It is commonly said that a jack of all trades is a master of none. That is how the conglomeration of food from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan and other Asian countries served at Streets fares for the restaurant’s diners.
Located at 74 North Skyline Dr., an offshoot of Thousand Oaks Blvd. and only a few minutes away from WHS, Streets by Orient Eats L.A. was founded by Chef Dan Nguyen in 2015.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, patrons enter through a glass door into a small entry area. No host is there to greet the new arrivals, but whichever waiter or waitress that is available will soon come to seat the diners. The restaurant is clean, nicely decorated and has a pleasant ambiance, though it does not claim much of a cultural identity. There are private booths lining the walls and tables of all sizes in the center, but the lights are glaring and, for some, may be headache inducing.
The service is subpar at best. Waiters and waitresses are welcoming and friendly, but they are not assigned a section; rather, whoever is available at the moment will attend to a table. When asked for a few more minutes to peruse the menu, the waiter helping my table did not return for quite a while, giving the explanation upon his return that he thought someone else would have come by to take the order in his absence.
This experience repeated itself throughout the entire dining experience, and not once did a waiter or waitress come by to check on us after they brought the food. The next time we saw one was when a waiter asked us if we were ready for the check.
The restaurant identifies as an Asian fusion restaurant with a menu featuring dishes ranging from pho to sushi. However, with such a wide range of dishes from so many different countries, it seemed as though the restaurant was having an identity crisis.
The pho arrived with a plate of herbs on the side including basil leaves still attached to their stem and and other greens not sufficiently prepared for consumption; additionally, the broth was watery and the meat was mediocre.
The Sriracha Honey Hoisin Pork Belly with Steam Buns was a highlight in the dining experience. A soft, pillowy sweet bun served as the holster for three thick cuts of smoked pork belly, creating a bold juxtaposition between sweet and savory. Paired with one of the house sauces, it boasted a unique experience for the palette.
Other menu options include soups such as soba noodles and bouillebaisse, a variety of fried rices and specials such as Pad Thai and yellow curry, as well as a wide variety of other soups, salads, appetizers, entrees and specials. The restaurant also has a separate sushi menu. Despite the fact that its food was lacking, the restaurant is accommodating for allergies and even indicates which items on their menu are gluten-free.
Prices were reasonable, with a meal for two costing about $20 before tip. Entree prices on the menu range from $9 to $19 and appetizers range from $4 to $10. Sushi rolls range from $5 to $20.
Although convenient, Streets by Oriental Eats L.A. lacks quality in both its food and its service. Do not waste taste buds or money at this restaurant and instead opt for another convenient Thousand Oaks Blvd. restaurant.
