Revvell
07-16-2007, 09:19 AM
Sat. evening Bo and I decided we should go out for dinner (as though THAT were something new :rolleyes: ). What was new is where we went. We wanted to go somewhere we'd not been before. Now, before becoming Cru, the restaurant was called Jade and we had enjoyed a really good meal there. The reason it's now called Cru is because they'd gotten a new chef who we met. (Sorry, forgot her name).
Bo ordered: salad containing strawberries, cucumber and mint. He said it was extraordinary. Of course, I had to taste-test and I agree. Everything was combined perfectly to create a rather exotic taste. The dressing was quite subtle yet added to the dish. ($10)
He also ordered the fresh spring rolls with dipping sauces. They were o.k. The obvious ingredient were enoki mushrooms and I'm thinking maybe daikon radish as there was a hint of spiciness and some type of green. Nothing really great but, I would have them again. The "peanut" sauces was what made us want to eat them more than anything. THAT was really good! ($8)
To drink, Bo had the peach juice from the "daily specials" board. Quite good. ($5)
As there was no room for more food yet, we tend to love the desserts, he brought home the banana split. By the time we got home it was pretty melted and the three flavors of "ice cream" (vanilla, orange, raspberry) had blended. He didn't seem to have trouble eating it. I had one spoonful of the raspberry "ice cream". It tasted like a normal sorbet. Very fruity flavor, smooooth and delicious. ($10)
For me: I had the MOST delicious Ravioli Cruda. I have to say it was probably the best entree I've ever had at a raw food restaurant. It was light, with an herbed cheese filling in a jicama wrapper. Now I'm looking at the menu it says a "fresh heirloom tomato sauce". Guess I missed that as I don't remember ANY tomato sauce BUT, whatever sauce was on it, I just wanted to lick the plate. It was sooooo good! ($15)
I didn't know (wasn't told) a side salad came with it, so I'd ordered a half-size of the house salad. Mediocre at best. When the one came with the entree I sent it back. ($7)
To drink I had the Ginger Limeade. Now THAT was a treat, especially if one likes ginger. The ginger itself was minced into the glass. ($3)
To take home, for dessert, I had the Key Lime "Pie". The manager, Lilah, told me it was more like a mousse rather than a pie and they'd have to put it in a cup. Sure, fine. Well, got it home and it filled half the cup. Pretty good. Good enough I had no problem eating it all.
All in all a good experience. Service was interesting. When we arrived there were two other couples there, one couple being journalists from Spain who were doing an article on the restaurant. After we sat down, Lilah came out and turned directly to the couple seated by the door, sat with them a bit, then turned back to the kitchen. The female journalist pointed us out to her and she immediately brought us menus.
The restaurant is lovely. Dark wood tables with benches along the walls. The chairs were comfortable. The doors were open to let in the cool night air. The problem with that is, it's right next to the sidewalk and anyone walking by with a cigarette...
You can find there menu on their site: http://crusilverlake.com/. Parking is atrocious. We found parking immediately up the street this time as someone was leaving. Last time, when it was Jade, we drove around for a good 15 minutes before parking across the street at a retail center. Is it worth it? YES!
All-in-all, the experience was good. I'd definitely go back for the Ravioli Cruda and request a side of the strawberry salad with it instead of the house salad AND the ginger limeade.
Cru: 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca. 90026. (323) 667-1551. http://crusilverlake.com/
Revvell
Bo ordered: salad containing strawberries, cucumber and mint. He said it was extraordinary. Of course, I had to taste-test and I agree. Everything was combined perfectly to create a rather exotic taste. The dressing was quite subtle yet added to the dish. ($10)
He also ordered the fresh spring rolls with dipping sauces. They were o.k. The obvious ingredient were enoki mushrooms and I'm thinking maybe daikon radish as there was a hint of spiciness and some type of green. Nothing really great but, I would have them again. The "peanut" sauces was what made us want to eat them more than anything. THAT was really good! ($8)
To drink, Bo had the peach juice from the "daily specials" board. Quite good. ($5)
As there was no room for more food yet, we tend to love the desserts, he brought home the banana split. By the time we got home it was pretty melted and the three flavors of "ice cream" (vanilla, orange, raspberry) had blended. He didn't seem to have trouble eating it. I had one spoonful of the raspberry "ice cream". It tasted like a normal sorbet. Very fruity flavor, smooooth and delicious. ($10)
For me: I had the MOST delicious Ravioli Cruda. I have to say it was probably the best entree I've ever had at a raw food restaurant. It was light, with an herbed cheese filling in a jicama wrapper. Now I'm looking at the menu it says a "fresh heirloom tomato sauce". Guess I missed that as I don't remember ANY tomato sauce BUT, whatever sauce was on it, I just wanted to lick the plate. It was sooooo good! ($15)
I didn't know (wasn't told) a side salad came with it, so I'd ordered a half-size of the house salad. Mediocre at best. When the one came with the entree I sent it back. ($7)
To drink I had the Ginger Limeade. Now THAT was a treat, especially if one likes ginger. The ginger itself was minced into the glass. ($3)
To take home, for dessert, I had the Key Lime "Pie". The manager, Lilah, told me it was more like a mousse rather than a pie and they'd have to put it in a cup. Sure, fine. Well, got it home and it filled half the cup. Pretty good. Good enough I had no problem eating it all.
All in all a good experience. Service was interesting. When we arrived there were two other couples there, one couple being journalists from Spain who were doing an article on the restaurant. After we sat down, Lilah came out and turned directly to the couple seated by the door, sat with them a bit, then turned back to the kitchen. The female journalist pointed us out to her and she immediately brought us menus.
The restaurant is lovely. Dark wood tables with benches along the walls. The chairs were comfortable. The doors were open to let in the cool night air. The problem with that is, it's right next to the sidewalk and anyone walking by with a cigarette...
You can find there menu on their site: http://crusilverlake.com/. Parking is atrocious. We found parking immediately up the street this time as someone was leaving. Last time, when it was Jade, we drove around for a good 15 minutes before parking across the street at a retail center. Is it worth it? YES!
All-in-all, the experience was good. I'd definitely go back for the Ravioli Cruda and request a side of the strawberry salad with it instead of the house salad AND the ginger limeade.
Cru: 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca. 90026. (323) 667-1551. http://crusilverlake.com/
Revvell