Sunday, July 20, 2025

REVIEW: Casa Vega

Founder Rafael Vega’s family pictures at Casa Vega’s lobby in Sherman Oaks on Saturday, September 16, 2023. Photo by Lourdes Suasnabar. As the lights dim, the classic Mexican tune “Contigo,” by the famous trio Los Panchos, resonates throughout the dining room of his hidden gem. With mustard-painted walls streaked with...

Larsen’s Steakhouse

Written by Chaez Pearson In the heart of Valencia is a street called Town Center Drive where the majority of the town’s entertainment takes place. This street has a mall, movie theater, luxurious gymnasiums, a plethora of smaller shops, as well as some of the best restaurants. At night, the neon lights up and the city center’s atmosphere is like...

The Baker much more than just a bakery

Breakfast, lunch or dessert, this neighborhood bakery cafe with homemade breads and Mediterranean-influenced entries is the concealed jewel. From the traditional to vegetarian options and Mediterranean flavors, there is a lot of variety. The location is typical for the San Fernando Valley by being on a strip mall, but don't be fooled by the unassuming facade. Tucked away from the...

El Tapatio

On the corner of Victory Boulevard and Fallbrook Avenue, located in Woodland Hills, California, is where El Tapatio Mexican restaurant is. When you walk in the door you are greeted with a big menu above the cash register and an employee waiting for a customer to come in and place an order. The restaurant is decorated with Mexican paintings and Sombreros...

Review: Warhammer Store and Café

In the United States, the tabletop game of Warhammer-- borne from “across the pond” in the United Kingdom-- has managed to root its way into the hearts of hobbyists since 1983. Since that time, the hobby has evolved from small, local finecast miniatures to an international sensation, with titular products such as Warhammer: 40,000, Age of Sigmar,...

CiCi’s Cafe

Entering Tarzana from the east there is a strip shopping mall on the cross streets of traffic filled Ventura Boulevard and Wilbur Avenue, where CiCi’s Café is located. CiCi’s has a small dining room and it has a vibrant atmosphere that makes it seem a “hip place.” It was a bit cramped because of the crowd and noise. If you’re...

REVIEW: Mambo International Kitchen

Hong Kong Rice Bowl at Mambo International Kitchen in Northridge, Calif. on March 17, 2019. The bowl consists on deep fried pork spare ribs served with a side of garlic rice. Photo by Chris Torres.Korean tacos at Mambo International Kitchen in Northridge, Calif. on March 17, 2019.The Banana Nutella Eggroll with Vanilla ice cream at Mambo International...

Food review: Firehouse

Photo by: Erick Ceron Driving east from Pierce College, in the corner of Victory and Reseda Boulevard you can find a place that doesn’t look to fancy nor pretends to be. You enter from the back of the building, and instantly get the sense of a wooden cabin feel in the middle of nowhere. The red brick walls, wood floors,...

Bread Crumbs Cafe

Tucked away between two office buildings in the parking lot of a medical center, the Bread Crumbs Cafe provides a convenient opportunity for a quick meal to those around. The small restaurant kitchen allows for approximately two people to sit inside and has outside seating for about six. The smell of baked bread and grilled deli meat fill the air...

REVIEW: The Palm Coffee Bar

The Ham and Cheese Croissant, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and hot coffee from The Palm Coffee Bar in Burbank, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2023. Photo by Drew Hokama. There’s something about a morning cup of coffee that makes the rest of the day feel right. Suddenly, getting the kids ready for school, dealing with...