Rate-A-Restaurant #379: Division 3 (Glassell Park)

Restaurant: Division 3

Location: 3329 Division Street (Glassell Park)

Type of restaurant: Breakfast/Sandwiches

We stipulated: With a friend in town, and a day after the Great Los Angeles Walk, we were looking for a delicious breakfast spot beyond the usual choices, and I had just learned about Division 3.

They stipulated: "To-go window for breakfast and lunch with a dog-friendly patio." They specialize in breakfast biscuit sandwiches, but the biscuits can be substituted with arugula.

What we ordered: Mike: Mexican chorizo, white scrambled egg, avocado and D3 special sauce on a biscuit ($5); Maria: fennel cured salmon, soft scrambled egg and chive-creme fraiche on arugula ($5); Nathan: scone; Evan: fruit danish

High point:  Cozy patio, great prices, nice vibe. Very happy they did a substitution on my sandwich, as they were able to give me egg whites.

Low point:  Not much, other than the surprising number of flies buzzing around us while we were enjoying breakfast.

Overall impression: Such a great weekend morning vibe.

Will we return: Absolutely! And next time we'll bring the dog.

Rate-A-Restaurant #370: Lincoln (Pasadena)

Restaurant: Lincoln

Location: 1992 Lincoln Avenue (Pasadena)



Type of restaurant: Brunch/ California



We stipulated: For Father's Day, we wanted to pick a nice but casual spot for brunch. I had never been to Lincoln, but Maria and the kids had -- and they'd been raving about it for months. Now it was my turn.





They stipulated: Next to the cafe is the Lincoln Store, selling boutique gift items. "Lincoln Cafe & Store is a place to gather, share delicious fresh food, shop for treasures, have a party or spend the afternoon relaxing on the patio."



What we ordered: Mike: Spicy Shrimp Bowl — $12 (herbed rice, greens, harissa and peanuts -- held the peanuts); Maria: Breakfast Sandwich — $7 (two eggs, bacon and cheddar on brioche); Blogger Kid: Buttermilk Pancakes — $9.50 (three stack with fruit and syrup); Blogger Kid 2.0: cinnamon roll

High point:  The baked goods selection was astounding -- a wide variety of great-looking treats.
Low point:  The spicy shrimp bowl was good -- but could have used more shrimp and more spice.





Overall impression: Nice casual spot for breakfast or lunch, with loads of choices and a constantly changing selection of specials. The store is cool too.



Will we return: Absolutely. Even love the massive old map of California on the wall. I'm in.

Rate-A-Restaurant #356: Habitat (Glassell Park)

Restaurant: Habitat Coffee

Location: 3708 Eagle Rock Blvd (Glassell Park)

Type of restaurant: Coffee Shop

We stipulated: We frequently pass by Habitat, and finally decided to step inside and try it for brunch one recent weekend morning.



They stipulated: "Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, paleo or a true carnivore, you’re sure to find something delicious to suit your palate. We also have a full coffee bar featuring organic espresso and a wide variety of organic loose leaf teas. Some say our cold brew is the best in town."



What we ordered: Breakfast Tostada: with 2 fried eggs, pico de gallo, black beans, sour cream and quasi fresco ($7.50); Egg white scrambled eggs with green chile, chorizo, spinach ($10)



High point:  The prices are decent.

Low point:  The grease smell inside the restaurant sticks to your clothes and lingers.



Overall impression: Not sure if the slow service and small portions are worth the low prices.



Will we return: We haven't, and with so many options in the area, we may not.

Rate-A-Restaurant #355: Lemon Poppy Kitchen (Glassell Park)

Restaurant: Lemon Poppy Kitchen

Location: 3324 Verdugo Rd. (Glassell Park)



Type of restaurant: Brunch/Coffee Shop

We stipulated: For a Father's Day breakfast, looking for something new... and Lemon Poppy, located close by, fit the bill.





They stipulated: Their specialty is the "plachinta, a Romanian specialty that takes a warm flat bread and wraps it around cheeses, greens, olives, scallions, or a variety of other ingredients. The result is a tasty tortilla-like creation that is great all on its own or as the base for other dishes."



What we ordered: Banana pecan bread pudding ($3), sweet potato hash with egg whites ($8), breakfast sandwich with bacon ($8), flourless chocolate cake ($3)



High point:  The homemade pastry selection is strong. I didn't mean to eat all of that bread pudding so soon after breakfast, but I did.



Low point:  Limited breakfast meat option -- bacon (or turkey bacon) only.



Overall impression: Inventive breakfast choices, great baked goods options, and also appreciated the wall art, which celebrated the Los Angeles River via parodies of old movie posters.



Will we return: Absolutely!

Rate-A-Restaurant #346: Kettle Glazed Donuts (Hollywood)

Restaurant: Kettle Glazed Donuts

Location: 6211 Franklin Ave. (Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: Donuts



We stipulated: Maria had purchased a Living Social coupon for Kettle Glazed a while ago. We're always happy to support a business on our namesake street! (Especially when donuts are involved.)



They stipulated: There's not much backstory available about Kettle Glazed, but here's their mission statement: "At Kettle Glazed Doughnuts, we combine top notch ingredients with a love of the trade and a passion for perfection to make truly great doughnuts."



What we ordered: A dozen donuts, including Buttermilk Vanilla ($1.25), Blueberry Lemon ($1.25), Maple Bar ($1.50), Buttermilk Maple ($1.25), Chocolate Vanilla ($1.25), Chocolate sprinkle ($1.25) and jelly ($1.25)





High point:  Some great flavors, which rotate.



Low point:  The donuts were a tad dry.



Overall impression: I don't know if slapping a piece of bacon on a long john is inventive or a bit lazy. But overall, as a big old fashioned style donut fan, I liked the wide flavor variety.



Will we return: You know what, it was fine... but if I'm going to indulge again in a donut, I'll probably stick with the nearby Donut Friend.

Rate-A-Restaurant #310: Square One at the Boathouse

Restaurant: Square One at the Boathouse

Location: 751 Echo Park Ave. (Echo Park)

Type of restaurant: Breakfast/Coffee




We stipulated: For our annual Great Los Angeles Walk, I decided to place this year's kick off at the recently renovated Echo Park. Square One had just opened a second location at the Echo Park Boathouse, so it seemed like a logical place to advertise as a pre-Walk breakfast spot. Later, on Christmas Eve, we were back at the Boathouse, this time to celebrate Blogger Kid's birthday.

They stipulated: Kitchen is open 8-3 pm daily, while, coffee and pastries are on sale until 5 pm daily. "Square One at the Boathouse is our café located lakeside on the shores of the beautifully renovated Echo Park. Walk up to our counter for housemade pastries, Intelligentsia coffee, and a selection of menu items including our French Toast served with Maple Cream, Vegetarian Club, and Bacon Cheese Grits topped with a farm fresh egg and tomato chutney. We have free WiFi and offer catering for lakeside parties."



What we ordered: Cheddar grits, anson mills grits topped with a poached egg and tomato chutney ($5.75); Squash Blossom Breakfast Burrito with sundried tomatoes, roasted potatoes, parmesan cheese, onions, peppers, and scrambled eggs in a flour tortilla served with sour cream and salsa verde ($7); Toast with butter and Sqirl jam ($3)



High point:  Maria loves her cheesy grits. I like the fact that there's such an economical gourmet option for food at Echo Park.



Low point: The patio furniture is not conducive to putting your food down without some of it falling on the floor.


Overall impression: As we wrote in a previous post, the newly renovated Echo Park pedal boats are an absolute blast -- so make a day of it and grab a bite before hand at Square One!"



Will we return: We'll be back eating and pedaling boats soon!

Rate-A-Restaurant #307: Sqirl LA

Restaurant: Sqirl LA

Location: 720 N Virgil Ave (East Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: Breakfast/Cafe




We stipulated: I pass by Sqirl LA's shop on Virgil almost every day on the way to work. And every day I say to myself, "I must stop there sometime for coffee and a bite for breakfast." Today was that day.



They stipulated: "Long Beach-born jam-maker Jessica Koslow spent time working in pastry at the James Beard award-winning restaurant Bacchanalia in Atlanta, Georgia. When she returned to California, Jessica was attracted to the diversity of local produce – beautiful and honest snapshots of the state’s vigorous growing seasons. Her preserves are made without shortcuts. In order to maintain the brightness of the fruit a batch can take up to three days to produce. The results are meticulously crafted preserves that not only portray the wealth and diversity of California's crops and its generous seasons, but also remind us of the value in the antique process of preservation."



What we ordered: Coffee and pudding cake



High point:  That pudding cake is fantastic. I'm giving in to the holidays and enjoying a few baked treats like this. No regrets. I licked the wrapper.

Low point: Parking's a bit tricky, given the traffic on Virgil in the morning. Just be patient, you'll find a spot.




Overall impression: Great coffee, great selection of baked goods and an interesting, changing menu. Between Sqirl, Square One and Valerie's Confections all close by, this part of town is overflowing with great breakfast/brunch/lunch/coffee spots.

Will we return: Yes, to sit down and properly enjoy a meal.