Garden House

They have FINALLY opened back up after years of construction! Hard to find due to missing signage, but much larger space now. They've kept the same workers behind the counter, and I believe it's the same prices. Got my usual sesame salad, and tastes the same as before. Will go for the mango salad next time, but this will start becoming a regular lunch spot once again! Love that their sister restaurant Aburaya has a to-go counter in the same space as well.

I'm not sure why this restaurant doesn't have a higher profile but it should. Then again it's probably fine that others overlook this neighborhood spot because it means more meat for me. Sure, it doesn't have the culinary panache of Brett Cooper's Aster across the street, but bite for bite, I would say Hoffmann's offers a more satisfying dining experience overall simply because chef/owner Karen Hoffmann keeps it simple and hearty with little flourish. Jamie W. and I were the first diners of the evening seated next to the window as we watched life on Guerrero go by. We were immediately drawn to the $11 Confit Chicken Wings.