We all know Los Angeles is NOT famous for their pizza, but Stella Rossa puts up a good fight. The restaurant (a part of the Lettuce Entertain You group - http://www.leye.com/) is large, airy and casual. Patrons sit at high wooden tables, on high wooden chairs (not the most comfortable but you are there to eat pizza not dine for 4 hours). Wine list is lovely with a lot of regional wines to choose from.

The menu is small yet delightful. To start, my friend and I decided to share the spinach and kale salad - spinach and kale with luscious dates and shaved radishes, in a light mustard dressing…really spectacular. After the salad – pizza. One of the best things about this place is you can SPLIT the pie into two separate pizza topping selections. After trying a few we both agreed the best was the margarita (classic) and the prosciutto/asparagus white pizza. The crust was the shining star of the pizza, it was spot on. (Serving size note: One pie will feed 1 and a half people…it’s too much for one, but not enough for two)

Please run here before the Hollywood crowd finds out about it - right now it is sans Botox and tofu…

2000 Main St.  Santa Monica, CA 90405  310-396-9145

Best pancakes on earth. Period. You will have to wait to eat at this bustling breakfast diner in the heart of Solvang village, but it is worth it. Their Danish pancakes, which are almost crepe thin and the size of a serving platter melt in your mouth. The bacon is well done, the eggs are fresh, orange juice freshly squeezed in a, slightly unattractive but amusing, machine by the counter. It’s just an awesome, comforting breakfast that you will return for again and again.

1531 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA 93463-2607 (805) 688-2867  

Sadly I must tell you all to skip it. Upon arrival you will notice the décor has not been redone since the early eighties or at least that is what it looks like, it’s pretty dreadful. The Menu: You have your basic steakhouse appetizers and salads but your steak dinner (which is what you should be having) actually comes with a salad, soup and/or shrimp cocktail so no need to spend extra on their “famous” grilled artichoke (its fine, but it hardly deserves the title famous). I got a New York Strip; my companions got the Rib Eye. We received our appetizers first (shrimp gazpacho, shrimp cocktail) which I have to say was one step above an airline meal. The shrimp were those tiny baby rock shrimp and they did not taste like they had just jumped out of the sea. Salad was fine and then the steak: looked great – but alas over done. I am a medium-rare and if my steak isn’t still mooing a little bit I find it very upsetting.

The good news: Cheesecake for dessert was delicious. Wine - Hitching Post Highline - lovely. If you really want to check this place out just go sit at the bar, have a burger or some dessert and enjoy the vino.

406 East Highway 246 Buellton, CA 93427 (805) 688-0676

YUMMY! This taco stand in the middle of nowhere serves some of the best Chile Verde and chicken tacos I have ever had. Their salsa is fresh and spicy, the tortillas and chips homemade…if your travels go way of Banning, CA make sure to schedule a stop here. And they have dinosaur statues - added fun bonus!

There are picnic tables to eat at, or take it to go.

13033 Fields Rd, Banning, CA 92220 (951) 849-2000

This quaint and inviting Italian staple is always a joy to eat at. The ingredients are fresh, pastas homemade and the staff is friendly and refined. I don’t think you could order anything here that would disappoint, but you must order the spaghetti carbonara (please treat yourself, or get one for your table. Don’t tell me you don’t like cream sauce or pancetta – you are lying or you have never had them paired as beautifully as they are here) it is done to perfection. Lobster ravioli and the fettuccine with wild boar ragu are also fantastic. Although I often don’t leave room for dessert, they have real tiramisu so if you can bear another bite, it is a perfect ending. Wines by the glass are reasonably prices, bottles are a bit expensive; $30 corkage fee.

8638 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048-3323 (310) 274-1893

Eating at Mozza is a rich and savory journey into all things Batali. Start with the house prosecco and get comfortable in the contemporary surroundings (you’re going to be there awhile). There are a few dishes I believe you should focus on the first time you dine here; once you become a Mozza addict like I go ahead and play with the numerous menu choices. 1. Order a starting plate from the mozzarella bar (I recommend the Bufala Mozzarella with prosciutto or the Burrata). 2. Ricotta & Egg Raviolo (one for every 2 people - it’s rich and you are about to have more pasta after this). 3. Orecchiette with sausage & Swiss chard. 4. Grilled Beef Tagliata (medium rare - it’s so good, don’t kill it. If you kill your meat don’t order it.)

Yes, you can go to Mozza and get a salad and a piece of fish…one good thing about Mozza is the menu does have something for every diet type and they are very accommodating. But if you are a sinful carnivore like me, the above menu should more than satisfy.

6602 Melrose Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90038 - (323) 297-0100

Back to basics and that is not a bad thing at this tiny Beverly Hills Italian most well known for its selection of delicious gelato and giant meatballs. And the meatballs, they certainly are gigantic! About the size of a baseball, they are delicious with a hint of sweetness which compliments their homemade sauce. Pastas are homemade, get the ravioli (cheese, meat or spinach) they are a taste of childhood.

The gelato selection is substantial and after trying a variety of flavors the winner for me was the wine raisin. Much like a rum raisin, this often forgotten classic flavor paired wonderfully with a piece of their homemade bread pudding. Cash only.

806 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035  (310) 659-8069

Right on the water this happy little restaurant serves a fresh and varied selection of oysters and clams (both raw and prepared) and has one of the best fish tacos I have ever had. Glass of white wine, ocean air…life is good.  Expect to wait for weekend brunch, no reservations.

1355 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica CA 90401 (310) 576-3474

It’s just so much fun…home-style Mexican with the decor to match. You will wait but it’s worth it and you can sip on a margarita while you do so. The best part (in my opinion) about Paco’s is the homemade flour tortillas…they are made to order and they come to your table steaming hot when the food is served. A little butter…they are a meal in itself. Portions are huge so order accordingly - great for groups. Since the Mar Vista location is not far from LAX, this is a great, fun way to start or end a visitor’s trip.

4141 South Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066 (310) 391-9616

Entering through decadent blue gilded doors into this beacon of everything meat is like Christmas come early. Sit upstairs. Get a real drink. If you hear the words ‘Wagyu’ and ‘Rib eye’ in the same ‘specials’ description call your credit card company and assure them it is you who is really about to spend a mortgage payment on a piece of meat. It is a holy experience. Second only to the steak is the lobster mashed potatoes which also cause angels to sing and wallets to cry.

All of the typical steakhouse specialties are present on the menu and none of them disappoint.

I may just go there right now…

246 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 888-8782