Breakfasts of Champions

If you're looking for a hearty breakfast, Pann's just might be your answer. "Just Wonderful Food" is the diner's logo and it has been since 1958. Located on La Tijera Boulevard at La Cienega, this is an LAX pit-stop for sure. Whether you're going to LAX or not, you need to try this place for breakfast!

Walk in and you'll see the "Googie" style architecture which is a prime example of a 50's coffee shop. For those of you who don't know, Googie architecture is a form of fuuristic, modern architecture influenced by car culture, jets, the Space Age and the Atomic Age. Think Bob's Big Boy and Norm's. Often used as a film location the coffee shop/diner is packed on Sunday mornings...and rightfully so!

We love the Waffles. Pann's Belgian Waffle is light and fluffy and huge. Top it with some melted butter and maple syrup, and you're good to go. But don't think I stopped there! This was Sunday morning, after all. Adding fried chicken is something no one will want to miss. You can add either wings, white, or dark meat. The chicken is fabulous too. On top of that, enjoy two eggs any style with this combo! We also had the Bacon and Eggs with thick, smoked bacon. I swear there was about a half of a pound of bacon on that plate. Scrambled eggs were light and perfectly cooked. Coffee was outstanding, and refills came quickly.

Three egg omelets, pancakes, and traditional coffee shop fare headline the breakfast menu. But wait, there's lunch too, and a special Sunday Brunch menu. Choose from a monster BLT or go for a Country-Fried Beef Steak. Don't miss the deserts either! The Sock-it-to-me Cake, milkshakes, and sundaes are worth the calories!

Pann's 6710 La Tijera Blvd. Los Angeles (310) 670-1441

While running all over the city frantically looking for last minute holiday gifts, I found myself on Washington Boulevard in Culver City. I was right in front of the sleek artisanal bakery and Cafe, Lodge Bread. Of course I couldn't help myself especially since my friend Adam had just told me about Lodge last week. I was curious to see what wild fermented, heritage-grain breads, toast and pastries were all about. Oh, I'll tell you what they're all about my friends; they're about being amazing! The De La Paz drip coffee ($3.25) is pretty great too! Alexander Phaneuf and Or Amsalam use organically grown, seasonal whole grains and a naturally leavened process that allows for slow wild fermentation. And this is where it pays off. I ordered the whole wheat toast which was about 2 inches thick. It comes with homemade butter that is to die for! ($4.50) I could barely fit my mouth around it! The toast was wonderful, chewy, crisp, and had a beautiful texture. I also tried the Cinnamon Roll ($5.50). You really have to see it to believe it. This thing is gigantic! The cream cheese topping is a nice surprise and lets the cinnamon roll shine. I'm coming back for the Avocado Toast! This place is truly a little gem. Lodge Bread 11918 Washington Blvd. Culver City. (424) 384-5097 Hours: Mon: Closed Tuesday-Sunday: 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Recommended: Breads, Cinnamon Rolls, Coffee.

Located right in the heart of Beverly Hills, since 1949, Walter's began it's life on Rodeo Drive. After 25 years, the cafe moved to Beverly Drive where it now makes its home amongst swimming pools and movie stars. No, wait, that's the Beverly Hillbillies!  To make a long story short, Walter's has been providing local fresh eats for locals long before the Beverly Hillbillies ever hit this town! Look for the green umbrellas and you'll know you're at the right place! Order a cup of New York's Finest Coffee ($2.25) to start. We also like to start with a glass of fresh squeezed juice ($3.25/$5.00) orange and grapefruit. All egg dishes are served with a choice of roasted potatoes, tomatoes, cottage cheese, or fruit, plus and English muffin, toast, or a taosted bagel. Go with the roasted potatoes! They are simply devine, pefectly seasoned, and crispy-crunchy. Bacon & Eggs ($8.25) are great too! I'm a big fan of the Corned Beef Hash & Eggs ($8.25) Another very popular dish is the Breakfast Burrito ($8.95) made with 2 eggs, potatoes, cheese, bacon, and guacamole, all wrapped in a huge flour tortilla and salsa on the side. We adore the yummy Shakshuka ($10.25) is a hearty portion of poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce with chick peas, feta cheese, and pita bread. Top it all off with a slice of Walter's homemeade pie of the day ($3), a brownie ($1.75), or a cookie ($1.50). You'll be glad you did! Walter's Cafe 153 S. Beverly Drive Beverly Hills (310) 275-5505. Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30a.m.-7:45p.m, Sat: 8:30 a.m.-3:45p.m, Sun: 9:00 a.m.-2:45p.m.

Recommended Dishes: Bacon and Eggs, Corned Beef Has and Eggs, Baked Goods, Shakshuka, Burrito.

We had a great breakfast today in Manhattan Beach. Despite the hot weather, we enjoyed a very cool meal at the cozy Four Daughters' Kitchen. Service was perfect and our meal was really yummy! We enjoyed the Sausage Scramble ($10.25) chock full of three eggs, sausages, swiss cheese, spinach, roasted potatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and leeks. The serving was huge and the dish was delicious. We also loved the Sunrise Sandwich ($9.75) with fried eggs, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, American cheese, and mayo, on white toast. The Two eggs your way ($8.25) was also perfect. Potatoes are noteworthy in that chunks of fried panchetta are sprinkled throughout, lending a special flavor. Coffee is organically grown Lamill, and is definitely worth a second cup. As we ate we sat underneath a framed picture of owner Clint Clausen's four gorgeous daughters. I was curious about the restaurant's name, so I did a little research on Clausen and his wife Kori. It seens that Clint Clausen met an untimely death in 2014 when he suffered a heart attack and died in his wife's arms, while on a family vacation in South Carolina. Married for 17 years, the couple opened the restaurant in 2010. Today Kori runs the restaurant. I don't know about you but this story brought tears to my eyes. Check it out next time you're in Manhattan Beach. Four Daughters' Kitchen 3505 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach (310) 545-2222. Hours:  7 a.m.- 10 p.m. daily.

Recommended Dishes: Egg Scrambles, Sunrise Sandwich.  

Ever on the lookout for new brunch places, Ashley and I decided to try Food on Pico a few weeks ago for a lovely Sunday brunch. We were greeted by the lovely Judy and seated immediately. The modern,eclectic restaurant was full and there was a line out the door by the time we left, but we came at the perfect moment! The staff is very friendly and there are many unique brunch options outside of the normal bacon and eggs. But of course, we had the Morning Breakfast Sandwich with Vermont Cheddar, Applewood smoked bacon, eggs any way you want them, on a buttery English muffin. Crispy, well-seasoned potatoes come on the side. The bakery goods are delicios too. We had a chocolate chip cookie and a bacon cheddar, parmesan onion scone too. Weird combo, right? Well, it worked for us! Food 10571 Pico Blvd. Los Angeles (310) 441-7770 Hours: M-F: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun: 8 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Recommended: The Morning Breakfast Sandwich, baked goods.