeles
(323) 939-5528

FISH TACOS

I've had a few slices at birthday parties and I've been impressed. People who like less sweet goodies tend to be very happy with the product, my husband included. He always prefers this type of cake to others.

I'm a "the sweeter the better" type dessert person usually -- cheesecake from Sweet Lady Jane is my most serious weakness. I still like AM cake, though!

I commuted from west (Sawtell) to east (Echo Park) for years, and if you head to work early (say 6:45 or 7:00), traffic is pretty minimal. I grew up in Nor Cal and still have a pretty low tolerance for traffic, but I really didn't mind that drive. Viable? I think so.

That being said, now that I live in mid-city and visit the eastern areas of the city more, I love Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, downtown, so on. Do a few walks around those areas and see how you feel. IMO the westside is too much of a bubble. But that's just my opinion.

that looks so good.

I feel like my friends who enjoy Phoenix also really like Angel Maid Bakery on the westside. Ever tried their goods, latin?

I loved the quiche at brunch. It was a hefty slice with a killer crust. The side salad is perfectly dressed IMO, and is a just-right companion for the q, not too heavy or too fancy.

Wow, that thread that ns1 posted is legit.

We bought from Lindy & Grundy last year and rented the Caja China roasting box from them, too. All worked out well, though it looks like there are more affordable options out there.

I tend to get a good amount done at Paper or Plastik on Pico. About 50% of the tables have people working away on laptops, and the other seats are reserved for computer-free customers. The coffee is good (if that's something you require), and you can park for free in the neighborhood just south of the shop. I have, however, gone in once or twice and had to wait about 5 minutes to snag a table.

I was underwhelmed but the portion/price ratio.

I wouldn't bring my daughter there unless it was during off eating hours -- they were slammed at Sunday brunch and it felt a tad uncomfortable IMO.

+1. They were a childhood staple, and I've never outgrown them.

I hit Samosa House every so often. Did they just recently add this to their menu, to your knowledge? And which of the two locations was offering it?

This is the bigger food event happening during your stay -- you could swing April 26th, assuming you're not flying back home early or mid-day.

http://www.lefooding.com/evenements/2...

Bummer, I had a decent breakfast there a couple of times.

A friend of mine is a big fan of shaved ice and she led us to Spoon by H last night. The cafe's been open for 5 months and serves all sorts of sweet and savory items; there was no one in the shop on Saturday night at 8 pm, though, which made us a tad nervous.

We ordered what we came for: two shaved ice bowls, one milk coffee, the other milk strawberry. The names of these items don't really do them justice. I figured I was getting something simple, but the milk coffee was more like a coffee/chocolate volcano -- cheesecake slices, chocolate nibs, etc (and I had gone for the haagen daz on top to boot). We loved both items, and while 9 bucks per order is pricey (the ice cream on top made it jump from $6.99 to $8.50+), it can feed two people. I haven't had much shaved ice outside of Blockheads on Sawtelle so I'm not sure what the average cost of a shaved ice is in K-town.

Staff is friendly and service was quick. There's a small lot for parking, and of course street meters. It's just down the block from two other dessert favorites (Milk and Susina), but Spoon by H is offering such different items that I think there are plenty of customers to go 'round.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/SPOON-...

7158 Beverly Blvd
(323) 930-0789

Curious to see what you all think.

Just under the wire with this one.

Had scrambled eggs with shrimp at Mama Lu's Dumpling House last night -- best dish of the eight plates we ordered. Eggs were soft scrambled and mixed with green onions. Very good choice at ML. It's the dish on the top left of the photo here.

Thanks for reporting, Baron. I'll likely try it soon, I like the sound of a few things on the menu.

I finally made it to Bar Ama this week and I think it's a cool date place (grab a reservation just to make it easy on yourself). Order some puffy tacos -- flour tortillas deep fried until they balloon into bliss -- and 2-3 other dishes to split. Be warned, it's all pretty cheese heavy.

Then walk around the corner and spend an hour in The Last Bookstor. It's a sight to see, esp. the upstairs with tunnels and windows made of glued together titles.

I know a lot of people on here aren't into it, but I also really like Baco Mercat. It may be out of your budget but take a look at the menu. It's on the same corner as Ama pretty much so you can still go to TLB.

http://www.bar-ama.com/
http://lastbookstorela.com/
http://bacomercat.com/

If the fam likes Thai food, I think Cholada is a great lunch or dinner spot on the PCH. Not fancy by any means but really good food.

http://www.choladathaicuisine.com/rt/

BURRITOS

How about Salt's Cure for a sit down breakfast? Their 2 by 2 by 2 (plus pancakes) is so good.

Keep Tsujita, but get there 15 minutes before they open for lunch just to spare yourself some wait time.

I agree that Animal should be a definite. I love everything they do there, esp the pork belly sliders.

I enjoyed Red Medicine, but we spent a good deal of money and still wanted a snack afterwards. The desserts are so beautiful, though. To be honest, I probably won't visit RM very often but I'll remember the desserts forever. Or I'll go for wine and dessert only. :)

I feel like you need a good hole-in-the-wall experience in there. Al & Bea's for a bean/cheese burrito, maybe? Then walk 5 blocks for a taco sampler at Guisado's. You will surely need a nap at the end of that tour, but it's all worth it.

For Chinese, I'll throw Lucky Noodle King into the ring. The dan dan mien is my favorite, and last time we tried the fried pork and bean curd with greens... divine. Not much in the way of ambiance or anything, but if you trek to the SGV at all it's a place to consider. I'm also obsessed with the Shanghai fried rice cake at Emperor Noodle.

I'm going to Alma this week finally myself... perhaps we'll be there the same night! ;)

As for breakfast, it sounds like you've got a plan... make sure Sycamore Kitchen is in the mix. Try the babka for sure (if you can score one fresh out of the oven, you'll be in heaven), and I would eat the pork belly hash bowl for breakfast everyday if it didn't mean harsh long-term consequences.

Have a great time, let us know what you think about the places you end up trying! Always fun to get a visitor's perspective on our crazy dining scene.

:)

Wish I could take credit for all those great photos.

Holy mother of meat. Anyone tried the "small tray"? What a great menu idea. You literally get everything they have (save desserts) for $65, and it easily serves 4 people. Needless to say it was a great night. My favorites were the pulled pork, cornbread, and beans, but I couldn't really name a thing I didn't like on either tray.

Tried out Thyme Cafe & Market for the first time this morning. What a spot. Easy parking, and though the cafe was busy it wasn't totally slammed like it would be if it were other locations, I think. Had the egg and chicken quesadilla -- delish! They use a nice mild Havarti so you can still taste the other ingredients pretty well. Can't go wrong with any of their pastries either, probably. CC cookie = amazing.

I threw a shower at the closed location of Chado Tea Room on 3rd Street, but they have other locations to choose from. I know you said westside, but the Little Tokyo location is gorgeous and modern -- perhaps if you threw the party on a Sunday it would still work, due to less traffic?

We made our own flower arrangements and favors for the table, but I'm not sure the flowers were necessary as they really set the table nicely. The food is SO GOOD, scones and opened faced sandwiches especially, plus the tea.

Pretty sure it was $20 per person last year, and that included 3 tea pourings of your choice plus 3-tiered platters (split between two people).

http://www.chadotea.com/

Had the chilaquiles with scrambled eggs at Overland Cafe today. Pretty darn good. The pulled pork was flavorful and there was plenty of it. Eggs were fluffy. Green salsa had a nice kick to it. Yum!

Sounds about right -- a little steep, I agree.

It is a really pretty dish, right ipse? Can't stare too long at it though, otherwise that egg gets chilly.

Hit Sycamore Kitchen today. The pork belly hash bowl is officially my favorite breakfast in town, albeit a heavy choice (hike then hash, that's for sure, not the other way around). Though the pork belly plays the star role in the dish, the runny egg yolk has a vital job too, melding all the flavors together. I'm starting to think I actually like the hash better than the salted caramel pecan babka roll -- and that's saying a lot.

It's crazy crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, though. I was worried they'd run out by the time I got to the register, but that didn't happen. Crisis averted.