| Chinese | Wongs Kitchen 13209 Osborne Pacoima 818-896-2828 |
This family has been serving up down-home, inexpensive Cantonese-style Chinese food for as long as we can remember. Their dishes are as basic as they are good. We recommend take-out, since they're always so busy. Dinner for two: $15. |
| NBC Seafood 404 #A So. Atlantic Monterey Park 626-282-2323 |
This is the place for Dim Sum, or "Tea Lunch." If you are going on a weekend, get there by 11 a.m. or expect to wait at least 90 minutes. For the American palette, there can be some rather unusual ethnic delicacies you may want to avoid. So, if you are new to Dim Sum, bring someone with you who isn't, so you know what you're ordering. | |
| Kings Chinese 22039 Sherman Way Canoga Park 818-346-5655 |
This newly-opened ma-and-pa operation provides really good traditional Chinese food and very resonable prices. The portions are very good and they even deliver! Try the shrimp in lobster sauce, curry beef, house special fried rice or chow mein and egg foo young. Lunch for two: $9, dinner: $20. | |
| P.F. Changs Wilshire and 4th Street Santa Monica, Beverly Center, Woodland Hills and other locations across the U.S. |
Fresh, flavorful and reasonable are the keywords we use to describe this fashionable chinese eatery -- sometimes. The quality of their food is inconsistent, especially at the Woodland Hills location. Our favorites so far are the Garlic Noodles, Szechuan Eggplant, Szechuan Green Beans, Won Ton Soup and the Barbeque Chicken Salad. The Pin Noodle soup (lunch only) was incredible. The Changs Spare Ribs are a must, tender and flavorful. The Shrimp in Lobster Sauce was the best we've ever tasted (lunch only). All dishes have a twist on traditional Chinese tastes. Dinner for two: $35, lunch around $24. | |
| Italian | Buca di Beppo Encino Universal City Santa Monica Pasadena and more |
Southern Italian immigrant (picture New York's Little Italy) food served family style with an "in your face" attitude. Service can be spotty so we always ask for the kitchen table. Yes, the kitchen table. It is quite entertaining, and quite frankly, quieter than the dining rooms. Portions are large so it is best to go with a few people. Lunch for four: $50, dinner for six: $80. |
| Brazilian | Picanha 269 E. Palm Ave. Burbank 818-972-2100 |
There is a small interesting buffet but the main attraction is the waiters coming with various meats hot off the grill on skewers which are carved right at your table. That's about every five minutes. At thirteen varieties (at last count) it takes more than an hour to taste everything. We recommend the lamb, bottom sirloin, chicken and ribs, but taste everything and get seconds of your favorites next time around. At $23.95 a person for dinner it's a bit pricy, but it's all you can eat. Lunch is $13.95 with less variety of meats. Monday's and Wednesday's get dinner for the lunch price. Now that's a deal! A must for true meat lovers. |
| Hungarian | Csardas 5820 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles 323-962-6434 |
When we read about the Saturday night dinner and Sunday afternoon brunch buffets that was all it took to give the place a try. We enjoyed the stuffed peppers and stuffed cabbage, the fried bread, spaetzle and a layed potato dish. Also try the mushroom soup, the little bread puffs, the Wienerschnitzel and the meat balls. They raised the price after redecorating so it is no longer a bargain. Buffet for two: $45. |
| Indian | Delhi Palace 22323 Sherman Way Canoga Park 818-992-0913 |
Delhi Palace is truly a star of Indian Cuisine. We recommend the lunch buffet (every day) so you get a variety of dishes. Call ahead and make a point of going when they are serving Vegetable Korma and Butter Chicken, our favorites. But this is not to say that the cauliflower, eggplant, tandori, curry or palau are ever disappointing. Lunch for two: $15. |
| Eclectic | Cheesecake Factory 6324 Canoga Woodland Hills 818-883-9900 Also in Calabasas, Marina del Rey and other locations. |
For special occasions, this small chain makes much more than just cheesecake. Their reasonably-priced menu is incredible with tremendous salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizza and more traditional fare. Especially palette pleasing are the BBQ Ribs, Grilled Eggplant Sandwich and Thai Chicken. Our must-order favorite is the Cashew Chicken (we offen substitute shrimp for the chicken) normally served over pasta, which we request over their mashed potatoes. There is so much more on the menu of every genre that we haven't tried and, so far, everything is incredibly delicious. Unless you want to wait, avoid peak hours. On a nice evening, request an outside table. Portions are large, two entrees will feed three. Dinner for two: $30 |
| Dukes 21150 W. Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu 310-317-0777 |
Imagine dining with an ocean view. Then imagine taking off your shoes and digging your toes in the sand. Now imagine arriving before 4:30 p.m. (until 6 p.m.) on any weekday and getting some wonderful taste treats at half-off during happy hour! Yes, all of the above in their Barefoot Bar! They also have a buffet lunch (which we have not tried) and Sunday brunch which was not exciting, but if it's an ocean view your're after... | |
| Impressario Fifth Floor Dorothy Chandler Pavillion Music Center 213-972-7333 |
Exquisite pre-theatre price-fixed dining. Served at your table is a antipasto platter which varies depending on the fresh ingredients the chef finds that day. Also included is the best shrimp cocktail we've ever had (ask for two). The main course(s) are buffet style and also vary depending on the availability of fresh ingredients. The herb-encrusted rack of lamb is to die for and there usually four entrees and multiple side dishes on rotating set menus. When you are ready, a tray of desserts is brought to your table. Like something? Ask for more. Dinner for two: $75. | Thai | Nopgow 22551 East Ave. S Palmdale 805-538-0590 |
We found this place thanks to a review we read a long time ago. The review was so favorable, we made a point to find the place the next time we were in Palmdale. If you are ever passing though Palmdale, this is the place to go. Now that the freeway construction is completed, we've driven there just for dinner - it's that good! Dinner for two: $20 | Japanese | Crazy Toyko Sushi 18406 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana 818-345-0837 |
Half-price sushi! That's right! A large portion of their menu is half-price to celebrate their grand opening. And it's so popular, that there is no end in sight! Try any of your favorites or the Volcano. Always fresh and well prepared. Dinner for two: $20. |
| Todai 11239 Ventura Bl. Studio City 818-762-8311 Also in Woodland Hills and Beverly Center. |
A rather extensive (at least a 70 foot-long) buffet-only barely-adequate dining experience for lunch or dinner with at least a dozen of each type of salads, sushi items, hot items and desserts. For dinner, add crab legs, lobster thermador and sashimi to the list. A good introduction to sushi, but far from the best. Lunch for two: $25, Dinner: $40. | |
| Mexican | Los Toros 21743 Devonshire St. Chatsworth 818-882-3080 |
This family-run business is a fixture in the Northwest corner of the Valley. Expect quality authentic dishes at a very good price. Chips with salsa and an excellent bean dip arrive at your table so you can take your time going over the menu. Try Aarons (shrimp) or Paul's (beef) Burrito (like a fajita inside). The enchiladas and fajitas and basically everything else on the menu is wonderful. Expect to wait on a Friday night. Request to sit outside or in the far room, unless you are not bothered by the noisy bar area. New additions include a new menu (try the garlic-cheese shrimp), a non-smoking patio and a much bigger bar area. Dinner for two: $15 |