Amazing

Business #1: The Omelette Parlor 
Business #2: The Slice
Business #3: Trader Joes

Why I can't live without these three businesses: The Omelette Parlor My favorite breakfast and lunch spot. From its charming indoor and outdoor atmosphere to its wonderful waiters, The Omelette Parlor has never seized to impress me. Everything on their menu is great, but the best is when you get to choose exactly what you want in your omelette and then top it off with a hot cup of coffee. Don’t get fooled by the name of the restaurant though. It may just sound like a breakfast joint, but The Omelette Parlor makes the most delicious burgers and salads. If you happen to be passing Main Street on a weekday between 1-2:30PM, make sure to take advantage of their burger special. You can get yourself a huge, tasty burger and side salad for only six bucks! The Omelette Parlor has extremely friendly and efficient waiters, and gives you the feeling of going on a small getaway with its sweet vintage décor and its shaded outdoor seating. So next time you're in need of a great breakfast or lunch, do yourself a favor, and stop by The Omelette Parlor!

The Slice If you happen to be a regular at The Slice on 9th and Wilshire, you've probably seen a group of high school kids sitting out on the patio at least once a week. For the past few years, The Slice has been like a second home to my group of friends. It is almost second nature to gather after school, order pizza, fries, or even just celery sticks with hot wing sauce, and just hangout for a few hours discussing our ridiculous lives. The guys who work there are wonderful people and work really hard to serve great food and do a great job keeping the place clean and orderly. Their pizza is amazing, their fries are amazing, their hot wings are amazing, their calzones are amazing, basically, The Slice is amazing. As you can see, I don’t have much more to say other than the fact that it’s amazing. If you’re looking for some quality pizza and super cool guys to make it for you, The Slice is where it’s at.

Trader Joes Trader Joes has quite a special little spot in my heart. A trip to Trader Joes on 33rd and Pico is a regular trip made by my family. I have been raised on their food, and don’t ever plan on breaking that consistency. Trader Joes has the greatest vibes and the greatest food. From its exotic pre-packed salads to its to-die-for deserts, this store will have you making up silly excuses to go back. Their prices are unbeatable and their freshness and quality never even has to be questioned. Trader Joes is a chain store and has many locations around the country, but due to their small-sized stores and their family-like employees, it still feels like you’re paying a trip to a family owned market.

Submitted By: Palmo Farber

The Gem of Santa Monica

Business #1: Il Forno
Business #2: H&M
Business #3: Bay Cities Italian Deli

Why I can't live without these three businesses: Il Forno is an amazing restaurant. I've been going there since I was 9. Their food is delicious, the servers are kind and friendly, and I am always greeted with a smile. Il Forno is the friendliest restaurant I know of. Some days I didn't have enough money to go in and get a whole lunch, so I would go in with a dollar and buy just some pieces of bread. Whether I was there for a few pieces of bread or a banquet Il Forno's staff was always the most friendly people to talk to. I love Il Forno.

H&M is a great store. Surprisingly I haven't really gone into the store until this recent summer. I had to find cheap professional work clothes for a summer internship. I went down to the promenade and window shopped from Wilshire all the way down to Broadway. Of course H&M is the last clothing store closet to Broadway. But going in their, all their clothes are relatively cheap, they have nice style keeping up with modern fashion, and overall good quality apparel. I love their dress shirts and now that my internship is over, I am just sad that I can't wear them every day.

Bay Cities Italian Deli is the gem of Santa Monica. It doesn't need to advertise it self because it is so good. Everyone talks and raves about this amazing deli. It is personally one of my favorite places to eat. Since it is so good I try to eat there to reward myself. After AP testing at school I told myself that after the AP testing I would treat myself to a warm juicy Pastrami Sandwich. The food is almost angelic. My friend Noah always says, "A moment of silence" when we drive by. I always thought it was him trying to be funny, but now I understand. Bay Cities is like the holy site of all Delis. You have to bask in the awesomeness.

Submitted By: Jonathan Chin 

A refreshing, fulfilling, and invigorating lunch

Business #1: Bob's Market
Business #2: Bay Cities Italian Deli
Business #3: Barnes & Noble

Why I can't live without these three businesses: Bob' s Market - I'm pretty sure my entire fridge consists of food bought at Bob's Market. For a relatively small store it really has everything I want, from apple juice to hot dogs to bean-less chili in a can, and I always feel so warm walking in there. The sense of family is easily apparent and the service is welcoming. Sometimes a staff member will notice and appreciate one of my shirts and I'll make a new friend while my mom is picking out apples. I can't think of a better way to maintain my existence as a frequently consuming individual.

Bay Cities Italian Deli - The only thing I could possible eat after taking a four-hour long test on a Saturday morning comes from Bay Cities. From the ACT to the practice AP Biology exam, Bay Cities has been there for me to carry out my need of refreshing, fulfilling, and invigorating lunch. Although I absolutely adore sweet, juicy meat, I always go for the caprese sandwich as a healthy twist to the mind-numbing morning. Maybe it's the bustling market atmosphere, the satisfying number of choices, or the perfectly crafted bread (okay, it's definitely the bread), but Bay Cities has never been a disappointment.

Barnes & Noble - It still depresses me that this is the only major bookstore left nearby. Sure there are some small shops around that sell books and have a beautiful atmosphere, but I really like big. I like exploring the vast shelves, aching for the sweet smell of the right book. Every time I go to the 3rd Street Promenade, I have to make a detour into this store, even if I am running late. The bus will come by again in a half hour; there's plenty of time to find a new book and dive into it, and there is always a new book to be found.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Healthy and Mouth-watering

Business #1: California Chicken Cafe
Business #2: Tacos Por Favor
Business #3: Perfect Blend

Why I can't live without these three businesses: California Chicken Cafe, located on the corner of Wilshire and 24th street, is home to great service and great food. The employees are always friendly and the food is always served on time. I have yet to find an item on the menu that I dislike. Their rotisserie chicken and California Chicken Salad is delicious, but for me the best item on the menu would have to be the Cesar Wrap. I love it because its healthy but also because it's mouthwatering. I suggest for those who haven't gone to California Chicken Cafe, to add it to their bucket list.

If you're in the mood for mexican Tacos Por Favor is where you want to be. It's located on the corner of Olympic and 14th street. During the summer, Tacos Por Favor was my guilty pleasure. I went almost once a week to get my dose of Carne Asada tacos or a delicious Carne Asada Torta. The employees are always upbeat and nice, making it a very inviting place.

Perfect Blend across the street from SAMOHI is a cool place I recently discovered. Perfect Blend will keep you coming back for the delicious fruit smoothies, board games and 50s and 80's music. One of my favorite things about this place is that they are eco-friendly. It's a cool place to hang out if you're looking for great music and a quick snack.

Submitted By: Anonymous

Snack Suppliers

Business #1: The Farms 
Business #2: Scubahaus
Business #3: Donut King

Why I can't live without these three businesses: The Farms: A sweet little corner grocery store on 21st and Montana, The Farms has always been the supplier of any fix I might be craving.  Living only a few blocks away from this market has been one of the bigger blessings of my life.  There have been several occasions where I know I will not survive the day without a milky chocolate bar or a hot serving of macaroni and cheese, and The Farms has never let me down in these times of need.  It also doesn’t hurt that the staff there are always putting on a smile for you and showing a genuine kindness and friendliness to all customers.  If I were to lose this easy access snack supplier, I might just lose my mind with it.

Scubahaus: I might not be much of a diver (although the idea of it does often entertain me), but the Scubahaus on Wilshire and 26th is still a very important business to me.  All three of my siblings and my self are very actively involved in water sports, and usually, whatever gear we need we can find at the Scubahaus, just a hop, skip and a jump away from our home. The employees there are very involved and aware of the activities behind the merchandise they sell, and always want to hear about how we are putting their gear to work.  It is easy to go in there and get lost in a lengthy conversation about anything water related, which I love.  I can always rely on them to have just what I need to get by in the waterworld. 

Donut King: Located only a block or two away from Santa Monica High School, Donut King has proved to be one of the hottest spots around for students.  The cheery young ladies who work behind the counter seem to always be in good spirits, even when they have the heat of dozens of hungry teenagers waiting to get some tasty snacks on their backs.  I prefer going there at the more quiet parts of the day, usually before and after practice when I can get a clear view of the pastries in the glass display cases and decide what I want from the overhead menu on my own time.  They are usually very precise and prompt with your orders, and over the past few years they have become one of my favorite snack joints in town.

Submitted By: Chum Zakson