Extraordinary Desserts, Desert and Lunch, San Diego, CA

Extraordinary Desserts
1430 Union Street
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 294-7991



My wife had read about this place when researching San Diego for our anniversary weekend, and we decided we just had to try it.

When you walk in there is a huge glass case filled with different desserts, all of which can change all the time, as soon as they sell out. There is also a bunch of sit down tables as they have sandwiches and tapas type foods as well, though we just got desert to go.

They gave us a a sheet of paper, and told us to write down our picks to take to the cashier, and to have backups because things go quick. We got what we wanted though.

And the depressing thing is that it was a mixed bag. Some absolutely amazing, and some actually bad!

First off Kelly got ice cream and I got sorbet. The ice cream was a strawberry, and was OK, though tasted like strawberry jam instead of fresh strawberries. So it was a bit too sweet, but pretty good. On the other hand I had a banana and passion fruit sorbet that was the best sorbet I have ever had. The taste was exquisite, and the texture soft and fluffy. Absolutely perfect! I should have gotten more! REALLY SPECTACULAR!

Then we each got something to take back to the hotel room.

I got a chocolate chip cookie with cherries, and it was awful! Dry as the desert, and hard as a rock. Just not good at all! Couldn't even taste the cherries either. Bleck!

Kelly meanwhile got a chocolate crossaint with strawberries on top, and it was unbelievably good. Great in fact! Wow. So tasty! We had just had dinner and ice cream and were going to have a bite, but quickly ate the whole thing!

So not sure what to say about this place. It was hit or miss.

Taste Chicago, Pizza, Sausage Ribs and Beef, Burbank, CA

Taste Chicago
603 N Hollywood Way
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 563-2800  

GOOGLE MAP

Kelly and I were really hungry one day, and this was close to her house, so we decided to try it, and we were quickly sorry we did. Now we did not try the ribs or pizza, but the sandwiches were atrocious!

This place is on the Northwest corner of Hollywood Way and Verdugo, and has ample parking, and is basically a covered stand with no bathroom (so go before you go, or you will be sorry).

Philippe The Original, French Dippe, Los Angeles, CA

Philippes
1001 N. Alameda St.
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 628-3781
6a-10p
Breakfast 6a-10:30a

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The LA Original, established in 1908 that created the French Dip in 1918, and has been owned b y the same people since 1927, and in this location since 1957, and home of the 9¢ cup of coffee, is an LA classic that everyone needs to try! This time I took Kelly because she likes French Dippe sandwiches, and had never been, and we had a wonderful time! The sandwiches are always good, and we tried some sides. There is also 2 ample parking lots on Ord, though if you are going on a week day at lunch, expect a long wait (and you will always wait in line along the sawdust strewn floor. Philippes is always good, and always tasty, and quite inexpensive as well.

Babalu, Latin American Cafe, Santa Monica, CA

1002 Montana Ave,
Santa Monica, CA 90403

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My dad and I went here for lunch when he was in town off the recommendation of my uncle (something about cute waitresses is what I think he told my dad), and I have to say I am glad we went because the food is actually quite good, and has quite an eclectic menu. They also have some interesting looking drink concoctions, but we stayed away from those as it was lunch time. This is a delicious Montana eatery, just watch for parking enforcement.

Village Coffee Shop, Breakfast and Lunch, Hollywood, CA

2695 N. Beachwood Drive,
Los Angeles, CA 90068-2339
(323) 467-5398
Mon-Sat 8am-5pm
Sun 8am-3pm

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For some reason I always thought this place was called the Beachwood Cafe, but I guess not. This is what I would call a very rustic coffee shop with breakfast and lunch. The decor is early 20th century America, and the wooden tables and chairs all wobble, and the register is about as old as can be. I actually think the place has better atmosphere than food, but it is alright to visit once in a while.

The Dip, French Dip Sandwiches, Hollywood, CA

6801 Hollywood Blvd. #67

Hollywood, CA 90028

(323) 871-0888

Sun-Thurs 11A-9P, Fri-Say 11A-12PM

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Located in the Hollywood and Highland mall, this is actually a quit tasty french dip place. The food is high quality and good, and fast and they have a huge variety of condiments including lots of hot peppers and even habanero mustard, ketchup and hot sauce.

Topz, Hamburger Restaurant, Toluca Lake, CA

Topz
10119 Riverside Dr.
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
(818) 766-9066

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I had been looking forward to this place, which bills itself as having the LEANEST BURGERS IN AMERICA for a while, since one of the producers I have been working with mentioned it to me. And I have to say I was very disappointed. I was not too impressed at all, though I did like the syrups and formulas you can add to your soda, though they can't be good for you, and don't make up for the unimpressive and borring hamburgers and fries this place serves.

South Street, Philadelphia Style Cheese Steaks, Burbank, CA

South Street

117 North Victory Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91502

(8180 563-2211

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A quite large restaurant in what was obviously a strip mall at the North West corner of Victory Blvd and Clark Ave, this place has some great food, and is well worth checking out. In fact I can guarantee I will be going here again. Not only is this the best Philly Cheese Steak that I have had in Los Angeles, but the Pizza is pretty damn good thin crust New York style pizza. My only complaint is they seem to have forgotten my order, and so it took way too long, but I will give them a second chance.

California Pizza Kitchen, California Quisine mixed with Pizza, Glendale CA and all over

CPK

101 N. Brand Ave

Glendale, CA 91203

(818) 507-1558

Monday - Thursday: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM, Friday, Saturday: 11:30 AM - 11:00 PM, Sunday: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

A decent enough mishmash of a restaurant. Really not a pizza place, but a Fusion restaurant, will all sorts of different Pizza like products. Reasonable priced with huge portions, though not the best food. Decent enough for a chain, but not too impressive, but certainly good enough for a quick bite.

Outback Steak House, American Steak House, Burbank, CA

Outback Steak House

1761 N. Victory Place

Burbank, CA

(818) 567-2717

Monday - Thursday: 4-10, Friday: 4-11, Saturday: 12-11, Sunday: 12-9:30

I had never been here, and went for dinner after work with my girlfriend, and must say I was actually fairly impressed. The steak was quite tasty and cooked exactly as I asked. Sure I was too stuffed afterwards, but this place is worth a try, because for steak it is pretty reasonably priced.

The Newes, Pub food, Marthas Vineyard, Edgartown, MA

23 Kelly St.

Edgartown, MA 02539

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This was always a favorite of mine since I was a kid. Just getting a burger on an excellent bun, and fries in a bag with vinegar and maybe some onion rings while chomping on some pepronchini peppers always made me happy, so we had to go. And the fries and onion rings were as good as ever, but I must say I was disappointed with the burger which didn't seem too special at all.