Father's Office (Santa Monica, CA)

Father's Office

1018 Montana Avenue

Santa Monica, CA 90403
310 393 BEER (2337)

Father's Office is renowned for having the best burger in town. The popular Office Burger does not allow substitutions nor can you ask them to remove and/or add additional ingredients. This "gourmet burger" is not on your typical bun, but on a fresh baguette with arugula, bacon, caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese and bleu cheese. Cooked to perfection.

We also order the crispy yam fries a la cart with a side of Cabreles Bleu Cheese aioli

Lucques (West Hollywood)

8474 Melrose, Los Angeles

323-665-6277
http://www.lucques.com/
Chef and Owner: Suzanne Goin

"Weathered brick, exposed wood beams, a prominent, wood-burning fireplace, a cozy bar and a lovely canvas-draped patio all create a homey, upscale vibe." (LA Citysearch)

We sat in the cozy canvas-draped patio of the restaurant with free-standing trees and vines growing along the walls. Our meal began with crusty Italian bread, salty Tuscan olives with coarse salt for dippingThe "Sunday Supper" Menu:
Here is the dandelion and kabocha squash salad w/ roasted dates, bacon, and spiced pepitas

I had the baked local swordfish with couscous, green harissa, pomegranate, and pine nut tarator

Tony had the grilled lamb skewers (which was a rosemary stem...good tip for cooking!) with swiss chard bread pudding, goat cheese, black olives and fried chickpeas For dessert, we each had the yogurt sherbert with persimmon compote and sesame brittle. It was a bit too sweet for us, but still delicious!

Icebergs (Bondi Beach, Australia)

http://www.idrb.com/icebergs
Set on a cliff overlooking the waves of Bondi Beach, Tony and I had the opportunity to experience this beautiful panoramic view by ourselves at the bar in Icebergs.

The bar area of Icebergs...

Our 3 cheeses plate with dried figs...accompanied with a Riesling and Lime Bitters Drink.