Author: dawngarcia

Growing up in Los Angeles meant I got to try almost every kind of food there is. On special occasions my family would pick a place (usually one of three) and that would be our night out. I have been coming to Pann’s in Westchester since I was a little girl in braids. It was our most frequent stop. When you walked in you couldn’t help but smile and feel welcome. Even as a child, I loved the sparkled floors, the music from the 1950s playing overhead (which could make you dance in your seat), the photos from the...

Venice has become synonymous with incredible fare, culture and variety. Abbott Kinney Boulevard is one of the most notably growing areas in the community with restaurants, boutique shops and incredible bars. Situated in the midst of all of them is 3 Square Caf/, created by chef and restaurateur, Hans Ršckenwagner. Designed with space and openness in mind, 3 Square has a patio with an air of modern, a coastal familiarity, and a menu that spans German, Swiss, and farm-to-table cuisine that honestly, took me by surprise. Executive Chef Wolfgang Gussmack is a certified sommelier, so the wine selection is...

Santa Monica is known for its ocean, its diverse culture, and a seemingly unending stream of nightlife options. There are also fixtures that have been a part of the city’s culture for decades. One of those fixtures is the illustrious Shangri-La Hotel. Located directly across from Palisades Park and blocks from the Santa Monica Pier, this hotel oozes relaxed sophistication and the old Hollywood charm that is synonymous with Los Angeles. Having undergone a $30 million renovation, the newly improved hotel and its dining options are spectacular. There are three options for happy hour and dining: the poolside, the...

Los Angeles is a city abundant in flavors and choices, many of which are healthy. This week, rather than go to a traditional restaurant, I challenged myself and my body. I decided to do a weeklong cleanse of eating only clean, raw and vegan foods. After fasting for two days, I decided it was time to find a restaurant serving raw cuisine and I went to Santa Monica, where I dined at Planet Raw. At first my hunger wasn’t really on board until I looked at the menu: extensive choices all with a very tongue and cheek undertone and...

Le Cellier of Marina del Rey is a restaurant and wine bar essential to the culinary landscape of Los Angeles. With the happy marriage of French and Vietnamese cuisine, one can sit down to expect food rich in color, crisp with freshness, with the core of farm-to-table and sustainable meats and ingredients, and heart and soul that is eminent in both owner Hiep Le and chef and general manager Bernard Louberssac. You can’t help but feel at home the minute you enter. The interior is visually stunning with a clear feng shui theme present in the grass wall upon...