Went to the Oybar last night. It was always good, and it keeps getting better. I could have posted this to the Favorite Restaurants San Fernando Valley (SFV)? thread, but the Oybar is worth driving over the hill for.
We started with Jeff’s Bento Box,
Really excellent! Jeff uses thighs instead of breast meat so the chicken is very juicy, and the garlic dressing is so good.
The hit of the night was my main, Wagyu Corned Beef and Cheese Curds Joutine. Jeff is Jewish and often makes plays on his heritage thus it is “Joutine” rather than poutine.
It was the best dish I have had this year.
The service is excellent, and the staff are very friendly.
This place has been discovered. We arrived at 5:45 and there were only a few open seats. By 6:30 there was a line. It’s worth waiting for.
Yes, I saw that, too, when I was looking up places!
Does anyone know what the reservation situation is at Iki Ramen in K-Town? It looks like I can make a reservation at Iki Ramen Hollywood but only for omakase at the K-Town location?
I’m thinking Iki vs. Sun Dong Nan vs. HLAY (although I don’t know if the menu sounds that appealing to me) vs. maybe Mesa (if it’s not too spicy).
Go to HLAY before they close! Going there before a show at the Wiltern tonight actually.
FWIW: I love SND, but I’d much rather go with a few people and get the galbijjim (though it reheats just fine). But definitely a go to past normal restaurant business hours
Agree that Iki is probably better for 2/3 or fewer than SND. Sun Nong Dan is fine with three, but better with a bigger group.
I don’t remember if I got reservations at Iki before I went. I just showed up with three of my friends and we were sat relatively quickly. But don’t remember which day I went!
I believe Iki does Yelp waitlist. So you can check yelp right when you arrive and join the list as you park. Once you park and walk down, it should help with the wait time if there is any.
If Iki is packed you can also grab a seat at Southland Beer in the same center and then order from Iki. The full Iki menu is available for customers at Southland. Very different vibe than eating in Iki’s dining room, of course, but not a bad backup option imo–especially if you like beer.
IKI is a good time. I don’t think I’ve ever made a reservation since I walk in at off-peak times, but @Dommy is correct. There is a Yelp waitlist.
I frequent SDN’s Rowland Heights location and there are individual portions of soups you can order, but the group share plates are really the highlight. You’ll be left with quite a bit of leftovers.
It has more room and an easier valet to navigate. A lot more room so easier to come with bigger parties. Not 100% sure but they might have a slightly bigger menu.
Sun Nong Dan is terrible… particularly the galbi jjim. It was pretty good the first year or so it was open but has become inedible since. I haven’t been in several years but I’ve heard very recent reports from others that confirm it’s bad nowadays as well.
