Tiggy Winkles Gift Shoppe

Need a Steiff animal? European soap in lilly of the valley scent? Russian tea cups? Unique gift wrap? Cowgirl plates? Everything funky and wonderful is at Tiggy Winkles. If you love those shops where you wander about gazing all around you for an hour and are still not sure you've seen everything there is as you leave, then Tiggy's is the place for you. It is not the place for folks on crutches or wheelchairs because those aisles are rather slim.

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

Sure it's pricey, but then again, aren't most worthy brunches? The historic hotel ambience of the Mission Inn and the array of food are definitely worth it!

Olivia's Mexican Restaurant

This is good ole homemade Mexican food at its best. Yummy, sizable portions are resonably priced in this family-friendly restaurant. Come after 6pm and expect a wait, but it's worth the time. After all, there's a reason everyone in town eats there! the shrimp tacos, chile rellanos, and tamales are some of my favorites. And if you miss your grandmother's tamles, get a dozen (frozen) to go for future meals at home.

Anna's Italian Restaurant

Possibly it was the night I went, but the service was lackluster, the ambiance aged, and the food oversalted and overpriced (I got the lasagne -- if you insist on torturing yourself, then go ahead an give it a try). My salad came straight out fo the bag at the grocery store and while I was there on the early side of the evening and the special was "not available anymore."

Jaipur Cuisine of India

The service is outstanding, the ambience is peaceful, and the food is heavenly.

They serve a great muligatawny soup, a divine chicken makhni, and the kahbuli nan kicks butt-- heck everything I've had there has been wonderful.

For Indian food, they are reasonably priced -- if you want cheap then go elsewhere and wonder why things all taste the same or swim in fat.

Elysee Bakery

Go ahead and drop by for their chocolate mousse filled canoli. They are divine. The croissants are also a butter-filled pleasure. And both are reasonably priced.

Skip the cakes though -- I have friends who love them, but I just don't see the appeal. They are too dense and too pricey to be worth my time. The fruit tarts are tastey and beautiful, but they make them on a shortbread crust so you'd better have a serious knife to cut them!

Stan's Corner Donut Shoppe

Stan's is a must-do for those visiting L.A. and a must-have for anyone who has ever been there before. This is no watch-the machine-make-the-donuts establishment -- Stan himself usually there everyday making the perfect surgary concoctions. I'm a fan of the blueberry fritter, but they again his pretzel-shaped twists are nothing to sneeze at, and I have a firend who swears by the peanut butter-filled banana glazed.

Sak's Teriyaki

This is the go-to place for cheap food that's not cheap. For les than $10 you can get a dinner (I'd recommend the spicy chicken -- which doesn't come with a thick coating of goo all over it like some Asian restaurants feature) with some of the best rice on the planet, a signifcanet helping of salad with their specialty lemon dressing, gyoza, and a drink.

Sure the tables are formica, but you really can't beat the food and the pricce!

Mystery Book Store

I don't know how the big box stores haven't pushed this lovley gem out, but I'm certainly glad! They have great service, are bright and clean (no dingy lighting and dirty shelves here!), and are well-stocked. They've got a great e-newsletter to keep you abreast of all the wonderful events they host, and they are a great source for signed volumes!!!!

Needle Hearts

Needle Hearts is small, but it's got you covered for needlepoint supplies. All the wonderful new silks are there, the overdyed threads, and they still carry a full range of both DMC and Anchor, and an amazing selection of Kreiniks and beads. They are always getting new canvases in, and they boast the Valley's best selection of tallis bags! What they don't have on had they are happy to order.