This restaurant came highly recommended by a local, and it absolutely exceeded my expectations…read more From the outside, it's quite unassuming, but once you step inside, you're welcomed by a warm and inviting atmosphere. The roti was highly recommended, and although I've enjoyed roti before, nothing has come close to this version. It was incredibly delicious--light, buttery, and perfectly flaky, with delicate layers that practically melted in my mouth. The accompanying dipping sauce complemented it beautifully. I'm a big fan of drunken noodles, but the version served here was truly exceptional--the best I've ever had. The flavors were rich, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. Our server was attentive, patient, and genuinely kind, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. To top it all off, the prices were very reasonable for the quality of the food and service. I would happily return and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an outstanding meal.

We've gotten takeout from here a few times and it's always been good!…read more Here's what I've tried: Pad Thai with Ground Beef - My husband ordered this dish, and it came in a very generous portion. I thought it was too sweet for me and it didn't taste like most Pad Thais I've had or come to expect, but it was still okay. Veggie Rolls - This is pretty much salad/lettuce in a spring roll, and the peanut sauce is what makes it delicious. Not very large or filling, but good if you want some side greens. If you have a peanut allergy, skip these because they're kinda boring without the sauce. Panang Curry with Filet Mignon and added Japanese Pumpkin - This was a good dish! The steak was cooked a little too well for my liking, but it was generous in portion and the sauce was really flavorful. I was glad I added the pumpkin. Filet Mignon Pho - Not my favorite pho ever, but I liked that they offered Thai and Vietnamese options. When I ordered online, I didn't see in the description that it included bean sprouts or basil and that I had to order them for $2 each. I like my pho with every dang thing, so I spent the extra $4. The items did already come with the pho, plus I got an extra bag that I didn't really need to order. The steak was thinly sliced and tender, I just wish there was more of it. Salmon Rolls - These are pretty heavy, the fresh salmon is fried on the outside and rare on the inside. They come with a few dipping sauces, including a spicy mustard that I liked. Thai Tea Caramel Creme - This is honestly the reason I order from here. I am a damn fiend for Thai Tea-flavored desserts, and I crave this one all the time. It has a rich, velvety texture and a strong Thai tea flavor. I have thought of stopping by just to order this, and I probably will. Our orders have always been ready on time, although I can't speak for any dining-in experience, and I think it's a little pricier than other Thai restaurants. The website is just a little wonky... I like that everything is customizable in just about every way, and there are pictures of most items, but the pho order wasn't clear about what it would come with, and some of the upcharges are higher than they should be. However, I will come back for that Thai tea dessert because I've fallen in love.

Chicken and waffles. Always…read more Perfectly crisp chicken tenders, juicy white meat, fluffy waffle, and the most amazing cinnamon honey maple butter of your life.

Every time I come here, I tell myself I'm going to order something new, but then every single time,…read moreI can't help but order the delicious bibimbap in a hot stone bowl. I'm sure this restaurant has many other wonderful dishes, but for now, I'll never know. The wonderful service and friendly atmosphere is just icing on the cake!

Amazing customer service from the moment we walked through the doors. Delicious food, all served…read morevery quickly. Servers and hosts make you feel welcomed and always keep tables clean. The ambiance is relaxed with good trendy music and lovely decor. 10/10 would try again!

The food was absolutely amazing! And our server, Albert, went the extra mile to make sure we were…read morewell taken care of. Give him a raise. He's great at what he does.

My wife and I went to spicy the other day, after having driven by 1000 times, and we were shocked…read moreat how great the food was. Super flavorful, super fresh, at a reasonable price. We are now fans of spice season, and we will be regulars from here on out! If you guys out there have not tried spicy, and you like Vietnamese food, do yourself a favor and check this place out. You can thank me later, and you too, will become regulars!

I'm very conflicted about this place. It's between 3 and 4 for me, at the high 3's. I just wanted…read moreto love it since it had great reviews and the photos looked promising. The ingredients used were so fresh, you could really tell they use high quality ingredients. The food came out very quickly, and the server was attentive enough. I didn't expect it to be completely authentic, as its fusion of course. But it just really didn't have those bold Thai flavors you get at a usual mom & pop restaurant. It was sort of, for a lack of better description, a watered down version of Thai food. Nothing wrong with the food at all! Just, didn't completely wow me. Again, ingredients were incredibly fresh though, and it shows.

This is the first time I went to this locations. It's larger than the NoHo location, but equally as…read morecharming. The service was excellent. We got there just when they opened, but they filled up quickly. Ordered the Happy Hour dumplings, and Pad See Ew, Ko Soi noodles and yellow curry. All were delicious. Portions were also generous and the leftovers tasted just as good the next day. This is my go to Thai spot when I'm in NoHo, now I can add this location as well!

Heads up! This is neither bad nor good- but you should know- the Pad Thai recipe has changed…read more Now granted, Pad Thai is known as the dish that will guarantee vary from place to place cause it's street food, right? But there is a key variable- it can either be the browner version or the redder version (Pad Thai fans know what I mean). Anajak (if you're an LA local) is the 'browner' version for context. Authentic Central Thai Pad Thai is actually light golden brown, not red. The natural brown color comes from the caramelization of palm sugar combined with tamarind pulp and fish sauce. Many restaurants- especially in Western countries- use ketchup and paprika and a chili paste as a shortcut to add both sweetness, tang, and bright red color. I can't say that's specifically what happened here- but the grainy grit of the sauce plus the color and sweetness was not the best. Rustic Spoon used to serve the browner version- you'll see it in the photos listed above from as recently as a year ago. I visited recently and discovered they've switched to the redder version. I'm not a fan personally- flavor, texture, etc. But if you love it- that's good news for you- but if you a fan of RS, they changed the recipe about 3 months ago. I switched my order to a Pad See Ew after noticing - and they were gracious and kind about it (which is why I didn't go hard in my stars review)- however the Pad See Ew wasn't flavorful, and lacked Wok Hei, it gave bland rice noodle, steam broccoli and a separately fried (unseasoned egg) thrown together quickly in a wok- no curation of flavors at all. Sigh. I'm not inclined to be a complainer at all, and don't fancy myself a tough customer at all- and compliment as highly and loudly as I critique... But in the age of inflation and local businesses struggling- I am happy to financially support- and just hope they're happy to meet me in the middle with a good meal, made with care and attention. That wasn't the case here. There are a lot of options for Thai in the Valley- I'll have to go elsewhere.

I have been craving Thai Food for the past 2 days now. I've been to this charming, cozy, pretty…read morerestaurant too many times over the years, but not for the last 3 years. According to other reviews that I have read earlier today, the restaurant is under new management/ownership. Walked in today around 4:45pm and got a very nice, warm welcome from Alex - the owner himself. He told me to have a seat anywhere that I wanted, so I did. Alex himself took my order and the food came out pretty quickly and fast. I was very hungry so I got 2 main entrées and their regular small salad with peanut dressing. Ordered their Pad See Ew with beef & shrimp that also came with well cooked broccoli. I also got their crab fried rice and stayed with my water. Both entrees were cooked really well and were hot & tasty. My only complaint was that the beef was a bit overcooked and hard to chew. A lot of to-go orders and delivery/pick up by 3rd parties. Place was SPOTLESS CLEAN, including their gender neutral restroom. They also had nice decor all around. I really enjoyed my lunch and the portions being HUGE, took the rest home for my son to eat. Parking shared with 100 businesses:-) Thank you Alex & Noodle Monster!

This place is so cute! Definitely one of the hidden gems in a Valley strip mall. It's a total vibe…read more Art all over the walls, oldies bumping. Loved the atmosphere. Their Thai iced coffee is SO GOOD. It's pretty sweet, but had lots of strong coffee to offset the sweetness a bit. The gyoza and the shrimp rolls were amazing! Also loved the sauces they were served with. For my main I got the Pad woon sen and I felt like it lacked flavor. The chicken was also pretty dry and there wasn't much of it on the plate. Their menu is so big I would definitely come back and give it another try! Food was ready super fast. Great for take out or dine in!

Was craving shabu/hot pot for the longest time, so I was so excited to find a spot so local! The…read morevalue was honestly great for everything they offered, and everything tasted super fresh and high quality. The staff was also incredibly friendly and attentive. They checked in on us throughout the meal, were happy to answer our questions, and gave us some great recommendations on what to try. It made the whole experience even better. I'm still thinking about how amazing their special sauce from the sauce bar was. Everything came together so well, and we definitely left happy and full. Already looking forward to coming back for another hot pot craving!

First time doing hot pot and decided to try this place! This is so fun and cool!…read more They have a full AYCE bar with seafood and different things to add to the broth. I got the mushroom broth and it was perfect, I couldn't really eat more than 2 plates of meat, it's a bit pricey but so so so yummy. Service was really kind, they explained everything to us. Ambiance was a bit weird.. could use some light music... but other than that it was great

Stopped by craving pho and happened to find this place on Google Maps. Tried the pork spring roll…read morewhich was refreshing and included a decent amount of meat, vege, and vermicelli. Beef pho hit the spot, perfect temp broth to wilt the herbs and sprouts, savory flavor, and tasty meats. The taco was a surprising hit, beef was the same from the pho topped with pickled onions. Must have with a spritz of lime and sriracha. Service was great, server was helpful, and friendly. Talked about the specials and took care of the rest. The restaurant has a charming fresh feel, nice decor and ample seating for groups. It was a little warm this summer afternoon but in all honesty it kinda added to the ambiance and reminded me a little of eating in Hanoi. All-in-all happy with my dining experience and will gladly add Lotus & Light in my pho round up.

I have ordered here multiple times and i keep getting screwed over on takeout orders. I dont know…read moreif the cook just sucks or its management's orders but when you order a banh mi, it comes with jalapenos. I even verified with the girl on the phone when placing the order i wanted jalapenos. The banh mi has no jalapenos, half the sandwich is daikon and carrots with a cucumber and the thinnest layer of overcooked beef on top. I ordered last month 2 banh mi and egg rolls. Banh mi had no jalapenos either, the egg rolls were missing lettuce wraps and the sauce was half the to go container. I've eaten here in person and received lettuce when eating in the restaurant, their yelp photos show lettuce wraps with the egg rolls. But every time i ordered egg rolls for takeout it is missing lettuce wraps. The one time i ordered and got the lettuce wraps with egg rolls, i had to explicitly tell them to add it that time. I thought this placed served the food as it should be in their culture? I've held back leaving a bad review of this place because i thought they would somehow improve or it was a one off mistake but this was the final straw. Consistently screwing up or intentionally holding back ingredients on takeout orders crazy. How much are you actually saving by with holding lettuce, sauce, and jalapenos??? This place used to be good, now it's just another above average spot. If you want banh mi, go somewhere else and be less disappointed.

In today's restaurant market, there are many Japanese restaurants that are good and occasionally…read moreyou find one that is fantastic. How does one determine that a Japanese restaurant is fantastic? First you start with the ambience, then you start with a selection of the menu, then you look at the presentation of each plate and dish and the creative reiteration of that dish. At Taisho which is located in the heart of the Valley in Sherman Oaks, is a wonderful restaurant with great creativity and presentation and ambience... And it hits all the marks of a truly wonderful Japanese restaurant. This restaurant is so good that even living in Orange County, what desires to go back into the valley, which is quite a jaunt. We occasionally go to the valley for family and friends and events... And from now on, we will be stopping by this wonderful Japanese restaurant. I'm going to post some pictures and let the pictures speak for themselves. If you're ever in the valley, you gotta make this one of your stops.

In the interest of fairness, I have to lead with the fact that the food is really quite good. The…read morehostess was very sweet, and even helped us change tables when we learned that we while were sitting at an indoor table, it right next to the entrance to the open patio where they have an additional 10 tables or soy. Long story short, my wife was starting to sweat so she wanted to be inside with some A/C. So far, so good. Our waiter was so awesome, but it was his first day, so understandably, he made a couple of very minor mistakes that were easily fixed. He brought out a dish we did not order (which he swapped for the correct one) and he forgot to bring the cocktail that my wife ordered. Again, no big deal. Now... the food. If you are looking for a sushi restaurant, this is not for you. They do have some sushi, but it is very limited, and frankly the options they did have were wildly overpriced. Selling salmon sashimi for $40 is a huge ask. As for the atmosphere, it's a pretty sharp looking space, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, but they leave all the windows and doors open at all times, so if it's a warm evening, you're going to be hot even if you sit outside. Also, the music gets progressively louder as nightfall progresses, so it can be tough to have a conversation without shouting. Bottom line, if you're looking for a good sushi spot, there are half a dozen other places within walking distance that are, in my opinion, much better. If you're looking for a wider variety of Japanese cuisine, and have a few hundred extra dollars lying around, then go ahead and give Taisho a try.