Fat-thai: SGV's premier Thai cuisine resource

Friday May, 11, I took my grandma to California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) for a early Mothers day dinner. I hadn’t been there in ages, probably 3 years. I think mainly because CPK flies under my radar most of the time and for most of the people I hang out with, we all prefer a more authentic Asian food.

The thing is I used to think CPK wasn’t particularly good at any one thing. Its sort of a place I used to despise because it I felt it was just one notch above Panda Express; you know, “Americanized Chinese Food” or Asian fusion that is a disservice to the more authentic restaurants. 

CPK if you’re reading things, I apologize. I was wrong. The Place is called CALIFORNIA Pizza Kitchen. The name of our golden state is right smack dab in the name of their entire business. So then, the food must be a juggernaut of flavors or mainly since its California after all, wouldn’t the flavors come from Mexican and Asian cuisine? You know combine Latinos and Asians are the majority in Calif. 

How exactly could you take a traditional dish and make it Cali style? We’ll to my surprise CPK seems to think that you can take Spring Rolls or Egg Rolls, a stable in SE Asian culture, and do it the Cali Way.

Fresh Flour Tortillas rolled up and served crunchy with a Peanut Thai style chicken, spring onion, cilartro and some flame grilled corn inside. Gone are the traditional deep fried rice paper, the cold shrimp, bean sprouts and leafy greens. This Appetizer is served with both a side of guacamole and peanut sauce, so depending on the dip, you could get an asian or mexican taste. Talk about Cali-diversity.

I love this dish, it came out fast, fresh and hot. The tastes are 99% authentic for a 1% entry. By which I mean, you’ll get most of the Thai experience but the “egg roll” is more palatable for say my 74-year-old grandma. My grandma who sticks to her Salvadoran food and roots. Which leads me to another point, Asian fusion has a purpose and that is to slowly introduce bold flavors to risk adverse people who love their ketchup n french fries.

CPK Thai Chicken Flour Tortilla Rolls 5/5.

Man CPK has improved so much since my law firm had its waiter on wheels service. 

So yesterday I went out with my lil mentor and I took him randomly to Hermosa Beach  and we parked right in front of a PHO restaurant. I thought we were going to eat random Pizza or hamburgers next to the pier but Pho presented a great opportunity.

I know Pho isn’t Thai, but I can’t help but right about Pho. It was a eventual progression of drinking so many Thai soups. Pho is a bit lighter than the creamy coconut Thai soups, and that’s why I like it.

Number Nine is located at 1342 Hermosa Ave. and in my opinion it is over hyped , but in a pinch it did the trick and considering how there isn’t Pho places near the beachfront, I could tell how this place is always full.

The service is slow and its overpriced. The broth seemed from a pre-made or the frozen variety. Service not included, I give this place a 2/5. I’ve had way better Pho. Namely in Rowland Heights. I Love the SGV.