Celadon Galerie

With it's small plates of asian-fusion cuisine, Celadon Galerie boasts an eclectic menu that offers something for everyone in a setting that is fitting for any social occasion. First date? Sharing dishes of pan-roasted halibut and steamed spicy szechuan wontons is the perfect way to break the ice with Mister Oh-So-Fabulous Blue Eyes. Or maybe it's girl night, and the evening demands fruity mixed drinks and mojitos poured with an expert's hand. And that birthday party requiring ample room and scene to accomodate a large group? Celadon's friendly (and attractive!) servers will keep the plates of tuna tartar lollipops coming at a steady pace!

Whatever it is that attracts Celadon's eclectic mix of diners to spend an evening there, the zen-like ambiance and atmospheric lighting make for a setting that is difficult to leave. The hours pass by quickly with each dish coming out one at a time, a pace that is conducive for a long-drawn out dining experience. No one seems to mind loitering. There is neither attitude nor pretension lingering within Celadon's richly yet elegantly decorated walls.

While the food is not revolutionary, the variety of reasonably-priced dishes, from cold summer noodles to roast chicken with apricots and couscous, holds its own on the always bumping foodie haven of West Third Street. Though it has only been open since Fall 2006, Celadon is quickly garnering attention from the critics and LA dining community alike. It's a secret worth knowing, especially when Mister Blue Eyes comes to call...

Lemongrass

For me, where to eat when I shop is a just as important as the shopping. I like something fast and easy and not too filling, so that I still have energy to shop after I eat. Recently, the perfect spot opened in Eagle Rock. Lemongrass is a new Vietnamese restaurant that is simple and satisfying.

Decorated in perfectly coordinated hues of green (lemongrass?), to make even the most diehard fan of bag-and-purse matching, Lemongrass is a small restaurant surrounded by the hippest shops the up and coming town of Eagle Rock has to offer.

Lemongrass has the usual selection of Vietnamese specialties, like pho (soup) and banh mi (sandwiches). They also have a bunch of noodle and rice dishes. Compared to a lot of Vietnamese restaurants, their beverage menu is small, but they offer fresh young coconut juice, with pieces of coconut as well as glasses of Vietnamese Iced Coffee, the perfect caffeinated pick-me-up for an afternoon of shopping.

Although the pho is on the bland side (even adding the collection of sauces on the table doesn’t help) and its dish of accompanying vegetables is smaller than most places, Lemongrass does have really good food. My favorites are the barbequed pork banh mi, and the shrimp with tomato fried rice. I’m not usually a fan of rice dishes, but this stuff is really good: a sticky, garlicky mass of goodness. If sandwiches aren’t your style: the barbequed pork is also available as a plate.

From green walls to the exit sign to the green water glasses topping the faux marble tables, this lemongrass colored restaurant is the perfect place to stop for bite in between shops. Because nothing is over 8 bucks, you’ll have plenty left to spend at the surrounding shops!

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