Cafe Sevilla - Riverside @ Mission Inn Exit

Cafe Sevilla is a great place to try a variety of different foods and won't have to break the bank. Apparently I have been on a tapas kick lately, because that's exactly what this place features. I had the pleasure of dining during happy hour at this cozy spot upstairs with Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Keeney, (this is a great place for girls night out). Thankfully Danika had a coupon she found online for spend $35 and get $25 off...amazing deal or what!? SO I would recommend printing that out before you head over. Even without the coupon though, the happy hour prices would be hard to beat.

Pictured above: Cheese Platter, Cous Cous, & Chicken Skewer

Check out their menu here: Cafe Sevilla Menus

There are also locations in Long Beach and San Diego

• Cuisine: Spanish Tapas

• Favorite Food Items: Four Cheese Platter, Cous Cous, and Aioli with Fresh Bread

• Price: $$- Depending on which menu you order off of the prices will vary. Happy hour prices range from $4 a plate on up to $14 for a sampler. Main menu prices range from $5 up to $29 for some of your more expensive meats. Over all, I felt I was full and got my money's worth.

• Ambience: You will be dining in a really rustic, older building with lots of character. Downstairs you will find white table clothes, high ceilings and lots of windows. Upstairs you will find wooden floors, unfinished ceilings and spanish art adoring the brick walls. Only downfall would be the temperature upstairs. There are no ceiling fans and I did not feel that the AC was flowing at all. 

• Dress Code: Trendy Casual-If you are going on a hot summer day/night be SURE TO DRESS for the heat. Clare and I were absolutely roasting. The three of us wore summer sun dresses but I feel had it been cooler outside I would have also felt comfortable wearing nice jeans a cute top. Guys could get away with wearing casual attire but I would say stick with nice pants/shorts and no flip flops.

• Shell's Rating: 4 out of 5 - Everything we ate was fantastic...seriously. I didn't give out the full 5 points due to the warm atmosphere and I wouldn't recommend going here if you are a picky eater. Although the food is amazing, members of your dining party that are hard to please may have trouble with the exotic food selection.

ZENGO @ Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica

The meaning behind the name of this astounding beach city gem, is simply, " Give and Take". I somehow found myself dining at yet another "Tapas" style restaurant. Although this time, the theme of the food consists more of asian/spanish fusion. Bottom line... there were so many items on the menu that looked intriguing that I can't wait to go back to try them.

Photos Top to Bottom: inside dining area, outside patio, AMAZING crunchy tofu
Link to check out the full menu and photos of Zengo! :-)

• Cuisine: Japanese/Asian/ Spanish Fusion

• Favorite Food Items: Crunchy Tofu, Beef Short Rib Udon Noodles

• Price: $$$- Most main dish items ranged between 10-13 dollars and were meant to be shared. Side dish items ranged from about 4-6 dollars. If you want to be full when you leave I'd say you would average about $30 a person.

• Ambience: Located at the Nordstrom's end of the famous Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, this unique restaurant on the roof level above Nike. There is both inside and outside dining. Even on a cool night, the roof has many space heaters and an art sculpture that burns fire to keep guests warm and the view of the city below makes for a really fun atmosphere outside. Inside is decorated with beautiful dark wood and dim lighting- making it more of an intimate setting.

• Dress Code: Trendy Casual- This place is hip enough to get away with wearing jeans and a fun tank top or t-shirt, but I would not feel appropriate walking in right after laying at the beach. It's also nice enough where I wouldn't feel out of place wearing a cocktail type dress. As for guys, Nice jeans and a polo or button up would be okay, and as long as it's a "classy" looking graphic t-shirt you should be fine as well.

• Shell's Rating: 5 out of 5 - I honestly really enjoyed every item we ordered and the decorations mixed with rooftop location really make this place a great place to dine!

CLEO @ Hollywood and Vine

One of my favorite past times is without a doubt trying out new restaurants. Eating is such a social activity and it truly brings joy to my life. Great food, splendid company, enjoyable conversation...it's really hard to beat. So you can count me to find the new restaurant in town or a hidden gem tucked away on the far side of town. That is actually why I am writing today. For many, the thought of making just ONE more decision after a long day at work or school causes utter exhaustion.

This is where I have decided to come in. I am going to use my blog from time to time to review restaurants I have found to be both pleasant and disastrous. Hopefully my recommendations can help create many new favorite places and fun food experiences for a few, or at least help me to decide what I want for my next meal :-)

DISCLAIMER: Any restaurant review's given here are in MY OWN OPINION! The information given is completely based on my experience and therefore my own interpretation of who might enjoy such each place. I have no affiliation with any restaurant or anyone else in the food industry... this is just a fun hobby of mine.

So here goes...

Above Photo: Cleo Dining Room

                                                               http://www.cleorestaurant.com

•  Cuisine: Modern Mediterranean Fusion-- Amazing Tapas Selection

• Favorite Food Item/s: Grilled Hanger Steak and hummus with tahini 

•  Price: $$ - Between the 3 of us dining at this gem, we ordered 7 plates and were pretty full...ended up splitting the bill, including drinks  and tip?? Grand total $23.00.... not too shabby 

• Ambience: Romantic/Trendy/ Fun for a night out/Better for parties size 2-5

• Dress Code: As a girl I would feel comfortable wearing dressy jeans with heels or cute flats, and a more dressy top, however I would also feel okay wearing a nice dress as well. This place would be a no-no for graphic t-shirts, baseball caps, or sweatshirts. As for the guys- Nice jeans, nice shoes, plain shirt, polo, or button up would be fine.

• Shell's Rating:  4 out of 5