The Park - Hip? Yes. Tasty? I'll plead the fifth (Echo Park)

Echo Park is one area of Los Angeles I'd rarely travel unless I'm out at a Dodgers game. Not that I have an issue with the area, it's more due to the fact I'm used to eating in my comfort areas of SGV, Koreatown, and the South Bay. On this occasion, I joined Tony of Sinosoul and Sharon of Weezermonkey for a Tuesday night 3 course dinner for a recession low price of $15.

Although the menu seemed simple, I was really looking forward to the fried chicken. I mean, come on! You can't really F up fried chicken, right?

Tomato and Rice Soup

First up, the tomato and rice soup. I really hope this soup was not Campbell's tomato soup (or an imitation) with a scoop of rice, because it tasted pretty similar to the ones I've had in the can. Thus, I should be quite impressed with the canned version I've had in the past or just consider a throwaway dish. I love soup, this was fine, but it reminded me too much like the ones I consumed as a kid.....

Classic Chopped Salad

This was one dish I wasn't able to try, but it looked pretty standard with plenty of lettuce and tomatoes.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

To start, I'll say I enjoyed the buttery biscuits and the greens on the side, but hey, who doesn't like collard greens? The fried chicken would have been fine it wasn't smothered with a ladle of gravy. Now, I've had smothered chicken before when I'd frequent a few Soul Food places in the Compton/Carson areas, and they do it quite well. As for the Park? Not so much. The fried chicken was OK, but as my dining group agreed, it was no better than making a stop at a local Popeye's (2 pieces for $1.99 on Tuesday people!). The chicken looked better than it actually tasted.

Bread Pudding

Now this was probably the best thing I had that night. The bread pudding was pretty good (and I'm not a fan of the bread pudding in the first place) and the whipped cream was smooth and light. Although it was the capper of a pretty average meal, I could have finished another plate of this particular dessert.

Overall, The Park didn't really impress me. Maybe I should try the a la carte menu next time, as I was told it was better than the menu served on that particular night. If that's the case, then it's quite disappointing. If a restaurant has a promotion for a particular set menu, then they need to make sure it's on par, if not better than their set menu. The dinner had more misses (don't try that chili) than hits. As for me, it's not worth a return trip, even if they have another special. Maybe I don't have the hipster taste buds or style, but I think I know my food, and this to me, was just passable. Maybe this is the reason why none of these new truck foods (Kogi, Coolhaus, Marked 5, and that sushi balls) appeal to me, as the target audience are the hipsters and artists on the Westside or in Downtown.


The Park
1400 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 482-9209
http://www.thepark1400sunset.com/