Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
116
on the outside patio dining area and request a stool at the sushi bar to get the full Hama
effect.
Tip:
Stay long enough to close the place do
wn, and y ou'll be in for a singing
surprise.
213 Windward Ave. (at Main St.), Venice.
&
310/396-8783.
www.hamasushi.com. Main courses $6-$25.
AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Sat 6-11pm; Sun 5:30-10:30pm. Valet parking $4.
Rustic Canyon
CALIFORNIAN Locals flock to this popular r estaurant for
simply prepared, wine-friendly cuisine. It's a compact but comfor table room with a fe w
tables in the bar ar ea, and it can get deafeningly loud, but that 's half the fun. The chef
utilizes top seasonal ingr edients with an emphasis on organic, sustainable far e: arugula
salad with mandarin oranges and pistachios; r oasted prawns with beets and spring
onions; amazing handmade sw eet pea ravioli with bacon confit. There's even one dyna-
mite burger, that's almost big enough for two, and fries. People drive across town for Zoe
Nathan's desser ts like the hot cinnamon-sugar donuts. R ustic Cany on isn't open for
lunch, but the owners opened a daytime cafe and baker y called
Huckleberry
just a hop
and a skip across the street. Get fantastic sandwiches on home-baked breads and some of
the best pastries in to wn, including delectable fr uit cr ostadas, éclairs, puddings, and
cookies—it's hard to choose a favorite. (1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica;
&
310/451-
2311;
www.huckleberrycafe.com)
1119 Wilshire Blvd. (btw. 11th and 12th sts .), Santa Monica.
&
310/393-7050.
www.rusticcanyonwine
bar.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $16-$32. AE, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5:30-10:30pm; Fri-
Sat 5:30-11:30pm. Valet parking $6.50.
6
INEXPENSIVE
Bread & Porridge
Value
AMERICAN A dozen tables are all that comprise this
neighborhood cafe, but steady str eams of locals mill outside, r eading their ne wspapers
and waiting for a v acant seat. O nce inside, surr ounded by the vintage fr uit-crate labels
adorning the walls and tabletops, you can sample the delicious breakfasts, fresh salads and
sandwiches, and super-affor dable entr ees. There's a v aguely international twist to the
menu, which leaps fr om breakfast quesadillas and omelets—all ser ved with black beans
and salsa—to the Southern comfort of Cajun crab cakes and coleslaw and typical Italian
pastas adorned with Roma tomatoes and plenty of garlic. All menu items ar e truck-stop
cheap, but with an inv entive elegance that makes this a best-kept secr et. This place
thoughtfully serves breakfast all day; get a short stack of one of five varieties of pancakes
with any meal.
2315 Wilshire Blvd. (3 blocks west of 26th St.), Santa Monica.
&
310/453-4941.
Main courses $6-$9. AE,
MC, V. Daily 7am-9pm. Metered street parking.
Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom
Finds
GRILL Your cardiologist might not
approve, but Jody Maroni's all-natural, preservative-free “haute dogs” are some of the best
wieners served anywhere. The grungy walk-up (or in-line skate-up) counter looks fairly
foreboding—you wouldn't know there was gourmet fare behind that aging hot dog stand
facade, from which at least 14 different grilled-sausage sandwiches are served up. Bypass
the traditional hot Italian and try the Toulouse garlic, Bombay curried lamb, all-chicken
apple, or orange-garlic-cumin. Each is ser ved on a fr eshly baked onion r oll and smoth-
ered with onions and peppers. B urgers, BLTs, and rotisserie chicken are also served, but
why bother? O ther locations include the Valley's U niversal CityW alk (
&
818/622-
5639
), and inside L AX Terminals 3, 4, and 6, wher e you can pick up some last-minute
vacuum-packed sausages for home.
