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PHENAKITE RESTAURANT Los Angeles Yelp Reviews
Latest Reviews On Yelp
14 Reviews
0 Replys |
Absolutely the best experience I've had eating anywhere.
The experience is a magical multisensory intimate experience. The food, people, service and environment should be experienced at least once in life.
Be the first to ReplyThe service, food, and presentation were excellent.
We will look forward to another visit. Well worth the money.
Be the first to ReplyThe food and flavors of Phenakite are in a league of its
The food and flavors of Phenakite are in a league of its own. I knew it might be special after having been to her Porridge & Puffs restaurant before the pandemic. Chef Minh Phan curates her menu so thoughtfully, and to watch her in the kitchen is to watch an artist and chef building every dish with love. The mochi dish is not only delicious but an event that awes and inspires (I didn't take a pic so as not to ruin the surprise). Excited to see what the future brings for this chef and her food.
Be the first to ReplyPhenakite has returned in a super stealth, under the radar
Phenakite has returned in a super stealth, under the radar multi course fashion inside of the Forest from the Trees art installation in East downtown Los Angeles. You are shocked when you refresh the Phenakite Tock for your daily check to see if they are back and serving and see actual reservations. You make one with no hesitation or care about the cost. The no-publicity approach seems to be destined to keep things on the DL. There appears to be a single seating for just five tables per night. It's all inclusive, food, tip and alcohol paid for when you make the reservation on Tock.The evening begins with a non-alcoholic yuzu drink while you wait for a private time in the art installation. Unusually everyone at your dinner has arrived early or on time (besides a party that no-showed, shockingly). Which left some lag in the schedule as the art installation has some time padded in. You enjoy the cool air and the opening of the exhibit where a series of microphones have been cleverly changed into small speakers That experience is great; and interesting, however the real magic begins when you slip into a gallery esque dining room. Five tables all facing a kitchen where Chef Minh Phan works with her team composing a multi course meal. You might say it's nine or ten courses but some of the courses include multiple small dishes so you wouldn't argue if the chef told you it was a 15- or 16-course meal.Thematically the idea is tied to that of the art exhibit, indigenous foods (tho not religiously, like you might find at Owamni - The Sioux Chef, in Minneapolis), no waste, and the heartfelt imaginative cooking of the chef herself that is unlike any other in Los Angeles.Her laptop sits nearby connected with an aux cable to a speaker. It keeps turning off as the laptop goes to sleep and the chef fiddles with it to restart her playlist of 90s and 00s indie rock and alternative. Wilco and the Magnetic Fields serenade you. The walls are stark white with gallery lighting and a few branches screwed into them, but some have fallen. The wooden tables are decorated in a way that's elegant but also homey and reminiscent of how your mom or aunt might.And then the food. Bold at every step. Looking at past Phenakite menus you see some of her themes, a blowtorch (which ties wonderfully to the art exhibit) lights filled mochi and a fig leaf on fire, creating smoke and ash that drifts over the table during the course.Fauna of the forest with a flavor profile that is dreamlike. Different stems and pieces that might be thrown away used and pickled.A series of small dishes including a three sisters dish, a crab cake with the perfect season of dill and tarragon, pickles from the sea to go with it. The lone dish of the night that fails to live up to its brothers and sisters is a shrimp with an elegant birds nest of root and tuber tempura fried on top of it. Salty and beautiful but pales compared to the flavors of everything else you are served. Perhaps that misses the point, and the salt is there to cleanse the palette.A fish dish with a medley of flavors and vegetables and perfectly splayed out fried mushrooms. The porridge course that one expects and loves from the beloved chef behind Porridge + Puffs. Two remarkable bites of venison with bright seasoning and mouthing numbing qualities.A course called a Dance Party that again minimizes the waste from the kitchen. Followed by a staple herbal granita and a crème desert. Throughout the meal alcohol pairings were served. They match the food beautifully and you make note of new wineries to check out in Santa Barbara next time .The service is warm and enthusiastic. The servers when introducing themselves reveal that they are an art student and an actress. It's at once surprising, revealing and excusing. Wines are poured occasionally with no explanation of the vintage and food dropped off without explanation, the menu is on the table so you can read, but the story is slightly lost in these moments. The lack of experience is at once endearing while also occasionally jarring given how remarkable the meal is. You embrace the at times awkward service with the same love and familiarity that the staff and space embrace you and embrace the strange situation they have found themselves in.From the entire time you felt purpose, warmth, and love poured into the meal you've been served. There isn't anything else quite like it, and you feel bad about wanting to tell people about it, as if it being secret could help it exist in its purity for a bit longer.And at the same time, you must talk and tell your friends about it, because you leave changed and touched in a way that few other meals ever accomplish. As you leave the gallery, You wave goodbye to the chef, and wish you could have this first experience all over again for the first time
Be the first to ReplyHad really high hopes for this place after getting LA Times
Had really high hopes for this place after getting LA Times restaurant of the year and a Michelin star. Overall I think the concept was cool but the execution on food and plating was lacking.First, they seat you by order of which you arrived. The weird thing is, they don't take note of who arrived first and go around asking everyone. If you plan on seating by order of arrival, then a staff member should take note to make it an easier transition to the table for the guests. Other than that, I'd say the service was solid. Some of the plating felt a bit too much, random stones on a plate or unneeded rocks. I was able to look past that but the food was just not executed well at all. There was a tempura dish that wasn't crispy, it had no crunch and felt like it was sitting in oil for way too long. The pork belly course was way over cooked. I could see each fiber and I had a tough time cutting into it. The mochi that accompanied the dish was great though. The fish dish was severely overcooked as well, I couldn't take more than a bite. At first, I thought it was just an off night but when I spoke to friends who went prior to me, they all commented similarly. I'm not sure if it's lack of a proper kitchen or what but for $200+ per person, I was expecting a lot more.
Be the first to ReplyIn the time btwn when we made reservations and some weeks
In the time btwn when we made reservations and some weeks later when we dined there, Michelin announced and awarded a star, increasing our anticipation. Not knowing what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised. Coming up fr OC, the location was different, but the actual bldg and space was utterly lovely. We parked on the street, adjacent to the nearby Target. There was a dapper young gentleman who greeted us as we approached, easing our concern whether we were at the right place. Once inside, we were escorted to a winsome courtyard. The tables and chairs alone, seemed casual; but the lighting, ambiance, the place & table settings kicked it up a few notches, elevating the experience.The food was mostly delicious, with a course or two being a miss for me. And like others have mentioned on other sites, I would skip the wine pairing; go instead for their delicious cocktails! What else did we love? The early seafood dishes, pork belly, the mochi, palate cleansers and desserts. What didn't work for me was the seared fish...and I LOVE seafood (thoug this may have been our fault bc we were late to our reservation and I would hazard a guess that these were all cooked at nearly the same time). With each course, the servers would explain the ingredients. For the exquisite smoked course, chef Minh Pham personally served us. She is just so cute, talented and captivating! At the end of dinner, there were some parting treats of caramel.What I'm finding is that I enjoy dining at restaurants where I can meet the chef (Shibumi, Vespertine, Taco Maria), prepay for dinner, and have a little takeaway parting treats...it really changes the dining experience. Would I recommend Phenakite? Absolutely! For me, when I meet the personality behind the talent and skill, it really makes an impact on the whole dining experience. I LOVE Phenakite.
Be the first to ReplyChef Minh Phan and team have created something very VERY
Chef Minh Phan and team have created something very VERY special. This was more than just a meal. It was an experience. Everything felt near perfect, from the food, to the drinks, to the staff, to the ambiance and serving-ware. It's definitely a splurge meal that should be saved for a special occasion, but for me this is what all fine dining should aspire to be.THE FOOD: They only offer a nine-course set meal. It was a tremendous progression of tastes, flavors and stories that are meant to be a journey through the land, sea, and air. Some items didn't entirely hit, but overall it was a near impeccable journey. One of my few complaints is that they serve a lot of food, but don't let guests take leftovers home...so bring your appetite!THE DRINKS: We shared a beverage paring and it was a great match to the meal and felt like a perfect amount of drinks.THE SPACE: The team somehow transforms the courtyard of a coworking space into a fantastic secluded outdoor garden. It would be nice if they had heaters, but it is protected enough from the elements that it didn't get too cold.This was quite simply my favorite Los Angeles meal / dining experience over the past couple years. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
Be the first to ReplyBest restaurant in LA for a reason.
We loved the food & interesting drink & wines pairings at @phenakite.la but it is the heart & soul of the people especially Chef Minh Phan who presented the mochi & pork belly dish as a release ceremony asking us to think of something to release as she set the dish on fire. My fire burned especially bright as I wished the breast cancer treatments worked and will never return. Thank you for an amazing dinner filled with excitement, Love and Light on our anniversary and during Breast Cancer Awareness month!!!
Be the first to ReplyWe appreciated the dining experience after reading the LA
We appreciated the dining experience after reading the LA times review several months ago. Feed was excellent. Service was fantastic as staff are fully explained the ingredients of the dish as well as the intent. One thing that confused us was their requirement to see proof of vaccine when the entire dining area is located outside. I'm not anti-vaxx but I asked why this precaution was mandated when there are no county protocols instructing diners to show show vax proof of eating outdoors. I think this was unnecessary and when I asked for an explanation I was just given shrug of the shoulders by the host. Really strange.
Be the first to ReplyHad a wonderful pre-bday (for Ishita, my wife) and
Had a wonderful pre-bday (for Ishita, my wife) and pre-anniversary dinner at Phenakite on September 17, 2021. Chef Minh Phan and her team are among the most welcoming, warm (though being under the stars was a bit chilly at times ), and caring we've ever met. The food was delicious, exquisitely prepared and evocative of memories and #feels. From the moment Chef Minh greets us with "hello friends", we were taken on a gustatory journey that was exotic yet familiar. This gem of a restaurant, born in the midst of the pandemic, truly embodies the mineral that forms under extreme pressure and conditions it is named for. Definitely recommend!
Be the first to ReplyMagical.
Perfection. Creative beyond words. Photos of the space and the food do not do the restaurant any justice, but maybe that's a good thing. Every twist, turn, & corner was a surprise. I don't want to ruin it for everyone. So just go! Book the ticket. You will not regret.They are requiring that diners show their vaccination card, so don't forget to have it handy! I had a moment of panic as we were checking in and had to search through my emails.Chef Minh Phan is so welcoming, sweet, and seriously an artist. She's put so much thought into every detail of your experience. She's injected Vietnamese soul into her food, and every time I spotted it in the dish, it took me back to a part of my childhood.Best part? You can request a vegan menu. Loved everything about tonight. It was so special and will go down in my books as one of the best meals I ever ate. Thank you!
Be the first to ReplyWe so enjoyed our magical meal here.
We are fans of the chef's other restaurant, Porridge+Puffs (temporarily closed during the pandemic) and were not disappointed in her fine dining experience. She is an artist, plain and simple. It felt like an leisurely stop at an oasis during the pandemic. Delicious and creative food, friendly staff, lovely setting. We had let them know about a few food restrictions ahead of time, which they seamlessly accommodated. We are grateful and look forward to seeing what Chef Minh does next.
Be the first to ReplyTonight dining here felt like a mixed bag.
Overall it was positive and I mostly appreciated the thoughtful and intentional menu regarding honoring respect for the environment through such concepts as foods that grow together well to nourish healthy soil can be combined in creating a dish. Less impressive was their servers simple knowledge of the menu. They were gracious but could provide no detail regarding ingredients or the intention of pairing particular items, although the chef did so when she visited the table. The dishes had lovely plating and i respect the gratitude stated to honor those that supply the food with locally sourced ingredients. Although the food was an enjoyable experience, I did find some dishes disconnected rather than complimentary in flavor and texture and nothing blew me away as unforgettable. I found the smoked abalone and seared fish to be tough and somewhat rubbery. I experienced the rose crisp as oily and lacking in adequate rose flavor as well as the lavender sauce as being overpowered by the rest of the bean dish, without an identifiable flavor contribution. I loved the concept of the three sisters plate, but the husk felt disconnected from the seafood side of the dish. The granita, dance party of seasoned pickles, mochi, and after dinner cordial, on the other hand, were delightful. Parking was a breeze with a free underground lot beneath the restaurant and we saw bugs flying around during dinner, but no mosquitoes bit us despite being outdoors sitting for several hours.
Be the first to ReplyIt was incredible! One of my favorite meals I've ever had.
Chef Minh is an artist, from the space, to the dishes, to the wine pairing, to the glorious, glorious food. It was an experience that I'm going to be savoring for a long time.
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