The Church Key - Sunset Blvd. - West Hollywod, CA

Imagine new modern meets the late 60s Pan Am era. The girls and I found this gem during our last DineLA adventure. You are provided with a base menu with both small and large plates, but if I were to return I would order one or two things off of there for the table and then keep the extra stomach space open for the carts. Magical food carts ranging from sushi to mini fish tacos to bread assortments and adult otter pops, these mobile kitchens flow throughout the dining room as they will surely tempt your tastebuds. The kicker is that all these tiny delicacies are sold as A la carte items, so beware, as they will raise your bill quite quickly. They give each table a fun "Church Key Passport" and stamp it with the price per item you take throughout your delectable journey. Good place to go with a group of 3-6 so you can try more items and cut down the cost.

 Front Entrance, look closely so not to miss it.

 Entry way, adorable decor, loving the white brick.

Very creative heart mosaic and graffiti fire place, with sneak peaks into main dining room/bar.

Classy Cocktails and Rustic Ware.

Passport for traveling food carts.

Steak with Pickled Tomato Chimmichuri Sauce, Potato Shallot Cake, and Jalapeño Creamed Corn.

Tapioca Crusted Tai Snapper with Broccoli Rabe, Sushi Rice Cake and a White Soy Vinaigrette

Delicious Brioche Doughnuts with Coffee Ice Cream

        For full menu visit: The Church Key Website

• Cuisine: American, Dim Sum, Cocktails

• Favorite Food Items: Steak with Chimmichurri and Asparagus with Fried Egg

• Price: $$$/$$$$ - As mentioned before, this place can get pretty pricey depending on how you play it. Main dish food items range from $16-$80 for salads, steak, fish, poultry, etc. Dim Sum style items roughly $5 and up. 

• Ambience:  Very modern style with clean white brick walls, while at the same time giving off a vintage "loft" feel.  Trendy and cozy seating options with pull out chairs as well as sofas to dine in comfort.

• Dress Code: Trendy-Formal. I would feel out of place if I didn't guss it up a little, I know its west Hollywood so I'm sure you could get away with the starving hipster look as well, but I wouldn't go that route personally. Leave the flip flops and graphic T's at home. 

• Shell's Rating: 4 out of 5 - This place has a wide variety of foods with unique flavors and combinations. I loved the food cart idea as well as the main dish options. Fun place for a girls night out, group dinner, or romantic dinner date. Good location only miles from exciting pre/post dinner attractions and hotel options.

Ladies and Gentlemen...The Food Blog is Back!

First up, Baja Sharkez, Huntington Beach, CA 

A saturday morning hotspot. This place has one of the better eggs benedicts I have ever had. To boast a bit, we will start with stating that the base of this dish is made with macaroni and cheese cakes, topped with a juicy beef slider, poached egg and hollandaise sauce. It's accompanied by seasoned hash browns topped with fresh avocado. Stop drooling and get over there to try this out. The Chilequiles would be an excellent decisions as well. Let's not forget to mention the "brunch extras", featuring a plethora of options for the "create your own" blood mary bar and unlimited mimosas with select breakfast specials. 

Pictured Above: Inside Baja Sharkeez Huntington Beach (website), Eggs Benedict, and Build Your Own Mary with all the fixings.

        For full menu visit: Sharkeez Website Menu

• Cuisine: Mexican, American, Brunch 

• Favorite Food Items: Eggs Benedict, Nachos Chilequiles 

• Price: $$ Very reasonably priced with good brunch specials. You could easily add up the bill based on beverage selection. Burritos range from $10-$16 with tacos A la carte coming in around $4, make it a plate for $9-$14. See website for further pricing analysis.

• Ambience:  A definite island vibe, blocks from the beach, located down main st. in HB. Both indoor and outdoor patio options. Ability to order at the counter as well as from the wait staff. Lots to look at decor wise, with lots of bar chair and booth seating.

• Dress Code:  Feel no qualms about rolling in to this beach hut with your swim cover ups and flip flops. Aside from the typical no shoes, no shirt, no services motto, just about anything would fly here.

• Shell's Rating: 3.5 out of 5 - Fun place for brunch, but there are many other options in the area for other meals. The services can be a bit slow even without a huge crowd, but thankfully you have free chips and salsa with every order to hold you over while you wait. This place is one of my regular visits when I am in the HB area and is definitely worth a visit.