Category Archives: Glendale

August 30, 2026 · 11:06 am

The Best LA Soft Serve Spots to Cool You Down

It’s hot outside! As we’re all trying to survive this record-breaking heat wave, here’s a special summer edition of Consuming LA featuring a ranked list of the twelve best places to get amazing frozen soft serve treats in Los Angeles. Please stay cool and consume responsibly!

12. Bumsan Organic Milk Bar (Koreatown). This little pink shop on Western Avenue serves super premium soft serve from the leading organic dairy producer in Korea. Pro tip: get the Croffle SoulMate, which combines your choice of soft serve (I love the Taro Milk Tea flavor) with a crispy, caramelized croissant-waffle hybrid.

11. Honeymee (Downtown, Little Tokyo, Gardena, Koreatown). This small chain serves creamy goodness served with a yummy chunk of honeycomb. It’s the bee’s knees!

10. Magpies Softserve (Tarzana, Silver Lake, Highland Park). As a soft serve specialist, Magpies makes some of the best ice cream in town. Their rotating flavors include Thai Tea, Roasted Strawberry, Mexican Hot Chocolate, and my favorite, Corn Almond.

9. Pressed Juicery (multiple locations). This soft serve is vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free, and made with healthier ingredients like fruit and vegetable juices, almonds and coconuts. It’s also incredibly delicious. I recommend the vanilla or chocolate flavor draped with almond butter.

8. The Bigg Chill Frozen Yogurt (Westwood). This is one of the very best yogurt shops in town, with lots of great flavors and even more great toppings, including several different kinds of cookie dough.

7. Indigo Cow (West LA/Sawtelle, Echo Park). This newer addition to the LA ice cream scene serves high-end Hokkaido-style soft serve. Get the Yaki Imo Brulee, which is topped with brûléed sweet potato puree (or pumpkin puree in October!), or the M.B.R., which is topped with mochi, brown sugar syrup and roasted soybean powder.

6. Humphrey Yogart (Sherman Oaks). Located inside Gelson’s Market in Sherman Oaks is another one of the best frozen yogurt shops in LA. They offer something for everyone (including low carb options), but their speciality is custom-blended frozen concoctions exactly per your specifications.

5. Lupaba (Koreatown). This not a frozen dessert shop, but rather an awesome new Italian/Korean pasta bar. If you’re lucky when you eat there, they will have a dessert offering of “BTS,” which is Black Truffle Soft Serve with Brown Butter, and if you love truffle like I do, it will blow you away.

4. Milk Bar (Mid-City). If you’ve never had this dessert shop’s Cereal Milk Ice Cream, you are missing out big time! The soft serve itself tastes like the milk remaining in the cereal bowl once you’ve eaten the cornflakes.

3. Go Greek Yogurt (Studio City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Mid-City/Larchmont, Brentwood). There’s no hotter food trend right now than protein-rich, high quality, frozen Greek yogurt. The yogurt at Go Greek is pricey and the lines can be long, but it is phenomenal and highly addictive.

2. Hokey Pokey LA (Century City). Three brothers from New Zealand brought their homeland’s famous toffee-infused soft serve ice cream to Century City Mall, and we are the incredibly lucky beneficiaries.

1. Yoga-urt (Santa Monica, Echo Park, Glendale, Granada Hills). It’s vegan and a healthier option, but that aside, it’s the best tasting soft serve in the city. The Chocolate Bliss, Strawberry Serenity and Pistachio Passion flavors are all incredible, but the Peanut Butter Prana is truly to die for.

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Filed under Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Century City, Downtown, Echo Park, Gardena, Glendale, Granada Hills, Highland Park, Koreatown, Larchmont, Mid-City, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Tarzana, West LA, Westwood

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December 31, 2025 · 10:43 am

The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2025

Caring is sharing so it’s time again to share my annual year-end list. With the new year about to begin, I wish you all a year of good health, personal and professional fulfillment and, of course, next-level eats. So without further ado, here is my list of the top ten things I consumed and wrote about this past year.

10. Squid Ink Xiao Long Bao from Little Fatty. If you’re not eating at this super cool Culver City eatery with amazing craft cocktails and awesome Taiwanese soul food, you’re doing it wrong. I love everything I’ve had there, especially this version of soup dumplings.

Basterma Brisket Sandwich with hand-carved Basterma Brisket, Pickled Persian Cucumber, Chaman Spread and Swiss Cheese on freshly baked Pita Bread.

9. Basterma Brisket Sandwich from Iii Mas Bakery and Deli. Until they open their planned brick and mortar space serving their insanely good Armenian brisket sandwiches, you can only order to go, drive to a parking lot in Glendale and wait at a bright red door until someone emerges from their ghost kitchen to bring you your sandwich prize. But definitely worth it.

Uncle Tetsu Original Japanese Cheesecake

8. Original Japanese Cheesecake from Uncle Tetsu’s. Japanese cheesecakes are way different from their American cousins. They’re much lighter, fluffier and delicate. I’m obsessed with the ones from Uncle’s Tetsu.

7. Pork Spareribs from The Mulberry. With its hip and cozy vibe, cool cocktails and elevated Korean dishes, The Mulberry on Sawtelle is my favorite new restaurant in LA. When you go, make sure to order these perfectly grilled and mouthwateringly delicious pork spareribs.

Scallop Crudo with Hokkaido Scallops, Cilantro Vinaigrette and Persimmon

6. Scallop Crudo from Budoknoki. This modern and intimate Japanese Izakaya does everything right and has incredible food. My favorite dish is their perfect scallop “snack.” It’s one of the best crudos I’ve ever consumed.

Mama Chang’s Marinated Bone-in Ribeye SteakC

5. Mama Chang’s Marinated Bone-in Ribeye from Super Peach. David Chang (of Momofuku fame) is my favorite chef in the world and has recently opened Super Peach, his second LA restaurant after Majordomo, in Century City Mall of all places. This phenomenal juicy ribeye steak is my favorite thing on the menu.

4. Shawarma Rubbed Oyster Mushrooms from Mazal. With a good friend who is vegan, I’ve had to up my game on finding vegan fare for the past couple years and have made many awesome food discoveries. The Israeli vegetarian cuisine at Mazal is across-the-board excellent, but the best of all is their phenomenal air-fried Shawarma Rubbed Oyster Mushrooms.

“The Prent” Sandwich with Pastrami, Swiss Cheese, Cabbage Salad and House Dressing on a Roasted Jalapeño Bagel

3. “The Prent” Pastrami Sandwich on a Roasted Jalapeño Bagel from Uncle Stevey’s Bagels. There are many impressive bagel joints right now in LA, but none are on the level of Uncle Stevey’s. Their thoughtfulness and attention to detail is staggering. The Prent, which is only served on weekends and only from 10:30am until they close at 1:30pm and is made on your choice of bagel (I highly recommend the Roasted Jalapeño), is unbelievably delish.

Mala Lamb Sausage Pizza with Lamb Sausage, Kendall Farms Creme Fraiche, Red Bell Pepper, Smoked Provola, Cilantro Flowers, Shaved Shallot, Tomato Pulp, Pecorino Romano, Black Pepper, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Lemon and XXHEAT Mala Spiced Chili

2. Mala Lamb Sausage Pizza from Pizzeria Sei. This is a pizzeria for foodies and my current favorite in the city. They serve individual-sized Neopolitan-style pizzas on some the best chewy crust I’ve ever tasted. The spicy Mala Lamb Sausage Pizza is especially extraordinary and a must-have if it’s on the menu when you go.

Meat Jun Plate Lunch (Egg-Battered Ribeye Beef Slices with Meat Jun Sauce) served with Purple Rice and Potato-Mac Salad

1. Meat Jun Plate Lunch from Broken Mouth. Three things to know: 1. This Korean-Hawaiian homestyle food counter is in a low-rent food court downtown; 2. Ordering should ideally be done online in advance to avoid a long wait; and 3. The Meat Jun is transcendent and will change your life. It’s the best thing I consumed in 2025.

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The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2023

It’s that time once again for my annual list of the 10 best things I consumed and posted about during the past year. I hope one or more make your to do list in 2024. Happy New Year!

Uni Toast with Avocado Crema, Onion Aoli, Jang-a-jji Cucumbers and Smoked Trout Roe from Tokki

10. Uni Toast from Tokki in Koreatown. One of my favorite newer restaurants is this modern Korean tapas spot in the heart of K-Town. I’ve loved everything I’ve tried on the menu, especially their thoughtful spin on Uni Toast.

Chicken Shawarma Plate with Tahini, Red Cabbage, White Cabbage, Israeli Salad and Pickles from Tel Aviv Grill

9. Chicken Shawarma Plate from Tel Aviv Grill in Encino, North Hollywood and Woodland Hills. This is my favorite Middle Eastern place in the City and their shaved-to-order Chicken Shawarma is metzuyan (excellent)! Pick out your sides when your order is ready and don’t forget the phenomenal fresh baked pita bread, crispy french fries and fried eggplant.

Soon Tofu (aka Soon Dubu) with Beef Dumplings from Seoul House of Tofu

8. Soon Tofu from Seoul House of Tofu in West LA. This is my regular go-to; my ride or die; the dish I eat the most when I dine out. I order this Korean tofu stew medium spicy with beef dumplings, but it can be customized many different ways and ordered as a combo with Hot Stone Bibimbap, Galbi or Bulgogi. It’s a good choice in any weather, but nothing beats it on a cold or rainy night.

Trio of Shellfish including Baked Mussel, Clam and Shiitake Scallop from Sushi Sasabune

7. Trio of Shellfish from Sushi Sasabune in Brentwood. This has been one of my favorite sushi bars for decades and, along with its sister restaurants in Beverly Hills and Glendale, serves one of the best omakase in town. Your adventure starts off with this glorious trio of clam, baked mussel and shiitake scallop.

6. Duck Leg Bread Pudding at Pasjoli in Santa Monica. I love a savory bread pudding and this one at Chef Dave Beran’s elevated French Bistro is incredible. However, you’re going to need to splurge and get (via pre-order) his signature pressed duck meal for 2 in order to get the bread pudding. But it’s worth it.

5. Pizza with Lamb Sausage, Asiago, Confit Tomato, Rapini and Pecorino from Gjelina in Venice. This Abbot Kinney mainstay bakes some of the tastiest pizzas in town, and this meaty pie is my favorite of them all. That’s amore!

4. Babka Pie from Winston Pies in Brentwood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. Custard pie meets chocolate babka and the result is to die for. Unfortunately, it’s only available around the Jewish High Holidays which occur in September and/or October. Here’s hoping they add it to their permanent rotation.

3. Dirty Chicken from Citrin in Santa Monica. This amazing signature dish of Chef Josiah Citrin is juicy baked Jidori Chicken coated in Panko, Preserved Lemon and Confit Garlic. Formerly only available at fine dining establishment Citrin, you can now also get it at their new fast casual joint, Augie’s on Main.

2. Black Sesame Bingsoo at Sul & Beans in Koreatown. This Korean dessert of shaved creamy ice, red beans and house-made chewy rice cakes is all the rage in K-Town these days. My favorite of the 14 flavor combos offered at Sul & Beans is the Black Sesame one. It’s sweet and savory perfection.

Queso Relleno with Edam Cheese, Ground Pork, Olives and Capers at Chichen Itza Restaurant

1. Queso Relleno at Chichen Itza Restaurant in Downtown LA. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town and it specializes in Yucatan cuisine. They make their own corn tortillas and are famous for their Habañero hot sauce. The insanely wonderful Queso Relleno is my favorite dish there and the best thing that I consumed and wrote about in 2023!

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Filed under Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Downtown, Encino, Glendale, Koreatown, Marina del Rey, North Hollywood, Santa Monica, Venice, West Hollywood, Woodland Hills

Tagged as best la restaurants, Best Los Angeles Restaurants, Best Restaurants in LA, best restaurants los angeles, best things to eat in la, best things to eat in los angeles

December 31, 2020 · 11:45 am

The 10 Best Things I Consumed in 2020

This past year was brutal for all of us, and the restaurant industry was hit especially hard. Like many of you, I have tried my best to support the eateries I love by ordering take-out or delivery. Plus I think we all need delicious comfort food now more than ever to make us feel better and provide a sense of normalcy. As in prior years, I have put together a list of my favorite ten dishes I wrote about (mostly via Instagram lately) during the past year. Here’s hoping for a happier and healthier new year!

Ube Creme Caramel (in the center) from Creme Caramel LA.

10. Ube Creme Caramel from Creme Caramel LA. This Filipino-inspired dessert shop specializes in different flavors of crème caramel. All are amazing but the Ube (purple yam) flavor is my favorite.

9. Bagels from Maury’s. We are in the midst of a bagel renaissance in L.A. and these are some of the best. They are ideally consumed hot out of the oven with a scallion cream cheese schmear.

8. Crispy Soft Shell Crab from Rustic Spoon. Crunchy, salty and crabilicious, this is my favorite dish at my favorite Valley Thai eatery. It’s served on a bed of Papaya Salad with a sugary Plum Sauce on the side.

7. Cheeseburger Potstickers from Ms Chi Cafe. These jumbo fusion dumplings made with Ground Chuck Roast, Diced Onion and Shredded Cheddar Cheese, and served with Tomato-bacon Jam, were a winning dish for Chef Shirley Chung on Top Chef.

6. Fried Clam Basket from Connie and Ted’s. Whole Belly Ipswich Clams are hard to find in LA., and the ones fried up at Chef Michael Cimarusti’s New England-themed restaurant are wicked good!

Bee Sting Pizza with Tomato, Soppressata, Chile, Honey and Basil from Roberta’s

5. Bee Sting Pizza from Roberta’s. Brooklyn’s most hipsterish pizza joint has expanded into Culver City, and this spicy, doughy, cheesy and slightly sweet work of culinary art is not to be missed.

4. Bread Pudding from B Sweet Dessert Bar. In addition to her other incredible offerings, talented pastry chef Barb Batiste serves a rotating selection of 50+ hot bread puddings, each with its own accompanying sauce. My favorites are Salted Caramel, Glazed Donut, Banana Chocolate and Pumpkin.

3. Lobster Risotto from Melisse x Citrin. There is no better place on the Westside to splurge for a special occasion. This fine dining establishment’s fixed price menu of gourmet delights changes every week and, when ordered to go, includes instructions on assembling each course at home. This heavenly Risotto was from their “Lobster, Lobster, Lobster” set menu.

2. Dulce de Leche Besito Cookies from Porto’s Bakery. “Besito” means “kiss” in Spanish and I am head-over-heels in love with these Cuban buttery cookies filled with gooey thick caramel and dusted with powdered sugar.

Uni Pizza with Santa Barbara Uni, Uni Cream Butter, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil from The Joint Eatery

Uni Pizza from The Joint Eatery. This gourmet seafood restaurant and market offers a seafood-themed pizza on Sundays. Every version of this pizza I’ve ordered there has been amazing, but the one that they occasionally make with Uni, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil is transcendent. It’s the best thing I consumed in 2020.

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Filed under Burbank, Culver City, Downey, Glendale, North Hollywood, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley Village, West Covina, West Hollywood, West LA

Tagged as b sweet, b sweet dessert bar, best restaurants los angeles, best restaurants santa monica, best restaurants sherman oaks, best take out los angeles, best takeout los angeles, chefs shirley chung, citirin, connie and ted's, creme caramel la, curbside pickup los angeles, maury's bagels, Melisse, ms chi cafe, Porto's, porto's bakery, roberta's los angeles, roberta's pizza los angeles, rustic spoon, shirley chung, takeout santa monica, takeout sherman oaks, the joint eatery, the joint sherman oaks

January 29, 2016 · 11:55 am

Kinder, Gentler Sushi

Sasabune was one of my first great sushi loves. Originally located in a small house on Sawtelle, Sasabune served the freshest and tastiest raw fish west of the 405. Its warm-rice sushi was similar to the sushi served in the Valley by legendary “Sushi Nazi” Kazunori Nozawa (who trained Sasabune’s chef) and, like Sushi Nozawa, they wouldn’t make California Rolls or Spicy Tuna. But I’ve never witnessed customers getting kicked out of Sasabune like they did at Sushi Nozawa for not following the rules. It was the kinder, gentler Nozawa.

Sasabune eventually moved to a cavernous space in Brentwood and then to smaller digs down the street, but seemed to lose a little of its magic with each of those moves. But with an additional location in Beverly Hills presided over by sushi master Ei Hiroyoshi, Sasabune bounced back to the top. The Beverly Hills branch serves insanely good sushi and one of the best omakase meals in the city.

Sushi Sasabune is located at 9162 W Olympic Blvd in Beverly Hills and 11917 Wilshire Blvd in Brentwood. A third LA location just opened in Glendale at 101 N Brand Blvd.