Dare I say it’s “Pho-nominal”?
Ξ January 9th, 2008 | → | ∇ 90041, Food |
We in the Northeast are all aware of just how great our location is here in L.A., and few fortunes stand out as much as our proximity to some of the best and most authentic Asian food in the country. I’m not speaking of Little Tokyo or Chinatown in nearby downtown, but rather Alhambra, Monterey Park and San Gabriel just to the east of us. There one can find amazing dim sum, luscious dumplings and one of our favorites, Pho.
In case Pho doesn’t ring a bell it’s a brothy soup full of rice noodles, some kind of beef (might be rare slices, well done brisket, sometimes tripe, etc.) and then garnished with lots of fresh basil, bean sprouts and sliced jalapeños. When done right it’s delicious. When not done right, it can actually still be pretty good. It’s a simple dish that practically defines Vietnamese food and culture. In fact, it’s their “Official Soup” for goodness sake.
Anyhow, good Pho used to be a frequent reason for heading East for lunch and dinner. And I could go on and on about the virtues of eating out that way (it’s cheap, for one), but then again this isn’t a blog about Alhambra, now is it? So why mention it? Because now we in NELA are fortunate to have a great Vietnamese restaurant open up right in our own backyard, that’s why. Pho just got a lot closer.
Lemongrass on Colorado not only serves up delicious Pho, but also makes some great springrolls and a mean Bun. Bun is often referred to as “noodle salad” which I think makes it sound less than appealing, but is nonetheless a fairly accurate description. It consists of cold vermicelli (more rice noodles), julienned cucumbers, basil, mint, cilantro, shredded green lettuce and then topped with either hot stir-fried vegetables, pork, beef or often shrimp. I for one always prefer the lemongrass beef. The dish is perfectly refreshing on hot days and yet also satisfying on colder days too. It bursts with contrasting flavors, textures and temperatures while balancing them all at once. Truly a simple but elegant culinary feat.
I love Lemongrass for a variety of reasons, though, not just because their food is top notch. For one, it’s a place that I’ve seen really come into it’s own since opening. When we first ate there right after opening the food still needed a little work, while the service was slow and the atmosphere a bit cold. Recently, however, Lemongrass has found itself on my weekly dinner rotation. The service is much better, especially when compared to what you will find in Alhambra… Didn’t get what you ordered? Too bad. More water? Not a chance! Here the waitresses tend to be young, but are always super friendly and eager to please. The atmosphere has warmed up with candles on the tables and pictures on the soft green walls—and during the recent rain it was a wonderfully cozy place to get some hot soup, in fact.
Lemongrass also maintains some authenticity. Not just in food and flavors, but in little ways too. The menu is in Vietnamese and you order things by number if you’re uncomfortable or unfamiliar with an item’s name. This is opposed to such places like Silverlake’s Gingergrass where the menu consists of “Soup” and “Noodle Bowls” instead of “Pho” and “Bun.” Lemongrass doesn’t cater to a hipster-doofus crowd in that way, and I appreciate it.
And a final reason to love it is their lunch menu. Exactly the same as the dinner menu, but on Monday through Friday, between 11 and 4, everything is just $5.95. Granted, that’s about what you might pay at any given time just East of here, but for the proximity, service and charm, it makes it a true bargain for Eagle Rock.
And coming soon: Lemongrass 2, with an expanded menu and frozen yogurt, opening right next door.
Lemongrass
1952 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 258-8050
on January 23rd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Sounds like another great place to eat when I visit…..I wonder if I would be considered too “hipster-doofus”to be catered to…..? What the heck, I will attempt to be served to, if not “catered” as the food sounds good. By the way, York B. Staff, whatever happened to the stories of New Mexico and Guatemala? New Mexico, I have seen, but I would like to know about traveling in Guatemala. Gracious, Katrina Blandino