Moving to North Hollywood - need restaurant tips!

[BlondD]

I currently live near the Grove and love the variety of food and restaurants nearby. However, moving to NoHo and need suggestions of all kinds. All ethnicities, good restaurants (from $ - $$$), good food finds, maybe even bars or lounges?

Help a city girl out!!!

[wyatt3290]

Joe Peep's (Whitsett & Magnolia)
Henry's tacos (Moorpark & Tujunga)

[maxzook]

How could I have forgotten Henry's? One of those places that's been there so long you always take it for granted.

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Henry's Tacos
11401 Moorpark St, North Hollywood, CA 91602

[maxzook]

As I said upthread, this is not Chinese food country. I doubt I've been to Kung Pao Bistro in twenty years. Do they still have Mongolian lamb? If so, I should check them out.

Next door to Caioti is the Gelato Bar, maybe the best in the Valley.

In addition to their damn fine pies Four 'n Twenty actually has a damn fine hamburger, although I agree the rest of the food menu is subpar.

I'd forgotten about Iroha, which I think is the first place at which I ever ate sushi, almost thirty years ago. And Tokyo Delve is a lot of fun.

Joe Peep's has good pizza but I've had some serious problems with their service (pickups as well as delivery). Mazzarino's at Riverside and Coldwater has always been much better on all counts -- they're rebuilding after a fire so keep your eyes open for their reopening.

I ate lunch at Sitton's at least three times a week for almost ten years. It's one of those love-it-or-hate-it places -- good simple coffee-shop food but a very old place, I've heard others complain of cucarachas but I have never seem any problems. YMMV.

RIP Hortobagy (I think they still have their sign up)

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Mazzarino's Italian Restaurant
12920 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA 91423

Four'n 20 Restaurant Grill
4723 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607

Andrew's North Hollywood Diner (fka Sitton's)
11329 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Gelato Bar Wholesale & Retail
4342 1/2 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

Iroha Sushi of Tokyo
12953 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Kung Pao Bistro
11402 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Tokyo Delve's Sushi Bar
5239 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

[hpcat]

FYI, the Hortobagy people are now running Csardas in Hollywood. It's essentially the same menu, maybe even expanded a bit. Melrose near Vine.

[Debbie W]

It doesn't seem like Mazzarino's is rebuilding. They were supposed to open last fall. No activity can be seen.

Dino's on the corner of Burbank and Hollywood Way has good pizzas and sandwiches.

Tortas Mexico on Ventura around Vineland is decent.

I also wholeheartedly endorse Little Toni's for reasonably priced old-school red sauce Italian and pizzas.

Cedar House cafe on Riverside and Whitsett is pretty good Middle Eastern though I prefer Carnival.

[maxzook]

The phone message for Mazzarino's says they are rebuilding and will reopen.

Of course, the phone message for Maximillian's (Tujunga/Weddington) still doesn't admit that the place has been closed since August 2006. So you never know, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[maxzook]

Mazzarino's has FINALLY reopened as of 10/16/2009!

[BlondD]

I used to go to Hortobagy's as a kid and LOVED it. But more than that - I am loving all of the suggestions! Thank you everyone!

[Servorg]

If you really want to effectively thank all those who supplied you with recommendations all you have to do is return to the board and let us know where you end up going, what you ate and how you liked (or didn't like) what you and your family / friends end up dining on.

[COYS N17]

I really like the breakfast/lunch spot EAT (Ned's prior) on Magnolia. The best patty melt. Larry's Hot Dogs on Burbank Blvd is the best dog in town...

[carter]

Since Kung Pao has been in Studio City for only around 10-11 years, then it is apparent you have never been there. Try it, you will like it way more than anything called City Wok, especially the seafood and the soups. Shrimp and scallops are my favorite entrees and they are always prepared properly. If you do not see a preparation that appeals to you, yet you see items on the menu that would combine with either, then ask for a dish featuring what you are really wanting to eat. They are quite flexible in their approach to specials, as long as the ingredients are in the building.

[maxzook]

My bad. I was thinking of Uncle Tai's, which used to be a block away where Tama Sushi is now located.

I will definitely check out Kung Pao Bistro.

[roasted138]

Kung Pao Bistro is good, but I'd say a was better value is Chinese Deli T & D at the corner of Camarillo and Lankershim and Vineland. It's mostly a Takeout and delivery place as the name implies, but everything there is quite good and you get a great amount of fresh food for the money. Some of my favorites are the orange flavor combination, BBQ pork fried rice, and their cheese fried wontons.

[Das Ubergeek]

An older post, so make sure these places still exist (I have since moved to Orange County): http://www.chowhound.com/topics/334085 -- read down to the second reply.

[Diana]

Don't forget to explore nearby Toluca lake, Universal City, Studio City and Van Nuys

I like
El Katracho honduran
Ca' Dario
Cafe Caoti
The Robin Hood English Pub
Pica Rico
Gungadin
Asanebo sushi
Sassabune
Gelson's deli, hot bar, soup bar and salad bar
4 and 20 pies (JUST for the pies)
Artisan Cheese gallery
Vendome for wine and beer tastings
The Vegan plate
Il Tiramisu
Leda's Cupcakes
Hugo's (mentioned already)
Carnival middle eastern
Belwood bakery
Cafe Eilat
Sushi Delivery USA
Studio City yogurt
The Italian Middle Eastern Deli

99 Ranch Market's fish service, hot foods and Sam Woo next door. Also either of the nearby duelling pho places

Boneyard Bistro

Simon's Place (moroccan)

The Coffee Roaster for coffee

Art's Deli for mega sandwiches

[Servorg]

And also in Toluca Lake the newish D'Cache for small plates, (billing itself as Latin fusion / tapas food) and live entertainment:

http://www.dcacherestaurant.com/

[maxzook]

Has anyone tried this place? I happen to be looking for a good place for a business lunch for tomorrow and this sounds ideal. (Not to mention it's walking distance from my office)

[Servorg]

Not me, unfortunately, Max. If you do go one of these days I'll be very interested in reading your take on it.

[Emme]

Funny I'm moving *to* your neck of the woods this week... a bit north and west of you, but close!

Agree w/ rec for Hugo's and Caioti.

In Sherman Oaks, Carnival is good for fast Middle Eastern, as well as the Pita Kitchen farther west on Van Nuys.

A little west on Ventura is Stanley's, great for a nice patio dinner with healthy options and California fare.

For sushi, I'm more a fan of Tama and Iroha.

Minibar on Cahuenga for tapas.

For decent Americanized Chinese, I like that Kung Pao Bistro is dietary accommodating.

Aroma for desserts

Aromi for gelato and desserts on Ventura

Nata's Pastries on Ventura in Sherman Oaks, as is Leda's

Hugos Tacos across from Hugo's

Four'n'20 on Laurel

Ca del Sol

Joe Peeps (Blue Collar Pizza)

Tokyo Delve's just for frickin fun

NOHO Sitton Diner

Hot Spot Cafe

Masa

[maxzook]

Welcome to the neighborhood, and don't despair ... no less an authority than Jonathan Gold has predicted that North Hollywood will be the next L.A. foodie mecca. (A few of my choices are bleeding into Studio City, if that matters)

Favorite pizza: Caioti, the shrine to the late great Ed LaDou on Tujunga south of Moorpark. Runner-up: Pitfire at Magnolia and Lankershim.

Favorite Italian (old school): Little Toni's at Lankershim/Camarillo/Vineland (also a decent pizza)

Favorite cafe/nouveau Italian: Eclectic

Favorite French (nouveau): Barsac; (old school) Le Petit Chateau, possibly the best beef Wellington in the city.

Favorite Indian: Salomi, five doors north of Pitfire, the late George Harrison's favorite L.A. restaurant.

Favorite sushi: Nozawa on Ventura Blvd., home of the "sushi Nazi" (an unfair label, but you really oughta go omakase)

Favorite burger (cheap): Fat Jack's at Ventura and Tujunga, the best place to go after you've been thrown out of Nozawa for asking for California rolls.

Favorite pub/pricy burger: Fox & Hound

Favorite Chinese (of a weak selection): City Wok.

Favorite gyros and falafel: Hy Mart

Favorite healthy food: HealthyCA (weekday lunch only)

Favorite BBQ: Swinging Door at Vineland and Vanowen

Favorite Thai: Sanamluang on Sherman Way west of the 170, which is a mini-Thai Town

Favorite Hungarian: Hortobagy on Ventura

I'm going to punt on Mexican 'cause my longtime local fave (Poquito Mas on Magnolia) has gone downhill. I know there are a lot of good holes-in-the-wall mostly north of Burbank Blvd. but I'll leave it to others to tip you off.

Enjoy!

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Sushi Nozawa
11288 Ventura Blvd Ste C, Studio City, CA 91604

Caioti Pizza Cafe
4346 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA 91604

Salomi Indian & Bangladesh Restaurant
5225 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Eclectic Wine Bar & Grille
5156 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Fox and Hounds
11100 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Little Toni's
4745 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

HealthyCA
4724 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Fat Jacks
11402 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA

The Swinging Door Texas BBQ
11018 Vanowen St, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Pitfire Pizza Company
5211 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Le Petit Chateau Restaurant
4615 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Barsac Brasserie
4212 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

City Wok
10949 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Hortobagy Hungarian Restaurant
11138 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA

Hy Mart
4762 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602

Sanam Luang Cafe
12980 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605

[carter]

Couple of comments - Hortobagy has been closed for over one year and Minibar just closed as well.
Kung Pao Bistro in Studio City for much better Chinese than City Wok, especially their seafood items, soups, lamb dishes, etc. Avoid appetizers though.
Tried Petite Chateau twice, which was once more than I should have. Expensive enough, but from an old world school focus, with customers to match.
Many Thai restaurants on sherman way between Bellaire & Fulton, mostly all quite good, except Sunshine which I found disappointing.
Best restaurants in the greater area are Max, Mistral and Boneyard Bistro for me, with the first two diagonally across the corner from each other on Ventura Blvd. at Dixie Canyon, while the Boneyard is a few blocks west thereof, all in the eastern portion of Sherman Oaks.

[Will Owen]

"Tried Petite Chateau twice, which was once more than I should have. Expensive enough, but from an old world school focus, with customers to match." Which is exactly what some of us look for - not the expensive part, the old-school part. And a preponderance of elderly customers generally precludes my pet dislikes, i.e. swarms of rug rats and loud music.

The below-mentioned NoHo Sitton's Diner gets mixed reviews, several from me. For middle-American plate-lunch food, it's pretty good stuff for reasonable - I got some liver with onions and bacon that made me happy for a week. OTOH, I have sat for almost ten minutes with a waitress directly in front of me but looking right through me, apparently willing me out of existence - non-regulars, I've noticed, tend to get ignored sometimes.

[rednyellow]

Its been about 7 years since I lived in NoHo, but places I liked were Baresac Brasserie on Lankershim near Moorepark, Le Petit Chateau also on Lankershim by the 134 Philley Chease Steak on Magnolia. There are lots of nicer places along ventura in Studio city and Sherman Oaks too.

[Servorg]

Hugo's. They are calling it Studio City but the zip code says "Valley Village" which is the part of NoHo that was renamed in an effort to raise property values.

http://www.hugosrestaurant.com/

[hpcat]

I can definitely recommend Skaf's (lebanese) on the corner of Laurel Canyon and Oxnard. Also, there are many Thai restaurants along Sherman Way near Coldwater. Check out Krua Thai and Swan Thai. For Chinese near that same location is BBQ Unlimited. There's also a Peruvian place near there that I can't speak to. For ramen there Kyushu Ramen on Sherman Way west of Sepulveda. There also used to be a French bakery over there, but it's been many years now since I lived over that way. There are many posts on barbeque in the valley, as well as other cuisines.