Park Avenue
11200 Beach Blvd.
Stanton, CA 90680
(714) 901-4400
Where on earth is Stanton?
You're going to find out because we highly recommend that
you leave the comfort zone of Los Angeles and visit Park Avenue restaurant in
the most unlikely of all places, Stanton, in Orange, not far from Anaheim. This mid century throwback to the family
steakhouses we all grew up with offers so much more than the traditional fare
and that is because of owner/chef David Slay.
He has his talented hands on every aspect of the restaurant and seems
ever present with boundless energy hopping from table to table, greeting guest
warmly and offering dining suggestions to everyone who asks.
Park Avenue is situated on five acres hidden from unappealing
strip malls and car dealerships. Out of sight and behind the main Park Avenue is Slay's latest
creation inside the barn garage, "Il Garage," which is also getting raves
on it’s Italian fare (we can't wait to try it, but one thing at a time).
When one talks about organic
and locally sourced, it doesn't get any more local than Park Avenue because
Chef David has his own organic garden between the Park Avenue structure and Il
Garage.
In fact, in between courses,
they encourage you to take a walk in the garden and breath in nature, while
touring both restaurants.
The experience starts as soon as one walks through the
door at Park Avenue because everybody is so amazingly friendly and welcoming; even
on a busy Saturday night, they all seem to have time for you. We think it used to be that way in when we were young in the 50s and 60s, but that welcoming hospitality is long gone in today's times. The original
building is such a retro throw-back to our "mid-century" upbringing and its many rooms
are just jammed with happy guests. They
have created renditions of classic American cuisine to compliment the style of the building itself.
We highly recommend starting with the PAG Crispy green salad ($12)
harvested that very morning, with Parmesan, sea salt and lemon, a real tasty
concoction, which we have previously never experience.
We also really enjoyed
the grilled avocado Evo with lime and grilled sourdough toast ($10).
Michael loved the certified choice Black Angus grass fed rib-eye
steak with blue cheese butter and caramelized onions ($27). Combine this with the natural ingredients and
it proved to be a tasty event.
Scott was
really enthused by the 5 Spiced baked salmon which was drizzled with mustard
and sage ranch honey and served with a side of scallion brown rice and spinach
($26).
We didn’t really have much room
for the desserts, but we just had to try, and it was well worth it. They are all $8, and the chocolate cream pie
with whipped cream topping was worth every calorie. The daily preparation of their take on warm
bread pudding was also worth the diet sabotage, so much so that we enjoyed the
sugar rush all the way home and didn’t even notice the commute.
We’re coming back to try Il Garage, where we can dine amongst the
farm tractors and feast on Italian preparations. We hope we’ll see you there.
Appetizingly yours,
Michael and Scott
The Dining Duo
Post Script: If you happen to be in the Palm Desert area Sunday, march 24, don't miss a the fun "Food + Wine Festival" that is tented just off El Paseo. Dozens of restaurants and spirit companies are showing off their wares, and it's a great way to sample fun and tasty treats all under one roof.
Michael and The wonderful Chef Josh Tajchman from the newly opened Mastros, Palm Desert
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