La Maison Du Pain on Pico Blvd. makes a mean baguette! They also have a world class brownie.

The Arlington guy really has his fruit and seasoning mix down. I've considered going with say - a mango/cucumber mix but the combo he's got going is so good, I don't want to mess with his juju.

IMHO - Either the Steak Depot at 8871 Santa Monica Blvd. or Mel's Drive-In @ 8585 W. Sunset, both are in West Hollywood. Both have great chili burgers. Although Steak Depot is my favorite: a wonderfully messy gut bomb that is the perfect antidote to a long evening of drinking and dancing. Their chicken noodle soup is pretty good too.

One of best things about moving to LA's mid city was discovering the Fruit Cart vendors selling bags of mixed fresh cut fruits and vegetables mixed with chili powder, lime and salt. The flavors are fabulous and its a healthy, guilt-free snack.

I find myself craving it constantly. I've now got a three bag per week habit.

The carts seem to be primarily located on corners near gas stations. My personal favorite is the guy at the Chevron station on Arlington at Washington. The man's ability with a knife would make any chef proud.

Anyone else got a favorite fruit cart? Or mix?

Any salad on the menu at Cafe Paradiso on the 2400 block of Wilshire. The Tomato and Onion Salad at Koo Koo Roo on Wilshire @ 20th is very tasty and not expensive. Spinach Salad at Earth, Wind and Flour on Wilshire just before 23rd, not cheap but an excellent salad.

Skip it. Ribs are just okay. Sides are REALLY bad. The place is very overpriced for the quality of food. You'd be better off at Norm's.

The Normandie Bakery sells individual brioche. There are several locations around Los Angeles. The one I go to is at 5277 Jefferson at S. Cloverdale in Los Angeles (Love the Merguez sausage sandwich, YUM). I believe, they also sell through Gelson's, so you might be able to order it through them.

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles on Pico Blvd. just west of La Brea is open until midnight on weeknights and, I believe, it's open even later on weekends.

Have you thought of having a professional messenger service pick up the cake and deliver it to your reception site? It's pretty easy to get express service between Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

The citrus fruit or the herb?

The citrus is pretty obscure - you might try calling Italian or gourmet produce purveyors. I'd try contacting Frieda's Finest. They might be able to point you in the right direction.

If it's the herb (aka Monarda Didyma) - Any good plant nursery can order it for you if they don't normally stock it.

The Ten Ren Tea Company in Chinatown IMHO serves the best Boba around. They're in a mall at 727 S. Broadway. They also sell fine bulk teas, pots and tea sets (BTW Ten Ren Company also owns Cha for Tea).

I've seen andouille sausage at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

Steak Depot on Santa Monica Blvd., near San Vicente, fabulous chili cheese burgers. Ajisai on Palm Avenue, three doors up from Santa Monica Blvd, nice little family-run sushi bar (love the tuna tataki). Tango Grill, 8807 Santa Monica Blvd., (Argentine style food, dog friendly) I like their chicken.

The breakfast burrito served up by Sunshine's Cafe is pretty yummy. (2021 Santa Monica Blvd., in Santa Monica, by St. John's Hospital.) I'm also a big fan of their albondigas soup (served Wednesdays only).

Red Moon Cafe, a little Chinese/Vietnamese place in the strip mall at the corner of National and Sawtelle Blvd., in West LA, serves pho: It isn't state of the art pho, but if you can't get to Little Saigon, it will do as a pinchhitter.

If you like Middle Eastern Food, there's a good Persian place called Orchid near there. It's at 3033 Bristol Street.

Or you could stop in at The Lab and eat at Habana (Cuban).

The barbeque is decent to good but it isn't destination fodder. I like their brisket sandwich: tender meat, nice flavor.

Bring cash - they don't accept credit cards.

@DiveFan:

Yep. I grabbed a menu - planning to do takeout sometime. Reyhaan's address is:

11800 West Jefferson Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
Phone: 310-390-6800

There's also what appears to be an Italian place called Bellagio next door I plan to wander through next month: Safir & Caffe Roberto no longer appear to be in the area.

Been eyeing Hoagies & Wings - I pass it on my way to my upholsterer and furniture caner. Had intended to stop last weekend but it was raining so hard I took a pass. Any wing or sandwich choice in particular?

The other options mentioned also look good - I didn't realize Partamian's was so close. I'm still a little turned around. Thanks y'all!

I work in Santa Monica, so west of La Brea - I'd kill for good bbq so I'll definitely check out NYC. Thanks!

thericequeen and Prince Charming are moving from the Westside to the St. Elmo Village area - basically La Brea Boulevard & the 10 Freeway. Are there any good dining/take-out options within a one-mile radius? (think need food after butt-dragging weary day - no way am I going to cook). :)

Owing to fortuitously placed doctor appointments, I've finally managed to lunch twice at this odd little restaurant. It's sort of a schizophrenic cross between a take-out joint and a sit-down restaurant. I'd been wanting to try it for awhile. It's probably not everyone's cup o'tea but I liked it. Reyhaan is a family-run place on the corner of Jefferson Blvd. and Mesmer in Culver City. The service is a little awkward at times but very friendly. I ordered the same appetizer and entree both times I've been there and the food was consistently good.

In fact, I will be forever grateful to Reyhaan for introducing me to Kashk O Bademjan. I haven't eaten a lot of Persian food, so I was completely unfamiliar with this pureed eggplant appetizer.

I was sort of non-plussed when it first arrived. It was sort of an unpromising gray paste floating in olive oil, however, reminding myself that olive oil is one of the "good" fats, I spread some on a piece of fresh pita and took a bite. Dear lord, the flavor explosion made my tastebuds think they'd died and gone to heaven!

I think this is something that needs to sit around so the flavors can marry: The second time I tried it, it was still good but appeared to be freshly made, the flavor was not as intense.

The boneless Chicken Kabob wasn't as much of an eating adventure but it was pretty tasty: A big skewer of grilled, marinated chicken breast chunks served on a bed of Basmati rice with a fresh grilled tomato on the side. The chicken was nicely moist on both occasions and freshly grilled tomatoes are always a good thing. Rice is a little on the dry side for me but others may prefer it that way.

It isn't the cheapest place I've ever lunched but the prices aren't awful: entrees ranged from a $6.95 lunch special to $16.95 for the Soltani Kabob Beef.

All in all: Beat hell out of Denny's.

Skip Mr. Cecil's if you're looking for Texas-style barbeque. If you're looking for smoked brisket on the Westside, I second Western Smokehouse. They do a nice smoked brisket sandwich, sauce on the side. The sides, although hit and miss (coleslaw not great) are homemade and overall, good. Bring Cash.

I've tried Mr. Cecil's a couple times. The ribs are good, but the sides are so bad I no longer eat there.

I've tried

Have you tried the McCharles House in Old Town Tustin? It's the first place I ever experienced a properly made scone. They've also got killer desserts.

McCharles House Restaurant & Tea Room
335 South C St
Tustin, CA 92780

Phone 714-731-4063

Scratch the recommendation: I just ran past their web site: Things apparently have changed a lot since the last time I went. They've gone to limited days, reserved seating, a prixe fixe menu and the latest consumer reviews are not good.

Never mind.

I haven't been there in awhile (moved out of the area dagnabit!) but Favori is a nice restaurant on the outskirts of Little Saigon. It was quite a pleasant surprise the first time I went: I wasn't expecting a fine dining establishment, the friend I went with specializes in dives.

I ate there several times over the years and the food was consistently good.

Here's a link to the restaurant's website. Menus are posted so you can get some idea of what they serve and prices:

http://www.favorirestaurant.com

The food is French/Vietnamese

If you're hanging out in West Hollywood: Tango Grill on Santa Monica Boulevard near Palm, allows dogs at its outside tables. The food is pretty good, (Argentina/Italian), prices aren't bad and service has been consistently good.

Sushi Central on Palms and Overland Avenue is my new favorite takeout place (hauling food home for Japanese husband who works weird hours). It is a very attractive little restaurant and I hope to be able to sit down and eat in some day soon. The sushi we've had has been very fresh and very good. Haven't tried the sweet shrimp yet but the tuna has been fabulous.

I don't know whether they take reservations but I've never seen anyone wait long.

Sushi Central
3500 Overland Avenue
310-202-6866

Ajisai is a nice, little family-run restaurant with good sushi. It is on Palm, about two doors north of Santa Monica Blvd.. It is an easy walk from your motel, just turn right (go west) on Santa Monica Blvd. until you get to Palm. Turn right again. It is across the street from the car wash.

In the morning, you might also want to hike in the same direction to the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf for your coffee (you'll pass it on your way to Ajisai). There's an excellent news stand on the same corner as the coffee shop and the people watching is pretty good.

If Washington DC doesn't have its own version of Little Tokyo (so you can perhaps combine the bento purchase and eat sushi on the same trip), I'd suggest resorting to the net. I know you can find them on eBay.

Whoops! You specified restaurants. The Lemoncello Sorbet @ Cafe Paradiso on Wilshire Blvd., in Santa Monica.