Corner Bakery Cafe + + + + $

Where? Lake and Del Mar
Who? Andrew, Dora, Themo

Great place to eat on a cold and dreary day. The soup definitely warms you right up. Loaded potato soup is excellent, the cheese and broccoli mix is also OK. Panini's are very good - I had the Club, which was dripping with buttered goodness. Creamy hazelnut coffee blend is wonderful. Restaurant can get crowded and has a great cafe feel. Park in the structure behind the restaurant. Thumbs up.

Porto's + + +

Don't let the industrial, take-a-number, form-a-line, decide-your-order-now atmosphere overwhelm you. The croissant sandwiches are excellent, and virtually every type of pastry and dessert for the sweet tooth can be found here. The fruit smoothies are cool and refreshing on a hot L.A. day. Shop in closeby Glendale Galleria. Thumbs up.

Who? Andrew, Howie, MichelleP, A. Lok, Siao