Please The Palate |

Please The Palate Pick of the Week: Stanley’s Sherman Oaks Chinese Chicken Salad

If you grew up in the San Fernando Valley, you know Stanley's Restaurant. It was a local mainstay for 32 years. When I was in high school, my friends and I would meet for lunch at Stanley's. One of my first jobs in high school, and after the first year in college, was as a hostess at Stanley's. Ever since then, whenever I went to the valley to visit my parents or for an appointment (almost weekly), I would stop by Stanley's to pick up lunch or dinner. And every single time, I ordered the Stanley's Chinese Chicken Salad. The salad itself was simple - iceberg lettuce, shredded chicken, crispy noodles, green onions, sesame seeds, and mandarin oranges. It came in a large bowl, and it was one of the first places I remember in Los Angeles in the 1980s offering big fresh salads in large open bowls. And, the sesame dressing, with its touch of sweetness, is what made the salad. The other favorite was the sourdough bread with crunchy crust and soft middle that was served with all meals. Stanley's was a staple in my life and I was really brokenhearted when they abruptly closed in August 2015. But Stanley's is back and my Chinese Chicken Salad is back! And that is why it is the Please The Palate "pick of the week."

01 April, 2017

America Meets France at Medium Rare, Washington DC

How do you like your steak? Medium rare is the answer, especially at Medium Rare in Washington DC where America meets France in a steakhouse. At Medium Rare, the words steakhouse and affordable are combined in a relaxed and fun environment.

Modeled after a steakhouse based in Paris, Medium Rare has three locations in the DC area - Bethesda, Cleveland Park and Capitol Hill. The concept is warm and friendly serving up tasty food in a relaxed, non-pretentious way. The music is turned up loud, making you lean in to talk, like you would if you were in a French bistro. The menu at Medium Rare is very simple. All you have to decide is how you want your meat cooked because the menu is a pre-fixe offering for $20.45.

28 March, 2017

Guilt-free, organic, vegetable-based comfort food at Vegetable in L.A.

For the record, I will state that I am not a vegetarian and absolutely not a vegan. I love fish and meat and will never ever give up cheese or ice cream. But at the same time I love my vegetables. And with all of the eating out that I do, somethings a meal of just vegetables is what is desired. I can be boring and steam vegetables at home or I can go out and enjoy a guilt free meal of comfort food at Vegetable.

Located in Studio City, Vegetable is a small restaurant tucked along Cahuenga Blvd, just south of the busy intersection of Lankershim and right across the street from the entrance to the 101 freeway. Inside, the space is cozy and minimalist with exposed brick walls and dark wood table booths. And the menu is all about vegetables.

Owner Jerry Yu, himself a vegetarian, opened Vegetable to offer fresh farmer's market produce, simply prepared. Serving season, local and all-organic produce, the menu changes daily, based on what is available at the farmer's market. There are no soy products on the menu. There is nothing vegan trying to mask itself as a carnivore dish. It is about the vegetables.

23 March, 2017