This is our first Christmas where we are a bit orphaned, with no family gathering to attend, so we thought we’d get Chinese (Jewish Christmas dinner), but live on the Westside. I figure there won’t be much traffic, so maybe a trek to SGV, but also I thought I’d take advantage of the open streets and head to one of the great Thai restaurants in Hollywood.
I don’t know where to begin my search, or how to figure what’s open - any suggestions on what restaurants to put at the top of my list? Don’t want to drive to the SGV in vain, or aimlessly to Hollywood Blvd. however would prefer to stay local, and none in our little group are very adventurous eaters.
I’m doing the traditional Jewish x-mas—movie + chinese or thai food. my friend that I’m going with is also not an adventurous eater, although she likes more “americanized” chinese food and “mild-hot” thai. sooooo depending on what movie we see and what part of town we’re in, we will probably end up either @ Red Corner Asia or Yang Chow in Chinatown (I know, I know, I know----but there is no way I’ll be able to get her to the SGV and she likes the slippery shrimp).
Red Corner Asia is in the same mini-mall as Ruen Pair (and I would prefer eating there if that’s where I’m going) on Hollywood blvd. The food is tasty and not overly challenging and the atmosphere is brighter than many thai places in thai town. I haven’t actually been to Yang Chow since the mid-90s (lol) so I’m hoping that the quality hasn’t slipped too far since then.
Fellow Jewish-xmas-er here. Plan to eat a touch on the early side. ‘Chinese and a movie’ is no longer the guarantee of empty restaurants and empty theaters.
Last year they ran out of the hand torn noodles at 101 Noodles Express by 8pm, and were also out of a couple of types of bao.
I’m not a big fan of Palm’s thai. A friend of mine from South Africa just LOVES the food there, so she dragged me there about a year ago (I hadn’t been there in forever). The food was ok, just not memorable. I’d rather go to Ruen Pair for that sort of Thai food. But if Elvis is performing, at least there is the kitsch factor.
true. but after all the hanukkah food (and I’m making a big batch of matzah ball soup next week), thai sounds better to me than deli. i’m also thinking of making a Langer’s run next week since I’m on vacation and can get there before their closing time.
Echoing TonyC and secretasianman (barry), you won’t be making the drive in vain, because Christmas in the SGV is just Friday. It’s wide open, you’ll have to look fairly hard to find places that are closed.