What: Sit on a sprinkling of high and low tables inside, or out on the street patio, at this cozy, modern, 36-seat, Spanish-themed café that serves up dishes until 3 p.m. daily with locally sourced, organic ingredients. Their credo: Food/Coffee/Tea/Fuel/Life. 

Who: Chef/caterer (and a Food Network Cutthroat Kitchen season one champion) Sandra Cordero and her husband, actor/writer John Hensley, recently opened this charming spot on Ventura Boulevard. The café is a fusion of Sandra’s Spanish/Dutch background and John’s love of car culture. Sandra is known around Los Angeles for her catering company, Cordero Negro Catering, and her Cordero Negro Pop-Ups.

Why Woodland Hills?: "John and I live in Woodland Hills with our daughter Matilda and two dogs, and as members of this community, we wanted to plant our flag here and bring something a little different and hopefully welcome to our part of town," expressed Sandra. "For our first location, there was no other place we wanted to open." 

The food: If you’ve been to Spain, you’ll find Sandra has a menu of some of your favorite things, including various types of "pan" (bread) with tomate (tomato); chocolate with olive oil and sea salt; Manchego cheese; tortilla Española (made with potato, egg and onion); patatas bravas (traditional with aioli as well as a meatier version with chorizo, ham and a sunny-side-up egg); and a breakfast sandwich with ham, cheese and egg on brioche. The full menu also includes a lamb burger, beef burger, sandwiches, salads and an empanada of the day made with homemade olive oil dough. The sweet selection includes chocolate mousse and churros with chocolate.

The drinks: Freshly brewed coffee and tea variations, as well as kombucha and lemonade.

What’s coming up: Gasolina Cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch so far, with the exception of special evenings. Coming up this weekend is Paella Nights on May 22 and 23, with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. The cost is $40 per person and includes: an amuse; salad (marcona almonds, pickled radish, crispy jamon and piquillo pepper dressing); choice of paella—tierra y mar (land and sea) or spring vegetable; and for dessert—chocolate mousse with cream, cherry granita and fresh berries. Virgin sangria, coffee and tea will be available for purchase. Click here for reservations.

The Details: Gasolina Cafe, 21014 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday