Thanks for all the recs -- we are headed to Jerry's Soda Shoppe later today!

As it gets hot and hotter out here, I'd love to go and have some ice cream.
It seems like there are all sorts of self-serve yogurt places, and walk up to a counter gelato spots -- which are great. But I have a hankering for an old-school ice-cream experience.
I'm looking for a place where I can sit down and relax with a banana split, or some sort of frothy milkshake, perhaps a malt.
Any reccomendations??

Thanks!

Hey all -
I've been craving matzoh ball soup since I had some last week at a friend's passover. Any recommendations on where to get a great bowl in Center city?? I'm willing to travel to South Philly, Faimount and NO-libs too. But not out to the burbs or to Jersey.

While I love steve's and Tony lukes -- Chubby's is not to be missed. It's across the street from Delassandros but in my opinion its waaay better.
You also can't beat Lager from the tap served in freezer cooled glasses.
I live in LA now, and always make Chubby's the 1st stop for cheese steaks when I get into philly.

I just got over a horrible case of FP myself and Miso soup brought me back to life and helped to get everything back in order digestively.. I would steer clear of adding too much to it.

Both Tinto and Amada have great tasting menus. Because the food at both is small plates/ tapas, it lends itself very very well to the tasting atmosphere.
Amada has a few different options price wise, and a very reasonable wine pairing. Tinto's tasting menu is pure art!
I highly recommend both.

I would totally second Saturninus' rec of Continental Midtown-- I'm in my 20s, and my friends and I always go there.
The cocktails are great-- as is the food. It's really fun if you go with the small plates type menu.
On the same wavelength I'd also recommend Pod -- this is also close to 30th street.

An alternate to the typical soup, risotto, lasagna, is to cube and roast the squash and then mix it into a salad of arugula, pecorino, and a vinaigrette. I tried it at a restaurant a few weeks ago and have been replicating it since!

Second big wangs -- good for tastebuds, not so much for for the arteries.

I second the greenblatt's Delicious Deli food + top wines -- a great treat in my book.

Hey-
you may want to try Piccolo in Venice - they don't take reservations but it's fantastic -- I don't know if its "Scene-y" but the last time I was there I was literally elbow to elbow (it's a small place with tables close together) with Sasha Baron Cohen, so that was pretty cool.

While In spain I was perusing a thick menu with many languages (german, french, japanese, english etc)

They translated -
Pollo con Judias Verdes (chicken with green beans)
as ....
Chicken with Green Jews.

I told the manager (politely) that this was a mis translation, and that some people might actually find this offensive. He stood firm, saying that he translated the menu himself from the most reputable dictionary. I tried to explain that there may be various meanings for one word but he didn't budge.

Despite the horrible translations - the food was quite good.

When my 14 yr. old niece and her friend visited us a few months ago I took them to a bunch of LA eateries but their favorite was Alcove. (those kids are sophisticated these days).
They also have some great pastries and cakes, and great ambiance.

Another fun place is the tea room at the Huntington Gardens -- amid the lush greenery, the afternoon tea is absolutely exquisite. The girls can get all dressed up -- last time I was there I sat next to a table of impeccably dressed sorority girls, complete with gloves.

Urth CAFFE!!!
I salad it up there at least twice a week.
Also, M de Chaya, on melrose, they always hit the spot with their salads.

I would recommend some Garam Masalas. Garam Masala (an indian spice mix) is available at most supermarkets and groceries -- it could add a great touch to your soup.

Deenso-
I've used my slow cooker for over a year and it's been a life saver on some especially long work days. I have a "smart" slow cooker that you can set for "fast" (4-6 hours) or SLow (8-10) after the alotted time is over, the slow cooker switches to "warm." I've cooked a bunch of stuff in there on the 10 hour cycle and come back 12 hours later to a delicious meal.
Like Sherri - I love to cook pork shoulder in there, it comes out so much more tender than in the oven or barbecue, but I also recommend using the slow cooker to cook beans. it's so inexpensive and delicious - my stand by is white beans in a slow cooker, cooked in a mix of wine and water, with tons of garlic and some fresh rosemary.

Lolas on Fairfax & santa monica. They have a happy hour menu and drink specials, a great loungey vibe and over 50 different martinis.

I second Sushi Eyaki. It's so unassuming, but consistently offers delicious, well priced sushi. the people who work there are very nice too.

You could always go to roscoes.... it's a classic, their waffles are delicious.

Let's not forget the delicious churros.....

If you are interested in going the cupcake route -- I highly highly recommend the Magnolia cafe Cupcake recipe -- they have in on the foodnetwork website.
It's very very simple and easy to follow. The frosting is great, and it's truly the best cupcake recipe I've tried.

I love making smoothies and often have a matcha smoothie as my pick-me up. I'd recommend throwing in a little yogurt or half of a frozen banana ( sliced ). It gives the smoothie a little bit more body than just plain ice, and does not affect the flavor.

I'd hit up Busby's -- just around the corner from Luna Park on Wilshire and Detroit. It isn't too expensive, and it's not a hassle to get in. Once you're inside there are a bunch of rooms and 2 upstairs smoking patios. They also have a bunch of fun bar games. If you go with a group of people it's really fun, but otherwise, depending on the night, it can be hit or miss.

Little Bar (La Brea and 8th) is also great, but they don't serve liquor. Only Beer, Wine and Soju.

Definitely mini pizzas, fish sticks, grilled cheese.

I know it sounds wierd, and maybe only at my school, but our no. 1 cafeteria hit was sheppards pie!
or whatever they call it when it's made with beef. For a party maybe you could make it in little ramekins.

Kitchen Queen-
I just visited the TJ's on 3rd and La Brea in Los Angeles, and they had the frozen asparagus tips. I stocked up on a few bags in case they disappear again.

I second the basil, basil and peas are one of my favorite combos. Throw some mint in there, and you've got a party.

Whole foods carries both loose leaf mate blends (Guyaki Brand) and also Mate in tea bags - Numi makes a blend, as well as Guyaki and Tazo.
While you get a larger serving of Mateine with the loose blend, you would need to purchase a bombadilla (gourd) and straw to partake. I got mine in Argentina and haven't seen anything around here but have since switched from gourd to bagged tea because it was a hassle.

I second Banana leaf. I like loteria -- it's great. But, nothing beats Banana leaf.

I second stocks! Now I always have delicious homemade stock on hand in the freezer.
Besides Stocks -
same as lots of other folks - Tons of pulled pork/ brisket,
also Beans. The crock pot is a great way to make any sort of beans. I save tons of money by making the beans in the crock pot instead of buying canned beans.

One of my favorite places for a budget breakfast/brunch is Maxwell's on Washington Blvd.
It's a homey diner - I usually sit at the counter. And Everything I've had there is delicious, though my favorite is the "garbage" an omlette with ham and avocado -- they have great pancakes too.