For your caffeine fix

Business #1: Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Business #2: Santa Monica Tobacco
Business #3: Bird Pick Tea & Herb

Why I can't live without these three businesses: Coffee Bean is the start of my day. Almost every morning I walk in to be greeted by, "Good Morning Elsie, what can I get you?" I don't fully wake up until I've gotten my iced coffee. I've been going to Coffee Bean for as long as I can remember and I've always argued that Coffee Bean would beat Starbucks any day because of their unique taste. I go to Coffee Bean on a near-daily basis and I get the usual: a regular iced coffee with soy, chocolate powder, and easy ice. I go to Coffee Bean to meet friends and do homework. When I go out of state I find myself longing for their mocha ice blended and their Jasmine Dragon Tea Latte. On those dreary, hectic mornings when I don't have time to get to school, find parking, AND get coffee, I usually end up back at Coffee Bean when school ends because my coffee withdrawal headache has become too unbearable.

The Santa Monica Tobacco shop is located on the west side of 4th Street, just north of Broadway. It's one of those hidden gems that you never knew existed until someone pointed it out. I used to work at Vans right across the street and my coworkers would come back with a sandwich from the Tobacco Shop and go on endlessly, with a full mouth, about how amazing it is. At first I thought, "Sandwiches from a tobacco shop? Really?" Until I tried them. You can get a sandwich for around five dollars with anything you want in it. The price doesn't go up whether you've ordered two types of meat or three different cheeses. This place doesn't only deserve credit for their sandwiches, but also for their extensive menu of drinks. From iced smoothies to hot coffee, you can find anything you want. They also sport a huge variety of chips, ice cream, gum and mints, and of course, tobacco. You can find anything in this store and they'll always remember your name.

Bird Pick Tea & Herb in the Santa Monica Place would be my number one choice every morning if only I didn't have to spend time parking in the mall. When you walk in, you're surrounded by a vast assortment of teas and devices for brewing tea. At first I thought it was just a plain old tea shop until my coworkers at Vans started raving about the drinks they get from the bar inside. My manager finally got me to go into here and I never stopped. They make the drinks from scratch and use only their finest ingredients. I always got the soy iced Matcha green tea with a bit of simple syrup. The caffeine that comes from the matcha green tea powder is a whole other world when compared to the caffeine that comes from coffee. Everyday before work I would come here, get my matcha green tea, one of their extraordinarily delicious blueberry muffins, and I never got the anxiety or crash that comes from coffee. I would sit and wait on one of the high chairs at the bar and watch as they ground the powder with the pestle and mortar. Everyone from skateboarders to men in business suits can be found sitting around the bar, waiting for their favorite drink. After quitting my job nearby, I find myself constantly longing for the atmosphere, the muffins, and above all, my favorite drink, none of which you can find anywhere else in Santa Monica.

Submitted by: Elsie Andreyev

Try the honey walnut shrimp!

Business #1: Coffee Bean 
Business #2: Nordstroms
Business #3: Wokcano

Why I can't live without these three businesses: Coffee Bean is my favorite place to stop by in the morning and order my favorite drink a Malibu Dream. It’s a strawberry banana ice blended and is the perfect way to start off my day. This is one of my favorite places because there almost anywhere in Santa Monica and it’s quick and cheap. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have coffee bean to run to at in the morning for breakfast or at lunch.

Nordstroms is my favorite place to shop because they have the cutest clothes and shoes. This store means a lot to me because I’ve been shopping here pretty much all my life. The employee’s make you feel like you’re a part of their Nordstroms family, really personable. Even on the holidays they send you greeting cards.

Wokcano is the best Asian cuisine restaurant that you will find in Santa Monica, the food there is to die for. The setting inside is really modern, lights are dimmed and you can chose either to sit in the lounge or dining area. The best thing on the menu is the honey walnut shrimp, I always have to order this when I go and even take any extra plate home with me. It is a little pricy but it’s worth it for the best Asian food you will find over here.

Submitted by: Elle Lewis

Ultimate Breakfast Burrito

Business #1: Santa Monica Farms
Business #2: Tutti Frutti
Business #3: Spitfire Grill

Why I can't live without these three businesses: The Santa Monica Farms provides me with healthy foods throughout summer. After our beach conditioning a lot of the Samohi Girls Volleyball Team goes there for fresh fruit, chips, sandwiches and smoothies. The prices are reasonable and the foods are organic - a perfect afternoon snack and/or lunch. After our sandwiches we make our way back to Samohi for more conditioning and these foods help keep us energized and focused.

Tutti Frutti is my favorite frozen yogurt place. Anytime I walk to 3rd street promenade from Samohi, the Tutti Frutti is either the very first of the very last place I visit. The frozen yogurt there is top notch and they offer various toppings - all fresh and tasty. The cups are a little misleading because they are so big so I always end up spending more than I had liked. But other than that, it's pretty great.

Spitfire Grill is one of the only restaurants walking distance from my house. It is airplane themed because it is right next to the Santa Monica Airport. I go here often for breakfast and lunch with my family. The breakfast burritos are the ultimate best ever. The seating arrangement is both indoors and outdoors and the inside looks like a plane. Over summer I love to sit outside with my dog and eat by myself. Or other times, I bring my boyfriend and my friends along and we laugh and eat together.

Submitted by: Anonymous

Discover a new favorite

Business #1: Trader Joe's
Business #2: Donut King
Business #3: Trutti Frutti

Why I can't live without these three businesses: Without Trader Joe’s I don’t know where else I will be able to go when we are in need of a simple ingredient, rather than having to go to any other grocery store further away. At Trader Joe’s you are welcomed by the many cheerful “crew members” that are to help you out on anything. You can find vegan and vegetarian foods that you wouldn’t find in any other store. They buy directly from their suppliers therefore they offer great deals and have affordable prices. At any Trader Joe’s you will be offered samples of the food that has just come in or that is very popular.

Donut King on the corner of Pico and Lincoln, gives me easy access to an after school snack with my friends. Especially when it is hot, nothing can be more refreshing than a boba smoothie. Not only do they sell boba drinks but they also sell an assortment of other things that ease your cravings.

My third place would be Tutti Frutti at the Santa Monica Place. I love that they have many great flavors that you can choose from, all made with frozen yogurt. They recently even added a new flavor of frozen soy yogurt. You can even ask to get a sample of the flavor you are not so sure about for free, only to find out that it is your new favorite flavor. Besides the yogurt flavors they also have a variety of different toppings, from fresh fruit to marshmallows, that you can add to make your sweet snack even more pleasurable. Being so close to the beach, you can just enjoy your frozen yogurt while looking out to the beach.

Submitted by: Monica Gutierrez

Satisfy your sweet tooth

Business #1: Jamba Juice 

Business #2: Menchies 

Business #3: Pizza Antica

Why I can't live without these three businesses: Jamba Juice: If you want a healthy smoothie made right when you order, Jamba Juice is the place to go. I tend to always go there after a workout and it always pleases me. It's great that they have a wide variety of fruit smoothies, baked goods, and now even frozen yogurt. Menchies: This is a great frozen yogurt place that I recommend to everyone. They have many frozen yogurt flavors, one to surely satisfy your sweet tooth. There are numerous toppings, anything from chocolate chips to mochi to fruity pepples. Pizza Antica: Located on the third floor of the Santa Monica Mall, this restaurant is one that will not disappoint. Their thin crust pizzas are delicious. One of my entrees on their menu is their potato ricotta gnocchi with pesto and sundried tomato cream. The atmosphere as well makes it even more comforting to dine and socialize.

Submitted by: Stephanie Lopez