Best breakfast in Studio City -- by item

Who needs Yelp, eh? Let's all hop on the restaurant ratings bandwagon! Lately, I've been sampling various specific breakfast food items in my new hometown of Studio City.  I've come up with a not-so-definitive "best of" list by item for those of you that share my tastes. 

I select Jinky's on Colfax and Ventura for the best all-around egg-type breakfast.  Not only do they have many, many kinds of omelets and such, they also have quick service with a smile, celebrity spotting, a dog-friendly patio, and mimosas.  Coffee is a bit pricey but you get a whole pot.

Now on to the really carbohydrate-y stuff that we won't admit we eat:

French toast even better than Mom used to make can be found at Tujunga Village's Aroma.  This is dipped in the real egg batter stuff and is so rich that I dare you to finish an order.  It's even better than nearby foodie-fave Girasol's brunch French toast.  This is how I want to start my birthday day for the rest of my life.

Good old standby Du-Pars has the best regular pancakes (pictured above).  Light, fluffy, and scrumptious, the order is so large that you'll want to share these (or maybe not).  The parking lot there at Laurel and Ventura is a bit tricky, so go early.

What is it about banana pancakes? I don't know, but I crave these when the bananas are cooked in the batter, not just laid on top.  Vivian's on Ventura, close to Vineland does a wonderful job on these noms (pictured above), and their patio is delightful as well.  The other breakfast items are good, too, although they are a bit chintzy on the toast.

Yes, my weight is up 5 lbs from last year when I moved.  Please feel free to comment, or add other faves.

Gourmet in Studio City's Tujunga Village/Woodbridge Park area: Girasol

I met a friend here at Girasol, in my new neighborhood, for a glass of wine last night (they only have wine).  We met when the restaurant opened at 6:00.  By 6:15, it was full.  Did we eat? No, but with that kind of crowd, it has to be good.  It's really the only restaurant in the Tujunga Village area besides Vitello's that offers a high-end restaurant experience.  I'll report back once I actually eat there -- if we can even get a reservation.

Another discovery in my new Studio City neighborhood - Stout Burgers and Beers

One of the things I love about my new Studio City neighborhood is its many dining choices.

My latest "find" is the Studio City location of Stout Burgers and Beers.  By now, you're probably thinking, "Please God not another gastropub" But this one is different.  First, the burger I had was terrific.  This place grinds their own beef every day and the superior quality is evident.  The burgers are better than Umami.  Really.  And not too pricey -- most of the burgers are $10 or $11.  Of course, there are more beer choices than you can shake a stick at and -- be still my heart -- they're only $4 during happy hour!!! The wine choices are very good for a gastropub and I had a very good Spanish red for only $8.  The husband had a veggie burger which was okay but a little crumbly.  Service was great, the room has a nice ambience, great place to watch a game, etc, etc. If all this isn't enough, they even have a parking lot. I'm not being snarky; parking lots for restaurants are rare in Studio City.  The lot is small, though, so get there early before the valet shows up.

Stay tuned for other local finds and please feel free to tell me about your favorite places in the east Valley.  Anybody know of a good drive-through car wash in SC?