Greek Salad

Healthy BitesAmong the world's cuisines, a Mediterranean diet is often cited as one of the healthiest. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, savory herbs and spices, citrus juices and olive oil, it's also one of the most delicious. At Healthy Bites, you can sample these wonderful flavors and know you're treating your body right too. The restaurant occupies a narrow storefront where everything is made to go, a fact made plain by the obvious lack of seating. Healthy Bites opens early and offers a variety of espresso drinks, coffee, tea, pastries, bagels and croissants.

Ever wish there was a clean, homespun place where you could bring a horde of hungry youths, let them eat their fill, and still have money left in your wallet? Well, your wish is granted. Just trot the little ones over to Pinocchio's Italian Restaurant in Burbank and line 'em up at the cafeteria-style counter. A recent facelift added some tables and freshened the restaurant's faux wine-cellar motif, but the big menu board survived. The food is old-style southern Italian with heavy sauces, pasta, meats and lots of cheese.

Glendale Community College students have something to cheer about in a friendly new spot to eat that is just across the street. Dino?s Cucina is not exactly new though. Owner Kostantinos Liosis, better known as Dino, used to run a tasty Greek spot here called the Athenian Grill but he found his hearty Mediterranean plates were too much food for students wanting a quick bite between classes. He?s turned his skills to pizzas, calzones, paninis, salads and pastas now. It?s New York-style Italian fare with Dino?

EverestMost third-graders could tell you that Everest is big. The biggest, in fact. While I'm not certain that Everest's burgers are the biggest around, I will make the claim that they are among the tastiest in town. And the restaurant's motto, "Excellent Quality, Generous Portions, Great Prices" is no tall tale. Everything is cooked to order, so the food is hot and fresh, the servings are truly mountainous and the prices are mole-hill tiny. The menu offers a large selection of burgers, salads and sandwiches, as well as tacos, burritos and gyros.

Walking into Rosemary Café, I was greeted by the smell of fresh baked muffins. What better way to whet your appetite? Rosemary Café is located on the outer edge of The Exchange (they validate parking) in Glendale halfway down the block on Wilson Avenue between Brand Boulevard and Maryland Avenue. It's warm and simple, with natural wood counters and tables, and for the size of the place, it doesn't feel cluttered. The tables are set to seat three, so my party of four sat at the counter against the window to watch the people go by. The owner, friendly and quiet, welcomed us with a smile and a bow and handed us menus.

In 1887, land speculators began work on a building that would serve as the anchor for a new business district. The investment paid off and the town of Burbank was born. The building still stands on the corner of San Fernando Boulevard and Olive Avenue and its second-floor tenant, the Burbank Bar and Grille, anchors the city's nightlife and serves up tasty dishes from lunch to late night. The patio is a great spot to sit and enjoy a beverage and the spinach and artichoke dip, served in a bread bowl with homemade tortilla chips.

What's in a deli? Well, cold cuts, of course, and sandwiches, definitely. Salads are a plus for a deli, and some sweets are good, especially if they are strategically placed for impulse buying. But a deli is more than the coolers of sodas and beer, Lotto tickets and chips. A good deli's gotta have a vibe. A great deli's gotta have heart. Glenoaks Deli has a big heart ? just ask the many local schools, churches and other fundraisers who rely on the 6- or 8-foot sandwiches or lavish lavosh trays, at lovingly reasonable prices.

You may not see stars if you visit Star Cafe in Montrose, but you might have a stellar, if casual, meal. This comfortable spot has been popular with locals since the 1980s, and the saw-dusted floors and relaxed atmosphere make it especially family-friendly. An air-conditioned, enclosed patio up the back stairs offers a respite from the clanging kitchen clatter up front. Soft, fragrant, oil-rich rolls are brought to the table immediately. The bread, flecked with pepper flakes and spice, is frighteningly addictive.

East meets West meets Continental at Wrap Express, the latest addition to the cluster of quick eateries across from Glendale City College. The name implies fast food, but the culinary output is actually more sophisticated. The prices, while not rock bottom, are within a student's budget and the portions, if you choose wisely, will keep you full through that 3-hour bio lab. Owner Ruben Zograbyan was born in Armenia and honed his restaurant management skills in Switzerland, France and Russia.

Glendale Community College students have something to cheer about in a friendly new spot to eat that is just across the street. Dino?s Cucina is not exactly new though. Owner Kostantinos Liosis, better known as Dino, used to run a tasty Greek spot here called the Athenian Grill but he found his hearty Mediterranean plates were too much food for students wanting a quick bite between classes. He?s turned his skills to pizzas, calzones, paninis, salads and pastas now. It?s New York-style Italian fare with Dino?

Ever wish there was a clean, homespun place where you could bring a horde of hungry youths, let them eat their fill, and still have money left in your wallet? Well, your wish is granted. Just trot the little ones over to Pinocchio's Italian Restaurant in Burbank and line 'em up at the cafeteria-style counter. A recent facelift added some tables and freshened the restaurant's faux wine-cellar motif, but the big menu board survived. The food is old-style southern Italian with heavy sauces, pasta, meats and lots of cheese.

Healthy BitesAmong the world's cuisines, a Mediterranean diet is often cited as one of the healthiest. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients, savory herbs and spices, citrus juices and olive oil, it's also one of the most delicious. At Healthy Bites, you can sample these wonderful flavors and know you're treating your body right too. The restaurant occupies a narrow storefront where everything is made to go, a fact made plain by the obvious lack of seating. Healthy Bites opens early and offers a variety of espresso drinks, coffee, tea, pastries, bagels and croissants.