I followed the opening of Susan Feniger’s Street with great anticipation during the early months of 2009. I had just moved into town following a year traveling and feasting abroad, so news of a local restaurant specializing in global street food was especially exciting to me. Every minuscule pre-opening detail, from the interior design to menu development, was captured on the restaurant’s “Street Noise” video series. I watched each one and felt like a privileged insider getting a behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant’s impending launch.
As stoked as I was to try Street, the lukewarm reviews that came out during the first few months of service changed my mind completely. It seemed that paying premium prices for street eats didn’t sit well with folks (see: $16 bowl of phแป), and the hodgepodge menu was something of a minefield. Without glowing reviews all around, the restaurant soon fell off my radar.
It wasn’t until I received a 30% off coupon from Blackboard Eats some months ago that I finally made my way to Street for a meal. Ain’t no better motivator than a hefty discount and promises of kaya toast.
The Astronomer and I, along with our friend Laurie, brunched here one Sunday afternoon following a terrific volunteer sesh with Project Angel Food. We’d been up and on our feet since 6:30 AM, so we were hoping that this meal would be a real battery charger.
Brunch began with a plate of spiced Turkish doughnuts simmered in cardamom rose syrup and served with sour cream and rose hip jam ($10.50). The sweet and slightly floral doughnuts were grease-less, pillowy wonders that had all three of us seriously impressed.
Additionally, the doughnuts were served with a side ofย homemade lamb sausages. Each ball was caramelized, tender, and provided a perfectly savory contrast to the little fried orbs.
Our second appetizer was the Singapore kaya toast ($10), which I’ve been dreaming about since day one. This “Street Classic” consisted of thick coconut jam on Malaysian white toast served with a soft fried egg drizzled in dark soy sauce and dusted with white pepper. Dipped in the soy sauce-laced yolk, the rich and custard-like jam totally came alive. Much like the doughnuts and meatballs that preceded it, this dish expertly teetered between sweet and savory.
For her main entree, Laurie ordered the Mountain Country potato hash ($12.50). It consisted of braised beef, potatoes, onions, rutabaga, apples, and peppers served with slow-cooked white beans and a fried egg. Laurie thought that the hash was “just a hash,” but couldn’t get over how smoky and awesome the accompanying beans were.
The Astronomer went for the Indian rice crepes ($9) layered with tomato, cilantro, and spiced onions topped with honey turmeric yogurt. The portion was pretty small for a growing boy, but the flavors were bright and excellently spiced. The crepe’s tangy batter and crisped edges were definitely the highlights.
I ordered the Hawaiian Ono Sashimi Plate ($14) with spicy sesame mayonnaise, yuzu ponzu sauce, smoked salt, pink peppercorns, and micro wasabi. The assertive peppercorns and heavy-handed mayo application made it difficult to taste the thin slivers of fish, so I scraped the sludge off before eating the remaining morsels. It helped a little.
The sashimi was served with chilled soba noodles and a pickled vegetable salad. The soba noodles were “just soba noodles,” while the pickles needed a bit more pickling. My entree wasn’t as ono-to-the max as I had hoped, but I still left happy thanks to the stellar doughnuts and kaya toast.
And in case you were wondering, the $16 bowl of phแป is no longer on the menu.
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Susan Feniger’s Streetย *CLOSED*
742 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: 323-203-0500
The Kaya Toast hands down is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten anywhere. ๐
street fell off my radar too after hearing some lukewarm reviews. since i’ve been collecting so many bbe codes and not using them, i decided to forgo this one. now i regret a little…the kaya toast and lamb sausages look good!
i also have a BBE code lingering around that i’ve been meaning to use…the kaya toast seems like the biggest draw! also hear the ambiance is fun. thanks for the review ๐
I’m still not convinced — ha! But thanks for the link to my minefield. ๐
I went once and haven’t found a need to return. Soi 56 is a much better alternative for “street” food in the Hollywood area.
How thick was the slice of butter on the bread with the kaya? When I had it in Singapore it was almost a quarter inch thick! Definitely needed some strong kopi to go with it.
What I wouldn’t give for one of those doughnuts! Good for you for BBE-ing it on this one.
Glad you enjoyed it! I’m a big fan of sitting at the “chef’s table”–the outdoor bar seats that face into the kitchen. The chefs are super friendly and always pass treats through the window for you. I was there on Friday and really enjoyed the bhel puri.
Yay! I actually had a good experience at Street, too. I’m shocked at how many people practically despise it. I was impressed by the balance of every dish, and I definitely wasn’t bored. It is a little pricey, but I really enjoy the lively atmosphere.
I still can’t believe I basically ordered everything BUT the kaya toast at Street when I went. Maybe I would have liked it better if I’d had that and nixed a couple of the other dishes? Or maybe the solution is going for brunch instead? Many questions. Many many questions.
$10 for kaya toast…tsk, tsk. People just feel ripped off because you can get that for less than $5, and just as delicious, at the coffeeshops of Singapore. But…since we aren’t in Singapore and it’s more than $1000 to take a flight there, might as well enjoy what we’ve got!
I’m kind of drooling over the rice crepes…wonder what’s its proper (Indian) name?
Sophia – The pancakes are called uttapam (pronounced more like oothhappum). They are made from the same batter as dosas.
ennnh. so many places to try in LA, so little time.
Street sucks and is perfect for the Red O crowd.
you are awesome ๐
I love blackboard eats! Those dishes look lovely, especially the starters… definitely helps to have the discount when the sashimi is slathered in sludge.
I agree it’s hit and miss.. but the hits make it worthwhile in my book. I mean isn’t this city all about knowing where to go but more importantly WHAT to get? We’ve all eaten unimpressive tacos later to find out the stand is actually famous for their torta. My reaction to the $16 bowl of phแป controversy was always.. why would even consider it?! Haha.. I’d pay $10 for Kaya toast ANY day though! ๐
yeah i was disappointed with Street when I went when it first openedm but thats cuz i didnt get the kaya toast. It made all the diff when I got it a few months ago. i left happy. sooo good.