Got the Gottsui Glows.

This is what love looks like after a long night of karaoke on Sawtelle.

> GOTTSUI OKONOMIYAKI
2119 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

The Pan vs. The Republic. OF PIE.

Hey all, it's been awhile- lots to catch up on. But it's the holidays, so let's talk PIE.

Apple Pan Hickory burger and fries- add some pepper to that ketchup!

Banana cream pie at Apple Pan- practically perfect in every way.

On the Westside, we have the well-established Apple Pan- casual,crowded, counter style dining. Excellent burgers, excellent fries, but an even more excellent banana cream pie. Burger of choice has the be the Hickory, but the pie really steals the show. There are other flavors and options of course, but those are my personal go-to's.

Republic of Pie's Banana Creme.

Now by the NoHo area, you have the Republic of Pie, so no question as to what they're all about. Their banana cream pie was more presentable and definitely delicious, but I prefer the "fresh-out-of-oven-made-by-grandma" feel of Apple Pan's. I also tried something like a chocolate pudding pie (picture) and that really... took the cake.

Both places are still recommended for some good ol' American pie action though.

> THE APPLE PAN
10801 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064

> REPUBLIC OF PIE
11118 Magnolia Blvd
San Fernando Valley, CA 91601

Republic of Pie's chocolate "something-or-other-I-forgot-tasty-though"

Gottsui got-a-me.

(Wow, I really do eat a lot of Japanese food...) Gottsui IS the best okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) spot. (Suck it, Glowfish truck, I'm still angry at you for making me wait 50 minutes for my food without so much as an apology.)

Cheese Potato.

Let's cut to the chase. Order the Cheese potato- potato, shrimp, eggs and grilled cheese with ketchup and mayo = HEAVEN your mouth. I could order two of those for a meal and be perfectly happy. It literally made me shed tears of joy.

For my first time, I decided to play it safe and order the Gottsui Okonomiyaki, which has shrimp, pork, egg, squid, and potato. See for yourself, it's gloriously delicious. I really don't have anything else to say, after writing this I'm gonna go get some more. And probably a side of karaoke at Max.

> GOTTSUI OKONOMIYAKI!
2119 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Huckleberry Ferry.

Fried Egg Sandwich.

Maple Bacon Biscuit.

Huckleberry in Santa Monica was a Saturday brunch experience like no other. I usually don't have patience for being in a half hour line snaking through the restaurant and out the door, not to mention you're not allowed to get a table until your entire party is there and have ordered... but if the food's really good, it's worth the wait in the end.

The bakery/restaurant makes their own bread, pastries and desserts, which are all right up front for you to drool over as you make your order. I had the fried egg sandwich with runny sunny side up eggs, perfect bacon, gruyere, arugala and aioli, and also their signature maple bacon biscuit. Both were very yummy but neither of these can compare to their Prosciutto gruyere croissant and Blueberry tart. These two bakery items gave me a touch of the dizzies, the food high. And it is for these two things that I'll be back.

Great food in the $9-$12 range for a meal, around $4 for items from the bakery.

Later that night I visited the Sawtelle block and ate at Hurry Curry of Tokyo and had some red bean boba at Volcano Tea House. Both were pretty good, but I was surprised Volcano did not carry soymilk. Otherwise, their boba was perfectly chewy and delicious and they had huge drink selection. Next time, I'm trying the Oolong milk tea and waiting patiently for the Ramen Jinya to open down the street.

Huckleberry
1014 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Hurry Curry of Tokyo
2131 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Volcano Tea House
2111 Sawtelle Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Ramen Jinya
11239 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604