Summer cooking can be a drag since most Los Angeles apartments do not have air conditioners. Disclosure: I have not been paid to endorse any company, brand, blog, or product.
During our first August in Los Angeles, our beloved cat got heatstroke and we had to dunk her in a bathtub of cold water to cool her off. Poor kitty!
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| Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Carbtastic Blueberry Buttermilk Pancake |
1. Cafe Crepe of Santa Monica
2. Enzo's of Westwood
3. Wafflechix of Westwood
Cafe Cafe is in the heart of the Santa Monica Third Street Promenade. You will need to trek a distance past enticing and expensive stores including kid-magnet Puzzle Zoo. If you are super hungry parents I suggest taking a route to the crepe bar without walking past the attractive toy store if you are in a hurry.
I have good memories associated with this place because I took my girlfriends to this affordable crepery for one of our women's retreat outings.
How much will the food cost? My chestnut cream crepe with the addition of fresh, sliced strawberries was $8.50. My husband's smoked beef and Emmentaler swiss crepe was $7.50. I recommend that one with mustard.
My husband and I loved the prices of the crepes. You can eat lunch or dinner for about $8 before tax and tip. You are not limited to thin pancakes. You can also order sandwiches, burgers, and breakfast items.
That's a bargain in Los Angeles. It's not 100% casual family dining because it does include a full bar. If you are over 21, you might enjoy the signature alcoholic drink: the Nutella Martini. My husband warns that if you brave that and a sweet crepe, you may feel nauseous. However, having just the hazelnut chocolate drink is enjoyable.
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| Photo Credit: Renee Marchol Lunch Date with Hubby |
The lighting is dim and good for dates with your spouse if you choose the black leather, tufted, high-backed booths.
I prefer this to floor to ceiling glass and neon furniture that you see at some bubble tea/crepe cafes. However, the wooden chairs and portable tables are very close together so you are in for a tight squeeze.
What's the advantage in this? You can see your table neighbor's food and decide if you want to order it next time. Does the Parisian hot dog with bechamel sauce smell appealing? Are the fries perfectly seasoned? You will be close enough to the next table to examine this.
It is also a great place to read as a singleton and sip Irish Coffee. However, the cafe can be packed and the wait may take as long as 45 minutes.
Enzo's
Can you beat $2.25 per slice for good pizza? I'd say "no". If you are buying something other than Enzo's it's probably bad pizza for that kind of price.
The spaghetti with sausage is $10.50. The spaghetti sauce is has a pleasant bitterness to it and the sausage meat tastes like it doesn't rely on filler. I choose it because I don't digest cheese well and I think it is flavorful even when I ask for it sans cheese.
The decor is dark with rough -looking stone and white candles in red glass holders. Large photos from the Godfather movie adorn the walls. You'll hear Frank Sinatra every time you visit. I notice most college patrons do take out or order delivery instead of dining in. This was a romantic, dine-in experience without spending more than $20.
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| Photo Credit: Renee Marchol and Husband on a waffle date at Wafflechix |
Prepare for something quite different. I think it's funny that Betty Crocker describes a chicken and waffle sandwich with the adjective, "mantastic".
The first time I bit into a waffle sandwich I thought I tasted bitter playdough. Instead it turned out to be small pickled red onions. It was an unusual flavor I grew to enjoy.
The waffles are soft in the sandwich but the bacon is crisp. I like the fried chicken in the sandwich because their recipe is less salty than fried chicken that you'd find at KFC or Popeye's. I also like the square pendant lamps covered in red cloth with a chicken motif. The waffle sandwich order is about $11 and it can feed two hungry adults. The ambience is restful. The music played includes Beyonce and Etta James.
The place is clean and you don't smell grease. You can also order Morrocan mint tea if you don't feel like overindulging. I recommend the sweet potato fries with ketchup though even if you must give up dessert to save on calories. The chocolate shake sounds ordinary but my husband says that it is delicious.
This is a carbtastic meal so I avoid pairing a sweet drink with a starchy meal. If you are thirsty, try their sweet tea if you choose to order a light meal rather than a "fully-loaded" lunch.
Save Money This Summer and Treat Yourself!
