Sherman Oaks: is there any place worth crossing the hills for?

Question

I was born and raised in West L.A. I have spent a lot of time exploring far south and far east in LA but I have avoided the valley like rotten fruit. It seems semi ridiculous that I have been so close though and yet I am still so ignorant. So I am putting out a call for restaurants, dives, and stands for which it is worth traversing up the 405. I of course and not talking about chain restaurants of any kind. Show me the errors of my ways.

Answer

i'll make the drive for two israeli restaurants in the valley:
itzah hagadol in encino
and
hummus bar and grill in tarzana.

there are no similar restaurants on the westside.

Answer

If you want ethnic, head for the Valley. If you are talking about high-end palaces with bills to match, stay home.

On the higher end I enjoy Max's and the zillions of sushi-ya in Studio City.

As for ethnic dives, if you'll tell us what you like we can guide you better. In general, Middle Eastern other than Persian, Thai, Central American and Vietnamese are better in the Valley than the Westside.

Answer

For a unique pastry experience, try Natas on Ventura Blvd. While they do have some pretty standard standards, we go for their Portuguese-style pastries, both sweet as well as savory. I am sure others exist, but Natas is the only place I know of around the general LA area that offers this collection of goodies.

http://www.nataspastries.com/location.htm

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Natas Pastries
13317 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA

Answer

Simon's Cafe at the bottom of the Sepulveda pass has great Parisian syle couscous.

For Israeli food I like Sassi Mediterranean Restaurant at Ventura and Haskell in Encino and the Golan on Victory between Fulton and Coldwater.

The Mexican food in the valley is also excellent. As are the Thai places in North Hollywood. And there are tons of very good Pho restaurants. Most of these places are more reasonably priced than places on the westside.

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Simon's Café
4515 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Golan Kosher Restaurant
13075 Victory Blvd North, Hollywood, CA

Sassi Restaurant
15622 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436

Answer

I'm not sure I have my Los Angeles geography correct. But Studio City/Ventura Blvd. is in the area you're talking about - yes? If so - definitely worth a trip for sushi (I'm an occasional visitor to Los Angeles - but always find myself dining there at least once). Robyn

Answer

I live in WLA but wife's family that live in valley

there are some good sushi places in the valley (I think asenebo?) - a friend loves it. 

alcazar for lebanese is decent - i prefer carousel in hollywood. 

vien loi tofu is really good vegan vietnamese 

there's a bbq place in ventura blvd (it's well known but the name escapes me) by Woodland hills

Answer

Another place just came to mind - Puro Sabor, a Peruvian eatery. We gave them a try for the first time last weekend, and enjoyed their food. Excellent food in general - very Peruvian. The Peruvian places I typically enjoy have a Chinese or Japanese angle to them - not this place. And not that I favor one over the other, but if you want great straight-forward Peruvian cuisine, give them a try. They're in Van Nuys - a couple of minutes further down the 405 from Sherman Oaks - on Van Nuys just south of Victory...

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Puro Sabor
6366 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91401

Answer

Daichan has become one of my favorite places. I really like the atmosphere of the place with all of the trinkets on the wall. It is not a high end place but it is somewhere to go to just sit and enjoy the food.

Answer

People (especially, but not only vegans) drive from all over LA to eat at Vin Loi Tofu in Reseda. I think a branch may be opening in Silverlake soon.

Second the Israeli recommendations, though wouldn't drive over the hill to go to Golan. Also agree with getting sushi on Ventura Blvd in Studio City. 

El Katracho is a great Honduran place. 

Call me shallow, but I adore Senor Fred's for the rich dessert hot chocolate with cookies.

Answer

Brent's Deli in Northridge is well worth the trip over the hill. This is one of the best delis in LA. Try the Black Pastrami Ruben.

Answer

I think the Boneyard Bistro is a destination place. Great food, great beer selections. Puro Sabor and Brent's are both great suggestions as well.

Answer

Puro is divine Peruvian with ceviche so delicious you could leave home for it. Then our most favorite of all French restaurants Mistral is a definite worth-the-drive. It has it all: ambiance, wonderful food, a scrappy host just like in Paris, good service and you feel like you have had an evening out. On the minus side, the noise factor is pretty high. Great place, great food Monsieur makes the place hum.

Answer

A vote for El Criollo., fine Cuban food [Ropa Vieja!] on east side of Van Nuys blvd a block north of Victory. Good food, prices, & service.

http://www.cubanfoodla.com/index.html

Answer

What a mistake if you were to miss Mistral Or Max. Mistral has in my estimation the best steak tartare in Los Angeles and anything that is a special of the day is special. Max may hve the only burger I will pay $18 for and his hangar steak is outstanding. Put these two on your must list.

Answer

I love Mistral in Sherman Oaks. It's a bit of a drive for me, so I don't get there too often, but def. worth the drive over the hill.

Answer

i was quite impressed with chili my soul in encino. i am sure that there is plenty written about it elsewhere on this board, suffice to say i can't think of a comparable place anywhere else in the city.

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Chili My Soul
4928 Balboa Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Answer

Skav's Grill in North Hollywood is my Middle Eastern restaurant of choice. Nice folks, and the best baba ganoush / hummus I've had in LA.

Answer

The burgers at Laurel Tavern are Father's Office-esque.

Answer

*For a unique & delicious experience: Nata’s Pastries. Despite the name, they have awesome non-pastries;o) Portugese food and an outstanding European vibe. It’s in a weird parking lot near Casa Vega but it’s incredible and literally feels like you’re in Europe. And their pastries are divine.
*For a hip spot: Black Market Liquor Bar. Despite the name, it’s not Liquor only. It has outstanding food. OUTSTANDING, amongst my favorite in the Valley, served in ‘small plates’ fashion meaning you and your two friends should order six dishes or so and split everything. Really cool place, good vibe. Feels like an old airport hangar (in a good way). Fairly pricey, but shouldn’t be more than $30/person (and that’s for a good amount of food).
*For a dive/sports bar - Blue Dog Tavern. The food is good bar food, and I appreciate that - especially with a vast beer selection. They do not make a pretentious effort to go gastropub; they serve burgers, sandwiches, and fries/nachos/wings - as well as some well-composed salads that are not to be confused with diet veggies. These salads are large, and they contain good ingredients - but they're heavy. This place isn't concerned about your health, but they keep the grease to a minimum and really prepare thoughtful food. Also allows dogs and has a sweet patio.
*Sushi - Asanebo. Michelin star.
*For a great spot/inexpensive lunch - Pita Kitchen. Authentic Israeli pita, shawarma, falafel, hummous & don't forget the 'skroog.' Feels like a spot in NY.
*Street - Tacos la Fonda, a literal taco truck on Vineland & Vanowen, only open late hours. Absolutely awesome, grimey, delicious, perfect Mexican street tacos with copious accoutrements including radish, multiple salsas, onions, jalapenos, pickled habaneros, etc.
*Breakfast/Brunch - Sherman Oaks is becoming somewhat of a bastion of morning spots: Blu Jam Cafe (French Toast, chilaquiles, good patio, high quality; Sweet Butter (light, salads, great environ), Harvest Moon (really fresh, really cute place with good menu), Cafe de Mexico (legitimate, authentic Mexican breakfasts + their coffee).

Answer

My MIL lives in Tarzana, and we live in the hills (so SO is almost faster than BH depending on traffic)...the valley is a grim wasteland of dining. My only exceptions:

Flemings in Woodland Hills...not a huge fan of Flemings, but the one in WH is pleasant and feels like a real restaurant, as opposed to the tourist trap in BH. If you have to have a "nice" dinner, this would be my reluctant choice.

Mandarin Deli in Northridge: Love the potstickers and noodles...been going here for over 20 years. Don't know if I'd make the trip, but will eat here if in the neighborhood.

Asanebo: Excellent every time I've been...very steep tariff...over $300 per couple with minimal drinking.

Katsu-ya in Studio City: Much cheaper than starck copies, with a lively vibe. Family enjoys it, even if it isn't Jiro Sushi :)

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Sherman Oaks: is there any place worth crossing the hills for?

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