Eating well in Los Angeles can be a daunting task, fraught with expanding waistlines and shrinking wallets. There are several “hole in the wall” restaurants to be found, but there are times when a table, let alone a tablecloth, would be appreciated. You may have to eat on off nights, but a visit to one of the restaurants below will not disappoint.

For ecologically-minded (as well as financially conscious) foodies, Sunday Suppers at Lucques is like purchasing a nonstop ticket to nirvana. For $40, you’ll eat 3 luxurious courses all prepared in the modern Mediterranean style Suzanne Goin is known for. 8474 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 323.655.6277 reservations strongly advised

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Al fresco dining is synonymous with summer, and this weekend kicks off a series of dining events around town.

Fiesta Hermosa: This weekend marks the 36^th annual Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach. Running Saturday through Monday from 10am-6pm, expect artsy hippies peddling crafts, a half dozen tribute bands and food vendors serving a variety of international grilled delights. The always-popular beer and wine garden will feature microbrews from Union Cattle Company. Pier & Strand, Hermosa Beach

Wilshire: For those looking for a more upscale outdoor dining experience, every Sunday through summer Wilshire will be hosting “Neighborhood BBQ Night.” Dining on barbeque anywhere near white tablecloths may seem pretentious, but with dishes like pulled Kurobata pork and filet mignon on the menu, I’m sure you’ll get over it. Reservations suggested. 2454 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.586.1707

Baby Blues BBQ: Food Network groupies will recognize the blue façade from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, locals know it as the best BBQ joint Venice has ever seen. New on the menu is the $8.95 Lasker burger – 10 ounces of beef filled with blue cheese and bacon then smothered in lingonberry mustard. You’ll notice that I said, “filled.” Dine-In, Take-out and Catering available. 444 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, 310.396.7675

Cinespia: Got your Baby Blues take-out and not quite sure where to take it? Cinespia’s movie in the cemetery series starts Saturday with Billy Wilder’s Ace In The Hole. Join the biggest, creepiest picnic in town and sit under and over the stars while watching Kirk Douglas projected onto the mausoleum. Be advised that there is no food for purchase available, but if you’re nice, you might just find someone to share with. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard at Gower

Photo by Paul Keleher

Forgot to make plans with Mom this Sunday? Try one of these restaurants for brunch, and be advised that all have full bar - should the guilt trip precede the trip to the restaurant. The Jar (8225 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, 323.655.6566) If your mom has a taste for American chophouse classics like crab cakes and chopped sirloin, this is her brunch. Entrees range in price from $13-$21 each.

Whist at the Viceroy (1819 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, 310.260.7511) Maybe your mom is more of a sophisticate who likes the finer things in life? Catch a cabana by the pool at this swanky Santa Monica hotel. $55 prixe fixe brunch.

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Lactose intolerant? Allergic to peanuts? Can shellfish kill you?

Well, the good folks over at Angelenic have taken it upon themselves to scope out the most food-allergy friendly restaurants in the downtown area. They checked in with over half a dozen places, and you might be surprised to find out what they discovered (or you might not be).

Check out their review and their advice!

Photo by Dan4th

As far as I’m concerned, the search is over.

Done. Complete. Finished.

Crumbs in Beverly Hills has the absolute best cupcake I’ve had to date – and now that I think of it, possibly ever. Oversized and loaded with goodies, the cake is dense, yet moist. I’ve complained many times about sugary frosting and how much it takes away from the flavor of the cake, and even though each cake was loaded, it felt decadent - not overdone.

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You can argue that Long Beach isn’t Los Angeles if you want, but it’s technically a member of the LA County team and a qualifier for this contest. The LBC has come a long way in the past decade and does several things well: the aquarium, the Grand Pre and rap stars. The city also can also add cupcakes to the list.

Located in the trendy Belmont Shores area of Long Beach, the two-year old Frosted Cupcakery sells 1200 cupcakes on an average Saturday and double that if hired for a wedding. My favorite part of the arrangement is that all cupcakes ($2.95 each and 14 flavors in all) are offered every day of the week, with monthly specials. Far too many cupcake shops only offer certain flavors on different days of the week, and it really makes it a hassle to get what you want, when you want it.

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As a business model, I imagine a cupcake shop presents many challenges. First and foremost, a single product offering limits the customer base. Most successful companies have multiple revenue streams, and when you only sell one product you have exactly one revenue stream. On the other hand, a singular focus allows the owner to center his or her attention entirely on that one item, ideally creating a superior product. If we assume that to be true, the benefit in running a traditional bakery is increased revenue through offering a variety of items and therefore increasing the number of customers they appeal to. Follow me? Savvy?

Considering the proliferation of cupcake shops and bakeries in Los Angeles over the past few years, where do supermarkets fit in? Is it possible to find a decent cupcake in a supermarket?

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We eat cupcakes for many reasons: we like the taste, we’re feeling nostalgic, and sometimes just because they’re there.

But why do we make them? I don’t know about your house, but in mine you didn’t get cake just because it’s Tuesday.

Cake is an occasion, be it a birthday, first communion or anniversary. Cake is synonymous with celebrations, and by eating cake we are emphasizing our happiness.

That being said, sometimes there isn’t a cupcake shop nearby. Sometimes, even when there is one, it’s closed. What to do? Dare I say it - make your own? For those truly trying and downright desperate moments, might I recommend these blogs.

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As I write, Bollywood radio streams through my computer. I recall the curry chicken salad sandwich from Hallenbecks General Store and Cafe, and all is well with the world. Of course, there is more to bliss than going coo coo for curry powder, but right now, all I can tell you is that you must go to Hallenbecks General Store for this sandwich of kings. Not only because it’s under $6 folks, but because it’s as fresh and lip-smacking curry-licious as you could imagine. It yields to your teeth, makes a soft, juicy, crunchy mouthful of happy-time anytime you take a bite. AND they serve little spicy-salt sprinkled carrots, celery and cucumbers with every sandwich! Heaven. But most importantly, a Hallenbecks sandwich will bring you into an atmosphere you won’t soon forget.

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It was simply a matter of time. Ten years ago, the only thing in Culver City was Surfas restaurant supply, Target and an In-N-Out. There was also The Plunge, and of course, National Charity League’s Ticktocker Thrift Shop where they sold ancient prom dresses and balding fox stoles in the “Gold Room.” There was virtually no reason to venture into Culver City unless you worked for Sony. When they opened the humongous Target Greatland in Manhattan Beach, there was even less of a reason.

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It’s been two months, 9 bakeries and close to 40 cupcakes. You’ll forgive me for taking a break from reviewing cupcakes to give a status report and let the sugar ease out of my blood system so I can get a decent night’s sleep. I’ve also got a dentist’s appointment coming up soon and to say that I’m afraid of what may happen doesn’t even touch the depths of my fear.

In order of tastiest to least, here is the list to date:

1. Dots Cupcakes, Pasadena
2. SusieCakes, Brentwood
3. Dainties, West LA
4. Leda’s Bake Shop, Sherman Oaks
5. Delilah Bakery, Echo Park
6. Yummy Cupcakes, Burbank
7. Yummy Cupcakes, Santa Monica
8. Vanilla Bake Shop, Santa Monica
9. My Little Cupcake, Studio City

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I don’t need to go into detail about the geographic boundaries Angelenos create for themselves; everyone has at one point or another decided that they cannot go somewhere for the evening due to the traffic. (As an example, my mother hasn’t gone east of the 405 since her glory days at USC.) However, my dedication to the cupcake quest is strong and I wasn’t about to let 3 freeways (an 80 minute commute one-way) stop me. It was a long and at times arduous drive, and I pulled over not once, but twice, to consult my handy Thomas Guide, but I did eventually find Delilah Bakery in Echo Park.

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