Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2011 Ocean Front Walk (north of Venice Blvd.), Venice.
&
310/822-5639.
www.jodymaroni.com. Sand-
wiches $4-$8. No credit cards. Daily 10am-sunset.
Kay 'n Dave's Cantina
Kids
BREAKF AST/MEXICAN A neighborhood fav orite
since 1991, Kay 'n Dave's is well known for serving big portions of healthy (cooked lard-
free) Mexican food at lo w prices. Come early—and be pr epared to wait—for br eakfast,
as local dev otees line up for fiv e kinds of fluffy pancakes (my fav orite is the cinnamon
swirl), zesty omelets, or one of the best br eakfast burritos in town. Spinach and chicken
enchiladas in tomatillo salsa, seafood fajitas tostada, v egetable-filled corn tamales, and
other Mexican specialties are served in huge portions, making this mostly locals eater y a
great choice to energiz e for (or r eenergize after) an action-packed day of sightseeing.
Bring the family—there's a kids' menu and plenty of cray on artwork.
262 26th St. (south of San Vicente Blvd.), Brentwood.
&
310/260-1355.
w ww.kayndaves.com. M ain
courses $5-$15. AE, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-9:30pm; Fri 11am-10pm; Sat 8:30am-10pm; Sun 8:30am-
9:30pm. Metered street parking.
117
Sidewalk Cafe
AMERICAN/BREAKFAST Nowhere in L.A. is the people-watching
better than along Ocean Front Walk. The constantly bustling Sidewalk Cafe is ensconced
in one of Venice's few remaining early-20th-century buildings. The best seats, of course,
are out fr ont, around overcrowded open-air tables, all with per fect views of the cr owd,
which provides nonstop entertainment. The menu is extensiv e, and the food is a whole
lot better than it has to be at a location like this. Choose fr om the seriously overstuffed
sandwiches or other oversize American favorites: omelets, salads, and burgers.
1401 Ocean Front Walk (btw. Horizon Ave. and Market St.), Venice.
&
310/399-5547.
www.thesidewalk
cafe.com. Main courses $8-$13. MC, V. Daily 8am-11pm. Free parking with validation.
IN MALIBU
Inn of the S eventh Ray
ORGANIC/VEGETARIAN This former chur ch in
the beautiful (some say spiritual) Topanga Canyon oozes “aura” and is the perfect setting
for a romantic dining experience, far from the bright lights of the city. About half of the
seating is outdoors, at tables o verlooking a cr eek and endless tangles of untamed vines
and shrubs. Inside, the dining room is rustic, with a sloped roof and a glass wall offering
mountain views. Everything is prepared from scratch, and foods are organic and chemi-
cal- and preservative-free, with a large vegan menu. The fish are caught in deep water far
offshore and served the same day; you can even order unpasteurized wines that are quite
good. Ten main dishes from the seasonally changing menu are available daily, and all are
served with hors d'oeuvres, soup or salad, and vegetables. Light dishes, such as Five Secret
Rays, consist of lightly steamed v egetables served with lemon-tahini and caraway-cheese
sauces, but you'll also find a New York steak cut from naturally fed beef.
128 Old Topanga Canyon Rd. (on Calif. 27), Topanga Canyon.
&
310/455-1311.
www.innoftheseventh
ray.com. Reser vations recommended. Main courses $16-$25. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-
3pm; Sat 10:30am-3pm; Sun 9:30am-3pm; daily 5:30-10pm. Free parking.
Saddle Peak Lodge
AMERICAN When you've had it with the L.A. noise and
traffic, it's time to hop in the car for a leisur ely drive high in the hills abo ve Malibu to
Saddle Peak Lodge, an old hunting lodge that has been conv erted into a hidden, albeit
popular, restaurant. It looks exactly like a hunting lodge should—a r ustic, weathered ol'
three-story building made of massive timbers and native rock that's been gussied up with
Teddy-era antiques, a crackling fireplace, and a heady collection of stuffed game.Vegetar-
ians beware; the menu is custom-made for meat lo vers: Grilled lamb loin and braised
6
