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 #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 #353: Perennial Virant (Chicago)

Restaurant: Perennial Virant

Location: 1800 N Lincoln Ave. (Chicago)



Type of restaurant: New American

We stipulated: For our last day in Chicago, we decided to finally try the restaurant at our hotel (Hotel Lincoln) for brunch.



They stipulated: "Chef Paul Virant's restaurants are built upon his guiding philosophy of making the ingredients – their origin, production and quality – the full focus of his culinary approach. Embracing the Midwestern seasons and utilizing methods of preservation allow guests to always expect a menu that showcases local flavors and ingredients in abundance."



What we ordered: Housemade Doughnut ($5), Chicken sandwich ($13), Kids french toast ($4), Biscuits and gravy (gunthorp farm chicken sausage, two egg whites scrambled - $13), Housemade Sausage (two eggs cooked your way, homefries with cheese curds, toast - $13), side bacon ($6)



High point:  The doughnut, and the biscuit and chicken gravy.



Low point:  The boys' French toast was too burnt. We sent it back... and the replacement French toast was less burnt (see above), but still kind of burnt.



Overall impression: Brunch is a hard way to tell a restaurant's worth. Ultimately, it was spotty -- some good, some not-so-good.



Will we return: If we stay at the Hotel Lincoln again, perhaps we'll try another meal.

Rate-A-Restaurant #344 Valerie Echo Park

Restaurant: Valerie Tea House & Bakery

Location: 1665 Echo Park Avenue (Echo Park)

Type of restaurant: Bakery, Brunch, Sandwiches



We stipulated: For a belated Mother's Day brunch, we decided to give the Valerie location in Echo Park a try. Valerie Confections participated in our 2012 Great Los Angeles Walk, selling hot chocolate and goodies to our walkers, so we were happy to visit a new location.



They stipulated: "Valerie Confections was founded by partners Valerie and Stan in 2004 with six flavors of chocolate-dipped toffee. Since those early days the company has expanded exponentially and now includes chocolates, a popular line of petits fours, handmade preserves, cakes, pastries, and a catering division—all made with a commitment to using the very best ingredients. The Valerie Confections boutique and factory is located just outside downtown Los Angeles."



What we ordered: Curried chicken sandwich (jidori chicken, apple, onion) $10; Egg salad sandwich (capers, fresh dill) $10; Toast and preserves (served with butter and seasonal preserves) $5; Salted caramel bread pudding (puff pastry, caramel, fleur de sel) $6



High point:  The bread was great and the sandwiches ever large.



Low point:  Limited seating, and no coffee refills!



Overall impression: The chicken sandwich was a rad sweet, and the bread pudding surprisingly bland. But still the kind of quaint, neighborhood spot that I wish we had closer to our home.

Will we return: A decent choice for brunch if you happen to be in Echo Park, although we also like the Square One outpost at the actual Echo Park boathouse as well.

Rate-A-Restaurant #305: The Spice Table

Restaurant: The Spice Table



Location: 114 S. Central Avenue (Downtown)

Type of restaurant: Southeast Asian




We stipulated: We were meeting friends downtown for brunch, and the Spice Table's menu looked interesting -- and we were told we'd get a table no problem. We've been wanting to check out the Spice Table, so here finally was our opportunity.



They stipulated: "The Spice Table celebrates the culinary heritage of Chef/owner Bryant Ng (Singapore) and his wife Kim (Vietnam). We are a full service restaurant focusing on satays grilled on our wood-burning hearth and other dishes inspired by the traditional cuisines of Singapore and Vietnam. Our open hearth symbolizes the coming together of our families, friends, and community to a warm and inviting space for food made with care."



What we ordered: Beef shortrib hash (Served with 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, toast & coconut-pineapple preserve; $11); Nueske bacon (Served with 2 eggs, breakfast potatoes, toast & coconut-pineapple preserve; $10); Kaya toast (coconut jam, buttered toast, slow cooked egg, soy, white pepper; $7); The kaya doughnut (coconut jam glaze; $3)



High point:  The coconut jam was amazing -- on the toast, in the doughnut, everywhere. I'd put it on everything.



Low point: Not any I can remember, although I do wish the menu had one or two more options.




Overall impression: Great, alternative brunch space. Looking forward to returning for dinner.




Will we return: Definitely, we have to check out the dinner menu!