Tasty Wings and Hearty Fries at Hoagies & Wings

What: Chicken wings; fries; sandwiches Where: Hoagies & Wings (at various locations in Southern California: Downtown L.A., Sherman Oaks, Culver City, La Cienega)

Must Order: Chicken wings; steak hoagie fries

Left: Buffalo hot wings and garlic Parmesan wings; Right: Steak hoagie fries

The Verdict: It's amazing how often restaurants can get this basic comfort food wrong -- really, they're just chicken wings. So how does Hoagies & Wings do it? They take lean, meaty pieces of chicken, fry them up to crispy perfection and slather them in either tasty sauce or just the right amount of seasoning. You can take your pick from 11 different flavors ranging from the typical options to more unusual ones: Mild, Hot, Suicide, Mambo, BBQ, Spicy Thai, Teriyaki, Seasoned, Lemon Pepper, Garlic Parmesan and more recently, Breaded & Spicy (no sauce but with spicy seasoning).  I often stick with two flavors, Hot and Garlic Parmesan. The buffalo sauce is thick and just a little bit sticky (the way every chicken wing sauce should be), while their garlic parmesan wings are coated in tiny grains of cheese with a hint of garlic. Plus, the price is moderate: a 20-piece order costs about $16.

And don't forget the Steak Hoagie Fries. Thin strips of seasoned, golden potatoes are covered in cheese, chopped tomatoes, bits of parsley and of course, slivers of well-done steak. Imagine if someone took your favorite Philly Cheesesteak, scooped out the inside and heaped it onto a hearty helping of french fries. It's it's rich, surprisingly not too greasy and only about $7.

Must-Have Macarons at Paulette Beverly Hills

What: Macarons Where: Paulette Beverly Hills

Must Order: Rose; caramel

The Verdict: I'll start out by saying that I'll never post a negative review on this site. I figure, if it's not delish, it's not worth writing about. But just how delish are Paulette Koumetz's and Christophe Michalak's macarons? Delish megish, indeed. These little masterpieces had me raving that macarons are the new cupcake.

I didn't know much about macarons before I tasted several different kinds at Paulette, but it was definitely love at first bite. Though they're pretty pricey (individual macarons are $1.60 each; 1 dozen is $19) they're well worth the occasional splurge. These kosher dairy delights are light and airy with the right amount of richness. The exterior has the slightest crunch and the center is perfectly gooey.

I haven't tasted a single one I didn't like but my favorite one was the rose macaron. Fluffy and floury, these little puffs are made with a little bit of rosewater for that unique flavor. Chocolate lovers will enjoy chocolate-stuffed chocolate shells and pistachio aficionados will marvel at the soft, smooth centers of the green macarons. If you want an even sweeter treat, try the caramel, which has a sugary, sticky filling.