Message: | The area around the 405 & Lakewood is a vast wasteland for unique dining experiences, for the most part. The best Chinese restaurants, and they are not anywhere near the authentic Chinatown or San Gabriel Valley places, are Tai Pan in Marina Pacifica (PCH & 2nd St) or August Moon (at the Marketplace, catty-corner from Marina Pacifica). Don't know if either is open for lunch on Sunday.
I've worked in this neighborhood for more than 10 years and have yet to find a good Mexican place. Locals swear by SuperMex (on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore), but IMHO it's greasy and run of the mill.
There's a good Mediterranean place, Open Sesame, on 2nd Street that's good. I've had a couple of good inexpensive meals there. A new creperie opened across the street from there, but I haven't been there yet or heard any reports.
For brunch, best stick to the typical brunch places. Hof's Hut, a local coffee shop chain, on Bellflower and Stearns has good and ample breakfasts.
Schooner or Later is on the water in Alamitos Bay (off of 2nd street at PCH) for good omelets, sandwiches, and lunch/brunch items. Added bonus: if you're there early enough there's a small but nice farmer's market in the parking lot just north of the restaurant.
Otherwise, the area is chock full of chains: Pick Up Stix, Baja Fresh, Coco's, El Torito, Acapulco, Mimi's, etc. with a whole slew of others in and around the Lakewood Mall (north of the 405 on Lakewood). |