Pine and Crane, Los Angeles

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Pine & Crane

1521 Griffith Park Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90026

(323) 668-1128

Pine & Crane Website

Pine and Crane Los Angeles Exterior decor

Why did we dine here? – Pine & Crane is a fast casual Taiwanese Chinese restaurant in the hip Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. It has 4.5 stars on Yelp with almost 2000 reviews. We had to see what all the hype was all about.

Pine and Crane Los Angeles Interior decor

Insider Tip – Come with several people to eat Family Style

Cuisine – Chinese – Taiwanese
Location – Silver Lake, Los Angeles
Opened – 2014

Service – Pine & Crane is an order at the counter, get a number spot, they help you get seated. There are lots of people circulating to help bring your food, add items, and more.

Verdict – Pine & Crane had a large cross section of LA, with lots of hipsters and a smattering of Asians. Accessible Chinese food in a cool atmosphere. While some of the authenticity and edge maybe lacking, the place is very popular with its audience.

Many of the customers would intimidated by a more authentic Chinese restaurant in the SGV. The owners also run Joy on York.

Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Maybe. 1 Hour? No.

Pine & Crane Signature Dishes – Three Cup Chicken, Beef Noodle Soup, dan dan noodles

Pine & Crane’s Menu has all the classic Taiwanese dishes with lots of vegetarian options. Gluten free options too.

Website Pine & Crane Menu

Pine & Crane Food Picks:

Pine and Crane Los Angeles scallion pancake

Scallion Pancake ($4.50) was uniform and had a good browning but need more scallion flavor.

Pine and Crane Los Angeles Cold appetizers

Cold appetizers (2 for $6.50) – Bean curd, lotus root. Both were above average.

Pine and Crane Los Angeles Three cup chicken

Three Cup Jidori Chicken ($14) Chinese Basil, Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce, Rice Wine was decent. More basil would be good. Boneless chicken makes it less flavorful. 5Joy in Foster City, CA makes a mean version.

Pine and Crane Los Angeles Mapo Tofu

Mapo Tofu ($12) Organic Tofu, Kurobuta Pork, Sichuan Peppercorns was a nice rendition of the classic. Not too spicy.

OK: (Order if you like this dish)

Pine and Crane Los Angeles pan fried pork buns

Panfried Pork Buns ($8) Kurobuta Pork, Cabbage, Black Sesame, Scallions had good flavor but no soup. Also needed more char.

Jasmine Milk Tea ($3) with boba – Average.

Passionfruit Green Tea ($3.50) – Average

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None

Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?

Restaurant Map:


Pine & Crane Overall Rating: (Very Good 2.5)

Come Back?

Food Rating: (Very Good)
Service Rating: (Very Good)
Atmosphere Rating: (Very Good)
Value Rating: (Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:Beer, Wine
Attire:Casual
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes

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