A Politically Incorrect Blog About Living in Woodland Hills, California

Visiting The PF Chang’s $3PM – $6PM Happy Hour In Woodland Hills

A few months back PF Chang’s, in line with many other local restaurants, launched a great Happy Hour with food and drink specials ranging from $3 to $6 from 3pm to 6pm every day of the week – appropriately named the $3pm – $6pm Happy Hour.  I have had a chance to drop in on it several times now, and it’s pretty solid.  Weekdays it gets pretty busy at the bar at around 5pm, but the specials are valid in the dining area as well.  These prices are pretty amazing, and I must admit I’ve had those Northern Style Spare Ribs as my dinner on more than one ocassion.  I have included a gallery below of some of my favorite items from the menu.  Honestly, I haven’t tried the drinks yet but as soon as I can get some people together to head over and have some drinks I’ll post pictures of those, too.

Popularity: 8%

The Mediterranean Salmon Salad At Panini Cafe Is AWESOME!

Okay, okay, I know it seems like I might be overly singing the praises of Panini Cafe in Woodland Hills.  But, I really do love the place.  Plus it’s very convenient for me, has very easy parking, and did I mention, great food!?  This Saturday at around 2pm I stopped in for a quick lunch.  The place was hopping!  I actually sat outside since it was a nice day and pretty full inside.  A good friend of mine had previous told me that the Mediterranean Salmon Salad was phenomenal, so I knew that was something I had to try.

From the menu, the Mediterranean Salmon Salad contains: Oven Roasted Salmon on a Bed of Mixed Greens Topped With Cucumber, Tomatoes, Red Onion, Olives, Feta Cheese, Fresh Tarragon and Lemon.

All I can say is that ever since I had this salad I have been having dreams about it.  It’s awesome.  I’ve never had Feta Cheese before on a salmon salad, and every bite of this salad truly impressed me.  I love the olives as well.  Awesome.  If you are a lover of salmon salads, you won’t want to miss this one.

Popularity: 3%

You Can Get a Pretty Good Breakfast Burrito At The Stand, But No Orange Juice

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.

Popularity: 2%

Happy Pi Day! Don’t Forget About The Key Lime Pie At Morton’s!

As you might remember, I went to Morton’s Power Hour for the very first time last Thursday.  I liked it so much, that I went back on Friday!  I love the atmosphere in there.  It’s full of people having a good time and unwinding, which is perfect for a Friday evening.  I fulfilled by goal of checking out the Key Lime Pie in advance of the National Pi Day special (today!) and I can honestly report that it is awesome.  For $3.14 you can’t go wrong, people.  I hope you can make it over there today to check it out.  I ended up having dinner at Morton’s, so I took my slice of pie to-go and savored it at home later.

But, let’s face it, any trip to Morton’s would be incomplete without some meat.  I have been yearning to try the $15 Morton’s Prime Burger for quite some time and this was my opportunity.  When it was brought to me at the bar, the couple next to me remarked, “Wow.  That is an insane burger.”  Yes.  It is.  It’s an awe inspiring sight to behold, I must admit.  I got mine configured with sauteed onions, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, and of course, rare.  Dazzling.

This was probably one of the best burgers I’ve had in a long while.  Absolutely mouth watering.  The fries were great, too.  And, I just love the atmosphere at Morton’s.  Grab a friend and check it out tonight!

Popularity: 3%

Visiting The Morton’s Power Hour In Woodland Hills

Yesterday after work I was feeling the urge for some social interaction and some good food & drinks.  My buddy Steve told me earlier in the week when I wrote about the National Pi Day Key Lime Pie Special coming up on Sunday, that he is a regular at Morton’s Power Hour happy hour, so I figured who better to check it out with.  We met at the Arnie Morton’s in Woodland Hills (6250 Canoga Avenue) right at 5pm when the place opened, along with some other friends.  It was quiet when we got there, but it ended up getting quite busy.  The Power Hour runs between 5pm to 6:30pm and 9pm to close daily.

I started things off with one of their $4 Sam Adams seasonal beers, and looks like this season it’s the Noble Pils.  A pretty good beer, to get me warmed up.  Steve and his wife were not shy about checking out the $5 glasses of BV Coastal Cabernet and Cavit Pino Grigio.  I wasn’t sure how many glasses Steve ended up having, but he reported it was “a lot of each.”

As Steve says, we “blew through the place like a cyclone” and ordered up a slew of bar bites.

Up first, we blew threw the a plate of the $2.50/ea Colossal Shrimp.  Crazy.  Fresh, delicious, and huge.  What more can be said?

It’s so funny, when I do these write ups I tend to get really hungry for these things again.  I could go for another icy plate of those shrimp right about now.

Next up, an order of the $5 Mini Crab Cakes.  Awesome.  Sure they are small in size, but big in flavor.  It’s actually a surprisingly filling little dish.  I can’t get enough crab cakes.  Later on in the evening we ended up getting a couple additional orders.  Good stuff.

Next up, the $5 Jumbo Lump Crab, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip.  Man, the flavor of the dip on those little pieces of crustini cheese toast will rock your senses.

Honestly, I was pretty stuffed from trying all these Bar Bites, but right as our server informed us that 6:30 and the end of the Power Hour was upon us, I mustered up the gumption to order the $5 Three Prime Cheeseburgers.  These things are insanely popular, as everyone at the tables surrounding us was having them.  I just could not pass up the chance to try them.

Honestly, these little burgers were probably the best thing I had at the whole Power Hour.  Of course, I ordered them rare, which was definitely is always the right choice.  They were so juicy and flavorful, it blew my fragile mind.  I am not kidding.  $5, people!  If you love burgers like me, you need to go try these.  You will never be able to eat a mini cheeseburger somewhere else again after trying these.  Sometime soon I will stop by and try the more expensive $15 Morton’s Prime Burger.  I have heard very good things about it. [Update: See my review of the Prime Burger.]

It should be pointed out, too, that the bar has a really nice outdoor patio area which is a great place to hang out and chat with your friends. I had an amazing time at the Power Hour, and the staff and service at Morton’s was friendly and fast.  I will be back, soon!

Popularity: 2%

Sampling Breakfast And More At Panini Cafe In Woodland Hills

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! 

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!

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

Popularity: 4%

Sampling The $1 Oatmeal (Fresh Banana) Wednesday At Jamba Juice

As previously blogged, Jamba Juice is doing special promotional pricing of $1 on its oatmeal every Wednesday through the end of the month.  So, last Wednesday I got up much, much too early to grab some oatmeal at JJ’s 6441 Canoga Avenue location before work.  It was delicious!  I’ll be back!

Popularity: 2%

Next Page »