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Immediately Release/Pacific Catch

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Have you ever walked into a restaurant and immediately thought: Nope. That was exactly my reaction upon stepping into Pacific Catch in Santa Monica. Ambience goes a long way in shaping first impressions, and mine was “head for the hills!” The space looked disheveled — bar stools askew, unbussed tables — more like one of Mr. Pickey’s bachelor friend’s apartments than a proper dining room. Our server eventually approached, but even something as simple as water became an ordeal. After asking for still water with ice, we waited nearly 20 minutes. When it arrived, there was no ice. Not exactly a promising start. We were four hungry diners, and began with the Coconut Shrimp , which, to be fair, was the highlight of the meal. The shrimp were crisp and flavorful, with a sweet chili sauce that worked. Unfortunately, everything went downhill from there. Cabo Calamari : Crispy on the outside, but the flavor was disappointing. Easily one of the worst calamari dishes I’ve had. Salmon Patag...
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Martha's Hermosa Beach

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  On a blindingly sunny Saturday morning, Mr. Picky, Murphy the Doodle (aka Mr. Doodle, aka Furry Food Inspector), and I set out for Hermosa Beach on a noble quest: brunch at Martha’s , the brunch mothership of Hermosa. When we arrived, the line looked like it could qualify as its own marathon event, wrapping nearly around the block. We slapped our name on the list and did what any sane, hungry people would do—we took a 30-minute boardwalk stroll, mostly to distract ourselves from fainting at the smell of bacon wafting through the air. At last, we scored a shady table big enough for the three of us—yes, Murphy too, because obviously this dog wasn’t about to be left out of a breakfast party. Ordering was the real struggle. The menu read like a love letter to food: pancakes, burgers, omelets, burritos—basically a catalog of “yes, please.” Mr. Picky ordered what he swears was the best Arnold Palmer of his life . He announced this with such conviction that I thought he might propo...
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Saint (or Sinner) and Second

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  We started off optimistically enough with cocktails, which took so long to arrive that I began to wonder if the bartenders had to distill the gin themselves. Once they landed, we paired them with the onion soup — promised to be savory but instead tasted like French onion’s sugary cousin. Dessert soup, anyone? I ordered a burger, which desperately needed pickles, and fries that were supposed to be crispy but instead arrived lukewarm, like they’d hit snooze on the fryer. My friend lucked out with the branzino and actually enjoyed it, but our husbands weren’t so lucky. Their steaks were clearly switched at birth: Mr. Rare-Only got a well-done hockey puck, while our other friend cut into a steak that was practically still mooing. Watching two grown men swap plates mid-meal was the least appetizing thing I’ve seen since airline food. The service was shaky, with long waits for drinks, and to top it all off, the restroom floor was so slippery I briefly considered lacing up skates. I m...
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Fishbar (Any Fish You Wish)

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 Fishbar, bless them, somehow made parking in the city not only possible but easy . I almost thought we were on a hidden-camera show when we found street spaces just sitting there waiting for us. A strong start. We began with cocktails and appetizers: calamari (crispy and gone in 3.4 seconds) and flash-fried Brussels sprouts topped with tiny fried onions—basically like delicious little party hats for vegetables. Both were winners. The Lobster Mac and Cheese arrived looking like it had been designed to feed an entire ship’s crew. Rich, creamy, and basically a dairy-based dare, it could’ve doubled as dinner and lunch the next day. The salmon with loaded baked potato was perfectly cooked and equally indulgent. Seafood skewers were a big hit: shrimp, scallops, and bacon all cozied up together like old friends, while the garlic fries and asparagus tagged along as very welcome sidekicks. The grilled shrimp skewers with coleslaw were also solid, though frankly the coleslaw felt a litt...
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Belle Petit Restaurant (Simonette)

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Finding Simonette is like joining a secret society. If you miss the discreet entrance to the Pali Hotel, don’t worry—you’re not alone. I half expected to need a password and a special knock to get inside. Once you do manage to infiltrate, though, the vibe is gorgeous. Plants in the back room, chic décor in the front—basically the kind of setting where you instantly wonder if your outfit is underdressed. The service? Flawless. Our server was so helpful and friendly, I briefly considered asking them to come manage my life. Food highlights: the onion soup. Yes, the onion soup. It came in quietly, without flash or drama, then casually stole the whole show like a surprise celebrity cameo. Mussels, salmon, and the Parisian burger all held their own, but that soup is now my Roman Empire. Dessert was a strawberry cheesecake and crème brûlée duo that could easily ruin you for other sweets. The one sour note? Parking. The valet sent us to what can only be described as the Parking Hunger Game...
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Su Casa Es Mi Casita/Casita

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It's not often that we come to the valley for dinner, but given the company and the restaurant, Casita, in Sherman Oaks, the drive was well worth it! Mr. Picky and I were joined by our friends The Pilot, and his lovely wife, Mrs. Nicest Person Ever for a delightful dinner. We started off with the Casita Margarita made with blanco tequila, lime, and house-made simple syrup. We also enjoyed the Skinny Margarita with tres agaves organic, agave, and citrus. Both cocktails were refreshing and perfect! We decided to try the guacamole with avocado, citrus onion, and chile. It definitely had a little kick and Mr. Picky declared it, "way too spicy" for him. Tortilla chips were fresh and hot so Mr. Picky made do with those! I had the Caesar salad with romaine, spiced pepitas, achiote croutons, and parmesan. I was kind of bummed because they forgot the pepitas but the salad was okay. I was happier with Mrs. Nicest Person Ever's Little Gem salad. She got candied pepitas, tarragon...
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Coastal Cravings at Belle's Beach House

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I first discovered Belle's Beach House at the Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival last year. The Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice was the dish that Belle's presented at the festival. I may or may not have gone back five times to eat what I deem to be the best spicy tuna on crispy rice in the city! Walk in to Belle's, located just steps from the Venice Boardwalk, and you'll feel like you're in a Tiki Room. The island vibes are undeniable and atmosphere is pure chill. The hand-crafted cocktails are outstanding and the Hawaiian Izakaya (Japanese-style pub) cuisine can't be beat! Unwind with friends here over a beautiful cocktail like Remote Paradise (vodka, lime, guava, heirloom pineapple, and coconut water) a glass of wine, or a beer and get ready to enjoy a fantastic meal. Start off with the Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice; you must. Tuna is so bright and fresh and topped with spicy aioli and chives. We also love the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls with sweet and sour sauce, and the...
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