San Fernando Hotspots

[kwool2004]

Hi, I am a 21 year old recent culinary school grad that was born and raised in the Conejo Valley, but has since moved to Eugene, Oregon. I am planning a routine visit back to Ventura county, but have decided to focus some attention towards the San Fernando Valley, as I will be spending a considerable amount of time there as well. My mom spent the majority of her life there, but most of her favorite restaurants have either closed down or changed ownership since her departure.

My main interests are reasonably priced, established, ethnic restaurants of all sorts. I am open to just about anything, but it is extremely daunting for a novice like myself to be able to decipher the good restaurants from the bad amidst the sea of strip malls and chain restaurants. I will be staying off of Victory right by the 405 freeway, but I am always up for a drive if it's worth my while. Last spring break I visited and drove down one street, I don't recall the name but it had "Circus Liquor" on it (Vineland perhaps), and I saw several italian and mexican restaurants that looked like they had the potential to be good, but who knows. Any ideas or feedback? Help is much appreciated, thanks in advance!!!

[WHills]

SUSHI = Shibuya in Calabasas (on expensive side)
KOREAN = BCD Soon Tofu on Saticoy by Reseda

Gorikee in Woodland Hills for garlic fusion (very reasonably priced and yummy)

Las Fuentes in Reseda for Mexican food

[jencounter]

Yes, I also forgot BCD (saticoy and lindley)! And Gorikee!

I went to Gorikee for lunch but didn't order the burger but husband did. After I tasted it, I spent the rest of my meal envious of his yummy burger. Mine was okay (I had the salmon) but his was fantastic.

[jencounter]

The best mexican in the SF valley is, IMO, found at taquerias and for the best taquerias, check out Bandini's website: http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/.

My fave taco spot is El Taco Llama; there are several locations but I prefer the one in Northridge at Corbin/Parthenia.

Other great choices (both ethnic and not) in my neck of the woods (Reseda/Northridge) would be:

Pita Pocket (Nordhoff/Reseda, next to Vons
)Mandarin Deli (Reseda and...Prairie I believe? Slightly further north than Nordhoff)
Pho So 1 (Reseda Blvd just north of Sherman Way)
Rincome Thai (Devonshire and Balboa in Northridge)
Falafal Palace (Reseda/Prairie in Northridge)
It's all Good Kabob House (Reseda/Vanowen - there is also a taco llama there and it's good but I prefer the other location)
Melody's Mexican Kitchen ( Same owners as Las Fuentes; Reseda just south of Vanowen)
Firehouse Greek (Victory, just east of Reseda)
Ravanelli's Pizza (awesome family owned joint, Reseda/Chase)

There are plenty more, but I'm blanking out at the moment.

[SauceSupreme]

My two favorite Mexican joints in the valley aren't actually taquerias -- Dos Arbolitos and Las Fuentes.

The place where I eat most often in the valley, though, is Pho So 1. I used to visit the Reseda Blvd location back when I worked in Calabasas, but now I'm eating at the location on Sepulveda because I can stop into 99 Ranch too.

In Calabasas, you can find one of my favorite sushi spots, Shibuya. It's tiny. Tiiiny. It's this -> <- small, and there's no reservations, so locals line up before it opens.

-----
Pho So 1
6450 Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91411

Pho So 1
7231 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335

Dos Arbolitos Restaurant
9034 Woodley Ave, North Hills, CA 91343

Las Fuentes
18415 Vanowen St, Los Angeles, CA 91335

Shibuya
4774 Park Granada Ste 8B, Calabasas, CA 91302

[jencounter]

Oh! You just reminded me of a newly discovered (to me, anyway - thanks CH!) sushi place in Woodland Hills: Tatsuki. It's just down the street from Brothers. It's tiny, neighborhood-ish and fabulous.

[Servorg]

Great Thai food at Top Thai in Reseda, (especially their northern specialties on the back page of their menu).

Top Thai
7333 Reseda Blvd
Reseda, CA 91335
[phone]

So much good Mexican food you will never exhaust them all. Try an asada burrito ordered "spicy" from Rincon Taurino on Van Nuys Blvd. near Parthenia (they have other locations).

Rincon Taurino
8708 Van Nuys Blvd
Panorama City, CA 91402
[phone]

How about:

Las Fuentes Mexican #2
18415 Van Owen @ Reseda Blvd.
818 708 3344

Or:

Zankou Chicken
5658 Sepulveda Blvd. @ Burbank Blvd.
Van Nuys
818 781 0615

At Zankou I like to get at least the half chicken and then slather on plenty of their garlic sauce or try their tarna plate.

Best of luck with your chowing.

[Diana]

Kyushu ramen in Van Nuys..
Pho 99 in van nuys
Il Tiramisu In Sherman oaks
Boneyard Bistro in Sherman oaks
Simon's Cafe In Sherman oaks
Gungadin in Studio City
Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City
Yogurt Zone in Studio City
Asanebo Sushi in Studio City
Vegan Table in Studio City
Vendome liquor in Toluca Lake for wine and beer tastings
Alcazar in Encino
4 on 6 sushi in Encino
Ce Fiore yogurt in Encino
Shiraz in Encino
Gorikee in Woodland Hills
Chili My soul in Encino
The Stand hot dogs in Encino
Weiner Factory in Sherman oaks
Clay Oven in Sherman oaks
The Great Greek in Sherman oaks
Humus bar in Tarzana
Gochi in Encino/Tarzana
Woodlands Pure INdian in Chatsworth
Vegetable Delight in Granada Hills
La Frite in Sherman oaks or Woodland Hills
Nats Early Bite in Sherman oaks
Hugo's in Sherman oaks
Cici's Cafe in Tarzana
Bobby's diner in Woodland His
Snapper Jon's fish Market in Sherman oaks
A&W seafood and Dim Sum in northridge (not as good as in the SGV)
Alexis Greek Cafe in Northridge
Brent's Deli in Northridge
Vallarta market's prepped food, deli, and bakery (multiple locations)
Gelson's salad bar, prepped foods, and deli (multiple locations)
Hong Kong 88 chinese in Sherman oaks
Marmalade Cafe in Sherman oaks
Cafe Bizou in sherman oaks
Vin Loi Tofu in Reseda
Mulberry Street Pizza in Encino
India Sweets and Spices in Canoga Park
Follow your Heart in Canoga Park

There's more

[Emme]

Ethnic--Carnival (on Woodman), Alcazar, NoHo thai restaurants or head to hollywood for sanam luang or jitlada, Tama Sushi...

Been to Madeleine Bistro or Chili My Soul? both worth visiting...