Ombra Ristorante: Bistro-Style Italian in the Neighborhood

Studio City's Ombra Ristorante has an old-fashioned neighborhood feel, and offers modern, elegant Italian dishes at modest prices. The menu includes simple dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients, largely from scratch. Feature items such as the handmade cavatelli with dunganess crab and arugula illustrate that contemporary Italian cuisine can be light and flavorful without being weighed down with the heavy meats and cheeses so commonly found at Italian restaurants. However, if its meats and cheeses you want, regulars rave about the filet mignon, served with prosciutto and parmigiano on top of fried polenta. Other favorites include the octopus salad, red beet risotto, and handmade ricotta cheesecake. Repeat patrons note that the restaurant has a loud, festive atmosphere making it more appropriate for dinner with a group than for an intimate romantic meal. With seasonally changing menus and a hospitable staff, regulars say you'll have no trouble finding a reason to return again and again to Ombra Ristorante.

Ombra Ristorante
3737 Cahuenga Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 985-7337

SunCafe: Bright Flavors and Fresh Foods

With many vegetarian and vegan options available in LA, Studio City's SunCafe has made a name for itself based on innovative cuisine and a dedication to fresh, high quality ingredients. The restaurant offers an all vegan menu with an emphasis on raw and living foods, though the menu offers plenty of cooked vegan specialties also. Regulars love the award-winning shakes and smoothies, the popular massaged kale salad, and classic starters like Sun Nachos that can be made either raw or cooked. The clean, bright interior of the cafe makes diners feel welcome, and the friendly staff are known to be very helpful at explaining menu items to those unfamiliar with raw or vegan cuisine. Regulars caution that though the service is very pleasant, its not always speedy, making "to go" the preferred option for diners in a rush. The cafe also hosts classes, nutritional seminars, and offers prepackaged detox menus throughout the year.

SunCafe
3711 Cahuenga Boulevard West
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 308-7420

10 Cleaning Items You Can Find in Your Cabinet

It seems like there's a cleaning product out there for everything. But who has space for all of those spray bottles and boxes of powder, especially in an apartment? Not to mention the toll bleaches and solutions can have on the environment. Next time you're at the supermarket, skip the cleaning aisle and head straight to your own kitchen, where you'll find almost everything you'll need for a stain-free home.

Baking Soda

An all-purpose cleaner, baking soda is useful for a variety of cleaning conundrums:

Odor-lifting: Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your garbage bin, or put a jar in your fridge to keep odors away.

Cleaning: Polish silver with one part baking soda, three parts water. Also sprinkle on a rag with warm water to scrub a surface.

Stain Lifting: Pre-treat grease stains by sprinkling baking soda on them directly after the stain occurs. Sprinkle baking soda in the washing machine before you put the load in to increase the chance of getting the stain out.

White Vinegar

Its acidity makes it great for removing stains, adding some shine to your windows or glassware and even as a bleach. In the bathroom, vinegar will remove grime around your faucets and tiles. Keep ants away by spraying vinegar along windowsills and doorways. Soaking clothes that smell of smoke in a tub of hot water mixed with a cup of vinegar will get the smell right out.

Lemon Juice

Acidic and fragrant, lemon juice can be used to break up soap scum and hard water deposits. Cut up a lemon and rub it along your faucets and hardware to clean away grime. Mix lemon juice with olive oil to create a wood-polishing solution. Throw your lemon rinds in the disposal to clean it out at the end of the day.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is great for polishing all kinds of surfaces, including wood, lacquer, stainless steel and brass.

Worcestershire Sauce

Do you have any scratches in your wood furniture? Try wiping it down with some good ole' Worcestershire Sauce before you bring it in for an expensive repair. It might do the trick!

White Bread

Bread can absorb oil and stains, so use it to rub out marks on the wall, wallpaper, carpets and artwork.

Club Soda

Another all-purpose cleaner, club soda can lift stains and clean countertops. It also works to remove rust stains.

Ketchup

Put on a rag and polish copper or brass. Let it sit for a minute and then remove.

Salt

Spill something on your counter or stovetop? Pour some salt on the spill immediately; it will absorb the liquid and prevent it from sticking to the surface. The same applies for red wine stains to clothing or tablecloths and napkins.

Corn Starch

Sprinkle corn starch onto stovetop or microwave grease stains and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the grease. Then wipe the stain away. It can also be used to clean your carpets: Mix one part baking soda with two parts corn starch and sprinkle on the carpet before vacuuming.

Lala’s Argentine Grill: Raising the Steaks for Dinner

Studio City is the second location for the popular Lala's Argentine Grill. The owners of Lala's have been operating in the Los Angeles area for over 15 years, bringing an imaginative balance between Argentinean traditions and Californian flavors to the cuisine they serve. Though Argentinean cuisine is largely known for its delectable meat dishes, Lala's offers a wide variety of choices on the menu, from beef to fish and vegetarian options. The restaurant's interior boasts modern decor and a vibrant atmosphere punctuated by mild but mouthwatering aromas that waft out from the kitchen. Regular diners appreciate that the professional and attentive waitstaff will help you sort through the large menu to select a dish best suited to your preferences. Patrons point out that the trendy crowd and availability of both indoor and patio seating make this a preferred spot for a meal out on the town.

Lala's Argentine Grill
11935 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 623-4477

Lal Mirch: A Taste of India in the Valley

Lal Mirch in Studio City provides an elegant and casual dining experience for lovers of traditional Indian cuisine. The small restaurant has a subdued decor and a quiet, cozy atmosphere. During lunch, Lal Mirch offers an all-you-can-eat buffet, making this a popular spot with employees and visitors to nearby Universal Studios and the surrounding offices. For dinner, the restaurant offers a wide range of both vegetarian and meat appetizers and entrees, along with traditional Indian breads, chutneys, and beverages. Menu standouts include the Tandoori roasted specials like chicken, lamb, and prawn, and the flavorful curries. Regular diners report friendly, attentive service, and large portion sizes. The restaurant can be crowded, especially during the buffet lunch, so insiders recommend going at off-peak times or leaving yourself enough time to have a leisurely meal if the service gets slowed down. For a sampling of traditional Indian cuisine in Studio City, try Lal Mirch today.

Lal Mirch
11138 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 980-2273

Dine-Out for a Great Cause on Friday Nights

The NoHo Dine Out Fridays is a FREE weekly event to bring the community out and the neighborhood together.

Each NoHo Dine Out Fridays features:

8-10 Gourmet food trucks

8-10 Booth vendors 

Street musicians 

Special events

The NoHo Dine Out Fridays is located at 11452 Burbank Blvd, just west of Lankershim. A portion of each purchase is donated to a local dog rescue group.

Visit here to learn more: http://www.nohofoodtruckfest.com/ 

Welcome to the Windsor Lofts Blog!

Hello, and welcome to Windsor Lofts first blog post! We hope you will stop by often to hear about news and events happening in and around our community. We look forward to your ideas and suggestions as this blog is all about you. We’re here to provide you with the information you want and need.

dineLA is celebrating 5 years of bringing you great food in the city of Los Angeles. Twice a year, Angelenos are offered specially priced three-course meals at restaurants throughout the city with dineLA, and that time of year has arrived! From January 22–January 27 and January 29-February 3, diners will have the opportunity to sit down for a delectable lunch or dinner at discounted prices at hundreds of restaurants. dineLA will even feature restaurants such as Camacho's Cantina located at Universal City Walk, click here for more information.

 

Restaurant Reviews Are On The Way…

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