dining by neighborhood | Sherman Oaks
From sushi nazis to neighborly cafes, Sherman Oaks and Studio City serve up the yum. Culture in the Valley?! Of course! Ventura Boulevard is a ribbon of nightlife, flavor and creativity delving deep into the San Fernando Valley. Our neighborhood guide digs up the deliciousness just for you. Free your inner Valley Girl and sample these restaurants.

Max Cafe


Elegant and fun all at the same time, Max's Pacific fusion cuisine blends traiditonal California favorites with an Asian twist. Chef Andre Guererro incorporates the vibrant flavors of the Philippines, the attention to detail of French cooking, and the fresh, bright flavors of local produce. Try a beet carpaccio, Filipino-style chicken with papaya relish, and grilled pork served with a tart-sweet garlicy sauce; dessert takes comfort-food faves like bread pudding and a rocky-road mousse and transforms them into high-style confections.

13355 Ventura Blvd. • Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 • (818) 784-2915 •  website

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Smoked Salmon Tartare on a Cucumber Maki Roll

3 ounces of smoked salmon
1 Tsp. mayonnaise
½ Tsp. minced shallots
¼ Tsp. yuzu juice

Sushi Rice
4 Cups cooked short grain rice
1/3 Cup rice vinegar
1/3 Tsp. salt
1 ½ Tbsp. sugar

½ Medium cucumber (peeled and julienned)
2 Tbsp. diced red onion
2 Nori seaweed sheets
Daikon sprouts (for garnish)
Wasabi paste
Teriyaki sauce (for garnish)

Prepare Sushi rice:
In a small bowl combine rice vinegar, salt and sugar until dissolved. Put cooked rice in a shallow bowl while it is still warm. Add vinegar mixture and gently stir in use a piece of card board or electric fan and cool to room temperature.

Prepare Smoked Salmon Tartare:
Cut salmon into small dice about 1/8”. Combine smoked salmon, mayonnaise, shallots and yuzu juice and mix well.

Maki rolls:
Place a sheet of nori shiny side down on a bamboo rolling mat. Dip your fingers in cold water (to prevent rice from sticking to your fingers) and spread some of the sushi rice to cover half of the nori sheets surface. Smear a little bit of wasabi paste across the surface of the rice. Add a layer of cucumber and diced red onion.  Moisten top edge of nori with water and begin rolling from bottom edge to the top. Slice roll into ten pieces. Lay slices flat and top with a teaspoon of smoked salmon tartare and a small bundle of daikon sprouts. On a long rectangular plate, drizzle a little bit of teriyaki sauce then arrange five pieces each of the maki roll slices and serve.

Recipe courtesy of Max
 
 

JINKY'S
 

A longtime neighborhood fave, Jinky's is a California-style cafe serving comfort food for breakfast and lunch. Almost always packed, it can be hard to compete for a seat, but the light and flaky French toast, the fluffy profusion of pancakes (in flavors like chocolate chip, blueberry, pumpkin and banana) make it all worth it. Design your own omelettes, and vegetarians can enjoy the veggie chorizo and some vegan items.

14120 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks CA 91423
(818) 981-2250
website

 

 
LEAF CUISINE
 

If Leaf Cuisine founder Rod Rotondi has his way, affordable organic raw food will become as common as McDonald's. Until that day, Rotondi is slowly growing his empire of comfortable cafes and expanding the number of packaged food items he sells at organic food stores. The Sherman Oaks location has a Subway outlet vibe from the outside, but inside the air is filled with an earthy aroma that is truly unique. Try the “Bombay Burrito," with lentil croquettes and coconut curry sauce, and discover raw power.

14318 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 907-8779

website

 

 

 
LA FRITE
 

Vive le France! The French fry is king here. The crisp, salty treats are served up here skinny-style, just like in Europe. The fries are the only thing skinny about La Frite, though. Croque Monsieur, eggs Benedict, juicy burgers, sweet and savory crepes, and baked brie appetizers all conspire to pack on the pounds. But it's worth every last calorie: this 35-year-old cafe keeps making fans.

15013 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 990-1791

 
ROBIN HOOD BRITISH PUB
Score serious pub food in the English style at this no-nonsense British pub. Shepherd's pie, fish and chips, chicken curry pie, bangers and mash, Scotch eggs--basically, enough cholesterol to stop the heart of the healthiest football player. (And here "football" means SOCCER, mate!) Step in to catch a soccer game on tv and sample England's traditional foods: hearty, rich, and very NOT fat-free!

13640 Burbank Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
(818) 994-6045
website