Passing it Over on Passover

How many times have I filled up my gas tank on Las Virgenes? Hundreds, probably, without ever knowing this hidden gem was tucked neatly into the back of the Chevron station! Well, technically, it's not in the gas station, but in the attached mini-mart. So, listen, this is the set up. Put the gas in your car, then go inside. At the back of the mini mart is a separate little restaurant; that's the taqueria. Order at the counter, then go pay the mini mart cashier while your fresh to go order is being prepared. Carne Asada burritos are made to order in the immaculate open kitchen. For $6, a huge burrito contains chopped steak, rice, pico de gallo, sour cream, cilantro, and avocado. It's all grilled and wrapped to go. They'll also throw in fresh homemade chips and salsa that you won't be able to resist. Other favorites include the carnitas burrito, asada tacos, and the steak and cheese burrito. Holy Calabasas! I never knew that five star Mexican food could come from within a gas staion. Las Virgenes Taqueria 4807 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas. (818) 880-6311 Hours: Mon-Fri: 6:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. Sat 6:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Closed Sunday

Recommended Dishes: Burritos, tacos.

Love Rustic Canyon? Crave Sweet Rose Creamery? Dig Huckleberry? Then add Milo & Olive to your list too! Baker and pastry chef Zoe Nathan does it again, and again, and again with an array of creative breads and desserts. But don't miss the food. It's spectacular! It's not often that I frequent an establishment two days in a row, but I had to. You see I am obsessed with garlic. But yesterday, in my haste to order an incredible Chicken Meatball Panini with an arugula salad ($14) I overlooked a menu item that no garlic lover should ever go without. It goes without saying that the free-range chicken meatballs are the best I have ever tasted, and I did get them again today as a side ($12).  The item I overlooked however, was the Garlic Knot ($7.50). This is not your typical dough ball dipped in garlic powder. Oh no! This is homemade pizza dough is expertly wrapped around a head of garlic, beautifully tied, and baked in a woodfire oven for 25 minutes, then drenched in extra-virgin olive oil, and sprinkled with sea salt. The garlic gets soft and buttery, and you eat it with the bread. This is heaven in a bowl! I also recommend the Burrata Pizza ($17) which is hand tossed with Prosciutto di Parma, tomato sauce, arugula, olive oil, and sea salt. We also enjoyed perfectly scrambled eggs ($5), Beeler's crispy bacon ($6), and assorted house baked bread with Plugra butter and fresh jam ($3.50). If you save room, the Vanilla Bean poundcake wins a blue ribbon in my book! Milo & Olive 2723 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica (310) 453-6776. Hours: Bakery: Opens 7 a.m. Breakfast: 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. daily, Lunch and Dinner: 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. daily.

Recommended Dishes: Garlic Knot, Chicken Meatballs (in any dish), Burrata Pizza, warm country bread, Beeler's bacon.

I adore a good Club Sandwich and what's wrong with having it at a trendy, yet comfy spot right on 3rd Street in one of my favorite areas-Beverly Grove? If it's breakfast you're craving Toast can help with that too. It's served all day and night. This place will make everyone happy, from vegans to vegetarians, kids to grandparents and everybody in between. The huge menu has something for all taste buds to enjoy. Try to get a seat on the patio; it's great for people watching. So back to the Club Sandwich ($13.95). It's a big one! This triple decker on sliced challah is filled, and I mean packed with turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, mayo, and Swiss. What a mouthful! It is so big that my mouth wouldn't fit around it and I had to eat it in sections! The accompanying crispy French Fries were pretty stellar too!  The Tuna Salad Sandwich ($12.95) on multigrain bread with lettuce tomato, cucumber and sprouts is a nice healthy alternative that my friend R really liked. We also had some crunchy golden brown onion rings and a bowl of rich creamy corn chowder that came with the tuna sandwich. Burgers are available in meat, falafel, tuna, veggie, and turkey. Wraps in lavash bread range from turkey and bacon to Chinese chicken. Pressed and melted sandwiches and salads such as seared steak and Nicoise abound. Try them all! Toast Bakery Cafe 8221 West 3rd Street Los Angeles (323) 655-5018 Hours: Daily 7:30 a.m.-6:00 P.M. Breakfast/Lunch/Catering

Recommended Dishes: Club Sandwich, Onion Rings, Corn Chowder, Tuna Sandwich, French Fries.

If you've been living in the valley for any amount of time, surely you've heard of Los Toros. I can't in good faith place it in the category of Nuevo Latino because truth be told, this place is not nuevo. In fact, it is muy viejo. Since 1967  Papa Nick and the entire Montano family have been serving locals with pride in this gigantic Chatsworth location. And, of course, since 1967; there has been a wait to eat here. They always tell you 20-30 minutes, but really, it never is that long. And now, thanks to modern technology (think google maps) if you get up from your seat at one of the many dining room tables to use the bathrooms, you might be able to find your way back. Seriously, this place has so many nooks and crannies, if you have more than one killer margarita here, you'll need an escort to find your way back! When you sit down a basket of lovely salty chips will magically appear on along with yummy bean dip and salsa. The bean dip is addicting. There are chunks of meat to be found in this salty, warm dip too, and what's even better? It's bottomless! For appetizers we like the Los Toros Sampler ($11.50/$18.75) because you get a little bit of everything. Quesadilla filled with melted jack cheese, beef, pork or chicken highlights the plate. Nachos (with enchilada sauce, ranchero sauce, Mexican cheese, guacamole, and sour cream) flautas, and carnitas round out the appetizer. Gaucamole "LIVE" ($7.75) prepared at your table is a good alternative if you want a lighter meal! As beefeaters, we enjoy the Fajitas ($17). The Beef and Chicken Combo is served with rice and beans, sour cream and guacamole, and flour or corn tortillas. Enchiladas are also one of our favorites. Chicken and Cheese with Rice and Beans ($13) is what we crave! Tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and tostadas are also available a la carte. The all-beef burrito ($6.25) is my go-to. There is no-nonsense here. A large flour tortilla is stuffed with steak, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo...and that's it. No rice, no beans! Grilled Chicken Soft Tacos ($8.95) are also a great meal. Two soft tortillas are stuffed with grilled chicken breast, pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. For great Mexican, deep, deep in the valley, make the voyage to Los Toros. We do it a few times a year, and we're always glad we did. Los Toros Mexican Restaurant & Cantina 21743 Devonshire Street Chatsworth (818) 882-3080  Hours: Sun: 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. Mon-Thurs: 10:30 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. Fri-Sat: 10:30 a.m.- 12:00 a.m.

Recommended Dishes: Grilled Chicken Soft Tacos, Fajitas, Appetizer Platter, Guacamole, Burritos, Enchiladas.

It's not that often that one gets invited to a grand opening of a brand new espresso bar serving boutique coffee and deli sandwiches along with yummy desserts. So of course one politely accepts, and gets to meet not only the City Councilwoman, but the actual Mayor of Pasadena! Such was my luck today (as well as discovering a fabulous new hot spot) as I watched the ribbon cutting for Melanie and Charlie Porter's brilliant new operation on East Washington Blvd. The line was out the door and rightfully so! Klatch Coffee (a micro roaster in Upland, CA) is possibly one of the best cups of joe around! Bakery goods are provided by Berolina Bakery (Glendale's European Bakery).  Harney & Sons Fine Teas are poured and Manhattan Beach Creamery provides the ice cream. This little place is charming and even has a gift shop off to the side. Lavender & Honey Espresso Bar 1383 East Washington Blvd. Pasadena (626) 529-5571 Call to check hours.