Bamboo Bistro

Near the center of the San Fernando Valley, this homey restaurant and karaoke bar in Panorama City serves affordably priced casual Filipino cuisine, plus an impressive brunch buffet on the weekends (8am–3pm). All the greatest hits are here, from kare-kare (a peanut-rich oxtail and vegetable stew) to pancit bihon (stir-fried thin rice noodles) and pork tocino (a tender, slightly sweet sausage). On colder days, slurp up comforting soups like tinola, tamarind-rich sinigang and chicken sotanghon (a clear broth with veggies, meat and plenty of glass cellophane noodles). Bamboo Bistro even serves fried bangus, or milkfish—a quintessential fish served with spiced palm vinegar and rice that often falls by the wayside on L.A.’s Filipino menus. Best of all, larger groups can even enjoy meals kamayan-style: all entrées are served on a table-sized bed of banana leaves, with guests encouraged to eat with their (clean) hands.