
Bharat Bazaar and Samosa House
This tasty neighborhood institution serves up vegetarian Indian food alongside an Indian market featuring imported South Indian spices and ingredients. The family that owns the place is super friendly, chatting with you as you order and explaining any exotic dish you need defined. And of course, try the samosas: flawless flaky pods of potatoes, peas and spices, cooked to perfection. Be gutsy and try the jackfruit: it's a surprisingly delicious meat alternative. Who knew?
11510 W. Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 398-6766
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Meltdown
Grilled. Cheese. Restaurant. How could it get any better? Meltdown makes grilled cheese an art form, giving that much-loved combo of bread, butter and cheese the respect it so richly deserves. Yes, it's a bit pricy for just grilled cheese ($6-$9.50), but we're talking the Cadillac of grilled cheese sammies here: try the sharp cheddar, smoked ham and apple butter on sourdough, or the sweet brie-and-apricot on walnut bread. Getting cheesy never tasted so good. Beware, late risers: it's only open for breakfast and lunch.
9739 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 838-6358
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Tender Greens
The freshest local organic produce you can find is on the menu here at Tender Greens. This vegetarian-friendly restaurant (meat is available, but the whole menu emphasizes veggies) fosters relationships with nearby farms to ensure their salads, line-caught ahi tuna, rustic bread sandwiches and savory soups are amazingly delicious. Order at the counter and sit on the patio for a refreshing afternoon.
9523 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 842-8300
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Fraiche
Los Angeles Magazine chose Fraiche as the best new restaurant in LA for 2007, and we totally understand why. Styled after a French brasserie, the desserts are especially gorgeous: profiteroles with butterscotch, a flawless panna cotta, carrot cake and a luxurious pot du creme round out the selections. The menu runs toward rustic French selections and Italian specialties like risotto and ravioli. It's busy, so make a reservation, at hit the bar while you wait for your table: their house drinks are crowdpleasers unto themselves.
9411 Culver Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 839-6800
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