ALEX KERR | staff writer

Only 25 miles from Los Angeles, APU students are in prime position for a world-class culinary experience. Make the most with these suggestions.

MEDITERRANEAN ESCAPE
In the heart of Glendora lies a Mediterranean oasis complete with ivy lined ceilings, candlelit tables and rock waterfalls. Conveniently located along Route 66, Eden Garden Café is the perfect spot for a nearby getaway. Offering both Mediterranean and American cuisine, diners can sample hummus and kabobs, along with Rib-eye steak and salmon filet. Live entertainment such as belly dancing and music add to the Mediterranean theme. In keeping with the traditional culture, the restaurant also serves various kinds of hookah while diners wait for their food.

Mention Eden Garden’s online promotion and receive 10 to 15 percent off your meal when dining Sun. through Thurs. Live entertainment and free valet parking is offered each weekend. Eden Garden Café is located just four miles from APU down Route 66 in Glendora.

ITALIAN ELEGANCE
Boasting a celebrity cast of owners, including Ashton Kutcher, Wilmer Valderrama, Danny Masterson and Jamie Kennedy, Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante combines L.A. chic with old-world Italian. Dolce boasts a fire-lined bar, rich leather furnishings and an in-house disc-jockey. Diners are treated to executive chef Marin Santos’ roasted rosemary chicken, lobster tail francaise, filet mignon and much more.

Dolce offers a 50 percent discount each Monday, allowing a taste of Hollywood without breaking the bank. Reservations can be made by phone at (323) 852-7174 or online through OpenTable.com. Dolce is located at 8284 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood.

AMERICAN CHIC
Recently featured on MTV’s The Hills, Ketchup has become one of Hollywood’s hottest places to see and be seen. Holding true to its namesake’s red and white packaging, the restaurant’s equally colored décor brings the classic American dining experience on par with some of L.A.’s classiest eateries. Diners ride the lobby elevator to the second floor, where they are immersed in ultra-modern red lighting.

Weekdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Ketchup offers “Sunset Hour” with $8 Kobe sliders and and an assortment of “threesome” French fries. Reservations can be made by phone at (310) 289-8590 or online through OpenTable.com. Valet parking is available. Ketchup is located right next to Dolce on Melrose Ave.

GUILTLESS DESSERT
Dubbed “The taste that launched 1,000 parking tickets” by the Los Angeles Times, Pinkberry puts a unique twist on classic frozen yogurt. With a convenient location in Pasadena, Pinkberry provides a fun, healthy dessert option on your next night out. While the exact recipe is a secret known only to founder Shelly Hwang, the frozen treat has become infamous for its great taste, despite the fact it contains no fat, and only about 70 calories per serving.

Each Pinkberry location has been designed and decorated to relax and soothe the senses, making the sometimes 20-minute-long wait more of an experience than a pain. A recent American Express commercial has made this yogurt botique a hot spot. Pinkberry is located at 19 S. Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadena, as well as 33 other locations across California.