Time For A Change

[mucho gordo]

We've been going to Kung Pao China Bistro in Studio City ever since they opened because they were a cut or 2 above most other Chinese places in the area. The owner, Jimmy is seldom there and may not be aware of the decline in quality that followed the rise in prices so, it's time for a change. All suggestions welcomed, thank you.

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

[J.L.]

Maybe you can try Bamboo, on Ventura, in Sherman Oaks...

http://www.bamboocuisine.com/

[mucho gordo]

Now, that's more like it, J.L. It's about the same distance from me as KPCB. I seem to recall that there's a Chinese restaurant on Burbank near Van Nuys or Sepulveda (I can't remember where, exactly) with the same or similar name.
It's a definite try the next time we crave Chinese.
Can you compare their food to KPCB?

[J.L.]

I like Bamboo better than KPCB (the one time I went to KPCB).

Bamboo is a tad less fusion-y than KPCB, but straight up, the flavors are better.

[GK in SO]

Mucho, the other resto on Burbank with the similar name is called Bamboo Forest. It's just east of Kester. Very good, Americanized Chinese food.

KPCB was horrible each and every time I've been (both Studio City and Sherman Oaks locations).

Bamboo, on Ventura, is pretty good but try Bamboo Forest for better food at a lower price without sacrificing quality.

[mucho gordo]

Thanks for the clarification, GK. I was hoping to stay away from the Americanized style. My preference with any cuisine is for it to be as authentic as possible.

[GK in SO]

Mucho, do you consider KPCB authentic? I guess it would be slightly more than Bamboo Forest, but as others will tell you, there's really no really authentic Chinese food in the SFV.

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Mucho
903 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

[WildSwede]

Have you tried that place on Tampa and Roscoe that I think is very authentic (the "special menu" items)? I think it is called Chinese Garden or something like that (southwest corner mini-mall). Very good food. Review was done within the past year. I will look for the post.

<edit> Tampa Garden Chinese Delight: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/681690?tag=search_results;results_list

Found the post I mentioned above:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6673...

[GK in SO]

I haven't, but will now!

Do you or anyone else know...we don't eat beef or pork, just chicken and seafood. I couldn't really tell from the threads (except for Kitchen Queen's post...maybe I should just order what she did) and Yelp reviews if they have a lot of different chicken/'seafood choices.

Is there a nice variety of dishes (dumplings and otherwise) we could order that would satisfy us?

Thanks, all.

[WildSwede]

They are very accommodating, so I am pretty sure you can get whichever dishes you want with either seafood or chicken (just ask!). I got the Cat's Ears Noodles with shrimp for my mom (this was one of my favorite dishes). Hope you enjoy it!

[mucho gordo]

That's true. Any place that doesn't have chop suey or chow mein on the menu is slightly more authentic in my book. I just checked the KPCB menu and those dishes aren't there.

[valleygirl617]

Have you tried Yang Chow in Woodland HIlls or Chinatown?

[mucho gordo]

Thanks, Valleygirl. I've gone by the place on Topanga many times but never tried them. Can you compare their dishes to KPCB? If at all possible I need something no further west than Encino that would deliver when I can't get out. Yang Chow mght be too far.

[valleygirl617]

I have been to KP, although not in a very long time. Yang Chow makes a Slippery Shrimp that is so very yummy. We also enjoy their Sizzling Rice Soup and Moo Shu. It is a bit more of a drive, but we live in Lake Balboa and go there all the time.
http://www.yangchow.com/index.html

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Yang Chow Restaurant
3777 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107