Changing Jobs, Culver City Lunch Spots?
I am changing jobs to Culver City and although I have eaten around there before I know many new restaurants have opened up. What are some good recommendations for lunch time? I love all types of food. I have already been to Beacon, La Dijonaise, Honey Kettle's, Le Hermitage and Tito's Tacos. Any other lunch places that I should try out?
-
I was in the area and had a DELICIOUS lunch today at WILSON. I ate a fish stew, with scallops, halibut, and shrimp in a tasty broth, with some leeks and a rice patty (they called it a rice cake, but it was really just a round mold of rice, green with parsley). My friend had the vegetarian plate of the day, which was a roasted acorn squash filled with quinoa, with mushrooms and leeks in a broth. Loved it - can't wait to go back and try some of the great-sounding salads.
-
-
-
Had the empanada special for lunch today @ Grand Casino. Tomato soup was nice and tasty, but I must report that the empanadas were pretty dry and not so flavorful (had the beef and the spinach). Gotta say that Empanada's Place not far away on Sawtelle & Venice has GC beat on taste and selection in terms of empanadas anyway.
Since I didn't finish my empanadas, I indulgently took a ham & cheese croissant and a mini custard croissant back with me to the office. Now them's some tasty carbolicious goodness!
›3 Replies -
-
If you're going to be at Sony you will surely be introduced to 2 yummy places in the next block, between the Kirk Douglas Theatre and Starbucks....Double Dutch which is fresh and filling and a pleasure, and right next door is S&W which is traditional diner fare loaded with comfort food. I work at City Hall and have tried everything in a 4 block radius. I am particularly fond of Tender Greens when the weather is nice. Ford's is better for cocktails than a meal.
When there's time to drive, Cafe Laurent on Overland is way yummy as well as La Dijonaise on Washington at the Helms block. Other favorites are The Bluebird Cafe on National, Roll 'n Rye on Jefferson and On Higher Grounds on Washington. No excuse for going hungry around here!!›1 Reply -
-
-
re: PaulF
westsidegal
Jun 21, 2007 09:42 PM
not only is the food consistently wonderful, but the people are lovely too.
their jackfruit is amazing.
their chana is terrific
their paneer dishes are wonderful
i love their kidney bean dish
and on and on and onalso, since all the food is preprepared, you can get in there for a weekday lunch and still get back to your office on time.
-
-
-
-
-
re: WEkhardt
westsidegal
Jun 21, 2007 09:39 PM
1) this spot is really far from sony studios
2) unless raw chopped garlic soaking in oil rings your bell, the food is certainly not worth the trip.
-
-
On Main Street there is a little Italian Restaurant. Been there for years and run by a sicilian family. They have great lunch specials for under $10. Right above Venice in the heart of the downtown district on the west side. Forgot the name but it's really good. If you want to drive, Bambu Brazilian Cafe is pretty good on Venice Blvd. Also if you are going all the way to Rutt's, you can't forget about the Outdoor Grill. Get your car washed while you eat some Turkey Chili. There's also the food court inside the Japanese Market off Venice and Centinela. A little pricey, but good. I also go to the taqueria kiddy corner across from Mitsuwa and have great carne asada tacos for $1.00. Can't beat the deal.
›1 Reply -
-
Grand Casino! It's an Argentinian bakery/empanadas place that also has sandwiches and salads. Their lunch special is the best deal in CC $5 for two empanadas and soup. Very filling, bonus if they're serviing the black bean soup. Mmm! It's on Main St. Where in CC will you be working? As someone said, it's a big place. Sometimes with the drive to various places you barely have time to eat...especially with some of the slower places (Honey's Kettle and Gaby's in particular.)
›12 Replies-
-
re: CarlieInLA
You might want to stick to the places in downtown and the eastern edge of CC (La Dij, Beacon, Bluebird Cafe, Surfas) I find it easier getting to the east side of town rather than to the places toward the Marina. Also, I don't know if anyone mentioned Indian Sweets and spices on Venice near Main St if you like Indian. It's a tasty place with a funky vibe.
-
re: CarlieInLA
julietg
Jan 17, 2007 03:57 AM
Up the street from you, on Main between Culver and Venice
is the farmers' market- you can walk from work
Every Tuesday till 4
(sorry for not thinking of it earlier, but I spent all day today thinking it had been Monday)
in fact, you can walk to right into downtown to:
Coldstone Creamery
Trader Joes (and the aforementioned, adjacent shushi place that i still don't know the name of)
Honey Kettle
Tender Greens (fish and salad and mashed yukon golds, mmmmm)
Victor Jrs (great chopped salad, excellent housemade ranch)
Santa Maria BBQ
Ugo's (take it or leave it, but there is no affordable Italian in LA, so fuggedaboudit)
Pacificos (do NOT do take out with the fries. they must be eaten immediately)
Daphne's (see above fuggedaboudit)or over to the shopping center on Overland and Washington to:
Famima
Another Coldstone
Starbucks
California Pizza Kitchenand for these you'll need to get in the car:
In N Out
Bluebird Cafe (get a cupcake, too)
La Dij
Roll N Rye
Sorrento's Italian Market
Natalee Thai
India Sweets
JR's BBQ
Surfas Cafe (take money if you like to cook and shop while they make your lunch. take lots of money.)
JJ's CafeHow was Hermitage, btw? (did I catch you not reading to the end?)
-
re: julietg
If you like Daphne's give the place on Sawtelle, just west of Jefferson a try... Can't remember the name, but it's - IMHO - much better... Looks like an older couple from the old country making the food patiently - polite way of saying they do take a little longer - but very good. Not overly salty like Falafal King, and not so McDonaldized like Daphne's.
-
re: bulavinaka
Oh Oh Oh -- you must mean King's. The man's name is King and he is indeed Greek and I think his stuff is absolutely delicious. I've been loving his falafal (sp?) for a dozen years and his schwarma (sp? sorry!) is also just delicious. Plus, he's about as nice and gentle and sweet a man as you could ask for. I alsways leave there feeling so good! Though be forewarned, it may take you a while to leave there; he's not the speediest cooker in the world. Call ahead if you can! Though that's not even a garantee!
-
re: aliris
westsidegal
Jun 21, 2007 09:35 PM
if you're talking about the place on sawtelle near sepulveda/jefferson, gotta disagree about the food.
truly awful food.
boy did i WANT to like this place.
just couldn't choke down the stuff.
-
-
-
-
-
re: julietg
julietg
Jun 21, 2007 05:33 PM
It may have been mentioned somewhere else, but I think it bears repeating.
Tender Greens is now taking orders online!! No more waiting!! You can order and pay online, then just pick up your bag in front of the register!
-
-
-
re: CarlieInLA
westsidegal
Jan 17, 2007 04:53 AM
if you go north to venice blvd and turn left (going west) you can take advantage of the many inexpensive lunch plates served at Thai Boom. the quantity/quality/ price ratio can't be beat.
THAI BOOM
Thai Boom
10863 W Venice Blvd, Los Angeles 90034 Btwn Westwood Blvd & Midvale Ave Phone: 310-842-8291
-
-
re: writergirl
Yes - this place is where probably every Argentinian ExPat within a 10 mile radius comes through at least a few times a week.. Great lunches, empanadas, sandwiches de miga, and those alfajores... can't beat it with a great cup of jo... the only things missing are a barbeque pit and malbec!
-
-
-
re: Obessed
julietg
Jan 17, 2007 01:00 AM
I love Tender Greens. One tip- call first, so you don't have to wait on line.
Same goes for Bluebird Cafe, which I recommend over Surfas. Yes, I love Surfas. Yes, I ate lunch there today. BUT. I find the menu a little limited. And don't go for breakfast. Go to La Dij (and call ahead).
Oh and my other regulars:
Famima (next to Best Buy, Overland bet Venice and Culver)
Victor Jrs (on Culver next to Sony - CALL AHEAD)Plus the Sushi place next to Trader Joe's is supposed to be quite good, if pricey.
-
-
WOW so many options! I can't wait to go exploring. Thank you for all the recommendations. Dommy - is Venice Bakery Cuban? Are those the potato balls you are talking about, if so, I am there.
›2 Replies -
not sure if this is too far, but when i worked in culver city, i'd hop on the 90 and exit centinella, go down a block and there was 'go veggie'. the most amazing salad bar i've ever seen. it's not big, but what they have is quality. the garlic/soy/lemon juice tofu is incredible. also next door is marina farms, i get lost in there.
-
-
I'd suggest Santa Maria BBQ, which is near City Hall - I think they slipped a notch or two when they moved from their previous location across the street a year ago, but they're still pretty good. Dry rub BBQ.
Also, there is a good cheesesteak place on Washington just east of Sepulveda - Markie D's Taste of Philly. Food is good and worth going to at least once to see all the Philly sports memorabilia.
Santa Maria Barbecue Company http://www.santamariabbq.com
9552 Washington Blvd, Culver City CA 90232
Tel 310/842-8169 Fax 310/842-8456Markie D's Taste of Philly
www.markiedstasteofphilly.com
11172 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232-3922
(310) 839-0776 -
-
PaulF
Jan 16, 2007 09:11 PM
Culver City is a big place, actually, extending from where Washington hits the 10 freeway to the east almost to Marina Del Rey to the west. And within the 90230/Culver City zip code are parts of technical-Los Angeles that might as well be Culver City.
I wrote a post today about Metro Cafe, read that.
There's El Rincon Criollo, for Cuban on Sepulveda.
There's Roll N Rye on Sepulveda for "Jewish" deli.
Sorrento's on Sepulveda is a fine Italian market for sub sandwiches.
Petrelli's is not a great steak, IMO, but makes a very good bar burger. Order it with grilled onions and a cold beer or cocktail.
S&W makes really good corned beef hash and eggs. It's on Washington.
For cheap, cheap Mexican and even burgers at a very quick pace there is Cinco de Mayo next to Tito's. It's underrated.
Mi Ranchito, Taqueria Sanchez, El Abajeno, Don Chuy's and Tacomiendo all have something to recommend them for different Mexican items. I've never been, but folks like Don Felix as well. You can search the board for addresses to any of them.
For Hawaiian coffee shop food including good burgers, egg royales, pork and loco moco, there's Rutt's on Washington.
Giovanni's is one of our favorites for Italian.
Fish and Chips and Shrimp and Chips and even hot wings are great at Smitty's for a fast lunch.
I do like the other places mentioned in this thread and I bet others have many more.
-
Annapurna for South Indian, Taste of India for stuffed breads (parathas) and cheap lunch combos, Cooks' Double Dutch Dinette: www.cooksdoubledutch.com, Gaby's, Wilson: http://www.wilsonfoodandwine.com/food...
-
Will Owen
Jan 16, 2007 08:58 PM
We enjoyed Ford's Filling Station (next door to Honey's Kettle), though it's a bit above our usual lunchtime price range. I loved the burger ($14) and lusted after the huge fish & chips ($16).
We used to go to Ballona on Main whenever we were in CC at lunchtime - okay Mexican, pleasant room, nice people, cheap enough. It's kind of bland, but sometimes a bowl of abondigas soup and an enchilada or whatever is just what the creature needs. This creature, anyway.
There's been some activity today on an older thread about Metro, across from Tito's, a place that looks very much worth investigating. Combination diner and Serbian. No info about prices...
›3 Replies-
re: Will Owen
OHHHHHH, forgive me, but Ballona is simply dreadful, although you are right about nice people and cheap. I cannot imagine how they have stayed in business all these years, other than they have been there for years and years, and before the recent build up of CC and influx of some wonderful places to eat....and perhaps own the building. Simply the worst Mexican in the area.
-
-
-
