Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Lemongrass - Canoga Park

22205 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA
818.703.6608
website



VALUE - 9
When it comes to good food, I do not discriminate between fine dining establishments and just great hole-in-the-walls (HITW). This is the latter. If you're just looking for plain 'ol good Asian food, Lemongrass has to be at the top of your list. Aside from having some of the best Thai dishes I've ever tasted and great portions, the prices alone can make it worth your while. As far as HITWs go, this is one of my favorites.

TASTE - 9
This is Thai food made by Thai people for Thai people. Surprisingly authentic for a HITW establishment, I always leave satisfied. I have been to this place so often that I've pretty much ordered everything on their menu. You will gorge yourself. If you're a waify supermodel, don't even bother coming here. Your heart can't take it. The tom kah kai is creamy and substantial, with just the perfect amount of heat. The seafood curry is a hearty oceanic delight chock-full of shrimp, crab, mussels, fish, squid and herbs. The prik king is savory with a kick. For people fortunate enough to be in-the-know, you will definitely order their special spicy catfish, hands down their best dish. Right off the wok, the catfish is crunchy, topped with a spicy-sweet curry sauce. One warning though, do not order this dish to go or for delivery. By the time you eat it, the sauce would've soaked in the fish into a soggy mess. This definitely does not do the dish justice! Of course, no Thai meal is complete without the Thai-iced tea. I know it's going straight to your thighs, but just get it! Guess what, they come in LARGE!

Amazingly, they also carry a plethora of good vegetarian dishes, a rarity in HITWs. Almost every menu item has a tofu or veggy counterpart.

PRESENTATION - 7
Because this is a HITW, I don't expect much. I'm just happy they serve the food in real dishes and silverware. Don't expect and creme brulee volcanoes.

AMBIANCE - 8
The place has a great casual, friendly atmosphere, perfect for conversation, as long as you don't mind seeing passersby through the window.

SERVICE - 8
The waitresses are cordial and will help Thai food virgins on picking the perfect dish.

WOULD I RETURN? - 10
Absolutely. I probably already went back as this review is being published. It's a hidden jem in the San Fernando Valley that truly transcends beyond its 7/11 strip mall location.

SOCIAL INTERACTION - 9
This is a great place to have a casual lunch or dinner with friends. They remember their regulars and treat them extra-special.

OVERALL RATING - 8.82
Lemongrass not only is one of my favorite HITWs, it has become a great fall back restaurant on days where I cannot risk dining on mediocrity. Every menu item is a hit time and time again. Anyone who enjoys plain good food must give this place a try.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Blair's - Silverlake

2903 Rowena Ave., Los Angeles, CA
323.660.1882
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m.
website



VALUE - 8
The prices were above average, but I found the dishes well worth it.

TASTE - 8.5
I took the advice of previous reviews and ordered trademark dishes like the crab cakes, short ribs and macaroni and cheese side. I was not disappointed. The crab cakes were perfectly prepared with the right amount of cream and full on flavor The short ribs, obviously a crowd favorite, was falling off the bone. The sweetness and smokiness of the glaze was superb. I did notice that the red meat portions were a lot heartier than the fish counterparts. As for the truffle mac and cheese, hands down one of the best mac and cheese I've ever tasted. The weakest of the whole meal to me was dessert. I found the selection typical of many fine dining establishments, not really delving too much into the creative realm.

PRESENTATION - 7.5
Overall, this was probably their lowest score. I didn't really find the plating to be too ostentatious, but fits well within the simple, but elegant theme. The only reason why I scored it low is because I found the everything to be too monochromatic and lack originality.

AMBIANCE - 8.5
I thought the intimate setting was great. I found the lighting one shade too dark but overall, the decor, clientele and theme were not pretentious. Though I tend to favor minimalist, modern contemporary decor.

SERVICE - 9.5
The simplicity yet abundance of flavor of the dishes were only enhanced by the friendly service. I'm not a big fan of stuffy waiters/actors who act like they are better than the restaurant patrons. This is definitely not the case. The wait staff were real people. They were courteous, knowledgeable, but did not treat themselves too seriously.

WOULD I RETURN? - 9
Absolutely! This is a place I can see myself return to on a whim.

SOCIAL INTERACTION - 9
Overall, this is a great place to have a quiet dinner with friends. Along with their wine list, I was impressed by their selection of international beers. The casual yet elegant setting beckons for quiet celebrations and intimate3rd dates.

OVERALL RATING - 8.41
I love the Silverlake area and I love little diamonds found in its restaurants. Blair's is one that does not disappoint. I liked the mac and cheese so much that I might actually be revisiting the establishment just to see if I can bump up their ratings a bit. For a non-pretentious, fine dining experience, Blair's is becoming one of my favorites.