-
"...great Chinese food in the San Fernando Valley...?"
Well probably not but Tampa garden has some very tasty, somewhat rustic grub that I really enjoy! What I've had was not over sugared Americanized glop. They are not afraid to use lots of chilis, Sichuan peppercorns and black vinegar etc. where appropriate. And yes I know that they don't limit the kitchen to the foods from the region they originally came from. They cook the food from some other provences and do a pretty darn good job of it. I still travel at least weekly to the SGV to eat in my favorite restaurants and shop at mainly Chinese grocery stores for my wok at home but sometimes Tampa Garden is convienient and the food is satisfying. And the family that runs it is lovely, especially grandma!-----
Tampa Garden
8241 Tampa Ave, Reseda, CA 91335›2 Replies-
-
re: Chandavkl
When we lived in the SFV the only places we would go to for Chinese food were A & W Seafood (the one in Northridge, not Reseda) and the Mandarin Deli across the street. A & W was our 1st choice but if we wanted scallion pancakes then it was Mandarin Deli.
-----
Mandarin Deli Restaurant
9305 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324A & W Seafood Restaurant
9306 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324
-
-
-
-
No. Nothing that you would consider great in those areas..
Your best bets are Sam Woo BBQ at Victory and Sepulveda (in the shopping center with Ranch 99). I particularly like their roast duck and roast pork.
Bamboo Forest on Burbank, just east of Kester, is my favorite Chinese, but it does not have any ambience for eating in. Bamboo Forest has excellent hot and sour soup, and I also like the volcano chicken or shrimp, mongolian beef, kung pao and mu shu, among other entrees.
The best Chinese in the Valley is in Northridge at A&W Seafood. They have the most variety and do preparations with live crab and lobster. It's not as good as the San Gabriel Valley, but surpasses most of the Valley offerings.
My Chinese "to avoid" list -- Kung Pao Bistro, Bamboo (on Ventura, not to be confused with Bamboo Forest), Uncle Chen, and any of the Chinese/Japanese places.
-----
Kung Pao Bistro
7853 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046Sam Woo Cafe
727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012Uncle Chen Restaurant
1025 Casitas Pass Rd, Carpinteria, CA 93013›3 Replies-
-
-
re: Jwsel
Well, in defense of Kung Pao Bistro in Studio City, it should never be lumped in with Uncle Chen or Bamboo. It is much better than either. And Kung Pao sherman Oaks is a different operator, yet same name. All soups, mu shu, kung pao dishes, seafood items in general, etc. are very good. Appetizers I am not so crazy about.
And to lump it in as Chinese/Japanese is just plain stupid - nothing Japanese on the entire menu, period!
But in fairness to all chinese restaurants, whereever, do not judge their food by what you get home-delivered. Chinese food does not hold up well in containers, unless under 5 minutes from packaging. Twenty minutes later, and the food is over-cooked.
But anyone trying to get "authentic" Chinese food, aka San Gabriel Valley-type, then go directly there, and waste not one dollar in the Valley, period.
-
