California-LA

In February Marilyn and I spent 8 days in California. We have family in three locations and usually start either North or South renting a car and driving between locations. This time, as you may have already guested we started in LA. I'll report on food, as is my wont, but we had some wonderful shopping and family experiences to boot.
The day we arrived we had lunch, with our daughter-in-law at 3 Square Cafe and Bakery, 1121 Abbot Kinny Blvd, Venice CA 90291. Phone 310-399-6504. There are two attached building, both handicapped accessible. The one houses the Cafe while the other is an eat in or carry out Bakery. Both have interesting, well prepared items. A speciality is Pretzel buns, bread and sticks.The two founders are both Austrian, Hans and Wolfgang. The operation is open all day, hence the name. We split several items: a Sandwich Sampler, a pretzel Burger, Calamari and fresh Lemonades. Abbot Kinny is full of interesting shops and so it is an easy place to spend a couple of hours.
That night we brought in dinner as we did all 3 evenings, we were there. The first was from a very good Italian place in Pacific Palisades. We especially like the Sand Dabs and several of their specialty Pastas.
The second day was the shopping highlight with several hours at an import Bazaar. We have two teak service bowls courtesy of our LA family. Lunch was at "The Apple Pan", a well established, stand in line Hamburger and Apple Pie counter, sit down, 50 year old landmark. The family who started still are the operators. You can have a Hamburger or Cheeseburger with relish or Bar-B-Que sauce, and that is it. It's worth the wait. Around the corner is Junior's Deli. $150 later we left the deli with food for the 7 of us for several days. The contents of our bags are not really available in Cincinnati. Dinner was deli, that night. I wouldn't put it in my "food diary" so I wont recreate now.
The last day our Son, Charles, took us, for lunch, to one of LA's "hot spots, Mozza. In the evening the full restaurant is open but at lunch it is only a very upscale Pizza Parlor with many interesting sides. Mozza is at 6602 Melrose Ave, 90038, phone 323-297-0100. Our lunch was fascinating. We started with room temperature, cooked and marinated, Brussel Sprout along with an order of of Augratine Cauliflower. This was followed by an Arugula and Mushroom salad and three specialty Pizza. More than enough to split among the four of us and still take some Pizza home for the kids.
I'm off for lunch in Cincinnati. I wont be the same.