Eat in Santa Monica: Sweet Rose Creamery

Peppermint Patty ice cream

I visited Sweet Rose Creamery, an ice cream shop on Main between Hill and Ashland in Santa Monica, twice in December. 

Both times I tried a scoop of the Peppermint Patty, a festive seasonal choice. As a fan of mint and chocolate, I thought this was quite a treat. Their ice cream is clearly made with high-quality ingredients and it's perfect to enjoy on a stroll down Main Street.

Next time I'm in the area, I might go for the Salted Caramel, Bonito Coffee, or Jam on Toast, one of their new flavors for May.

Sweet Rose Creamery

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2726 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405

Open: Monday - Thursday 3pm - 10pm, Friday - Sunday 12pm – 10pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: BIBIBOP Asian Grill

Build Your Own bowl

BIBIBOP Asian Grill is a fast-casual, pan-Asian restaurant with several locations nationally. The one I've visited a few times now is found on the Third Street Promenade at Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica.

They serve a variety of bases that you then top with a protein, veggies, and special sauces. I usually get the purple rice, steak or chicken, and a majority of the veggie options — carrots, kimchi, pickled red cabbage, cucumber, and eggs — topped with the gochujang sauce. It's everything I want in a quick, delicious, varied rice bowl: fresh ingredients, a good sized portion, and delicious sauce to unite the flavors.

I didn't realize until now that they also serve "chef curated" bowls, like the Korean Beef & Noodle, which I may order the next time I'm on the lookout for an affordable meal in the area.

BIBIBOP Asian Grill

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1401 3rd St. Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Open: Monday - Thursday 10:30am - 9pm, Friday - Sunday 10:30am - 10pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: Cafe Demitasse

Ham and Cheese Croissant

White Miso Kouign-Amann

Spinach and Cheese Croissant

Left: Breakfast Burrito

Right: Cappuccinos

Latte and Cappuccino

I visited Cafe Demitasse, a coffee shop located on 3rd and Wilshire in Santa Monica, four times in December, over the course of a couple trips to Los Angeles. 

I tried a variety of their pastries during this time: the Ham and Cheese Croissant with a gherkin affixed to the top, one that looks like a spiral I remember really liking but totally forgot the name of, the White Miso Kouign-Amann with a thick syrupy layer presented bottom-up, and the Spinach and Cheese Croissant perfect for splitting. Every pastry was quite a treat and a big reason for the repeat visits. I also really liked the Breakfast Burrito, which came with all the fixins I want — egg, potato, avocado, cheese, and some kind of meat — as well as a few sauces in special pouches. Like their beautiful pastries, their coffee is made with a lot of care and precision. My dining companion and I enjoyed our respective lattes and cappuccinos.

It is very likely I will return to Cafe Demitasse when I'm looking for a caffeinated beverage and an innovative pastry in Santa Monica. Since it seems like their pastry selection changes, I'm not sure what I'll have next, but I know it'll be well-made and photogenic. 

Cafe Demitasse

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1149 3rd St., Santa Monica, CA 90403

Open: Monday - Wednesday 7am - 5pm, Thursday - Saturday 7am - 6pm, Sunday 8am - 6pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

The Godmother made with prosciutto, ham, capi cola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and Provolone cheese 


The Meatball sandwich made with homemade meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and parmesan cheese

While visiting Los Angeles in December, we stopped by Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery on Lincoln and Broadway in Santa Monica for lunch. I've been a couple times before, but it had been a few years.

At Italian delis, I seem to veer towards hot sandwiches that are often entrees put between two slices of bread. This time I went for a classic: the Meatball sandwich. It was made with homemade meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and parmesan cheese — everything I want in a meatball sandwich. My dining companion tried The Godmother, a signature sandwich made with prosciutto, ham, capi cola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and Provolone cheese. He enjoyed it as well.

Beyond the great service, no wait (maybe we were lucky), and fair prices, I also really like exploring the grocery part of Bay Cities. We picked up a few options for our stay in town: meatballs and sauce, pasta, mozzarella, and some sweets for good measure.

Next time I'm in the area I will definitely stop by for lunch, maybe trying another hot sandwich like the Eggplant Parm or Sausage.

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

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1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Open: Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 6pm

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Work It, Santa Monica: Leah Harper Cohen of Conscious Market Co-Op

Leah is wearing an outfit by Marina Leight Atelier. You can follow Leah and her company, Conscious Market Co-Op, on Instagram.

Spotted on the Third Street Promenade.

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Eat in Santa Monica: Cha Cha Chicken

Cha Cha Chicken with Fried Plantains and Dirty Rice and Black Beans

Last week I stopped by Cha Cha Chicken, a Caribbean restaurant on Ocean and Pico in Santa Monica, to catch up with old friends. Since they're known for their Jamaican jerk chicken, I ordered a dish featuring this speciality: the Cha Cha Chicken with Fried Plantains and Dirty Rice and Black Beans on the side.

Although the chicken didn't have as much flavor as anticipated, it was moist and I really enjoyed the sides. Next time I may upgrade the spiciness from "Mild" to "Mix," or try one of the other tantalizing dishes they offer, like the Coconut Fried Chicken, Jerk Chicken Enchiladas, or Chilaquiles.

If you've visited Cha Cha Chicken recently, what do you recommend trying?

Cha Cha Chicken
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1906 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 9:45pm, Friday 11am - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm, Sunday 10am - 9:30pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: Little Prince

Eggs Baked in the Wood Oven with smoked cauliflower, green chermoula, and flatbread


Nine Grain Pancake with market preserves, cultured butter, and smoked maple 


Right: Cappuccino

Last weekend I visited Little Prince, a hip New American restaurant on Main and Hollister in Santa Monica, for brunch with my mom for the first time. We tried a couple dishes that we liked: the Eggs Baked in the Wood Oven and the Nine Grain Pancake.

The eggs were served with smoked cauliflower, green chermoula, and flatbread. The chermoula gave the eggs a nice flavor and dimension, while the flatbread was warm and freshly baked. The pancake, which takes a half hour to bake, is more of a healthy cake than a traditional pancake in its height and texture. I tried to get a bit of the pancake, preserves, butter, and maple syrup in each forkful. Given its size, we only ate some of the pancake in the restaurant, slowly chipping away at it later at home.

If you've visited Little Prince recently, what do you recommend trying?

Little Prince
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2424 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5:30pm - 11pm
Brunch: Saturday - Sunday 9am - 3pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: Lunetta All Day

Polenta & Eggs made with a poached egg, polenta, shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes, ham, and arugula 

A few weeks ago, I visited Lunetta All Day, a cute brunch and dinner spot on Pico near Cloverfield in Santa Monica, for the first time for brunch with friends.

I tried the Polenta & Eggs made with a poached egg, polenta, shiitake mushrooms, tomatoes, ham, and arugula. The polenta was creamy and the eggs were well-made. This includes a little bit of everything you want in a brunch dish.

If you've visited Lunetta All Day recently, what do you recommend trying?

Lunetta All Day
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2420 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405
Open: Monday - Saturday 8am - 9pm, Sunday 8am - 3pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: The Veranda

Scottish Smoked Salmon Platter with tomatoes, cucumber, pickled red onion, capers, spring radish, hardboiled egg, bagel, and herbed cream cheese

My mom took me out to a birthday breakfast at The Veranda, the restaurant inside The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, for the first time last week.

Since it was a special occasion (although any occasion would do), I ordered lox. Specifically, I tried the Scottish Smoked Salmon Platter with tomatoes, cucumber, pickled red onion, capers, spring radish, hardboiled egg, bagel, and herbed cream cheese. It was excellent as expected. We also got refilling cups of coffee, which caffeinated me and then some.

Besides the spot-on brunch menu, I'd also recommend visiting The Veranda because of the ocean view of the Santa Monica beach below. Seriously.

If you've visited The Veranda recently, what do you recommend trying?

The Veranda
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1415 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Daily 6:30am - 10pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: Blue Daisy Café

Cuban Sandwich made with ham, roasted pork, Dijon mustard, pickles, grilled onions, bell peppers, and pepper jack cheese, served with Parmesan fries

I tried Blue Daisy Café, located on Broadway and 6th in Santa Monica, while catching up with old friends last week. It was our first visit to this über-hip brunch spot, which boasts as many brunch options as it does a line out the door.

I enjoyed the Cuban Sandwich, which was made with ham, roasted pork, Dijon mustard, pickles, grilled onions, bell peppers, and pepper jack cheese, and served with Parmesan fries. The sandwich had a lot of flavor and all the ingredients complemented the meat well. I would definitely order it again.

If you've visited Blue Daisy Café recently, what do you recommend trying?

Blue Daisy Café
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609 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Daily 8am - 10pm

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Eat in Santa Monica: Little Ruby

Shrimp Avocado Salad made with cherry tomatoes, radish, snow peas, bibb lettuce, arugula, chives, and mustard-cider vinaigrette

Little Ruby is a delightful spot mere feet away from the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. They serve breakfast, salads, and burgers with an Australian spin.

When I visited a few weeks ago to catch up with an old friend, I ordered the Shrimp Avocado Salad made with cherry tomatoes, radish, snow peas, bibb lettuce, arugula, chives, and mustard-cider vinaigrette. I really liked it. The shrimp was just-cooked, and all of the ingredients complemented each other well. I would definitely visit in the future.

If you've visited Little Ruby before, what do you recommend trying?

Little Ruby
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109 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Daily 8am - 11pm

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Work It, Santa Monica: Elim

You can follow Elim on Instagram.

Spotted at Santa Monica Place on 3rd and Broadway.
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Eat in Santa Monica: Huckleberry

Country Breakfast made with Niman Ranch bacon, scrambled eggs, buttermilk biscuit with house preserves, Weiser Family Farms fingerling potatoes, and arugula


Caffe Latte

I visited Huckleberry, an adorable cafe and bakery located on Wilshire and 10th in Santa Monica, for the first time this past weekend. A great place to catch up with old friends, my friends and I enjoyed our brunch over the course of several hours.

I tried the Country Breakfast made with Niman Ranch bacon, scrambled eggs, buttermilk biscuit with house preserves, Weiser Family Farms fingerling potatoes, and arugula. It was quite delicious. I also liked my huge latte.

If you've visited Huckleberry recently, what do you recommend trying?

Huckleberry
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1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica CA 90401
Open: Daily 8 - 5

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Eat in Santa Monica: Caffe Bella

Bagel and Lox made with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, and capers


Farro Salad with chicken

While visiting my family in Santa Monica this past weekend, we stopped by Caffe Bella for a quick bite to eat. Located on Third Street Promenade, this cafe serves coffee, panini sandwiches, salads, and gelato. My Bagel and Lox made with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, and capers was everything I needed after a short flight. My mom enjoyed her Farro Salad with added chicken as well.

If you've visited Caffe Bella, what do you recommend trying?

Caffe Bella
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1400 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Open: Daily 8 - 10

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Work It, Santa Monica: Anne of Beauty Bitten

This is Anne of Beauty Bitten. Spotted on the Third Street Promenade.
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P.S. This photo was previously published on Refinery29.

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THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR MAROON

3RD STREET PROMENADE

This is the second girl I spotted while strolling down the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. She has created an outfit with a somewhat romantic feel -- the tights' rich maroon color and floral designs, the textured headband, and the heels with the ankle-straps all add to this delicate, yet modern get-up. Thoughts?

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LACE TIME

3RD STREET PROMENADE

I spotted this girl as I was taking a stroll down the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. If her brilliant red hair doesn't get you, then her lace blouse will.

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