Vienna Cafe on Melrose

 The Vienna Cafe, located on Melrose' strip of shopping, is famous for their extremely large menu, half of which is dedicated to an amazing variety of breakfast entrees.
The other day, my friend Anna and I made our way down to melrose to shop of course, and to also find some good grubbin'. We entered a store in search of black high-wasted pants (which was made successful) but also was recommend the cafe a couple blocks down, Vienna Cafe (always trust locals for prime eateries). We were told the food is amazing, the atmosphere is refreshing, and the service is friendly and welcoming. She was right.
Even though it was slightly raining the day we ate there, we sat outside on a covered patio with heaters and comfy chairs. The lady that recommended the place told us to ask for a waiter who worked their whom she was friendly with and he would take care of us. Right away, we were greeted at our table by the waiter who was recommended, and he made us feel even more comfortable and excited to be their (like we were actually somebody important). Our actual waitress was a sweetheart and made small talk with us every time she came by to refill, take away or check up.
So now the good stuff, the menu. When our waitress handed us the menu, Anna and I were dumbfounded as to what the hell we were supposed to get. I love breakfast food, and their breakfast menu was out of this world. They have everything you can imagine and such a large variety of Omelets! Really good ones too. You can mix and match side dishes (which Anna did, great veggies and rice pilaf) or get something fantastic right off the menu, which I decided to do. Unfortunately, I did not try their breakfast yet, but I seriously got the best panini with an amazing caesar side salad.
I loved this panini so much that I actually memorized the ingredients and made it for dinner last night for myself and my friend Devin so she can taste the amazingness. This panini is vegetarian too, which I did not do on purpose ( I realized all my entries have been vegetarian so far, but all so good!). It was made on two slices of great panini bread (not sure exactly the bread) with one side spread with pesto and the other side spread with goat cheese. Inside, their was a sauté of spinach, grilled onions, roasted red bell peppers and tomatoes. Let me tell you, This panini was packed with flavor and so savory and delicious I am still thinking about it. The caesar side salad was so fresh, made up with their own caesar dressing on freshly cut romaine lettuce, freshly shaved parmesan and seasoned croutons.
I almost forgot the best part of the meal! Before you get your food, they kindly give you some bread and the most amazing, yet simple starter dip to feast on while you wait for your meal. They give you about four different types of bread to sample and the dip, o my the dip, we got extra because we could not get enough of it. actually, I am not quite sure you would actually call it a dip, more like a ceviche. So this ceviche included: sliced tomatoes (like a pico-de-gio),  pickled cucumber, onions, a small amount or raisins, finely grated parmesan and cheddar cheese, and a garlic parmesan oil with some other spices. It was not normal. I filled up on that ceviche too much, almost couldn't finish my food, almost.
In total, This meal for the both of us did not even cost $20! My panini was only $9 and Anna's two sides were a collective $7 (and the "sides" were HUGE). I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. I really don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu so I suggest you try it! And the prices are extremely feasible.
Forgot the camera that day so sorry I do not have a picture, but here is the website for the cafe. The menu on this website is not the full menu for some reason, my panini and other meals I was looking at are not on their! But it gives you the idea :)
http://www.viennacafe.com/index.htm
Cheers!
Carly J

Lily's Cafe..Best Breakfast Burrito HANDS DOWN

Oooo Good ole' Lily's. Located in the most beautiful area, Malibu, Lily's is sure to be the best breakfast or lunch spot to start your day right. This cafe is where I spend most of my time when my girlfriends and I are back in town from school. The day usually goes like this: sleep in, get ready at a leisurely pace, throw on a bathing suit, comfy clothes and grab the girls, blast great music down the canyon while ordering our favorite meal of the day (usually takes about 25 mins to prepare the burrito), park our patuttis at our usual table, and indulge in the most amazing breakfast burrito. Usually, followed by a walk on the beach, or just a nap on the beach from being so utterly satisfied.
Lily's has got to be Malibu's most well known cafe. They do serve an array of foods, but to tell you the truth, I have yet to have anything more than the Pancho Burrito.
Huge and mighty (even a small) this Burrito is made with love, eggs, beans, onions, peppers, cheese, tomatoes and I add bacon, all wrapped up in a warm delicious tortilla. This burrito sounds ordinary, but I can assure you, it is NOT. Beans in a breakfast burrito can throw some people off guard, but these beans make the burrito. They're more like breakfast beans, not even quite sure what breakfast beans are, but they make them. They also make their own hot sauce which will kick up anyone's need for fire, but I like to smother mine in ketchup and tapatio sauce. This burrito will fill you up till dinner, and comes at a price of only $6.50 (thats with adding bacon). I recently have seen their veggie burrito and their burgers, and they look extremely appetizing. All at really low, reasonable prices.

The staff at Lily's are so welcoming, and sadly, know my friends and I by first name (real locals), but I assure you, make your way down to Lily's to try their Pancho Burrito or anything else on their menu and you will not be disappointed.

Cheers!
Carly J

Natural Cafe..Helathy, Great prices, Delicious food

Hello Everyone!

So yes, the Natural Cafe is pretty much well known for their healthy, vegetarian or vegan entrees which sound to most people as bland and boring. But let me tell you, this place is definitely one of my local favorites. They have a fantastic selection to choose from, from mexican, to sandwhiches, to burgers (turkey and veggie of  course), soups, salads and BOMB smoothies. Today I went to lunch with my mom and dad and tried something different form what I usually get, the Veggie Quesadilla. 

First of all, My usual meal at this place is either the Turkey Burger or the Buddah Burritto, which are both so amazing. The Turkey burger comes with grilled onions and the works, with your choice of cheese, on this delicious healthy grain bun. Packed with flavor, and I love to dip it in the ketchup...I do not know what kind of organic amazing ketchup they have, but let me tell you..it's nuts..I've been on the look out for this ketchup for months, I'm almost about to order it online or at least steal one of theirs. 

Next, the BUDDAH BURRITTO..this burrito is not ordinary. It is unreal. Mind you, There is a Natural cafe in westlake where my mom lives and one in SB where I go to school...so I have had plenty of time to know the menu backwards and forth by now and know exactly what to get :)....anyways, this burrito is great. It is HUGE first of all, so it will fill you up until dinner no doubt, sometimes I wont even have dinner and just go straight to desert because of how filling it was. But you gotta get extra guac on the side, and I douse mine in tapatio, love spice, gotta love spice. The veggies are cooked to perfection inside this warm wheat tortilla. This also comes with their famous brown rice (inside the burrito) and a side salad, which i usually get the lemon herb dressing because it is so refreshing and delicious, cools you off a bit after bites of the burrito. 

Now, the Veggie Quesadilla was what I tried today, fantastic. Almost like the burrito, This quesadilla is packed with delicious veggies, cheese and comes with a side salad. Also with sour cream and guac, doused with loads of tapatio. This quesadilla is easier to eat than the burrito, and does not come with rice inside, so if you were thinking of cutting carbs a little, this is your choice. I also ordered mine with a smoothie. All of their smoothies are soooo good. I got the Maui mama (Huge fan of tropical drinks) and it was so refreshing with my quesadilla. Definitely have to get a smoothie with a smaller meal.

The best part of this place is that the ambiance is very soothing and relaxing. The waiters are very kind and you leave the restaurant feeling happy and full. The prices are very reasonable, especially for a college kid! 

Here is their menu in case you were interested in trying it out soon! http://www.thenaturalcafe.com/menu.php

Cheers!

Carly J

First day on the Job

Hello to all my fellow bloggers/readers! I have begun this blog to intrigue food lovers and even ordinary individuals who eat food (yes, that is most people) , of the most delicious, worldly and of course, inexpensive meals within the LA-Santa Barbara area. I have been a food lover since the day I came out of the womb. My mother, who has been a chef for over 20 years, has opened my mind and pallet to a variety of foods from diverse cultures around the world. There is very little foods that I do not like or will not try, so hopefully my blogs of meals will be fit for everyone. Being a college student at Santa Barbara City (soon to be UCSB), money is always tight, even with a job and parents who give you an allowance which seems to be enough for the month, but really only lasts a week (especially when you spend all of it on food, guilty!). I really try and find lil' nook and cranny places that have great food at reasonable prices because my biggest pet peeve is being dissatisfied by a meal that i spent good money on. NO WAY...ruins my day...so I am here to help! Ill let you know of the foods I eat (also includes deserts!), how much it was, a detailed critique of the food, and my rating. I hope everyone enjoys what I have to say and leaves with a new meal to try or at least is somewhat educated on new foods and places! Cheers!