Catalina Casino

  Catalina Casino is the icon landmark in City of Avalon of Catalina Island.  Remarkable still in almost like a new shape for over 80 years! The structure is the first most noticeable building when you arrive to Avalon via the boat. The construction was fund by Wrigley, the father of chewing gums.  The casino is famous for its huge ballroom. There’s also nice theater inside, which was consider high-tech back in the days.  So if you heading to Avalon, definite worth to check this historic landmark! 

Lloyd’s of Avalon Confectionery Rating ★★★★

Mint Chips Dreyer's Ice Cream

House Made Candy Machine

  Lloyd's of Avalon Confectionery is well known for its candy, housemade from the machine.  Also sells ice cream which is more popular on a hot day.  But the ice cream used is supermarket brand "Dreyer's". It's a lot more affordable than Big Olaf's without the homemade waffle cone.  Wish there were better places to get ice cream on the island. But the candy alone is worth a visit here.

Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. Rating ★★

  This coffee place is located in the Metropole Marketplace, and one of the few coffee places on the Island. Funny that there's no Starbucks here? This place has only got like 1 staff, and the coffee is self-serve.  The coffee is from the Gavina brand, which is the same one used by McDonald's, which isn't exactly good, not to mention it costs a lot more here. If you expect to pay almost $3 for a coffee, it deserved better quality and at least some service.

Chipotle Mexican Grill - Rating ★★★★

Chicken Bowl 

  This Chipotle Mexican Grill located in south lake avenue next to Panda Express.  The meat portion was cut down; however the positive side is now they offer Cilantro Brown Rice!  The price has not been raise since last time I been here that's over 2 years ago.  Around little over 7 bucks with tax will get you filled up.   I've would probably prefer the breakfast burrito from Lucky Boy, but that isn't option for those who work and live nearby that don't want to drive.  This is pretty good option and a lot better than Del Taco. Parking is also good news consider is pretty manageable to find parking spot unless during peak lunch time

[DECOR]     ★★★★

[SERVICE]  ★★★★

[FOOD]       ★★★★
[VALUE]     ★★★★

New Bay Seafood - Rating ★★★1/2

New Bay Seafood is a Cantonese Seafood Restaurant located between Second Street and the Valley, across the street from Garden Café. There’s some curse or bad luck in this location. They change ownership four times in just span of five years; it used to be Sham Tseng BBQ shop.  My friend were craving Cantonese family style food, and this place just recently open, hopefully fifth time is the charm. There were only minor remodel been done, they keep mostly same as before. Main difference now is that they got water tank for live seafood and no longer operated BBQ.  

Service is pretty good for this type of restaurant, probably due to fact the restaurant wasn’t pack in a Saturday dinner.  Our food came out pretty quick.  The waiter could be friendlier and was only interest selling us the seafood. 
 

They gave free salt peanuts as appetizer, prefer steam version from seafood village.

#46 Squid with Salt & Pepper $10.99 – This was the best dish we order. The fried Squid was cook perfectly with right amount of seasoning.

#86 Seven Flavor Lamb Chop $15.99 – Five piece of tender lamb chop meat but a bit too heavy with the spice and oil.

#68 New Bay Basil Chicken $10.99 – Tender White Chicken Meats but too heavy seasons just like the Lamb Chop.

#101 Eggplants with Garlic Sauce $9.99 – Way too grease and oily, bad fit with the eggplant.

  They clearly need to improve their food quality, clearly is not on par with most Seafood Restaurant, there’s nothing here realty stand out, the only special was the live crab which was $23 each and there were no free dessert soups unlike most restaurant of this type.  If they wanted to stay alive, they need change the formula

before is too late.

[DECOR]     ★★★1/2

[SERVICE]  ★★★★

[FOOD]       ★★★★
[VALUE]     ★★★1/2

Oba Sushi Izakaya Rating ★★★1/2

  Oba Sushi Izakaya is a Japanese Restaurant located in the E Glenarm Street right before the Arrow Parkway which leads to the 110 State Highway

Hot Green Tea $1

Lunch Combo Salad

Lunch Miso Soup

Chirashi $11

Takoyaki  $4

Oba Sushi Izakaya is a Japanese Restaurant located in the E Glenarm Street right before the Arrow Parkway which leads to the 110 State Highway.  

[DÉCOR] 4/5

Bigger than average Japanese Restaurant, good amount of tablets. There’s even a bar area too with Television showing ESPN.  Wood tablets and chair. They got huge selection of Sake.

[SERVICE] 3.5/5

Food came out too slow, taking almost 20 minutes and takes a while to take our order, for some dish.  Waitress refills our teas and water without asking for it.  

[FOOD] 3.5/5

Lunch menu comes with Miso Soup and Salad, the soup was very good quality. As for the salad is mediocre and smaller portion.

Chirashi – Cost $11 which is $1 more than last visit for the lunch Chirashi. Portion of the Sashimi is disappoint, the quality isn’t good.  Yama in Alhambra is much better quality and more portions. 

Takoyaki – Japanese Deep Fried Squid Ball is a good value which cost only $4 gets you 6 pieces. Not the best I had, but was definite good, just lack a sauce to make it more flavorful.

If you got a large group or crave for Japanese food and especially sake, this place worth to check it out, but I wish the quality of the fish is better, I don’t mind smaller portion as long quality is better, but it wasn't the case.  

[DECOR]     ★★★★

[SERVICE]  ★★★★

[FOOD]       ★★★ 1/2
[VALUE]     ★★★  1/2

El Monte Denny's Rating ★★1/2

  Denny is one of the few chain out there offer you something for your birthday. Grand Slam is what they would offer Birthday Boys and Girl in all ages. Basically are 2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 pancakes, and bacon

They sell this for $5.99.  It cost less than a bucks if you do at home that won’t take much of skill, the food quality is not good, the sausage were tiny, pancake is package taste, bacon wasn't crispy enough, as the egg is alright.  There’s parking space even in a busy day.  The Décor is 50’s style similar to Johnny Rocket.  You can spend that in a very good breakfast burritos or a Pho in this area.  Service wasn't great, no greeting at all. Pretty clean at most part even the restroom, until some homeless person using it.

Rating ★★

[DECOR]     ★★★1/2

[SERVICE]  ★★★1/2

[FOOD]       ★★1/2
[VALUE]      ★★