Visit in Los Angeles: Manhattan Beach

Back when I made this more of a lifestyle blog, I had intended on maintaining several series simultaneously. Besides highlighting local eats, I also wanted to share cool places to visit. Years later, I'm finally fulfilling this goal.

While in Los Angeles last weekend, my friends and I stopped by Manhattan Beach. A city of its own, it has one of the most southern beaches before you hit Orange County, just south of El Segundo and north of Hermosa Beach. I'm not sure if it was an off-day or a typical Friday, but barely anyone was around. We had pretty much all the sand and sun to ourselves, which made practicing acroyoga in public less embarrassing. Compared to other beaches in LA, like Santa Monica or Venice, this one seems a lot cleaner and at least less crowded during our visit. These are tall orders to fulfill for a beach in LA County. Mission accomplished.

Poll: How'd I do? Thumbs up or down for this new series?

Manhattan Beach
Website | Yelp
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Open: Daily

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Eat in West Hollywood: Norms

Veggie Omelette with mushrooms, tomato, onion, bell pepper, jack and cheddar cheese, and avocado, served with hash browns and toast

Like many people who grew up in Los Angeles, I've been going to Norms ever since I was a kid. It's a classic diner with all the food you know and love. On my most recent trips to LA, I've made it a point to eat there because I know I'll enjoy a good meal for not very much. (Sometimes I need a break from being disappointed by overrated brunch spots and to just get back to the basics.)

My favorite dish at the moment is the Veggie Omelette, which comes with every vegetable you want, plus a good serving of cheese and avocado on top. I also like their breakfast entrees because they come with the options of hash browns and toast.

The clientele features a little bit of everyone: hip people from West Hollywood who may or may not be The Next Big Thing as well as families, churchgoers, and truckers. They have 17 locations in LA and Orange County so there is most likely a Norms near you.

Norms
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
470 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048
Open: Daily

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Work It, Los Angeles: Jing Pan

Jing is wearing a kimono from Target, Equipment blouse, Forever 21 belt, tights from Delia's, Bite lipstick in Rhubarb, and her ombré was done by Gina G at The Bees Knees Studio.

This is the lady that brought us to Los Angeles: Ms. Jing Pan in all her glory. She's been on the blog before; she's a blog veteran after all.

"Spotted" at Echo Park Lake.
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Eat in Los Angeles: Kings Road Cafe

Poached Eggs with black forest ham and mozzarella, served with homemade country sourdough toast and breakfast potatoes

While visiting Los Angeles this past weekend, I tried Kings Road Cafe on Beverly. Being the poached eggs fiend that I am (seriously), I ordered the poached eggs with black forest ham and mozzarella. The whole meal deserved an A+. The eggs were poached to perfection. The sourdough toast was thick and complemented the ham and cheese nicely. The potatoes were great for dipping the gooey insides of the eggs.

The meal was about $9, which for brunch in these parts, doesn't seem so bad. As we were leaving, we spotted Jane Lynch eating outside, which is apparently not that rare an occurrence.

Click here for more photos from Kings Road Cafe.

Kings Road Cafe
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
8361 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048
Open: Daily 6 - 6

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Coffee in Los Angeles: Intelligentsia Coffee

Iced Latte and Iced Mocha

This past weekend I visited my old friend Jing Pan in Los Angeles. While we were there, we stopped by Intelligentsia in Silver Lake. I've heard good things about this coffee shop, and being that it's in Silver Lake, I figured that it'd be a good spot for staring at hipster types.

Both of these proved to be true. I ordered an Iced Mocha, a tall glass of heaven at five bucks a pop. Since I'm so used to paying ridiculous prices for brunch and the like in SF, I was only a bit fazed by the price tag. (And I had my credit card, so... what consequences?) Fortunately, it was the best dang mocha I've ever had, and worth every point off my credit score.

As for the people watching, that was pretty satisfying as well. The internet told me that Silver Lake is crawling with grimy, hirsute hipsters with more of daddy's money than sense. The people I encountered were clean-looking folk who seemed quite accustomed to dropping ten dollars on a couple drinks.

This place could easily be placed in the Mission... which, if you're out there Intelligentsia Overlords, can you make this happen? Pretty please with a handlebar mustache on top? (Maybe they are.)

Intelligentsia Coffee
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp
3922 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Open: Sunday - Wednesday 6am - 8pm, Thursday - Saturday 6am - 11pm

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Work It, Berk: Meet Ciara

Ciara is wearing a thrifted sweater, American Apparel skirt and socks, boots from Buffalo Exchange, her mom's scarf, and a denim jacket she found at a party. More photos here.

Spotted on Bancroft and Telegraph.
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Eat in San Francisco: Dandelion Chocolate

PB&J Sandwich made with peanut butter and raspberry ganache with a light brownie crust


Dulce de Leche Bar made with feuilletine sable, dulce de leche, and chocolate caramel ganache

Hey, guys! It's been awhile. Since my last post, I've visited Dandelion Chocolate on Valencia in the Mission twice. Both times, I was thoroughly satisfied by their delicately prepared dessert bars.

The first bar I tried was the definite standout. It's so good, in fact, that I've been daydreaming about it for weeks. It's the PB&J Sandwich, a gourmet throwback to an elementary school staple. It has three layers of peanut butter ganache, raspberry ganache, and a light brownie crust. In short, it's rich, delicious, and friggin' perfect. Like with every course I've had at Nopa for brunch, you'll need to take a moment or two between chocolate-y bites just to accept the fact that food could be this good. Since it is so decadent, you may want to share with a friend (good luck) or get it to-go and eat it later (more likely).

The second bar was the Dulce de Leche, which is made with feuilletine sable, dulce de leche, chocolate caramel ganache, and salt flakes on top. It is also quite good. It's not as rich as the PB&J, but you still know you're eating something special. Try to get a bit of salt in each bite to accentuate the dynamic flavor.

I still have yet to try the their Papua New Guinea S'more Bar, which is #20 on 7x7's The Big Eat 2014. (I know what I'll be having the next time I'm in the city.) Fortunately for the East Bay bound, their chocolate bars are available at several retailers including the Berkeley Student Food Collective.

More photos from Dandelion Chocolate right here!

Dandelion Chocolate
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Yelp

740 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Sunday - Thursday 10 - 9, Friday - Saturday 10 - 10

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I will be a part of Fasttrack, a fashion career round-table hosted by FAST, tomorrow night. Come ask me about stuff!

I tried the Salted Caramel Latte roll at Cinnaholic recently. Although not as pretty as the original, it satisfied my sweet tooth.

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