Soup

While this past week saw millions of Americans wishing, hoping and praying for those magical numbers that would result in their collecting a $656-million lottery prize, one of the more realistic and sustained wishes, hopes and prayers is that every family could have a safe and comfortable home, a prosperous and honorable livelihood, and the chance to build a better future. That is certainly the daily wish, hope and prayer of Family Promise of the East San Fernando Valley, the staff, board and supporters of which gathered for their second annual Empty Bowl fundraiser at the St. Finbar Community Center on March 25. While the day was dreary and cold outside, inside the center the warmth of bellies filled with hot soup mirrored the warmth of the gathering's spirit of benevolence.

By the time I got to Orochon Ramen, my dinner mates were like grumpy bears. The table was cramped and they'd ordered drinks that never materialized. I was undaunted. Parking was easier than I thought it would be in Downtown Burbank, and I liked what they'd done with the place. Their clever use of inexpensive pine and paper turned a cavernous ex-Tony Roma's into a sleek Japanese eatery. We switched to a more spacious table and as soon as the waitress arrived, reiterated our drink requests and cheerfully ordered our food.

Under new management and freshly redecorated, the Bamboo Panda is still a good place for a large, quick and tasty lunch. But the golden framed, multi-page menu is expansive, so you don’t need to limit yourself there. The Mandarin Szechwan choices are chicken, duck, vegetable, seafood and beef; moo shu, chop suey chow mein, egg foo yung and chow fun; tofu, rice, noodles, soup and appetizers. All the standards are here along with many unique and interesting dishes. There’s a category for cold dish, but I didn’t ask what a thousand years egg ($6.95)

Christine Putnam The closing of the Chopstick Chinese Restaurant in Burbank ended an era. How many of us remedied a bad cough or cold with their war wonton soup? How many of us took our largest pots and pans to be filled with their soup only to realize that five gallons of hot liquid weighs more than we expected? And where in the Valley could you find a quiet atmosphere, even on a busy Saturday? Fortunately, Joy Feast Chinese Restaurant has recently opened at 2009 W. Alameda Ave. The bright, open atmosphere with etched-glass windows and sophisticated Asian decor harmonize with the more modern approach to Chinese cooking.

Cherie Mercer Twohy If you can't fit a spa day into your hectic schedule, consider a spa lunch hour at Favorite Place in Glendale. Its relaxation magic begins before you enter. The building's exterior is enhanced with trompe l'oeil garlands, hinting at the ambience within. Open the door onto a bower of flowers, chintz and charm. Carefully mismatched chairs invite you to sink in and relax. Tables are laid with cloth napkins and fresh flowers and strewn with silk flower petals.

In La Ca"ada Flintridge, the family-run Thai restaurant Min's Kitchen has graced Foothill Boulevard for decades. A recent facelift provided newly sponge-painted walls and a lighter appearance to the small dining room. The honey-colored wood tables and chairs add an elegant touch to the décor. Nearly everyone who comes in the door seems to be greeted as an old friend, so it is apparent that Min's has a loyal local following. Servers are hospitable and they're patient with menu questions, but things can get a bit slow, as there are frequently two servers for the entire restaurant, and one or both are fielding a brisk take-out business as well as tending tables.

New Moon is a good example of a great California innovation — the Chinese bistro. And it's notable for offering a wonderful array of entrees, and more. It also offers what Anne and I enjoy in a dining experience, making it worthy of investing our limited budgets for calories and time — reliable made-to-order cuisine, attentive but not obsequious service, amenable atmosphere, comfortable seating, convenient location and reasonable prices. New Moon also has that something else.

By the time I got to Orochon Ramen, my dinner mates were like grumpy bears. The table was cramped and they'd ordered drinks that never materialized. I was undaunted. Parking was easier than I thought it would be in Downtown Burbank, and I liked what they'd done with the place. Their clever use of inexpensive pine and paper turned a cavernous ex-Tony Roma's into a sleek Japanese eatery. We switched to a more spacious table and as soon as the waitress arrived, reiterated our drink requests and cheerfully ordered our food.

While this past week saw millions of Americans wishing, hoping and praying for those magical numbers that would result in their collecting a $656-million lottery prize, one of the more realistic and sustained wishes, hopes and prayers is that every family could have a safe and comfortable home, a prosperous and honorable livelihood, and the chance to build a better future. That is certainly the daily wish, hope and prayer of Family Promise of the East San Fernando Valley, the staff, board and supporters of which gathered for their second annual Empty Bowl fundraiser at the St. Finbar Community Center on March 25. While the day was dreary and cold outside, inside the center the warmth of bellies filled with hot soup mirrored the warmth of the gathering's spirit of benevolence.

Three words: French onion soup. This crock of culinary greatness is the primary reason to come to a friendly neighborhood bistro called the Riverside Cafe. Situated on a corner near the Burbank Equestrian Center, the Riverside Cafe also offers a wide variety of European-inspired dishes and a pleasing, if not well-worn, atmosphere that encourages diners to linger. But oh, the soup is the thing. I had heard it was good so I went with a healthy dose of skepticism. Other places claim to have the best French Onion Soup but I?

On-the-go chef, Boy Scouts scoutmaster and member of the Burbank Salvation Army Harry Gunn, a dedicated volunteer for the city of Burbank, died of unknown causes Oct. 9 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. He was 79. He died just three months after his wife, Patricia Gunn. Both were known and loved by the Burbank community for their service. “You can say he died of heartbreak,” said his daughter, Wendy Gunn. “It was a special connection — wherever she volunteered, he would help, too.” A 44-year resident of Burbank, Gunn often cooked meals for other volunteers.

New Moon is a good example of a great California innovation — the Chinese bistro. And it's notable for offering a wonderful array of entrees, and more. It also offers what Anne and I enjoy in a dining experience, making it worthy of investing our limited budgets for calories and time — reliable made-to-order cuisine, attentive but not obsequious service, amenable atmosphere, comfortable seating, convenient location and reasonable prices. New Moon also has that something else.

In La Ca"ada Flintridge, the family-run Thai restaurant Min's Kitchen has graced Foothill Boulevard for decades. A recent facelift provided newly sponge-painted walls and a lighter appearance to the small dining room. The honey-colored wood tables and chairs add an elegant touch to the décor. Nearly everyone who comes in the door seems to be greeted as an old friend, so it is apparent that Min's has a loyal local following. Servers are hospitable and they're patient with menu questions, but things can get a bit slow, as there are frequently two servers for the entire restaurant, and one or both are fielding a brisk take-out business as well as tending tables.

When a film describes itself as being about "sex, drugs and matzo ball soup" in its main advertising tagline, you know immediately that this is not intended to appeal to a wide audience. An important question that I thought about before seeing "When Do We Eat?" (rated R) was to wonder if one must be Jewish to understand and appreciate this definitely quirky film. And a typically Jewish response is, "Yes and no." The plot revolves around the highly dysfunctional Stuckman family, headed by father Ira (Michael Lerner)