The Stand's Breakfast Burrito

As previously blogged, The Stand in Woodland Hills launched it’s breakfast menu and extended hours back on March 1st.  I was finally able to get in there last weekend to check it out, and as promised I had the Breakfast Burrito.  The burrito contains eggs, your choice of sausage or bacon (I went with sausage), pepper-jack cheese, stand potatoes, avocado, and a side of salsa.  At $6.95, it’s not necessarily the cheapest breakfast burrito in the world, although by comparison to sit-down restaurants’ offerings like The Cheesecake Factory’s Sunrise Fiesta Burrito (which is quite huge) at $TBD, it’s very affordable.

On the plus side, I’d say that The Stand’s Breakfast Burrito is actually very delicious.  The best thing about it is actually tortilla they are using.  It has a quality about it that is almost sweet, and it really adds a level of flavor to the burrito beyond the contents.  The salsa was also quite tasty.  The Stand also has little packets of Tabasco sauce which I enjoyed with child-like enthusiasm, even going so far as to take a few home.

One downside that I can see to the breakfast at The Stand is the lack of Orange Juice on the menu.  I ended up having a fountain drink, which is okay for me, but I can see some people being turned off by that.  They do however have coffee, bottled soft drinks, and as mentioned, the fountain drinks.  It seems like they are getting asked a lot about the OJ issue, so perhaps they will add it to the menu.  I mean, after all, to many folks orange juice at breakfast, particularly at a restaurant, is like turkey on Thanksgiving – you just gotta have it.  Am I wrong?

All in all, it was a nice pleasant atmosphere and not too crowded at all for a Saturday morning, so I think I will definitely be back for more.

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Panini Cafe Woodland Hills

A couples weeks back, when it was raining nearly every day, I decided to stop by Panini Cafe in Woodland Hills again for another delicious breakfast.  A reader of one of my previous posts had made a comment that they were not a big fan of the coffee, so I figured it was my obligation to check it out.

Coffee at Panini Cafe

As you might imagine, since Panini Cafe is “Mediterranean” themed, the coffee is quite strong.  I can see that this would not be for everyone.  Thankfully, I am the kind of person that can cream and sugar up any cup of coffee to my satisfaction, so I had no major issues with it.

For breakfast, I decided on the Breakfast Combo - 2 pieces of French Toast, 2 Eggs Any Style, 2 Pieces of Pepper Bacon or Apple Chicken Sausage with Roasted Potatoes or Fresh Fruit Cup – for $10.95.  I went with the bacon and scrambled eggs, and additionally threw caution to the wind and added Swiss cheese to the eggs for about a dollar more.

As far as I’m concerned it was a great breakfast.  I’m a sucker for French Toast, which I previously checked out at BJ’s, and they also cook up a mean slice at Panini Cafe.  The rest of the dish was great, including the bacon, and I’m a particular fan of the roasted potatoes.  It’s a great power breakfast for a busy blogger like myself!

Panini Cafe Turkey Omelette w/Roasted Potatoes

Wow, I’m really loving Panini Cafe.  Last week I stopped in for my first meal – The Charbroiled Chicken Kabob – and I knew I’d be back for more.  This past weekend I stopped in around 11am for my first sampling of their breakfast offerings.  I had the absolutely awesome #2 Turkey Omelette (with Roma Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, and Brie Cheese).  You really can taste the freshness in every bite.  Definitely one of the best omelettes I’ve had in a really long time and even the side of roasted potatoes was excellent.  I will definitely be back soon for more of these great omelettes! 

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Last week I also had my first panini sandwich from Panini Cafe – the #12 Turkey Panini Melt (Grilled Turkey Breast and Onion with Roma Tomatoes and Smoked Mozzarella on Grilled Filone).  Excellent.  And, for my side I ordered the Pasta Salad.  Incredible.  There is definitely a growing panini trend in this country and I can see why.  This was a great, healthy, and filling meal for a great price.  I see more paninis in my near future!

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Can’t wait until my next visit to Panini Cafe!

The Stand to begin serving breakfast on March 1st.

I paid a visit to The Stand (5780 Canoga Ave) over the weekend to get an ABC Burger (one of my favorites) to go.  While there, I noticed a big new sign announcing to the world that they begin serving breakfast on March 1.  Sweet.  Looks like they’ll have all the favorites including a Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Sandwich, various scrambles and egg concoctions, delicious sides like sausage, bacon, and potatoes, as well as oat meal.  I’m always excited to see breakfast variety coming into Woodland Hills. I was informed by the staff that they will also be opening at 7:30am daily.  Crazy stuff, kids!

The StandCard, well-worn

Also, remember next time you go to The Stand, be sure to join their StandCard loyalty program.  From their site:

STANDCARD BENEFITS:
Effective January 1, 2010

1.  INSTANT SAVINGS ON EVERY PURCHASE:
5% INSTANT DISCOUNT
Save 5% at the time of purchase on all food,
(Limit of $50 savings per day per member)

2.  SPECIAL BEER & WINE PRICES:
Members enjoy special “Member’s Only Pricing” on our Stand Honey Blonde Draft Ale & Salmon Creek House Wine

3.  DOLLAR DOGS:
Monday Night from 5pm until closing.
Stand Dogs are $1 and Loaded Stand Dogs are $2.50.
Excludes chips.  Dollar Dog Rules Apply.

4.  MEMBER ONLY COUPONS AND SPECIALS:
As a member you will receive email notices regarding very special Members Only Offers.

I can’t wait to check out the breakfast!

BJ's Woodland Hills

This morning I stopped into BJ’s again in Woodland Hills to watch the first half of the Georgia Tech (my alma mater) vs UNC college basketball game.  The last time I was here, a friend of mine had the Baked Italian Omelette and he said it was pretty good, so I decided I’d give it a try.

BJ's Baked Italian Omelette

Baked Italian Omelette Three scrambled eggs, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers, red onion, mushrooms and tomatoes, baked and topped with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Served with seasoned country potatoes and your choice of whole wheat or sourdough toast. $7.95

I really like the country potatoes at BJ’s, they have a great texture and flavor.  And the baked Italian Omelette itself is also very good – it’s almost like have an omelette and a sausage pizza combined.  Which is probably a little misleading because the dish itself is actually pretty light and healthy tasting.

When I left at halftime, the Yellow Jackets were dismantling UNC.  Somehow, in the second half they ended up blowing a 20+ point lead, but thankfully still ended up winning 73-31.  Go Jackets!

BJ's Brunch Menu

This past weekend one of my friends suggested that a group of us meet at 10am at BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse in Woodland Hills to watch the Miami Dolphins’ final game of the season.  I was more than game for it since I haven’t been to BJ’s in a long time, and I figured if they were open at 10AM on weekends it must mean they serve breakfast.

I was happy to learn that BJ’s opens every Saturday and Sunday at 10AM and serves a special brunch menu from 10AM to 1PM.  Their regular menu is also available.  I’m always on the hunt on the hunt for new breakfast places in the West Valley so I was more than happy to give BJ’s a try.

BJ's French Toast Combo W/Ham and Swiss Cheese (upgrade)

Interestingly, pretty much everyone at the table was drawn to the French Toast Combo (pictured above with Swiss cheese melted on the eggs at my request).  From the menu:

FRENCH TOAST COMBO – Two pieces of thick, “OLD-FASHIONED” bread grilled golden brown, lightly dusted with powdered sugar and served with three scrambled eggs and your choice of Applewood smoked bacon, grilled ham or country sausage links on grilled sourdough bread.  Served with seasoned country potatoes.  $7.95

First of all, the price is great.  Second of all, so is the French Toast.  Wow, it was so good without being outrageously over done.  It was like a the french toast your mom would make, just good.  Everyone at the table enjoyed it immensely.  A friend of ours also had the Baked Italian Omelette (not pictured, but later reviewed) and said it was very good.  I plan to go back soon and try something else from the brunch menu, and I’ll let you know when I do.

BJ's Huge Turkey Burger

My friend Jim waited a bit to order food and decided to order from the lunch menu.  He shuns red meat and is a huge Turkey Burger fan.  At BJ’s you can make any of their burgers a turkey burger at no additional cost, and they use a 7 oz all white meat patty.  Jim elected to get the Sourdough Burger (turkey version) and got Monterrey Jack cheese instead of the default Cheddar.

SOURDOUGH BURGER*
A juicy Angus burger served on Parmesan grilled sourdough bread with tomatoes, pickles, lettuce and 1000 Island dressing. Very messy but very good! Available with Applewood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese.

BJ's Turkey Burger (Ketchup Added)

It really was a monstrous Turkey Burger and Jim reported that it was delicious.  The deliciousness of which, however, did little to quell the pain of the Dolphins being eliminated from NFL Playoff contention.

Side Garden Salad

Lastly instead of fries and the variety of other items that BJ’s offers as sides, Jim elected to have a side garden salad which he also reported as being very good.

So if you’re looking for a great breastfast/brunch on the weekends, don’t forget about BJs from 10AM to 1PM!