restaurant review - Culinary Passages

Brentwood, 90049 - Dining
A New Lens on Persian Fine Dining: Our Evening at Perse
March 23, 2026 - By Ginger Graham
The Westside of Los Angeles has long been a sanctuary for world-class Italian, modern American, and sushi, but for those of us living in the Brentwood and Santa Monica areas, a truly elevated Persian dining experience has been the missing piece of the culinary puzzle. That changed recently with the opening of Perse Restaurant. Located in the heart of the Brentwood Gardens plaza at 11677 San Vicente Blvd, Perse is more than just a new neighborhood spot; it is a sophisticated “translation” of Persian heritage into the language of modern fine dining. This past weekend, my husband Brad, our two daughters,…
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Dining - Santa Monica
Is the Fia Santa Monica Garden Brunch Worth It? A Nurse’s Guide to the Ultimate Sensory Reset
March 13, 2026 - By Ginger Graham
As a nurse craving silence and sunlight, I found Fia's garden brunch to be a sensory reset that actually lives up to the hype.
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Dining - Santa Monica
A Great Michael Mina Heartbreak: The downfall of ORLA
January 26, 2026 - By Ginger Graham
There’s a distinct, soul-crushing grief only a true foodie knows: realizing your sanctuary—ORLA at the Regent Santa Monica—has jumped the shark.
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Dining - Santa Monica
The Great Santa Monica Decline
January 17, 2026 - By Ginger Graham
Santa Monica has morphed into the "Final Boss" of SoCal dining—beautiful views, brutal prices, and fewer chances to relax.
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Dining
Is Bouchon Actually Better? The Definitive Guide to Dining at The Venetian
January 4, 2026 - By Ginger Graham
Wandering The Venetian's marble maze, I faced the ultimate carb crossroads: the Parisian polish of Bouchon or the beachy grit of Gjelina—here's which one won our family's Christmas taste test.
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Dining - Santa Monica
Massilia: The UNFORGETTABLE Revelation That My Daughter Is Now More Sophisticated Than Me
December 9, 2025 - By Ginger Graham
What began as an app-fueled dinner date turned into an eye-opening lesson in how quickly kids can acquire a taste for the finer things.
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Dining
3 Stages of Dating: The Ultimate Pizza Compatibility Test for Couples
November 24, 2025 - By Ginger Graham
In LA, choosing where to eat is a personality quiz — and pizza is the final exam.
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Dining - Dining in the San Fernando Valley
Can Casaléna Bridge the Great Divide?
November 23, 2025 - By Ginger Graham
I’ve treated the 405 like an electric fence, but Casaléna is tempting me to set foot in Valley territory—what if my culinary passport needs renewal?
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Dining
The Ultimate 90049 Playdate Dinner Hack: A 10-Year-Old’s Hilarious Review
November 15, 2025 - By Madeline Graham
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……
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Brentwood, 90049 - Dining
Pizzana vs. Uovo: The Ultimate Pizza vs. Pasta Showdown You Need to See
October 20, 2025 - By Ginger Graham
In Brentwood's culinary crossroads, Michelin-recognized Pizzana brings Daniele Uditi's Neo-Neapolitan Uovo pizza into direct competition with Uovo Restaurant's obsessively fresh, daily-flown handmade pasta.
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