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Eating in Encino

And overcoming the Romanian-goat-herder problem

A A A Comments (6) By Jonathan Gold Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

Dear Mr. Gold:

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Alcazar

17239 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316

Category: Restaurant > Lebanese

Region: San Fernando Valley

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Where would one go for lunch with a group after a high school graduation — I mean, besides the school cafeteria — in the Woodland Hills/Encino area? It’s bad enough sitting through one of these things when it’s your kid, but it’s my godson and his family, with whom I have less in common than with goat-herders in Romania.

Irene, Torrance

Dear Irene:

At least they’re letting you choose the restaurant. It saves you from a fate worse than death, at Buca di Beppo or P.F. Chang’s. Pinot Bistro in Sherman Oaks is comfortable and the most reliable of the Splichal restaurants; Andre Guerrero’s Max has very good Asian-fusion cooking; and I am probably fonder of the Caesar salad, chicken hash and stiff drinks at the Daily Grill than I should be.

If they’re tolerant about such things, my first choice would be the leafy patio at Alcazar, which has decent prices, subdued Middle Eastern music and excellent Lebanese food — shanklish, shish tawook and fried fish with tahini, along with the usual salads. If you need a drink to ease your suffering, Alcazar happens to serve the best arak in town.

ALCAZAR: 17239 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 789-0991 or www.al-cazar.com.

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Lori 06/22/2009 3:25:00 AM

Britchky. A srange comment. You think that people that those of us complaining about J.G. ignoring the Valley should leave town? The only place west of Coldwater he has reviewed in the last year sells hot-dogs [way better than Pink's]. How many S.G.V. spots has he written about in the same period, more than 20? j

S. Britchky 06/21/2009 5:38:00 AM

Irene says, I don't care about helping my godson celebrate this important event. As a godmother, I'm properly concerned, first, about my stomach and, B, about my convenience. I hope the Iranian protesters have better godmothers. Ignoring all that, our commenters rush in to show they can misread a J. Gold column as well as anybody, maybe better! Thank God and Greyhound they're gone. They ARE gone -- right?

Greg 06/20/2009 4:09:00 AM

Seriously..? Half the stuff you came up with isn't even in Encino.. it's not even in Tarzana?! Encino between Balboa and White Oak has became basically restaurant row, akin to Beverly Hills/West Hollywood's La Cinega. There's SAMPA Grill, which is Brazilian churrasco similar to Fogo De Chao, and Benihana which is Japanese food where the chefs cook the food right at the table. They have the ever-famous Versailles with is the Cuban restaurant extension of the Los Angeles one, which is just as busy and booming, there's also Midori Sushi is also really good on Ventura Blvd- there Encino location being the larger, and much nicer one. The sushi there is on-par with that you'd find in West Hollywood, or Beverly Hills. Katsuya is also really nice, but it's recommended you make reservations during the weekends. I can go on and on, depends on what you like.

Lori 06/16/2009 7:29:00 PM

I forgot to mention the best place to take a group for lunch, Brent's Deli in Northridge. Many think it is the best deli in L.A.

Lori 06/15/2009 7:28:00 PM

Who would have thouight that a P.F.Changs would be considered one of the top 5 dining destinations in the Valley? Taking a group to Pinot Bistro might be OK, if someone else is paying. Alcazar is hardly the place to take a mixed group of pick-up drivin' straw chewin' Valley plebs. Where's the ketchup? Why not try Mulberry Sreet in darkest Encino for really great pizza? For great Mexican food there is Sol Y luna in Tarzana. Calabasas Commons has several decent places. There must be hundreds of great lunch places west of Coldwater and not one with a spitoon!

judy 06/12/2009 4:16:00 AM

I'm tired of the Valley being treated like the red-headed-stepchild by 'food critics'. There are so many restaurants in the Encino/Woodland Hills area that need a bump in business, yet you mention three in the Sherman Oaks area. P.F. Chiang's and Daily Grill are nice, but both are mall chain venues. C'mon, Jonathan, do some homework!