A gourmet plate featuring a Filet Mignon Kabob on a black metal skewer with a side of white creamy sauce and a roasted tomato slice at Perse in Brentwood.
Dining

A New Lens on Persian Fine Dining: Our Evening at Perse

March 23, 2026 - By 

The Westside has never been short on great Italian, modern American, or sushi, but a genuinely serious Persian restaurant had been missing from the Brentwood/Santa Monica rotation. That changed when Perse opened, tucked into Brentwood Gardens at 11677 San Vicente Blvd. Brad, our two daughters, and I went this past weekend to see if it held up to the buzz. The Room Fills Up Fast We had a 5:30 reservation at Perse and walked into a calm, architecturally clean room. By the time we left around 6:45, it was completely packed and lively. The outdoor patio is lovely, but it…

The ultimate playdate dinner: two adults and four girls at Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill in Brentwood, smiling with plates of ribs and drinking strawberry lemonade.
Dining

The Ultimate 90049 Playdate Dinner Hack: A 10-Year-Old’s Hilarious Review

November 15, 2025 - By 

Hi. It’s me again. The ultimate 10-year-old food expert who actually knows what’s going on. My mom (you know, the one who thinks she runs this blog) has let me use the computer again, probably because she’s busy trying to figure out how to use the “boomerang” feature on Instagram without looking like she’s having a seizure. Anyway, I need to tell you about last night. Last night was supposed to be a normal night. A glorious, beautiful, parent-free(ish) night. It was a PLAYDATE. My friend—let’s call her “Friend 1” because privacy is important—was over. My 7-year-old sister, who is……