Best rated Lulu’s restaurants near your vacation destination? Conceived with legendary chef and food activist Alice Waters and led by acclaimed chef, writer, and cookbook author David Tanis, Lulu is a shared celebration of good food that is good for the planet. Lulu is a restaurant committed to prioritizing sustainability through local, regenerative food and design. Our mission focuses on procuring food directly from small, nearby farms practicing regenerative organic agriculture, which results in wholesome, delicious food grown using methods that combat the climate crisis. Discover additional information on Lulus.
Simple and clean, the restaurant feels distinctly autumnal, with assorted fall fruits including persimmons and plums adorning a large family size table at the entrance. With baskets scattered as if laid out for a Thanksgiving meal, the decoration presents a lived-in ambiance. Also entirely open air, the space has outdoor seating and a hybrid, roof-covered area closer to the bar. The construction feels as natural as the food, with the organic layout allowing the crisp air to waft in.
Clifton’s Republic is a magical place to eat, drink and explore. Once a multi-café franchise – founded in 1931 by Clifford Clinton – this specific Clifton’s, in Downtown Los Angeles, is the last one standing. It shut down in 2011 for restoration and has been reopening in phases since 2015. Clifton’s stands five stories tall and includes a cafeteria, the Pacific Seas tiki bar, and a Redwoods-themed bar that features taxidermy tableaus and an artificial tree that rises through multiple floors. The Marketplace cafeteria serves American comfort food and desserts, and the Monarch drinks lounge and Gothic Bar offer craft cocktails and beer. The Pacific Seas specializes in Polynesian food and tiki drinks.
The Sherman Library and Gardens are public botanical gardens located in Corona Del Mar. Covering an area of 2.2 acres, the garden was established in 1955 when Arnold D. Haskell bought a plant nursery property. Mr. Haskell named the library and garden after his mentor, M.H. Sherman. The garden features conservatories, fountains, patios, seasonal flower beds, and more. One of the conservatories houses tropical plants including gingers, heliconias, and orchids. Some of the gardens include the Cactus and Succulent Garden, the Fern Grotto, the Herb Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Rose Garden. The library contains materials related to the history of the Pacific Southwest.
On opening day, heart-warming dishes took center stage, such as a $12 hearty black bean soup that was spiced so smoothly its flavors melded into one. Its portion size was larger and its taste significantly more rewarding than the more expensive, smaller eggplant “banh mi” that was placed within a focaccia exterior. Typically served with a Vietnamese baguette, the twist on a Vietnamese dish failed to fuse with its overpoweringly smoky eggplant and clashing textures. The crunch of the focaccia wasn’t as forgiving as the traditional baguette and felt discordant with the much softer eggplant. Balanced in the middle were the pickled vegetable toppings, which emerged as the dish’s saving grace and were one of the few features that remained true to the banh mi’s original form. See extra information on lulusoceansidegrill.com.