The owner of Gingergrass has great appreciation for Vietnamese cuisine with its healthful emphasis on vegetables & fresh herbs, and he also can read the perception of taste & expectations of his largely non-Vietnamese clientele so that he has modified the cuisine to appeal more to his Silverlake community.
Italian Americans for decades have modified their food to popularize it to the American public as well as many other groups of people the world over.
What I especially admire about the owner is his humanistic approach to social equality for all. Right now, he is stockIng wines made by Blacks who are a rare breed in the world of enology.
We were talkIng about wine when it dawned on us that wines, beers made by NatIve Americans would be another great shout out for equality.
L.A. Mag article on Gingergrass & Black Wine Makers
https://www.lamag.com/digestblog/gingergrass-black-wine-makers-window/?utm_campaign=Food%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=99076083&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8Xo04QZ2QnERiyW6c8xyKfFyH2uGsnIwlELFPpPgfKf99IsUb0Ro6tWo7qkE2fTFyLWOV6s47iB_MZ-YJOWAQdClKz6g&utm_content=99076083&utm_source=hs_email#
Meghan was at the order window, and even behind her mask, I could feel the warmth, hospitality willingness, enthusiasm to go the extra mile for customer satisfaction.
She has the right touch of thinking head and welcome that marks her as a natural in the world of restaurants. Great asset to the charm of going to Gingergrass.
1) Bun Cha Gio:
Opted for the brown rice Bun/rice angel hair pasta which is thicker, flatter, chewier, more slippery than the more standard thin, softer, velvety white rice version.
The Nuoc Cham sweetened fish sauce is more attenuated than the Vietnamese version: less Nuoc Mam/salty, fermented fish sauce and more refreshing, acidic lime juice.
I may like the more traditional funky fish intensive sauce better. It would be nice to have the option to chose Nuoc Cham Lite or old school Nuoc Cham
Garnishes are mildly pickled, sweet-sour Daikon radish, slivers of carrot, julienned cucumber, chopped green onion & green lettuce, bit of spear mint, bean sprouts, crushed roasted peanuts.
Cha Gio is filled w/ delicately Nuoc Mam scented crab & shrimp mixture encased in crunchy, thicker fried rice wrapper.
2) Bo Luc Lac:
I've had "Shaken Beef" in quite a few Vietnamese restaurants, and I really like Gingergrass' version. Excellent quality Filet Mignon which initially comes off soft, velvety, plush, then as you chew, the pleasant beefy chaw comes into play.
The Nuoc Mam is sweetened so the beef is sweet & beefy making for a pleasing flavour contrast like certain kinds of beef jerky.
Sautéed purple onions w/ garlic undertone, and medium piquant Jalapeño add a sulphur based funk, and the piquancy is a good counter to the dulcet tone.
Side of white Jasmine rice and chopped salad of Nappa cabbage, carrots, purple cabbage dressed w/ what may be the Nuoc Mam Lite.
1-2a) Aslina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellen Bosch, So. Africa 2018 by "award winning Nisiki Biyela, South Africa's first female Black wine maker".
Scent of dark fruits, astrigent alcohol. Taste of dark cherry, plummy, sweet-sour, acidic, woody, menthol, refreshing light bitterness.
Finish is blackberry, grainy, astringent. After letting it breath, the wine does mellow, but retains a fruity, acidic sprightliness.
Back store tented former parking lot patio is open & pleasant enough shading away from the strong south and western sun. Great place to while away a weekend afternoon. 4 stars for the rare preview of Black owned wineries. read more