Fonda Theatre and Hollywood events: Blue Palms Brewhouse for hearty food

This time we didn't have a chance to go before, but after we'd spent some time at the Edwardian Ball in the Fonda Theatre, we dropped by the neighboring Blue Palms Brewhouse. You can watch sports (we watched the Olympics) while you eat and check out the people going into the Fonda Theatre.

Since this is a brewery, as you might guess, there's a lot of alcohol in the cuisine so there are actually few things that I can get. I got the Wild Boar Andouille ($8 with a garnish and two toppings). Ian got Smoked Venison (also $8).  The Lobster Mac N Cheese as a side dish is also $8.

This was our anniversary dinner and Ian was finally convinced that Mac and Cheese can be a good thing.

Blue Palms Brewhouse

6124 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Neighborhood: Hollywood

(323) 464-2337

bluepalmsbrewhouse.com

Wild Boar Andouille 

Lobster Mac and Cheese. 

Venison sausage. 

Sweet potato fries for $6

Fortifying comfort food at Andersen's

We didn't plan it that way but both coming and going on the I-5 to San Francisco, we stopped at the famous Andersen's. Ian have never had their split pea soup. The split pea soup is good, but they give a good old-fashioned California fruit salad.

We had enough for a second meal and thus didn't go out to eat for dinner in San Francisco.

The banana bread was too sweet for me and I'm not a fan of pre-buttered toast, but we think of Andersen's in Santa Nella as a good deal.

12411 S. Highway 33 
Santa Nella, CA 95322

 Website

(209) 826-1685

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Waffles, waffles everywhere in a dog-friendly hidden venue: More Than Waffes

If you want to sit back and relax and even listen to a few tunes, try More than Waffles in Encino. This was another shopping expedition find--no we didn't buy anything. We did help set up a garage sale and asked the person in charge about a good place for brunch.

Go early, because this place gets crowded fast! We waited and waited--apparently someone near the door took our reservations for two so our wait was longer than usual. Still we listened to the person with the red merle Aussie play some tunes, and even danced a few tangos.

We were rewarded with a beautiful pumpkin spice waffle ($9.25 with low fat frozen yogurt) and a very well-stuffed crepe: Ika's. See below for what all is in it.

Ika's - organic spinach, turkey sausage, organic basil, garlic, mozzarella, feta, scrambled with eggs, topped with melted mozzarella, served with home fries or fruit

11.95

This is a family-owned business that was started in 1975 and is well-worth the wait (but not a double wait). It's tucked into a courtyard that you can't see from the road or even from the parking lot of the mini mall.

• 17200 Ventura Blvd
  Ste 109Encino
• Get Directions
• Phone number(818) 789-5937

Thai food in Northridge: Lum-Ka-Naad

We went on another shopping expedition out to Northridge. We didn't end up buying anything, but we did find an exceptional Thai restaurant. What we liked was the unusual tastes and the vast, vast menu. We asked for everything at medium spicy.

The duck noodle soup didn't have enough duck for our tastes, but the broth was rich and not overly salty and it was enough for both of us.

I usually love eggplant, but Ian liked the eggplant salad better than I did.

Pla pling ($9.95) is a very spicy fish wrapped in banana leaves. I liked it better than Ian.

The menu is divided into Southern and Northern cuisine so you get to learn something about the Thai cuisine past the usual.

Lum-Ka-Naad

8910 Reseda Blvd
Northridge, CA 91324

(818) 882-3028

Duck noodle soup ($8.95) 

Tum makua (eggplant salad at $7.95) 

Pla pling ($9.95)