Rate-A-Restaurant, #83 and 84 in a series

Call it our Arclight special edition of Rate-A-Restaurant. We caught a 1:15 p.m. showing of "Walk the Line" this rainy Monday at the theatre -- setting us back $14 each. Arclight, we love ya, but seriously, that's a lot of cash, no matter how nice the theatre.

Oh well. We made a day of it, checking out two new-ish eateries before and after the flick. (Thumbs up on Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash, while we now forgive Reese Witherspoon for "Legally Blonde 2.")



Restaurant: Zen Zoo Tea

Location: 1517 N. Vine St. (Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: Tea/Asian

We stipulated:We were on a tight schedule, but still wanted to try something new in the area close to the Arclight. (In other words, no Baja Fresh). Schwabs? Nah. The Hungry Cat? Wasn't open yet. We finally settled on Zen Zoo, which was first in Brentwood but now also can be found in Hollywood and Beverly Hills.

They stipulated: Order at the counter, but they'll bring your food to you. Also, with limited seating downstairs, they suggest eating in the loft area upstairs.

What we ordered: Appetizer: vegetable dumplings ($3.51); Maria: spicy citrus chicken bowl -- shredded chicken breast mixed with do chau, shiitake mushrooms and carrots ($7.92); Mike: chicken curry bowl -- tender, white chicken, potatoes, carrots and celery stewed in a mild blend of Thai and Indian curries ($7.92). Also, Maria got a Tiger Latte -- chai plus Indian black tea ($3.42).

High point: The chicken curry hit the spot on a cold, rainy day. As did the Tiger Latte -- delicious.

Low point: They charge extra (an additional 72 cents) if you want to substitute brown rice in place of your regular white rice.

Overall impression: Nice little quiet spot in the midst of the Sunset/Vine hustle and bustle. Food is neatly presented and the spot has a modern feel.

Chance we will go back: If we ever manage to do another dinner-and-a-movie at the Arclight, the Zen Zoo is a real option.

(Pic via la.foodblogging.)
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Restaurant: The Bowery

Location: 6268 Sunset Blvd. (Hollywood)

Type of restaurant: New York-style bar/bistro

We stipulated: Following the movie, we wanted to grab a drink and munch on a snack. The Bowery was the perfect spot to head on a drizzly Monday afternoon -- lending even more to its New York vibe.

They stipulated: Seat yourself -- this is a bar, afterall -- and either order from a waiter or cozy up to the bartender.

What we ordered: Bowery Burger -- grilled sirloin burger on a fresh-baked English muffin ($9); hand-cut sweet potato fries ($3); wine: '04 El Felino Malbec (Argentina; $10), '03 Plozner Pinot Grigio (Friuli; $10)

High point: The sweet potato fries -- perfect ratio of crispiness to mushiness. All fries should be sweet potato.

Low point: We didn't have too long to savor the spot: Our parking at the Arclight was set to expire, leaving us only 45 minutes to take in the Bowery.

Overall impression: Great, cozy early evening meeting spot. Perfect to graze on starters while sipping decent wines.

Chance we will go back: It's close enough to the Arclight, Amoeba and Borders that you could make a day of it -- we did. So yes.

For a complete archive of our Rate-A-Restaurant reviews, check out our newly revised companion ratearestaurant.blogspot.com website.