Boutique Cuban

El Rincon Criollo, which roughly translates as "Cozy Corner" is exactly that. I've eaten there many times and can testify that it's a consistently tasty and friendly spot. Corkage is $10.oo if you choose to BYOB and they offer several beers, a few wines and house made sangria.
Recommended - chicken served in a savory, generous garlic sauce replete with sliced sweet onions and served with black beans, rice and plantains. Recently I enjoyed grilled halibut served with the same preparation as the chicken; $11.95. If you've recently sworn off the Adkins diet order the tostones; fried green plantain slices served with a garlic dipping sauce. Subtle garlic flavors make Rincon Criollo is a great place to go before seeing Twilight...
El Rincon Criollo/4361 Sepulveda Bl./Culver City,CA/90230/310-397-9295

Heirloom worth keeping!

This is an easy and super-tasty summer salad. Spend a little on some Heirloom tomatoes and you'll be rewarded! Amounts vary depending on how many servings you need.
Cut tomatoes into wedges or pieces. Place in bowl.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In another bowl whisk together olive oil,balsamic vinegar,and minced shallots. (2 to 1 ratio with oil to vinegar.)
Pour half of the oil mixture over tomatoes tossing gently to coat. Then allow tomatoes to marinate 20 minutes to 1 hour before serving. Keep tomato bowl at room temperature.
Add torn or chopped arugula pieces to tomato bowl. Pour remaining oil mix over tomato/lettuce mix and serve.