the BEAT of the week: L.A. Weekly's Pancake Breakfast.

L.A. Weekly may have recently lost its foodie guru, Jonathan Gold, but that doesn't mean it's giving up on the parties. Take note: it's 2nd Annual Pancake Breakfast. Does it get any better than a good excuse to indulge in the best meal of the day with some of L.A.'s best chefs? (Answer: No.)

The big soiree won't be happening until August 5, but you'll be smart to get your tickets once they go on sale today. And you should probably just start dieting now, because the event's lined up more than 25 different restaurants to offer their own tasty versions of the old breakfast standby, including: Salt's Cure, Langer's, The Nickel Diner, LA MILL, BLD, Tiara Café, Fred 62, Auntie Em's, The Hungry Cat and Square One.

What a great way to start off your morning.

The L.A. Weekly Pancake Breakfast takes place August 5 from 11am-2pm at Vibiana, located at 214 S. Main St. in downtown. Tickets are $30 each.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Anne Fishburn / L.A. Weekly

Click It. BEAT picks of the week.

Happy Holiday weekend!

How amazing would it be to see Woody Allen and his jazz band perform? He'll be at UCLA's Royce Hall January 29.

A good Bûche du Noël makes Christmas that much better.

Perfect classic ballet flats.

A new Atwater/Glendale spot for microbrews.

A deliciously decadent French Toast Casserole I like to make on Christmas morning (it would be a nice start to the new year on Jan. 1 too!).

I love this Breakfast at Tiffany's sleep mask I got as a birthday gift this year - a must for long flights!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: nederlanderconcerts.com

Do It. LA Weekly Pancake Breakfast with Jonathan Gold.

LA Weekly's food critic Jonathan Gold puts on his annual Gold Standard event every spring, featuring his picks for the best of L.A., and it's always a huge success. Now he's narrowing it down and focusing on just one basic food groups: Pancakes.

Alas, you're surely not to get just simple flapjacks at the LA Weekly Pancake Breakfast happening later this month. With participating restaurants like Warszawa, Salt's Cure, LAMill and Playa, the menu promises to be fun, inventive and still completely delicious.

Having brunch with J. Gold! We're a lucky city.

The LA Weekly Pancake Breakfast takes place 11am-2pm on Sat., Aug, 28 at Vibiana, located at 214 S. Main St. in downtown. Tickets are $25 each and are available here.

-- Chau Tu

Eat In. Barbara's Shredded Oats.

A little over a month ago, my great friend Ashley gave me a dry square of Barbara's Shredded Oats to try in her Hell's Kitchen kitchen. I've been hooked since--I get my fix in a little bowl with 2% milk.

It's a delicious and healthy start to the day, and available at plenty of supermarkets, like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

With a box of Barbara's in your cupboard, there's no excuse to miss the most important meal of the day.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. Donuts in Los Angeles.

Sometimes you just have to have a donut.

Randy's Donuts is a Los Angeles landmark, with the giant donut atop the tiny building being more famous than the treats themselves. Although Randy does make a delicious coconut donut, as well as nice jelly donuts.

Bob's Coffee & Doughnuts at the Original Farmers Market is the go-to donut shop for mid-city Angelinos. Their soft donuts are delicious, but the dense fried cakey ones can be a bit too hard and not sweet enough. I do however love their packaging.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts are relatively new to Los Angeles. They--like some bagel shops--have a fantastic "hot" sign that illuminates the window when fresh donuts are being made. Even for non-donut fans, having a hot glazed Krispy Kreme is an incredible experience. Some Krispy Kremes serve Coffee Bean coffee, which is an added bonus. Avoid the locations that don't actually make the donuts in-house, like Santa Monica. The Burbank location is what I'd recommend--they even have a drive-through.

If you're a Dunkin' Donuts fan, you are out of luck in L.A., although Target and supermarkets do sell Dunkin' coffee now--you'll just have to find your own cream and sugar.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: conventionvendor.com

Eat Out. Food + Lab.

Silverlake surely isn't lacking another great brunch spot, but that doesn't mean they don't stop popping up. And I'm definitely not complaining -- especially when it brings us places like Food + Lab.

Food + Lab already has a location in West Hollywood, but opened up its Eastside branch just a few months ago out on Sunset, down a storefront from Dusty's. And it already fits in perfectly -- a casual joint that's friendly and has stellar cuisine. All the menu choices are scrawled on blackboards against the back wall, and filled with organic and vegan choices. But you also have your usual indulgences, and an overall balanced menu featuring delicious ingredients.

Above, you'll see potato, onion, gruyere and bacon omelette, which packed with goodness and the perfect sort of accent from the cheese. The sandwich was the organic chicken with gouda, sundried tomato aioli, and arugula on cibatta bread, of which the aioli was quite amazing. And I couldn't even fit our massive bowls of coffee into the picture. But overall, the food had rich flavors thanks to fresh ingredients, and portions were perfect -- filling but not overwhelming. I'm dying to try the sunny-side eggs and Australian speck featured on the website.

Yep, just another great brunch spot in Los Angeles. Us spoiled folk we are.
Food + Lab is located at 3206 West Sunset Blvd. in Silverlake.

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. Free pancake day at IHOP.

Yes, today is the day. While the International House of Pancakes usually reserves its Free Pancake Day for Shrove Tuesday, the diner fave is celebrating a week early and consequently starting March off right.

Head out for your free short stack of pancakes at your local IHOP today from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (limit one free short stack per guest! And beware of lines!). And while the fun of it all is to get free pancakes, why not throw in a buck or two or more and help support the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals? It'll still be a good deal, and you're sure to leave happy in your stomach and your peace of mind.

Check out more info here and Happy Pancake Day!

-- Chau Tu

Eat Out. Crepes.

I love a good crepe. My best crepe memories are cold afternoons in Covent Garden's outdoor market, where there was a crepe stand at the right corner entrance. They were hot and delicious--just what you'd hope for on a bone-chilling (or rainy) London day.

The strawberry jam breakfast crepe photo above was taken last month at the Jean Philippe Patisserie at the Aria in Las Vegas. They make a great crepe, but right here in L.A. we have some pretty good creperies too.

The French Crêpe Co. has locations at Hollywood and Highland, and the Farmers Market (as well as in Downtown Burbank). I like the Farmers Market location, but the quality shouldn't vary too much across all three.

A great Long Beach restaurant that Lauren introduced me to when she was living there is La Crêperie Café. It's a really cute breakfast spot, but they're also open for lunch and dinner. We had a lovely long breakfast there one time with a couple other friends, where we all drank endless amounts of Lavazza coffee. Most girls at our table opted for savory items, but I couldn't resist the Maple Madness crepe (banana, walnuts, maple syrup, powdered sugar, and whipped cream).

Bon Appétit!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat Out. Fountain Coffee Room.

The Beverly Hills Hotel to me is the epitome of Beverly Hills. It's pink, fancy, and lush.

The retro coffee shop housed below the lobby is exactly what you want from a classic breakfast spot. The Fountain Coffee Room serves hot off the grill silver dollar pancakes, perfect waffles, crisp bacon, hash browns, healthy omelettes, the list goes on. Their freshly squeezed orange juice is made to order (as it should be for $6.75) from tons of fresh oranges. The whole place is literally just a long curving counter (with a small but very effective kitchen behind it) with 19 bar stools. You can go alone, with last night's date, with a friend, with a group, and feel equally comfortable.

They're also open for lunch (or an early dinner) where menu items include salads, sandwiches, and burgers. I'm looking forward to trying one of their floats or malts some afternoon.

If you can't make it to Beverly Hills, enjoy the hotel's aesthetic at home with these great coffee mugs from their gift shop.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: beverlyhillshotel.com

Eat In. Smoothies.

Or, as my roommate used to call them smoodies. I love smoothies, and this is a great way of squeezing in a few extra points in the raw fruit/veggie category without really having to eat them if you're not a big raw fruit/vegetable person.

It's also a great way to get ride of the fruit you hate to throw away, but is just a bit too .. ripe .. to eat.

The banana that's just a bit too brown? Throw it in the blender, if you don't want to go to the hassle (or calories) of making it into bread. And at Trader Joe's and other health food stores, you can grab some whole ground flax seed ground and maybe some protein powder to squeeze in some extra omega 3s and B vitamins, and protein (obviously).

I've recently been adding nuts to smoothies, which makes them thicker and also adds some extra nutrients.

Unless you have someone in the house who sleeps in later then you who might be woken up with the grinding of a blender, this is an excellent alternative to a bowl of cereal, oatmeal, or eggs in the morning. It's very filling and you can eat it on the go, if you're really in a hurry.

-- Lauren Williams

Eat Out. The Potholder [Sunday Brunch].

Thinking of tomorrow's big Egg Day, Potholder on Broadway in Long Beach has some fantastic eggy dishes. This is definitely an early morning/afternoon place, open at 7 a.m. everyday, and closing between 3-4 p.m. this place has 40+ different scrambles, omlettes, and eggy concoctions! They boast to be the "King of Breakfast" in Long Beach and it's no wonder why.

On weekends though, this is definitely the place to be, with a wait of nearly 30 minutes at times, but with as many options as they have, it will take you at least that long to decide what to get.

Potholder has a 1970s feel, and clearly gradually expanded into the four different rooms it now occupies. On the walls, are pictures of devoted Potholder patrons around the world, all holding signs for this place. On top of Mt. Everst and thinking of Potholder? Hey, I'm thinking about it from South America. Now that's some Potholder love.

Potholder is located at 3700 E. Broadway in Long Beach.

-- Lauren Williams

Eat In. An Italian breakfast.

I remember, as a kid, living across the street from an Italian family and for breakfast some Saturdays, they'd eat yesterday's leftovers scrambled in a pan with an egg over a bed of noodles with some parmesan.

Later, exploring my culinary adulthood, I'd remember trying this dish and making my own modifications. Instead of using last night's leftovers, I would sautee various vegetables in a pan with some olive oil or butter, scrambled with an egg and parmesan.

It's an easy breakfast, but still fancier than a weekday morning meal. Almost any vegetable will do, but broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, tomato, and onion lend themselves to this dish nicely. Also, other cheeses work well if you're short on fresh parmesan.

Basically, this dish works well with just about anything over noodles; it's hard to screw up. I top mine with avocado, which is just icing on an already tasty cake.

But if you're not in a cooking mood, Hugo's Pasta Mama or Pasta Emilia has an excellent rendition of this classic Italian dish.

Hugo's even has a handy video to recreate this amazing dish, as well as a recipe for those of you who want more carefully outlined parameters.

Hugo's is located at 8401 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood OR 12851 Riverside Drive in Studio City.

-- Lauren Williams

Eat In. Trader Joe's Heart Healthy Whole Grain Cranberry Oatmeal.

I find it starts the week out well to have homemade coffee and breakfast on Monday morning.

A quick, healthy and budget-friendly option is the delicious Trader Joe's Heart Healthy Whole Grain Cranberry Instant Oatmeal (first introduced to me by none other than fellow 'BEAT' blogger Lauren Williams). The individual portion-sized packets are easily mixed in a bowl with 1/2 cup of cold water and microwaved for just about a minute to create a meal that really carries you well through lunchtime.

One serving has 2.5 grams of fat, 160 calories, and 10 grams of sugar. Eating this before heading out the door stops mid-morning cravings for greasy foods or donuts.

If breakfast really is the most important meal of the day like we keep hearing it is, put some thought into it--which doesn't have to mean a lot of time or money.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT

Eat In. World Nutella Day.

Nutella is one of my favorite spreads, especially the Italian version. The chocolate-hazelnut treat is available at Italian markets (such as Santa Monica's Bay Cities) and comes in a glass jar rather than the plastic ones sold in regular markets here. The recipe for Nutella varies from country to country, and I find Italy's to be tastier than the U.S./Canada/Mexico version. Most of the world's Nutella is made with vegetable oil, but the 'Made in Canada' recipe is made with modified palm oil. I picked up a jar (made in Canada) on Wednesday night in Cost Plus World Market at the Farmers Market at the Grove, and had it on whole wheat toast yesterday. It was really delicious. Believe it or not, this was all before I even knew that today, February 5, is the fourth annual World Nutella Day!

Depending how much time you have today to celebrate and enjoy a little Nutella, you may just want to spread some on basic toast like myself ... or make a decadent Nutella-based breakfast, like Katie Lee's Nutella French Toast Sandwiches. Or, if you're alone (or shameless), scoop it up with a tablespoon to eat it plain!

For dessert, Nutella on Nilla Wafers, or Nutella Nilla Wafer mini sandwiches are an easy little after-dinner indulgence.

Buon Appetito!

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: candychocolicio.us

Eat Out. The Coffee Table.

Since moving from West Hollywood to Los Feliz, I've had to find some new breakfast places. On the weekends, brunch is one of my favorite activities, so finding just the right place is highly important. After several months of going to The Coffee Table in Silver Lake here and there, I've found that perfect nearby-and-has-so-many-attractive-options-you-have-a-tough-time-choosing-what-to-have, plus the coffee (and chai!) is hot and fresh.

On Sunday, I tried the South of the Border omelette for the first time, and it was impressive. As a big fan of Mexican food, I really enjoyed the green chili, cilantro, pico de gallo salsa on the side, and sour cream decorating the top (and of course favorite omelette ingredients avocado and cheese). The avocado was unblemished and creamy, just right! Rather than coffee, I had a large chai tea latte, which was not too spicy (like Starbucks'), but rich and flavorful nonetheless. It did get chunky (with lumped powder)by the last few sips, but I was about done by then anyway.

My all-time Coffee Table favorite is the Egg Sandwich--two fried eggs, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and HERB MAYO on your choice of bread (sourdough). Like most breakfast items, it's served with fruit and potatoes. The sourdough is remarkably fresh and the herb mayo is what sends this dish into the 'favorites' category. Yum.

Other dishes I'd recommend--oatmeal (served with apple, cranberries and walnuts) and the breakfast burrito, which is simply eggs and cheddar wrapped in a sassy red tortilla, both choices simply delicious.

It's an order at the counter, then sit down place, which makes take-away orders easy. The back patio is the best place to sit if you're eating in. They serve breakfast till 3:00 p.m. daily, and are open till 10:00 p.m. For late afternoon through evening, something like a turkey burger or homemade soup might hit the spot. They also have a pretty fine selection of desserts (think red velvet, coconut cake, almond roca cake ... )

The Coffee Table is located at 2930 Rowena Ave. in Silver Lake.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: www.calendarlive.com