Old Bus On Beloit

432 Main Street

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Pier Avenue & Main Street - Ocean Park

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Female Dog on Montana

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Table 5 at Saddle Peak Lodge - Calabasas

Pot de crème foie gras served with brandied cherry marmalade and toasted fruit nut bread $23

Berkshire pork duo of loin and braised belly, caramelized tomato onion and honey tart, sweet potato gnocchi with braised escarole, endive and marjoram pork jus $38

Quebracho wood grilled filet mignon, served with pommes puree “in” bone marrow and Yukon potato and apple-wood smoked bacon terrine $40

Saddle Peak Lodge

419 Cold Canyon Road,

Calabasas, CA 91302

818-222-3888

Today on Montana

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Sunday Pancakes at Joe's

So it's Sunday and it's raining and I'm craving pancakes.

I woke my wife by whispering in her ear, "pancakes...pancakes...pancakes." When I alternated with “waffles?,” she woke up and corrected me with “No. Pancakes.” Now, I could’ve made the pancakes myself, but on these rare rainy days in L.A., I like to get out of the house. Sunday the 11th was the first really good weekend rain day this season. Light rain, but good rain nonetheless.

We decided on Joe’s Diner in Ocean Park. We hadn’t been there together for breakfast in years. I hadn’t been there for breakfast in years. I used to go there regularly for their blue corn pancakes with a side of bacon. I used to like to sit at the counter and watch the cooks do their magic. I go by the place quite often, particularly when I go to the Tuesday/Thursday “Burger Madness” special at Rick’s Tavern on Main or just to imbibe on Delirium Tremens at the Ale Library. Sometimes I frequent Holy Guacamole across the street for their soft tacos. The bad news: when we got there, Joe’s Diner and the blue corn pancakes were gone!

For the first time in years, I noticed the “Joe’s Diner” sign was absent. Instead, “Joe’s Café LLC.” was stenciled across the white concrete façade making the place look like a small town general store in a depression era black and white photograph. Inside, the place looked the same as always: counter and stools, tables and chairs, cash register right next to the bubble gum machine.

We were disappointed the blue corn pancakes weren’t available, but we tried the banana nut pancakes instead. We both ordered the 2x2x2 breakfast. You know the drill: 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 bacon or sausage - a buck extra to make the pancakes with bananas and nuts.

It was worth it. The two medium sized pancakes were so loaded with bananas and nuts that it became a tasty effort to finish them.

Joe's Main Street Diner

2917 Main Street

Santa Monica, CA 90405

310.392.5804

I Wear My Psyche On My Car