Margaritas and Nachos on the beach

Come to the beach this Saturday for a different type of FoodGroup. This event will be more casual than the usual lunch gatherings, with the opportunity to mingle and hang out with other FoodGroup members.

Meet us for nachos and margaritas at Cabo Cantina in Venice. Take advantage of the 2-for-1 drink specials and the many sports games playing at this lively bar.

Cabo can get pretty crowded during their happy hour (from 4-8pm) but we'll try to sit together. Get here early to catch the sunset from the upstairs patio. We may also walk across to Hinano Cafe, a FoodGroup favorite for their great cheeseburgers.

When: Saturday, February 7 at 6pm (or come earlier to catch the sunset at 5:30pm)
Where: Cabo Cantina, 30 Washington Blvd, Venice, 90292, (310) 306-2500
Price Range: $15-20 per person. Please bring cash.
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/bdryfy Located next to the beach, across the street from C&O Trattoria.
Parking: Beach parking available where Washington meets the Pacific Ocean or at street meters and private lots.

Little Fat Sheep

The cold weather calls for Chinese Hot Pot at Little Fat Sheep restaurant in Monterey Park. We'll order thinly sliced meats, mushrooms, dumplings, noodles, and other items to dip into (and cook in) a bubbling broth. Little Fat Sheep's broth delivers on flavor in both mild and spicy versions -- just the thing for a chilly afternoon.

When: Sunday, January 11 at 1pm
Where: Little Fat Sheep Restaurant, 120 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, 91754, (626) 282-1089
Price Range: Approximately $15 per person. Please bring cash.
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/9mcyoc
Go east on 10 freeway, past Downtown LA. Take the Atlantic Blvd exit towards Monterey Park -- it's the first sharp turn off the freeway. Go south on Atlantic and turn left on Garvey Ave, then into first shopping plaza on the right, just past the gas station on the corner. Little Fat Sheep is behind the gas station, to your right as you enter the parking lot.
Parking: Parking available in strip mall and on side streets.

Persian Lunch at Shaherzad

Join us for delicious kebabs and stews at Shaherzad. Shaherzad is known for its freshly made flat bread, served straight from the oven. We'll also try the soft roasted eggplant, crisp cucumbers in yogurt, and a variety of rice pilafs, made with herbs, sour cherry, and saffron.

When: Sunday, December 14 at 11:30am
Where: Shaherzad, 1422 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 470-3242
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/5bbh3w
Parking: Some parking available in back of restaurant and at street meters.

Shanghai Soup Dumplings

Soup Dumplings, known as Xiao Long Bao, are plump dumplings filled with pork and flavorful soup broth. These "XLB" are accompanied by a dipping sauce of soy, vinegar and ginger. Join us for lunch and learn the secret to eating Xiao Long Bao.

I'll order a few other dishes we've enjoyed at Kuan's, including stir fried rice cake and salt-and-pepper shrimp.

When: Sunday, November 16 at 12noon
Where: Kuan's Restaurant, 2809 Via Campo, Montebello, 90640
Montebello is east of Downtown LA and south of Monterey Park.
Kuan's Restaurant is in a large strip mall just east of Garfield Ave and south of the 60 freeway, between an EastWest Bank and a Ford dealership.
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/kuansmontebello

Papa Cristo's Greek Taverna

Join us for a Greek lunch this Sunday.

Papa Cristo's Greek Taverna sits in the center of LA's Latino-Byzantine Quarter. The Taverna is a combination cafe and market, where you can buy Greek cheeses, cured meats, wines and olive oils. We'll meet in the main dining room, a cheerful room filled with tiny white lights and blue-checked tablecloths.

Options for lunch include kebabs (chicken, beef, lamb), gyros, and lamb chops. The appetizers are my favorite dishes: among them the sizzling feta with tomato is most memorable. Everything tastes better with the cool tzazitki sauce and a warm grilled pita. View the menu at http://www.papacristos.com/menu.html

When: Sunday, October 19 at 11:30am
Where: Papa Cristo's Greek Taverna
Restaurant is at corner of Pico Blvd and Normandie Ave (across from St. Sophia Greek Orthodox‎ Cathedral)
2771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, 90006, (323) 737-2970
Parking: Small lot available behind restaurant, enter on Normandie Ave.
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/papacristos

Clifton's Cafeteria

Come dine in a redwood forest at Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown LA. Clifton's has served Los Angeles since 1931, including several years operating an emergency "Penny Cafeteria" during the Great Depression. Service is cafeteria-style, and the menu is standard issue American comfort food (plus Mexican enchiladas and Chinese spareribs).

The real attraction is the interior of the main dining area: redwood trunks soaring toward the ceiling and small woodland animals hiding in every nook.

We'll meet on the third floor, known as the "history floor", to check out cool memorabilia from the restaurant's 70 year history.

When: Sunday, September 21 at 12:30pm on 3rd floor
Where: Clifton's Cafeteria, 648 S Broadway, Los Angeles, 90014
Between 6th St. and 7th St.
Parking: Pay lots available on side streets
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/cliftons

Burger, Beer, and Beach at Hinano Cafe

Join FoodGroup LA for one last day at the beach before the end of summer. We'll meet at Hinano Cafe for lunch then saunter out to laze on the sand and frolic in the ocean.

Hinano Cafe is a friendly dive bar with a simple menu: tasty burgers and frosty beers. Free popcorn, sawdust on the floor, and a pool table complete the scene. Cash only.

Don't forget your towel and swimsuit.

When: Saturday, Aug 23 at 12 noon
Where: Hinano Cafe, 15 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292
Located next to the beach, a few doors west from C&O Trattoria.
Parking: Beach parking available where Washington meets the Pacific Ocean ($10) or at street meters and private lots.
Driving Directions: http://tinyurl.com/hinano