The Yellow Vase (LV's LA)

I love a great cup of coffee and I love beautiful places. Paint that with a yellow paint brush and ocean breezes and you have "The Yellow Vase." This bright cozy eatery is adorned with bright yellow flowers, yellow walls and decor that feels bright and cheery.

 

 I discovered this South Bay eatery during my nature walks and jogs around the Palos Verdes Peninsula more than a decade ago. There are now a few more locations around the South Bay area.  I like a little ocean with my food and this  beachy gal  always loves a great spot by a scenic body of water. This cute coffee shop eatery is a nice place to sit and enjoy coffee while you hear waves crash and is a great backdrop to have a cappuccino and a treat with friends or a light lunch or dinner. I have been to all of the locations and enjoy each one for different reasons, but they are all in beach communities, so you can't go wrong with any of the locations.

Everything is yellow and bright:-)

The french toast comes warm with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of maple syrup. The turkey and avocado panini shown at the beginning of the post and many of the other items are tasty, but what keeps me coming back is the delicious coffee and the view of the ocean. I much prefer the drinks over the food. The newest location is not as close to the water, but still has a great vibe and is relaxing and cozy.

This is the perfect spot if you want to be hidden

 away and enjoy some solitude and it is just as great for gathering with a few friends

 

Fresh flowers are always the perfect touch to a 

great dining experience

 

I can never resist a good red velvet cupcake

Delicious vanilla latte

 

 Delicious coffee, teas, cappucino, latte's and the ocean breeze around you. What's not to love?

 

The Yellow Vase 

51 Malaga Clove Plaza

Palos Verdes Esates, CA 

310-378-0013 

 

The Yellow Vase

28902 South Western Ave

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

310-833-1313 

 

The Yellow Vase 

1805 S. Catalina Ave

Redondo Beach, CA

310-541-0013

Ortega 120

Chef Thomas Ortega does a great job of  taking the Mexican dining experience beyond the old standbys we all love, but are accustomed too. His name sake restaurant does a great job of marrying the farm fresh ingredients of California with the traditional flavors of Mexico. The restaurant has received critical acclaim and numerous awards including: Favorite Mexican Restaurant by the Daily Breeze and  "Top Ten Mexican Restaurants in America"

 Mexican food is always fun and festive. There are so many options and sometimes I think a lot of us forget that there is more to Mexican food than tacos and burritos.  Ortega 120 is located in the heart of Redondo Beach and offers all of those traditional favorites, but lots of other unique dishes that are a part of the chefs signature creations. Some of those mouthwatering creations are: pan seared Tilapia, Mole Ribs and a Latin Version of surf & turf with skirt steak and jumbo shrimp. My eating adventure started with chips, which were warm and fresh and salsa with just the right amount of heat. 

My mango Cadillac margarita was tasty and smooth and I usually prefer ice blended margaritas. It is not surprising that the margarita was so delicious considering that Ortega 120 has won numerous awards for their signature drinks and has created "Tequila University" which teaches patrons everything they ever wanted to know about Tequila including what the best appetizer pairings are. Everything I tried made my tastebuds happy, but what really stood out was a scrumptious appetizer called: Mexican style street corn. Baby corn fire roasted with a perfect blend of of dried pico de gallo, mayo and cotija cheese and so amazing I could have eaten a plate of these and gone home happy.  I indulged in a flavorful chicken torta with a side salad and had two sweet endings: Hot fresh churns with chocolate dipping sauce and homemade vanilla ice cream and warm Malasadas (portuguese donuts). Too good to even describe...

Fresh Salsa

Aren't fresh chips addictive? So hard to stop at one

Mango Cadillac Margarita

Mexican Style Street Corn

Look at the cheese, herbs and spices. So yummy

So you can tell I hated it by the empty corn cob, LOL

 If you have never tried a Torta, you are missing out on one of life's great pleasures:-)

The most delicious and flavorful salad with cilantro vinaigrette

Chicken Torta

 Chicken Enchiladas garnished with pickled onions

Mexican rice with fresh cilantro on top

Great atmosphere. Perfect for hanging out with friends or date night:-)

 Hot Churros with chocolate sauce and homemade ice cream

The homemade vanilla bean ice cream was de-licious!

Warm Chocolate sauce for dipping

 why stop at one dessert, when you can have two? These Malasadas (Portuguese donuts) with chocolate dipping sauce were the perfect after dinner treat.

can you imagine these with fresh coffee?

This ice cream was so good that I wanted to turn up this little serving dish and drink the remains, but that would have been unlady like huh? LOL

Try it for yourself and you will know what I mean:-)

Ortega 120

1814 Pacific Coast Highway

Redondo Beacch, CA

310-792-4120