Blue Marlin

On Saturday I treated my good friend, Beth to a belated b-day lunch at the Blue Marlin on Sawtelle Ave. in West L.A. Beth and I are the same age, so I know exactly what she's going through. Getting older is difficult work, but at least we get to go out to lunch!

The Blue Marlin is in a large mini-mall on Sawtelle Ave., just north of Olympic on the west side of the street. I had been there a year earlier with Regina and her daughter, Lena. At that time, we had rissoto and various teriyaki dishes.

For this visit, I read a few of the local food blogs before we went. The fusion Japanese/Italian pastas were recommended as was the hamburger steak, called "hamburg."

Salad and Miso Soup

Miso Salmon

Hamburg Steak

Beth has the Miso Salmon and I had the Hamburg Steak. Both were served with Miso Soup and a delicious salad with a carrot, sesame dressing. I would definitely return to the Blue Marlin. Everything was fresh, beautifully served and delicious.

Cream Puffs from Beard Papa

After lunch we walked about and looked in a few shops, especially the Asahiya Japanese Book and Magazine shop in the mini-mall across the street. We couldn't walk thru that mini-mall without a stop at Beard Papa for a birthday cream puff. It was a delightful afternoon.

Seen on Sawtelle AvenueDon't you want a credit card with a tomato on it? I do!

Blue Marlin Restaurant

2121 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025

(310) 445-2522

Beard Papa

2130 Sawtelle Blvd. Suite #110, Los Angeles, CA 90025

(310) 479-6665

Chulada Grille

Chulada Grill - Mid-City

A few times a month we frequent our local Oaxacan restaurant, The Chulada Grill. It's on the corner of Hauser and San Vicente, Mid-City...conveniently located in a mini-mall across the street from the mini-mall containing a Baskin-Robbins shop.

The Chulada is small, but there are tables for indoor seating, a salsa bar and Spanish-language novelas on the overhead TVs. We usually order the burritos. The last time we were there, I, in fact, did order the carnitas burrito. It was delicious. Larry ordered the chile relleno plate, with rice and black beans. They serve beer and wine, along with many soft drinks from Mexico and the U.S.

Carnitas Burrito

Chile Relleno Plate

Salsa Bar

It's always wonderful to have a place right in the neighborhood that's quick and where you can pick up food to go. Chulada will also deliver within a 3 mile radius. There's a live theater, a hairdresser and a dress shop in the same block, along with a laundromat in the mini-mall. Across the street in the same mini-mall as the Baskin-Robbins is 7/11. Kitty-Corner, you'll find Pasquale Shoe Repair and Coffee House. It's one-stop-shopping at it's finest in good ol' Wilshire Vista!

Chulada Grille, 5607 San Vicente, LA, 323/954-7570