64676 Tue Nov 23 13:29:49 -0800 2004 18 2 Los Angeles Area 0 347615 Looking for the best restaurant in SGV. Doesn't have to stick to any particular genre other than it should be a nicer, sit down restaurant that serves wine. Looking to get a gift certificate for friends but don't dine out in that area often. The people I am getting the gift for are foodies so something surprising, inspiring and just plain 'ol delicious is in order. Thanks. Tue Nov 23 13:29:49 -0800 2004 0 tokyoastrogirl 1 347619 Shiang Garden is great and would fit the criteria you've laid out. Must get the Hot Herb Noodles. Tue Nov 23 13:43:44 -0800 2004 347615 0 Bob Wollman 2 347620 Hmm, did not know that Shiang Garden served wine ..? Tue Nov 23 13:46:58 -0800 2004 347619 0 ipse dixit 3 347629 I am pretty sure they do. Tue Nov 23 14:06:05 -0800 2004 347620 0 Bob WOllman 4 347632 Really? I know they have an alcohol license and serve liquor (e.g. cognac, vodka, etc.) but was not aware they served wine as well. Do you how good their wine selection is? Thanks! Tue Nov 23 14:09:52 -0800 2004 347629 0 ipse dixit 5 347643 No idea, about the quality. I seem to remember a few selections (but I could be wrong and its only beer and hard stuff). Tue Nov 23 15:17:53 -0800 2004 347632 0 Bob Wollman 6 347694 Somehow, beer makes more sense to me when eating Hunan food. I guess a strong shiraz or even a zinfandel could stand up to the range of flavors. But I wonder if the subtleties of other wines might just get lost. Tue Nov 23 19:23:33 -0800 2004 347643 0 Jerome 7 347701 Oddly enough, Italian nebbiolos, slightly chilled, go really well with Sichuan food, at least. I wouldn't sacrifice a '68 Barolo or anything, but I've brought various lesser barbarescos and gattinaras to Chung King with generally excellent results - even when matched up with the fearsome Chungking chicken. Tue Nov 23 19:53:53 -0800 2004 347694 0 condiment 8 347782 Personal tolerance of spice notwithstanding, I can definitely see some affinity here with nebbioli & sichuan. The tarry, ashy notes of the wine pick up on the earthy flavors in the dishes. Wed Nov 24 14:15:00 -0800 2004 347701 0 Kriss Reed 7 347704 Personally I can't imagine any red with Chinese food. In fact, I was always a beer with Chinese person until a friend brought a great white -- I can't remember if it was a Gewurztraminer or a Sauvignon Blanc -- the first time we went to Chung King, and it went perfectly with the spice. Also, when I ate at Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas, I tried one of the Rieslings suggested by the waiter and was equally pleasantly surprised. Tue Nov 23 20:07:53 -0800 2004 347694 0 Chowpatty 7 347709 Zinfandel is my favorite California red and it does go quite well with sichuan/hunan flavors, assuming it is one with some character and depth, as opposed to a one-dimensional version. Higher quality Alsatians, be they Gewurztraminers or others with similar depth also do fairly well, as do some high quality reislings. Beer is always a safe bet, but I like to bring my own Zin if given a choice, as the spiciness is a perfect match. Tue Nov 23 20:41:43 -0800 2004 347694 0 carter 7 347762 #1 German Riesling Spatlese and above is usually best. #2 Austrian Gruner Veltliners or Rieslings at least Federspiel level. #3 Alsatian Pinot Gris/Gewurztraminer. Wed Nov 24 11:19:56 -0800 2004 347694 0 The Noble Rot 8 347767 The cooking club that I used to be part of once paired Rieslings and Gewurz's w/ our Asian-themed dinner. Although these grapes probably pair the best w/ spicy Asian food, wine w/ any Asian food IMO is like the cliche of apples and oranges: they don't mix. For Chinese food in particular, you can't beat the free tea they give you as a good match. Well, if you need to pay to feel like you're getting a worthy drink, then ask to see if they offer any other specialty teas. I've done this before and was pleasantly surprised... Wed Nov 24 12:40:35 -0800 2004 347762 0 Carb Lover 9 347807 It was rare in china for me to see people drinking tea with their meals. Usually, beer, soda, chinese spirits. Tea afterwards. Wed Nov 24 16:30:10 -0800 2004 347767 0 Jerome 7 347817 It looks like this discussion is drifting towards the topic of pairing alcohol with spicy food- definitely an interesting topic, but off topic for this board. Please start a new thread on the General Topics board, as we'll be removing the off topic posts here shortly. Thanks. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/boards/general/general.html Wed Nov 24 17:28:43 -0800 2004 347694 2 The Chowhound Team 1 347625 Some suggestions. Restaurant Devon in Monrovia. 109 E Lemon Ave Monrovia, CA 91016-2807 (626) 305-0013 If this place had a Westside address it'd be considered right up there with places Capo or Buffalo Club. Bistro 561 561 E Green St Pasadena, CA 91101 (626) 405-1561 Adventurous and surprising aptly describes this place, cooking school cum restaurant. Maison Akira 713 E Green St Pasadena, CA 91101-2111 (626) 796-9501 Consider it in the same vein as Beacon or Restaurant 2117, but a "bit" more upscale. Tue Nov 23 13:56:34 -0800 2004 347615 0 ipse dixit 2 347627 I am pretty sure they do. Tue Nov 23 14:04:32 -0800 2004 347625 0 Bob Wollman 1 347628 We really enjoy Cafe Mundial in Monrovia. Great atmosphere and delicious food. Try the Seafood Paella -fantastic!! Have attached citysearch's reviews of the restaurant. Link: http://losangeles.citysearch.com/review/231119?ulink=profile_2_memberreviewfooter_1___review__1 Tue Nov 23 14:05:35 -0800 2004 347615 0 WildSwede 1 348102 If you dig Italian, I like Charlie's Trio in Alhambra, CA. It's a small cafe that serves lunch, dinner and wine. If memory serves me right, it's located northeast corner of Main Street and Third? Anyway... across from it is Starbucks and Tony Roma's. Mon Nov 29 05:18:17 -0800 2004 347615 0 Applesseed