
BIBIGO
Korean Bistro
225 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills • (310) 275-0011
Bibigo in Beverly Hills is the one full-service restaurant of the three Korean Bibigos in Los Angeles (the others are in Westwood and Century City). Bibigos can also be found in Seoul, London, Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing and Jakarata.
The Bibigo brand was established in 2011 to promote authentic and healthy Korean flavors in modern, casual restaurants. The Beverly Hills destination is simple and attractive with modern wooden tables, highlighted Korean art with box frames on one wall and an array of Korean bowls, pots and cookbooks on an opposite shelf. But it is the accommodating wait staff that gives you a warm welcome, help translate the menu and make you feel very special.
Bibigo offers cocktails, Korean liquor and wines by the glass or bottle, all moderately priced. There are more than a dozen starters, also reasonably priced. The fig and avocado salad, for example, comes in a small or large size. If you are ordering a variety of dishes, the small are quite perfect to share. This marvelously fresh array of small sweet figs, tiny cherry tomatoes and avocado pieces with romaine lettuce, spinach and crispy rice in a delectable sweet-tart pomegranate dressing makes a terrific beginning.
Green tacos in a Boston lettuce leaf with fragrant Bulgogi (succulent bits of Korean short ribs), pickled daikon slices, pickled pepper and cilantro, with a fresh tomato salsa dressing, was another flavorful dish.
Whole-grain pot stickers were equally delicious. These pan-fried chicken dumplings wrapped in whole-grain flour had an aromatic dipping sauce and came with a small mixed-green salad. Each bite was compelling.
My daughter and I decided to share the hot stone bibimbap, a traditional Korean rice bowl served in a sizzling bowl inside a wooden serving box. This specialty gives you a choice of rice (white or black), topping (beef, chicken or spicy pork) and sauce. One may also order a fried egg on top. We chose black rice, spicy pork and a slightly spicy sesame sauce. This sizzling hot array of blanched bean sprouts, kale and broccoli with pan-fried mushrooms and onions, tossed with your choice of rice, meat and sauce, is indeed scrumptious, flavor filled, and was perfect to share.
There is seafood rice with shrimp, squid, scallop and mussels, and salmon rice, each served in a hot stone bowl. And, of course, there are specials and an assortment of rice and noodle offerings.
Instead of the Korean berry parfait or green tea shaved ice, we opted for the Korean sweet pancake with vanilla ice cream and a few fresh raspberries and blueberries. Served on a plate painted with honey and a little granola, this pancake was perfect. Not overly sweet, it had just the right touch for a delightful finish to our marvelous and flavorful meal, along with a cup of green tea.
Daily hours in Beverly Hills are from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. Street parking is available.
Prices:
Starter plates: $5 to $10
Specials: $10 to $18
Bibimbap: $10 to $13
Rice & noodle dishes: $10
Desserts: $5 to $7
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STATE SOCIAL HOUSE
8782 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood • (310) 657-8100
Last week, State Social House opened its three-tiered restaurant, bar/entertainment lounge and cigar lounge located in the previous Red Rock Café space on the Sunset Strip. The vibe is warm and casual, with big-screen TV’s located on all levels, and leather lounge seating in the upstairs piano bar and downstairs backroom smokers lounge.
While the food as prepared by Executive Chef Vernon Cardenas, former corporate chef for Innovative Dining Groups Boa, Katana and Sushi Roku, is indeed tasty, the bar-like setting on high stools is not very comfy for dinner. And, like many bars, it is noisy as well.
The menu is designed for everyone who loves to eat, be it pizzas and flatbreads, sandwiches, desserts, more than 20 versions of American pub bites and more.
Naturally, the bar offers a selection of over 20 draft beers along with bottled beers, cocktails and specialty cocktails as well as wines by the glass.
State Social House is open daily from 11:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. The upstairs piano bar opens at 6 p.m., with entertainment beginning between 7 and 9 p.m. depending on the night of the week. Valet parking is available on Sunset just east of the restaurant.
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