Yellow Vase Café and Bakery
51 Malaga Cove Plaza
Palos Verdes Estates
310-378-0013
www.yellow-vase.com
Located in the hidden corner of the Plaza, to the right when you're facing Poseiden.
Plenty of free parking, just note whether you're in a 1 hour or a 2 hour space
Also:
1805 S. Catalina, Redondo Beach, 310-373-0013 (street parking; does not have a large room for events; is next to their flower shop)
810 Silver Spur Road, 310-541-0013 (plenty of parking; does not have a large room for events; has a very nice patio)
Visited: January 2011, Lunch, Dine-in
All locations are lovely with both indoor and outdoor seating, but the one in Malaga Cove is the cutest! They also have a private room that you can use for parties of 20 or more.
This review is for the Cafe side of the house. They have a lovely menu of breakfast favorites, crepes, omelettes, salads, soups, paninis (grilled or deli style, your choice), and other Home Specials.
Today we tried the Tomato Bisque Soup ($5), and very much enjoyed it. It's quite tomatoey with a light creaminess, and light on any other seasoning. It's served with 2 slices of baguette and 2 slices of seasoned crostini. This is a very filling bowl of soup.
The Quiches du Jour ($9) were Quiche Lorraine and a Vegetable Quiche. Sadly, they were already out of the Lorraine (by noon?) so we got the Vegetable. It was very good. It was hot, and the filling was well cooked and the crust was just flaky enough. There were lots of vegetables, and you could taste the freshness of the spinach and mushrooms. It also came with a small mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette, and two cute litte cornichons. A very filling meal.
And we tried the intriguing Olivieh Sandwich ($9). A chicken salad mixed with potatoes, pickles, eggs, and supposedly green peas (but we didn't find any) with lettuce and tomato on a baguette. You also have your choice of having it grilled panini-stytle, but we chose as is, or deli-style. The sandwich also came with mixed greens and their vinaigrette. The chicken salad mix was good, but needed just a little more seasoning. But the bread was outstanding. It really made the sandwich. Also, this is a very large sandwich, easily big enough to share.
The restaurant is partially self serve. You order at the counter, and take with you your beverages and pastries. Your food is delivered to your table of your own choosing. Now, taking your own drink to your table is normally fine, but it can really awkward if you've ordered a Large Hot Mocha ($3.80) (in a really large mug with saucer) or if you've ordered Hot Tea (2.25) - carrying your pot full of hot water and cup with saucer while trying to figure out where to sit is very cumbersome. A simple tray would have been nice.
We have tried a few of their bakery items in the past, and their adorable macaroons are also very flavorful - we've had Chocolate, Coffee and Passion Fruit flavors. We tried a Milk Chocolate Cupcake, and that was quite tasty too.
I'm already planning to go back with friends. A lovely place to relax and have a good meal.
Showing posts with label Rolling Hills Plaza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rolling Hills Plaza. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fanoos Grill, Torrance, CA
Fanoos Grill
25336 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
310-530-4316
Located in Rolling Hills Plaza, facing Crenshaw, across from Starbucks, near Airport Drive. In general, RHP has plenty of parking, however it can be a little tight to maneuver in this area.
Casual/fast foodish. Full service or order at the counter if to go. Small dining room.
Visited: Numerous times, Lunch, Dine-in
Fanoos calls itself a Persian Restaurant Grill - you get all of the traditional menu items that you would at a more stately Persian restaurant, but in a lighter, more casual atmosphere. We usually go for lunch, and you often see other patrons there on their lunch break. They also seem to have quite a take out and catering business.
They do have lunch specials which are a slightly smaller portion, but we don't bother with that at Fanoos!
To start, the Cotlete ($4.95) appetizer is so tasty. It's a patty of ground beef mixed with herbs that is served with warm pita and olives and pickles. A beef patty doesn't sound like much, but when Fanoos gets their hands on it, it's amazing - delicate and tasty. A great app for 2 to share, if you have a larger crowd, you may want to order a second just cuz it's so good, you can't stop eating it.
On to the entrees. First up is the Beef Koobideh ($8.95): two large strips of seasoned ground beef that is charbroiled. Very well seasoned with yummy juices soaking into the basmati rice. Served with a charbroiled roma tomato and salad. The lunch portion is one strip/skewer ($5.95).
The Beef Shish Kabob ($11.95) of juicy chunks of filet mignon is also very tasty, but the extra seasoning in the Koobideh rules. The Shish Kabab is also served with basmati, tomato and salad. Lunch portion is $6.95. If you can't decide, and want to try both (which is a great idea for your first time), they have the Beef Soltani ($13.95) which is one shish kabob and one koobideh.
They also make a Chicken Koobideh ($8.95) that is equally as tasty and juicy, and we prefer that over the Chicken Shish Kabob ($10.95). How ever they grind and season their meat is just fabulous. A Chicken Soltani ($13.95) is also available.
Fanoos also makes a very tasty Gheimeh Bademjan ($9.95): a stew of fried eggplant, tender cubes of beef, split peas, and fried onions in a rich tomato based sauce served with basmati. This is a very large portion, one that I can never finish in one sitting. The eggplant really shines in this dish. They also serve just Gheimeh ($8.95) without the eggplant, but really, I can't imagine ever ordering it.
They also offer an assortment of sandwiches (even one filled with the Cotlett that I'm often tempted to try).
They're really nice, and if you're intimidated by Persian food or have never had it, this is a great casual way to get started and have some great food while you're at it.
25336 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
310-530-4316
Located in Rolling Hills Plaza, facing Crenshaw, across from Starbucks, near Airport Drive. In general, RHP has plenty of parking, however it can be a little tight to maneuver in this area.
Casual/fast foodish. Full service or order at the counter if to go. Small dining room.
Visited: Numerous times, Lunch, Dine-in
Fanoos calls itself a Persian Restaurant Grill - you get all of the traditional menu items that you would at a more stately Persian restaurant, but in a lighter, more casual atmosphere. We usually go for lunch, and you often see other patrons there on their lunch break. They also seem to have quite a take out and catering business.
They do have lunch specials which are a slightly smaller portion, but we don't bother with that at Fanoos!
To start, the Cotlete ($4.95) appetizer is so tasty. It's a patty of ground beef mixed with herbs that is served with warm pita and olives and pickles. A beef patty doesn't sound like much, but when Fanoos gets their hands on it, it's amazing - delicate and tasty. A great app for 2 to share, if you have a larger crowd, you may want to order a second just cuz it's so good, you can't stop eating it.
On to the entrees. First up is the Beef Koobideh ($8.95): two large strips of seasoned ground beef that is charbroiled. Very well seasoned with yummy juices soaking into the basmati rice. Served with a charbroiled roma tomato and salad. The lunch portion is one strip/skewer ($5.95).
The Beef Shish Kabob ($11.95) of juicy chunks of filet mignon is also very tasty, but the extra seasoning in the Koobideh rules. The Shish Kabab is also served with basmati, tomato and salad. Lunch portion is $6.95. If you can't decide, and want to try both (which is a great idea for your first time), they have the Beef Soltani ($13.95) which is one shish kabob and one koobideh.
They also make a Chicken Koobideh ($8.95) that is equally as tasty and juicy, and we prefer that over the Chicken Shish Kabob ($10.95). How ever they grind and season their meat is just fabulous. A Chicken Soltani ($13.95) is also available.
Fanoos also makes a very tasty Gheimeh Bademjan ($9.95): a stew of fried eggplant, tender cubes of beef, split peas, and fried onions in a rich tomato based sauce served with basmati. This is a very large portion, one that I can never finish in one sitting. The eggplant really shines in this dish. They also serve just Gheimeh ($8.95) without the eggplant, but really, I can't imagine ever ordering it.
They also offer an assortment of sandwiches (even one filled with the Cotlett that I'm often tempted to try).
They're really nice, and if you're intimidated by Persian food or have never had it, this is a great casual way to get started and have some great food while you're at it.
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