Grub – A Hidden Gem in Hollywood!

Sometimes you just want to go to a low-key place that feels like home. Grub in Hollywood is the perfect place for that. When you walk up, you can either enjoy the open patio or head inside. Inside, you’ll encounter colorful wooden tables, vintage signs on the walls (that are HILARIOUS), a warm atmosphere, and a decently large menu with savory dishes. Here was my view at dinner:

image

Some places have a breadbasket for the table, but Grub has a basket of pretzels, cut slices of cucumbers, and cut carrots with a light dipping sauce. It was a refreshing twist for me. When it came time to order, it was a difficult decision. I ended up going with their Chicken Pasta dish.

Read more

Ugo: An Italian Cafe - Culver City

A wide selection of gelato—I’m there! Ugo: An Italian Cafe in downtown Culver City has classic Italian dishes and a variety of desserts. When you walk in, a classy and warm atmosphere greets you. Have a drink at the bar or grab a table for dinner. I’d suggest you go for dinner.

Ugo’s menu isn’t neither monstrous nor too specialized. It’s truly balanced. It has classic Italian dishes and some great takes on others. I decided to get their Rigatoni Bolognese. This dish is a staple to me. When I think about coming to Ugo, I am usually already thinking about the meat sauce.

 image

 

You know how leftover pasta dishes can sometimes be better than fresh? This is not the case with this dish. It’s great from the first bite to the last—you won’t have any leftovers. They use just the right amount of garnish. The sauce is what really makes this dish; it’s creamy and savory at the same time. The pasta soaks up just the right amount of it to really communicate all of the flavors.

Now on to the desserts! They have a few cases that display what they have to offer. Ugo has various cakes and tarts, but the dessert I must recommend is the gelato. They have so many different flavors to choose from. You can go either classic, creamy gelato or you can decide to do more of a lighter, fruit-based gelato. I find them all to be amazing and fresh, but I have to admit that the fruit flavors are my favorite. You just don’t see these everywhere. 

image

image

Ugo is a great place to go for dinner in downtown Culver City. Parking is pretty easy with a number of nearby parking structures and street parking. Also, they have a wine bar next door. I’ll have to check it out!

By Jen Troy

Jen Troy is a Jill-Of-All-Trades.

Pizzeria Il Fico - Beverly Hills

Pizzeria Il Fico is what I call Italy in LA. This fancy Beverly Hills wood fire Pizzeria is delizioso, and perfect for a nice date night. Don’t let the hard to pronounce Italian menu scare you; everything is packed full of flavor and amazing textures that won’t disappoint, making you feel like you’re on a relaxing Italian holiday.

PizzeriailFico

I suggest you start with a glass of red wine and one of their meat and cheese plates. We tasted their Prosciutto crudo, Fichie Burrata (6) and found it to be our favorite appetizer among the many we tried. The thinly sliced Prosciutto tasted so fresh, it melted in your mouth. Paired with soft Burrata cheese and figs, we couldn’t stop eating it.

Read more

MY FAVORITE PLACE IN… WEST HOLLYWOOD - Basix Cafe

Brunch, Quick Booze or a simple no b.s. dinner…

eggs

When I want something fast I come to Basix. The wait staff has come to know me by name. I come here 2–3 times a month or more.

If you are ever in West Hollywood and want a place for brunch, look no further. I mean, there are others in town that are pretty good too…but, if we’re looking for VALUE, I think you get more for your buck here.

Read more