Restaurant Review #64: Key Club, West Hollywood

I went here for a friend's birthday party for a night of dinner and dancing. I didn't quite have the normal club experience because I was there for a party, but I'll share anyway.

We arrived around 9:00 and were seated at our two reserved tables. They seem to only have round tables, which don't push together well for large parties, but it's not like you can talk to someone at the other end of a long table anyway, so maybe it doesn't matter. However, as someone who ended up sitting in the table crack, I'd have to say that I would have preferred a long rectangular setup.

By about 9:30, the music was already turned up so loud that it was difficult to carry on a conversation, which is unfortunate given that most people are not dancing at 9:30, nor do they want to be. Fortunately, my food was much better than I ever would have expected from a club. I think there was a $25 minimum per person, and not much in the way of vegetarian options--the sole vegetarian entree was...drumroll please...pasta! I had some sort of tuna sashimi dip with fried wonton chips that was quite good, and I am picky about my sashimi and generally not a tuna fan, either (note: this dish is no longer on the menu). The dish was also well-presented. I also had the spinach and artichoke dip, which was a delicious heart attack in a dish.

Saturday nights seem to have a hip-hop theme, which doesn't really entice me to dance, so I didn't. They had a large screen that plays music videos, which I think is tacky and distracting. Isn't the point of going out to dance and socialize, not to stare at a screen?

After dinner, my group got a table downstairs, with the usual ridiculously expensive bottle prices ($250 for Absolut? Ha, ha). It seemed a bit quieter in this area, as I think we were below the dance floor.

They were out of mint, so I couldn't have my usual mojito (sigh), and the drinks were pretty small. The service was average to slightly above average.

The interior is pretty nice, and there is no cover if you get there early enough. They also have limited valet parking next door, for a charge (it may have been $10). I wouldn't complain about going back if someone else had a party here, but if I were just to pick a place to go for a night out on the town, or if it were my party, I'd try something new. However, I'm really not into the Hollywood scene, hip-hop, or loud, large, expensive clubs, so I'm not the best person to ask.

Key Club
9039 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069 (but it's really part of Hollywood, fyi)
Menu

Restaurant Review #14: Palms Restaurant, Thai Town

Palms Restaurant is home to the famous Thai Elvis. Frankly, I think he's a pain. I just want to eat my yummy authentic Thai dinner, and the entertainment, combined with the long family-style tables, lends a loud, chaotic carnival atmosphere to the restaurant.

The food rocks though, and you have to try the palm juice. It tastes like drinking a sugar cookie. Amazing. (It should be noted that the palm juice sold at nearby Silom Market is not as good, either because it's a different brand or because it's out of context when you drink it at home, so I wouldn't bother buying any.)

On a Saturday night, you may wait for 30-45 minutse for a table at Palms, so arrive early or pick a less popular night.

Their website is worth a look--it's nicely put together and includes a menu.


Palms Thai
5900 Hollywood Blvd., Ste B
Los Angeles,CA 90028
323-462-5073
Map
Website
Lunch 11am - 5pm
Dinner 5pm - 2am

Restaurant Review #13: Bhan Kanom Thai, Thai Town, Hollywood

Pancakes with coconut custard

Bhan Kanom Thai is a bakery and snack shop serving a variety of fresh, authentic Thai sweets, including preserved fruits like orange, pineapple, mango, and plum; taro pancakes, various puddings, and plenty of other amazing treats that I unfortunately do not know the names of or know much about, except that they taste incredible and often contain some form of coconut. The prices are low and the selection is extensive. Baan Khanom is probably one of my top 10 favorite places in LA.


This bakery blows my mind. I found it by the aroma of fresh taro pancakes wafting through the parking lot when I went to Palms Restaurant, home of the singing Thai Elvis.


My favorite. Mini pancakes stuffed with creamy coconut goodness

There is valet parking at Thailand Plaza, where the bakery is located, but it costs $4.00, so unless you're going to be spending some time in the area, try to find something free nearby where you don't think they'll tow or ticket you during the 20 minutes you're at the bakery. Meters are scant, and the neighborhood is a little seedy. Though I haven't tried it myself, parking at the big yellow shopping center on the corner (it has Ross, Shoe Pavilion, and Ralphs) might work. The bakery is a little hard to find--look for Red Corner Asia restaurant, which has a huge sign and is at the back of the same shopping center. Bhan Kanom Thai is to the right of Palms Thai.


Dried mango mixed with plum

Bhan Kanom Thai
5271 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.871.803o
Bahn Kanom Thai website
This website has some info on Hollywod's Thai Town.

Alternate location:
12714 ShermanWay
North Hollywood, CA 91605
818.255.3355