Sunday Dish

A Great Mexican Joint and a Blog Worth Checking Out.

Hey all!  You can check out more Valley Restaurant reviews at an awesome new blog I'm working with:  My Daily Find.  

It's full of stories about the cool people who live in this part of So Cal and all kinds of interesting and fun things to do here.   Give it a click - this review I wrote is on the front page today!  Read on...

Sol Y Luna sits on a quite stretch of Ventura Boulevard right in between Tarzana and Woodland Hills. It’s easy to cruise by, notice the artistic sign, and keep right on going. But as I found out on two separate visits, it’s worth a stop. 

 The first thing you’ll notice is the old school Mexican Cantina décor, complete with Virgin Guadalupe statues, Sombreros and twinkle lights, think campy and you won’t be too far off. 

 Both times at Sol Y Luna, the joint was jumping, the crowd a nice mix of families celebrating special occasions, couples, and groups of ladies doing a girls night out. The bar area was small and cozy and the large selection of handmade margaritas tempting. Their house hand blended margarita was bright and tangy with a liberal, yet not heavy handed, portion of quality tequila. 

While at the bar we tried the Ceviche ($9) which was chock full of shrimp, white fish, tomatoes and lots of cilantro. The clean bright flavors of fish and lime were enhanced by a sweet squeeze of orange juice. 

 A little more unusual, but equally as delicious, was the Rajas Con Crema ($6). Rajas, pickled green peppers, are the main ingredient of the dip that also includes corn and onions all bubbling in a tasty cream sauce. It was rich, gooey and comforting in the same way a good spinach artichoke dip is. 

 The main restaurant area is similar in feel to the bar, in a word, festive. Our server was cheerful and very attentive and the strolling guitar players a nice touch. 

The Chili Colorado ($13) was loaded with lots of tender meat and the sauce had a great depth of flavor with an unexpected hint of allspice. 

The Chili Verde ($13) was smothered in a delicious tomatillo sauce that had great layered flavors. One down size was that the meat and sauce were undermined with too much salt and way too much cheese. In this case less would have been much, much, more. 

 Fairing a bit better was the Halibut Poblano ($19). The sauce had a nice kick and didn't over power the light fish in any way. 

I always feel soup is a good a test as any to see what kind of strength a kitchen has and the Albondigas ($6) a traditional Mexican meatball soup, didn’t disappoint. The meatballs were full of the flavors of cumin, garlic and cilantro and they, along with lots of veggies, were all happily swimming together in a zesty broth with lots of citrus notes. 

We took a chance with a seasonal specialty of the house the Green Corn Tamale ($10). While it had good flavor, sadly it was a bit dry, a common pitfall with tamales. The roasted poblano plantains they came with saved the dish from being a total loss. 

 In the end we enjoyed our cocktails, appetizers and soup more then the entrees, but would not hesitate to go back again and try more dishes. The service was very warm and attentive, the atmosphere decidedly festive and the food prepared with enough love and attention to merit many more visits.

Laurel Tavern

Personally, I was pretty bummed out when I found out one of my favorite low key, dimly lit bars, Sapphire in Studio City was history.

But, that’s the way of things, and when I heard that Laurel Tavern had been opened in its stead, of course I was curious.

The first time I walked in I barely recognized the place.  Gone were the dark brown, velvety couches, the array of votive candles and the "let's go make out in the corner" vibe.  In their place were big windows flung open to the street, exposed brick, large chalkboards and a decidedly convivial atmosphere.

I've been back a few time now and all I can say is sorry Sapphire, but after putting one toe inside Laurel Tavern I forgot all about you, the way a sexy new date makes you forget that old flame.

My friend and I scored a spot at the bar, the other choices being a long communal pub height table down the middle of the room or one of the 20 or small tables lining the walls.

We ordered a glass of wine and a beer. If you are a beer lover they have a pretty interesting selection of craft beers.  Of the 16 offerings all but one are California creations.  I am more of a wine lover and was less impressed with the choices on that front.  But, as my date pointed out, it's a tavern, not a wine bar. Duly noted. 

No matter where you are sitting you'll have to fend for youself and belly up to the bar to order food and drinks - a nifty trick on a crowded night. If you are ordering something to eat, they assign you a number and a server delivers  your food.

The menu takes standard pub fare to a higher level.  We tried the arugula  salad ($7) and loved it.  It was a decent portion, with lots of shaved parmesan, and a simple, citrusy vinaigrette. But my favorite part was the roasted tomato, which was cooked to perfection.  We also tried their grilled artichokes ($10) which were smoky and fork tender. I’ve been trying to recreate it at home ever since  and I think I finally came up with a recipe that comes close.   The Chorizo Fondue ($9) is not for the faint of heart. In a word, it's RICH.  We dove into with abandon, and while it was a tad on the greasy side (hard to avoid with chorizo) the nice spicy kick and yummy bread made up for it.  

We also took a whack at the Bacon Blue Cheese Burger ($10) and while it was an okay size, and a perfect medium rare,  it wasn't anything to write home about.   The only thing that was a true disappointment was the Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($8) .   DOn't get me wrong,  it was tasty, with crunchy sourdough bread and good stinky cheese.  But the portion was silly in it's smallness.  For what it costs to slap some bread together  with some cheese (no matter how good) I feel they could pony up a bigger serving.   But, in the scheme of things, we finished our meal feeling like we'd had some really tasty food and all the plates were under $12.

I left Laurel Tavern that first time feeling rather enamored and subsequent visits have only reinforced that it's doing it's thing and doing it well.  The vibe is nice, the crowd a sociable mix of industry types, the service friendly and attentive. Sorry Sapphire, I'm officially over you. 

Bocca - Word Has Not Caught On Yet

Bocca:  Steakhouse Fusion Lounge
Encino, CA

I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon then relaxing over lunch and a glass of wine.  And save a few minor drawbacks, Bocca in Encino, offered just that.

My boyfriend and I got to Bocca around 1pm and found the restaurant e-m-p-t-y...empty!   I felt sad for the place.  With it's clean line, modern feel and inviting atrium and patio, this spot is perfect for a leisurely lunch (and probably a romantic night out too.)

We were greeted right away, and since we had our choice of tables, picked a nice spot by the window.  The wine list was decent, if not overly inventive.  I had a glass of Savignon Blanc, a perfect choice for a balmy Sunday nosh.

We browsed the menu, and while I'm always a little scared when the offerings are all over the map, as was the case with Bocca, they call themselves a "fusion" steakhouse and lounge, so I reserved judgment.  I just wondered how well one can do Antipasto, Tuna Tartar, and Mini Beef Tacos. Instead of a standard appetizer I started off with the Creamy Wild Mushroom with Hazelnut Soup.

For $6.00 it was a decent portion. I wasn't in love with the way it looked, but then again, it is pureed mushrooms, what can you expect? The flavor was really nice.  Rich, meaty, earthy.  If I had eaten nothing but that, I would have left satisfied.

We also ordered a sandwich which came with a side salad.

It was a very decent sized portion.  While it was a very simple salad, I will say the greens and veggies were exceptionally crisp and fresh.  The balsamic vinaigrette was also creamy with a good tang.  Since their sign says they are a steakhouse, and since we weren't prepared to scarf down a full steak meal, we compromised and got the Steak Sandwich. For around $12 we thought it was a pretty nice size.  They also served bbq and steak size on the side.  And if you love sauces, for the dippin', like I do, this is a nice touch.

We ordered it medium rare and it was cooked perfectly. The roll and veggies were also really good.  I just found the seasoning a bit lacking, there was nothing about the flavor of the meat that made it a stand out.  I felt I could have seasoned it better at home.   

Since we only tried 3 things, I can't truly give this place a 100% thumbs up or thumbs down.  I liked the feel of the space, but do love the energy of a bustling restaurant, which Bocca lacked.    I will certainly give it another try, going on another day, at a traditionally busier time.  And next time maybe I'll get crazy and order something Mexican, something Italian and something Asian inspired!  When I do I'll report back here asap. 

Bocca - Steakhouse/Fusion/Lounge
16610 Ventura Blvd.  Encino, CA 91436
818.905.5855

The 411 on Valley Fro-Yo

If you've lived in Southern California anytime in the 80's, chances are, you tried a dish of  Penguin's Frozen Yogurt.  This chain was the king of yogurt during that decade.  There seemed to, literally, be one on every corner. 

What you may not have known, (I didn't) was that Dannon actually created the first frozen yogurt back in the 70's.  It was frozen yogurt on a stick, called "Danny".  To bad for Dannon, the idea of frozen yogurt as a dessert, didn't take off until years later.  After the rise of the ubiquitous frozen yogurt shop, there was a period in the late nineties and into the new millennium, where the desserts' popularity took a real nose dive.  Then, in 2005, along  came a little thing called Pinkberry...(is this where the Heavens part and the angels sing?  For some, I suppose this is true.)  It was a simple concept that really took off.   Fast forward to 3 years later and there seems to be, once again, a yogurt shop on every corner. 

But what sets these yogurt shops apart?  Does Pinkberry still reign supreme?  Of course, as with all food,  is there really such a thing as an objective opinion?  That's a debate for another day.  In the mean time I set out to check out some of the Valley yogurt shops and get the "scoop" on "fro-yo."

You really can't do a frozen yogurt review without including Pinkberry, the chain that got this craze going again. 

Their shops definitely get top marks for first impressions.  From the large yellow banquet, to the colorful chairs and outside tables with adjustable heights, this chain hits the mark on design.  As for the yogurt, they offer three flavors, the original plain, coffee and green tea. 

The original flavor, I have to admit, is really delicious, but between you and me, PureNaked in Encino, tops it in my opinion (more on them in a moment.) The coffee flavor is also quite tart, and yummy as well.  Then there's the green tee.  Let's just say, for me, it's an acquired taste.  They have a nice selection of toppings and their fresh fruit choices were top shelf.

Find the Pinkberry nearest you...

Then there is PureNaked Yogurt,  which opened up about a year ago. 

The original name of the shop was to be BareNaked, and you know, maybe they should have stuck with that name since it seems to really fit the bill.  The space itself has a very bare feel, as though no thought was put into the decor.  And then there are the yogurt choices, no wait, the yogurt choice, there is only one, plain, a la Pinkberry.  The good news?  The yogurt was delicious. 

It was tart, refreshing with bright tangy flavors. 

17499 Ventura Blvd.  Encino, 91316.  818-461-0346.

Yum Yum Yogurt has a very different feel then some of the newer yogurt shops.

I was reminded of a mom and pop burger shack, complete with wood paneled walls.  Along with eight different yogurt offerings, including the ubiquitous plain, they also had about 20 different kinds of toppings.

If yogurt doesn't strike your fancy, they also have a full menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers and dogs.  I found the yogurt to be quite good.

16545 Ventura Blvd.  Encino, 91316.  818-783-5931

When you enter Hollyberry (Formerly Snowberry) it's like walking into a little jewel box.

Peach and green walls, blown glass light fixtures and chrome chairs give it a "ladies who lunch" kind of sensibility.  Their menu consists of four regular flavors: plain, peach, vanilla and pomegranate, along with a small selection of gelatoes.  The plain yogurt was very good, but oddly, the peach tasted almost exactly like the plain.  Oh yeah, and toppings, here you get about 20 to choose from.

14425 Ventura Blvd.  Sherman Oaks, 91423.  818-817-2350

I felt like I stepped into a full fledged ice cream shop upon entering Humphrey's. 

My first impression was how friendly the service was.  It's the kind of place you'd take your kids on a hot summer day.  Along with ice cream, frozen dipped bananas, a full sandwich and salad menu, they carry three frozen yogurt flavors:  tart vanilla, sweet vanilla and chocolate.  I tried a combo of the vanillas and couldn't really tell the difference between the two.  While the yogurt was okay, it was certainly not stellar.  They get huge points for their toppings which include real chocolate chip cookie dough bits.
4574 Van Nuys Blvd.  Sherman Oaks, 91403.  818-906-2490.

Limelite felt a bit different the the other shops. 

There was house music playing, a big graphic print on the main wall, colorful resin chairs and a large green leather couch to kick back on.  The yogurt, on the other hand, was pretty standard.  Three choices:  plain, mango and chocolate along with a selection of about 30 toppings.
15030 Ventura Blvd.  Sherman Oaks 91403.  818-728-8358

If you feel like you've stepped back into the 80's, you might be at Studio Yogurt. 

Of all the shops I visited, this one felt the most like an old Penguins.  Not so much in the decor but in the yogurt flavors and topping choices.  On the day I visited there wasn't a plain/tart yogurt in sight.  Instead there was a selection of 10 flavors including Irish Cream, Cake Batter and Cheesecake.  There are fat free/sugar free option, and for those less calorie conscious, there's ice cream too. 
12050 Ventura Blvd.  Studio City, 91604.  818-508-7811

Menchies sets itself apart by being 100% self service, which is just fun, I don't care if you are seven or 70. 

There are four machines, each with two flavor choices.  And you get the option to swirl the two flavors together, fancy!  There are more than 40 toppings and for $1 they'll hook you up with a waffle cone bowl.  Since it's self service, they charge you by the ounce, 39 cents to be exact, including toppings.

I thought the topping quality was a bit better than the yogurt, but at the end of the day the yogurt and the experience were both pretty darn good.

4849 Laurel Cyn. Blvd.  Valley Village, 91607.  818-985-9150

If you are a "fro-yo" aficionado, and you know who you are, then you'll find that perfect spot and stand by it 'till the end.  But for the rest of us who just want a cool spot to sit and enjoy a frozen yogurt on a hot summer day, we've got it made.  With a shop on every corner you are sure to find one serving up something that will satisfy your yogurt craving.

Jingo - Japanese BBQ in Encino

My review of Jingo was originally printed in the Sun Community Newspapers. 
It is reprinted here with their permission.

It was Saturday night, a few weeks back, around 9:30, when I first visited Jingo to try their Japanese BBQ.  I'll be blunt, my initial impression was mixed, at best.

Jingo is the new incarnation of Gochi, and my first thought was that the latest proprietors have taken the decor from "Mom and Pop" to casual and cool.   The black and red color scheme and sleek bar up front, combined with the house music playing and wall of windows that look out onto a Zen inspired patio, all say that this place has definitely been given a hip makeover.

My next thought was, "where's the host?"  There was no one to greet us as we entered, not a host, a waiter, or bartender was in sight.  It was awkward to venture toward the back of the restaurant in hopes of finding someone to seat us.  At the very back, sat the hostess stand, helmed by a nice, if rather blase guy, who then, finally, did find us a table.  There is also a back entrance, perhaps they assume most will enter from there.  Either way, it's something I feel, should be addressed.

My third and final initial impression was to notice that, although there were only about four tables full , there were about six tables sitting with dirty dishes on them.

Let's just say we got off to a rocky start.  If my curiosity about the food hadn't gotten the better of me, I may have walked out.  Luckily, things improved from there.

Our waiter greeted us with menus and took our drink order immediately. I asked him if we'd just missed a dinner rush, in hopes of explaining the dirty tables, but he just shrugged and said "I guess so."  So much for that.    To their credit, the tables were all bussed within the next  5 to 10 minutes.

The set up at Jingo is like most Japanese or Korean BBQ places.  A large circular grill is built into the center of the table with wooden charcoals underneath.  You order bite size pieces of uncooked meat, fish and vegetables and then grill them yourself table-side.

After our drinks arrived, a Sake and Aloe Martini for me, which was surprisingly fresh and sweet, we ordered our appetizers.   We tried the Seaweed Salad and the Asparagus with Sesame Sauce. 

The salad was pretty and vibrant.  The seaweed was served on a bed of mixed greens and dressed with a light ponzu sauce.  The flavors were tasty blend of citrus and garlic and my only complaint was that the portion could have been bigger, I wanted more!  I guess that's a good thing. 

The asparagus was cooked perfectly, but I'm not sure where the sesame in the sauce came in.  It was loaded with mayonnaise.  The flavor was bland and the consistency heavy in comparison to the crisp vegetables.  We ate all of the asparagus, but left the sauce alone.

The waiter brought things out quickly and efficiently, but never overloaded the table.  The service definitely warmed up as the evening went along.

Next, he brought out some items for us to grill, the Assorted Vegetables and the Harami - or skirt steak. 

The vegetables consisted of carrots, corn, mushrooms, onion and squash.  They were fresh, but again, I felt the portion was a bit on the skimpy side.  Also, they offer only one dipping sauce, as compared to three when the place still called itself Gochi.  I think they'd score some huge points by offering more choices.

The meat was tender and well seasoned.  We ordered it "Tare" or BBQ style, but you can also opt for it marinated in Miso.  I thought it was delicious, while Todd thought it was overly sweet.

From there we tried the shrimp.  It came dressed with lots of minced garlic, pepper and olive oil.  The shrimp and the dressing were all very fresh.  But I'm going to say it once more...more dipping sauces would be a plus.

We also tried out the Kalbi - or short ribs.  This time we went for it Miso style.  It was underwhelming.  The meat was flavorful and very tender but I am still not sure what, if anything, the Miso marinade added to it.

Let's break it down...there are some really nice elements to Jingo.  The vibe and decor are great and the service is laid back but still efficient.  The food tastes good, but you are going to spend a pretty penny or two to leave feeling full.  If folks in the Valley are looking for a hip looking place to grab a drink and a small bite (and I know they are) then Jingo is definitely worth giving a try.

I plan on going back on a warm summer night just for a chance to sit out on their gorgeous patio.

Jingo:
17970 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
818.774.9621