So excited to find a game cafe here in LA! I used to love Game Haus while it was around, and I've…read moresorely missed it since. This place has really good lattes, and the Garlicky Grilled Cheese sandwich was very large and very good (they really delivered on the garlic!), though not very filling. The prices are certainly not cheap (two drinks and a sandwich was over $30), and you'll finish your drink quickly, but the quality is good. The staff were very amiable and helpful. As for the gaming aspect, they did not have most of their stock for check out when we went because there were tabling at a con for the weekend. This did mean that the usual $5 fee to checkout a game was waived, and the employee I spoke to was very helpful in recommending a game for our party size (2 players) from the remaining stock. While we didn't actually successfully figure out the game (called Scout), I think this is more a flaw of the game or ourselves rather than the shop itself. I also really enjoyed the outdoor seating. I plan to come back sometime (hopefully soon) to explore more of their collection! As it stands, I recommend this place as a spot to stop in, order something light, and see what you can see of their games. Maybe some of their regular events will be up your alley!

Game N Grounds is a charming board game and coffee shop with a great fantasy/D&D vibe. It's a…read moreversatile spot where you can settle in for a game or just work on your laptop. I loved their drink selection--they offer wine, cider, and beer alongside standard coffee. Their food menu is also solid, featuring sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and pastries. We visited on a Thursday morning & it was surprisingly packed; every table was full. We managed to snag a spot in the middle, but the space felt very cramped. We were so close to the next table that we could hear their entire conversation, which wasn't ideal. My friend enjoyed the club sandwich, which came with a side of tater tots. We both tried the hibiscus iced tea--it was refreshing, but I have to admit it was a bit lacking in flavor. They have a cool selection of games, plushies, shirts, and coffee beans for sale. The back lot is extremely small. Plan on finding street parking. Arrive very early to beat the crowds! Overall, It's a fun place to hang out and I'd likely stop by again if I'm in the area, though the close quarters are something to keep in mind. IG @balicookingadventures

We ordered some more cookies for Mother's Day and they were just as yummy. They were wrapped in a…read morecute little box that made me feel extra special. A few tips: * If you want same day cookies, contact her early in the day for a better chance. She may or may not be able to do it though. Also I was once able to get same day later in the day. So it never hurts to ask. * Use the website for easy ordering. I had trouble when I tried to order using Safari. But was fine with Google Chrome. * Warming the cookies for a few seconds in the microwave makes them EXTRA yummy!

These are special cookies! They are thick and soft and the flavors are divine. My favorites are…read morechocolate chip, S'mores (limited edition but I believe it'll be coming back sometime this year), green tea/matcha (also seasonal), and her newest flavor lemon blueberry. Each cookie is individually packaged so they are easy to share or save for later. They stay fresh for about a week (although usually gone by then!) and I've also had success freezing them and briefly reheating in the toaster oven or microwave. Maria is super sweet, quick to respond and flexible when I've messaged her to add on extra cookies at the last minute or needed to change my pick up time. I have ordered several times already and it's been a smooth and easy process each time. You can also get them shipped! My friends love these cookies as well and they make a great gift since they are they are packaged so nicely. I'm looking forward to trying the new flavors coming out this year!

Bacio di Latte serves some of the best gelato I've ever had. I was thrilled when they finally…read moreopened a location in Woodland Hills because now I don't have to go far to satisfy my gelato cravings. There's usually a line whenever we visit, but it moves surprisingly fast, so the wait has never been an issue. The staff are always friendly and patient, even when it's busy. The shop itself is also very cute and has a clean, aesthetic vibe that makes it a fun place to stop by. The gelato is incredibly creamy, rich, and flavorful. No matter what flavor I try, it always tastes fresh and high quality. It's one of those places that keeps you coming back for "just one more scoop." Parking is convenient as well, with free parking available for about 90 minutes in the shopping center. This has quickly become our go-to spot for gelato, and it's a place I find myself recommending to friends and family all the time.

We walked in and it smelled heavenly. We were able to taste…read moretheir new summer options and our server girl was very nice to allow us to try all the things. In fact she didn't even ask she just gave them and told us what they were about. I wanted something light, so I really appreciated the raspberry sorbet, it was so fresh and refreshing. I didn't know this place was there but we will be back!

Was craving Korean shaved ice! Since we didn't want to drive to ktown, this is our go-to. Second or…read morethird time here. Simon (owner's nephew) greeted us and said we looked familiar! He took our orders: mango bingsoo ($9?) and matcha bingsoo $8.50 (subbed red bean for strawberries)--both regular size. Our order was called out 15 minutes later. Beautiful presentation and good portions! It wasn't too sweet and it includes side of condensed milk. Tip: if you prefer less sweet do let them know so they can adjust. Great ambience: lots of tables, beautifully decorated, bathrooms, claw machine :)

PEAK spot w lots of seating vibe, some parking spots (limited tho), wifi, bathrooms, and gooodddd…read moredrinks! Drinks on the expensive side but they're HUGE - kind guy offered suggestions - note: no wifi offered on Sundays

Mini Croissants and Boba is definitely worth a visit! The ube cream cheese muffin and the ube tres…read moreleches cake were the stars of the show--both were incredibly moist, packed with ube flavor, and absolutely ube-licious. The Thai tea boba was a little bland for my taste, but honestly, that was easy to overlook because everything else was so enjoyable. The service really stood out--Vanessa was incredibly friendly, helpful, and accommodating, making us feel genuinely welcomed. Great desserts, outstanding customer service, and we'll definitely be back to try more!

I was next door at Amazing Siam when I noticed Mini's and decided to check it out. When I entered…read moreit was empty and the owner was baking some cookies. The interior is cute and spacious and some tables to sit at. As soon as I entered the owner was very warm and welcoming and I decided to order two drinks. A honey dew melon boba for my boyfriend and a Thai iced tea for myself. I asked her if I could wait until my ride came, and she told me no problem, and gave me a free fresh ube cookie that was so buttery and delicious. This was my first time trying an ube cookie and I'm sold on it. I would definitely come back here and try some of her other baked desserts. They all looked really good! Give this place a try. You won't regret it!

Unfortunately for me there are no good donut places where I live, so when I was out visiting the…read moreChatsworth area I was on the lookout for some good donuts. After a quick search I found that Earl's was just down the street from where I was staying, I decided that today would be a great time to have donuts for dinner! I wasn't looking for the usual glazed or chocolate dipped donuts, I wanted something a little more fun. I walked in and before me like a vision of heaven I saw a display of the most glorious donuts imaginable. I stepped up to the display and gazed upon the magnificence laid out before me, it was overwhelming! Fortunately there was a young lady behind the counter that would be my guide, who would help me on this sweet journey. I wanted them all but with help I was able to whittle my selection down to something my stomach could handle. I took a seat in their dining area and began my luscious adventure. Each bite was a glimpse of nirvana, I savored every moment. I soon came to the realization that my donut box was now empty, but my stomach was full, and I was happy. I shall return one day to continue this sweet voyage.

First time trying Earl's Donuts. Apple Fritter- Dry, hardly…read moreany apples & tasted burnt. Croissant: Basic. As if they buy them in bulk from Costco. Donut hole: Ok White cake with white frosting & sprinkles: Good Vegan donut: friend said it was delicious. Customer Service: the girl who helped me this afternoon was snippy, and acted like she hated being there. No smile. Not friendly. Which equated to zero tip! They have a couple tables and chairs inside. Nothing fancy. I wouldn't return.

Such a good underrated spot for some drinks with their filipino-themed flavors and some teas!!! My…read morefriends and I decided to come here because of a really good deal and we were all saying that we should come here more often because of how good the drinks were. You can either order with the staff or order through the kiosk on the right side. You have an option to type on the text box if you need to change the milk to oat milk, for example. I always ask for just in case they do have oat milk so if you have any special requests, depending on how busy it is, might be better to talk to someone to order!!! The Tiger Tea was really delicious and was a good amount of sweet. The Mermaid drink was a fav from my group. I really liked the Milo and the Ube Milk teas. They were pretty quick with the orders so it's not too crowded inside of people waiting. It's very cozy inside and there's warm lighting and some books too for people to read. Public bathroom in the back.

With today's heat wave in the SFV, it felt like the perfect excuse to finally try the halo-halo…read morefrom this Filipino bakery/café that's been sitting on my "Want to Go" list for a while. One thing to note: they open late--12:30 PM. Parking was easy, and there's a decent amount of seating inside. I happened to be the first customer of the day. Don't expect the warm, smiley Filipino hospitality right away--just head straight to the counter and place your order on the iPad. As for the halo-halo, it's definitely not your traditional version. It wasn't bad by any means, but it's quite different from the halo-halo I grew up with and the ones I enjoy whenever I visit Manila. If you're looking for a modern take on the classic dessert, you may appreciate it more than I did. Prices are pretty standard for Los Angeles, and they accept Apple Pay, which is always a plus.

Holy crispy crunchy seasoned goodness!!!…read more The chicken is perfectly seasoned, very crunchy and falls off the bone The fried cauliflower is crunchy outside and tender inside. I wish I'd found them at the beginning of my trip instead of on the last day! Side note: there's no picture uploaded because we ate it all!!!!

Had to come to the place whose name dares you to come in and try. Strange part of town in a dinky…read morestrip mall. Had the deluxe chicken sandwich combo and when I ordered it the guy said 10-15 minutes which tells me it's freshly prepared. It was a really good sandwich better than chick fil-a. Portion was on the small side but it was tasty with a price you'd pay at fast food chicken places with all their processed and engineered food.

Exceptional! Batterhouse Co's mini pancakes with pistachio whipped cream are a delight. The…read morefriendly staff adds to the positive experience. Highly recommend for parties, school events, and all occasions. You won't regret it!

From the owner: Catering Delicious Mini Pancakes & Flavorful Whipped Cream - Perfect for Every Special Occasion!…read moreBook us now for a personalized, delightful treat. Serving Orange County and Los Angeles

I always enjoy a great dessert spot. This place is heaven when it comes to their rice crispy…read moreoptions. They have OG Original,Strawberry Shortcake,Cookie Monster,Cookies & Cream (Oreo Crumbs) , Cheesecake as well as S'mores. The taste is excellent and flavorful. My favorite is their Cookie Monster. Great location at the Topanga Social as well. The staff is great and will help you with any questions or suggestions. Parking is at the Topanga Social in their lot or in the upper target lot.

Stopped by Topanga Mall today to do some shopping and made my way to the food court. My cousin and…read moreI couldn't pass up Gooey Treats. Run by Mitch, Gooey Treats is a specialty Rice Krispies spot with great energy behind the counter and some solid sweets. We grabbed a four pack--two s'mores and two fruity. The s'mores one really caught me off guard. I didn't expect it to be that good, but it definitely hit. Mitch's service is amazing. She greeted us with a smile, took care of us the whole time, and even while we sat back watching her make the order, she gave that same energy to every customer. You can tell she really enjoys what she does. I also like her whole setup--the branding, the logos, the Gooey Monsters... it all fits. If you've got a sweet tooth and want something a little different from the usual cookie or cinnamon roll, I'd stop by Gooey Treats at Topanga and try a couple flavors.