If you are in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles for dinner I suggest The Pine and Crane. The Pine and Crane is an example of the new restaurant trend that is not "fast food" but not a traditional restaurant. Maybe you would call it "high quality fast food." You order and pay at the counter when you enter. The menu is limited with 7 or 8 apps, a few salads and 6 or 7 main courses. Then you sit down and your food is brought over to you by a very friendly wait staff. I am not sure that I like this trend, but I loved the food at Pine and Crane. I had the Asian Slaw and the Jidori Chicken. The slaw was fresh, crisp and full of flavor, although maybe a little heavy on the sesame oil. I could have used a little acid to brighten it up. The Jidori Chicken is a dish that I have not seen on the east coast. It is a stir fry mix of chicken, mushrooms, peppers and whole roasted garlic cloves. The peppers give a nice heat, and the garlic add flavor and sweetness. Overall a really nice dish that I would love to see gain a hold in NYC.
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