Build-Your-Own-Burger Weekend at Breadbar

In honor of the 4^th of July, Breadbar is celebrating that most American dish of all, the hamburger. Available at both locations, the special menu is $15, and you can construct your own perfect burger, but this isn’t any old backyard barbecue.

Choices abound, so get ready to make some decisions. You can choose from different meats and patties such as skirt steak, ahi tuna, Portobello mushroom, turkey, and chicken breast. Cheeses, too, come in all different colors and flavors, including Swiss emmenthaler, Vermont cheddar, gorgonzola, smoked mozzarella, and brie. We haven’t even gotten to the toppings yet.

Try the applewood smoked bacon, fried or hard boiled eggs, grilled zucchini, pickles, and pan-fried or grilled onions. Maybe not all at once. There is also an assortment of dressings: chimichurri, pesto, aioli, balsamic, and sun-dried tomato. Try the sweet potato fries, or if you’re trying to get into beach-going shape, there are also grilled vegetables and fruit or green salad.

If you can’t stay for dinner, BREADBAR will also be selling buns for you to tote to your own barbecue.

A new way to beat the heat: Agua Fresca Popsicles at Amaranta Cocina

Our favorite Valley Mexican restaurant has just given us another reason to trek out to Canoga Park—agua fresca popsicles. Anyone who has been to is familiar with those huge jars of fresh fruit juice (sometimes known as horchata when it is made with rice) sitting on the counter of the local taquerias.

Now Amaranta executive chef Sarah Rocio Gomez, is chilling out with a new take on the classic refreshment by making popsicles out of it in strawberry and mango flavors. It’s the perfect dessert after a meal at this little gem of a restaurant.

But if you’re not in the mood for a fresh homemade popsicle, you can also try traditional agua fresca as a beverage in several flavors including strawberry, pineapple and lemon. Those looking for more worldly refreshment can try the new cucumber margarita. Whatever you choose, summer will be looking a lot cooler.
 

Fourth of July at West

The Lollipop Guild called. They want their food back.

Sure, it used to be a Holiday Inn, but the Hotel Angeleno is now a Westside wonderland—vis a vis the purple exterior lighting effects, sleek redecoration, and slick branding of West Lounge on the top floor with the best view in the world of…the 405. For 4^th of July, West is offering a special mini-holiday barbecue platter—after all, they wouldn’t want you to fill up on empty calories. For $15 a platter, you get a small selection (meaning a selection of small) burgers, ribs, hot dogs, coleslaw and potato salad. So you can feel like you’re celebrating the birth of the nation without joining the ranks of the 60-something percent of obese Americans. It’s good the food is all miniature, because specialty drinks like the Liberty Martini and the Justice Martini, both of which use American-made Hangar One Vodka, will set you back $14. So eat up and toast to Uncle Sam. He wants YOU!

-- Eric Rosen