68989 Tue May 03 17:08:22 -0700 2005 8 2 Los Angeles Area 0 375637 This is embarrassing, but I need a "nice" Chinese restaurant somewhere around Encino to Studio City. I'm taking a guest who isn't very adventurous and who will want an upscale decor. would rather be at a place with the daily specials listed on the butcher paper hanging on the walls (no translations available), my guest would not be amused. Should the food be great and/or the waitresses really cute, I'll be happy too. Maybe after I can go to Ranch 99 and ask the passing young women how to cook beef pizzle. Tue May 03 17:08:22 -0700 2005 0 Fred Z 1 375650 Bamboo in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Blvd. is perfect--upscale and very unauthentic. The American folks love it! Tue May 03 17:55:27 -0700 2005 375637 0 brwencino 2 375652 While it is bamboo, some of the dishes are fine. Order carefully. They have whole steamed fish. Stick with more cantonese/hk dishes. Almond or lemon chicken, winter melon soups, etc. They offer mu-hsu (muxi) dishes etc. I'd avoid. But paper-wrapped, chicken, shrimp toasts, regular chao stir-fried dishes, fine. The wor won ton is decent, could use some squid flowers, but it's fine. Tue May 03 18:09:43 -0700 2005 375650 0 Jerome 2 375694 For an upscale restaurant the Bamboo on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks (be careful there is a Bamboo Village off Coldwater and telephone operators tend to get confused) is most likely the best in the valley without going to Granada Hills to A & W on Reseda at Prairie. There minced chicken, or if you are splurging, the minced lobster in lettuce leaf is excellent. The Hunan Lamb is very good. The Singapore vermicelli maybe some of the best around. All that and a full bar and a wine list. Hey! Really good! Tue May 03 21:03:06 -0700 2005 375650 0 Hugh Lipton 1 375668 P.F. Chang's, in the Sherman Oaks Galleria is, at least, attractive. If the weather if fine they also have a patio. I'm sure I don't need to tell you about the food. Tue May 03 19:12:34 -0700 2005 375637 0 Bob Brooks 1 375673 There's a perfectly acceptable Cantonese place called Joy Feast on Alameda just east of Buena Vista in Burbank. It's right near (nearly across the street)Disney. The interior is lovely and the service is very good. It's not adventurous and the food is fresh and and well prepared. You won't be completely bummed and your friend should be quite happy. Tue May 03 19:40:04 -0700 2005 375637 0 brucelis 1 375710 Kung Pao Bistro in Sherman Oaks, Ventura between Kester and Sepulveda. Nice ambiance, decent food and price is good. Tue May 03 22:17:21 -0700 2005 375637 0 boogiebaby 2 375712 The Kung Pao Bistro in Studio City has much better food and and equally upscale look after its recent remodel. The Hunan Lamb with cilantro is wonderful, the flavors are true, and the owner is allergic to msg, so none to be found. The Mango Chicken for non-spicy food is quite good, and the filet and seafood, shrimp and scallop items are the best on the boulevard, and very plausibly priced, given the prices of those items today. Tue May 03 22:23:09 -0700 2005 375710 0 carter 1 375752 Not exactly about food, but if you want to see cute female servers, try Chan Dara in West LA, on Pico. Yeah, it's Thai food, not Chinese food, and it's not in the Valley either, but you asked..... Wed May 04 02:13:34 -0700 2005 375637 0 JL