Soi 56

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jeffurton

Joined 3 years ago

If i lived in HWood this would be my spot. I love the affordable wines by the glass w/ my sampler platter... pure excstacy

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gastronomnom

Joined 3 years ago

Meat on stick + charcoal grill = Yum!. Maybe it's the recession.

But there's a street food zeitgeist in full swing.

From Kogi to Susan Feniger's Street to Soi 56, food most people stopped eating when they could afford to has now become the food people are willing to line up for 45 minutes to eat.

OK, maybe not strictly true of Soi 56 but it was only their fifth night open. Yes, the parking lot was packed, but I think that had more to do with the game screening at Big Wang's next door than the crowds clamoring for Thai street food.

But give it time. And maybe a Twitter feed.

The first bite of their beef tongue skewer took me straight back to eating at satay stalls in Malaysia. The smokiness of the charcoal grill, the slight caramelization of the meat, the gamey taste of offal.

I moved on to the nok tort. A small quail, deep fried until crispy and crunchy, served with a sweet chilli lime dipping sauce. Don't worry too much about the bones. Just crunch right though them.

The rest of the menu continues in a similar vein. A vast selection of offal, exotic meats and various beef, chicken, pork, seafood and vegetarian offerings all skewered and grilled over charcoal.

They also serve the standard soups, salads, noodle dishes, stir fries and curries you come to expect in a Thai restaurant in LA but, really, that's not the reason for coming here. It's all about the charcoal grill.

I wouldn't say this was authentic Thai street food. There's a fair amount of fusion going on here. Bacon wrapped scallops, grilled Japanese shishito peppers, and chilean sea bass in banana leaves pepper the menu. But there's also a lot of tongue, chicken gizzard, liver, hearts, Issan sausage, and frogs legs if you want to keep it all street.

The space itself is open and sparse. All exposed concrete floors, reclaimed wood and Buddha murals. A large, three sided white laminated bar dominates the space, like a large sushi bar but with the charcoal grill behind it. Funky red stools complement the bare industrial look.

This restaurant comes from the same family that owns Rambutan in Silverlake and Chadaka in Burbank so don't come expecting a grimey undiscovered hole in the wall with wildly authentic but inaccessible dishes.

But, if like me, you'd prefer to valet park your car rather than take your chances in the hood, Soi 56 is right up your alley.

Or your street, to be accurate.

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raymond21

Joined 4 years ago

New Thai Place on Cahuenga.. I'm in love with the sidewalk pad thai. Finally someone does a pad thai like you'd get in Bangkok. I love that they have Coke in bottles.

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hippydorag

Joined 4 years ago

Nice spot on Cahuenga in Hollywood. Live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. Great list of Wines and Beers. A grill in the middle of the restaurant serving up some wonderfully authentic thai food. Everything is reasonably priced.

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Honorlastnuit

Joined 4 years ago

Asian Cuisine at its Excellent. Where can you find amazing Thai done well in Los Angeles? Well, the pickings were slim, until Soi 56 opened. To my amazement, I was stunned at the craft of Soi's menu & taste. As everyone else is apprehensive at trying new restaurants with Asian foods, I tried a few things & wasn't disappointed. Actually I was thrilled to not sink my teeth into fatty parts and dark meat. Dinner was enjoyable as each bite with sauced & more enjoyable than the last. I was especially glad not to dive into a dish with questionable pieces.

I will dine there more & have shouted to the world to go there & keep dining at Soi 56.

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SJones21

Joined 4 years ago

AH-mazing Thai. Seated directly next to Big Wangs and a few doors down from Stout, this Thai food was crazy magical. I never use the word magical loosely. The shrimp plate was sauced to perfection, meanwhile the pad thai dish was spiced to excellence. I'm not much for crab, but I was cerrtainly surprised to taste a non dull version of crab. Thank you Soi 56 for being everything all Thai restaurants are not.

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Brandi Fowler

Joined 6 years ago

Cool scene + cheap, exotic Thai eats on Cahuenga Corridor.. Never mind the Big Wangs crowd. This strip mall gem right next to the raucus bar is a chic reprieve for those seeking a taste of Bangkok street food. From upscale and comfort food twists on regular skewered meats like chicken wings and filet mignon to unique spinoffs like quail eggs and beef tongue, the menu is extensive and impressive. For those who like their meals plated, deep fried mussel pancakes, spicy Thai salads and a variety of curry dishes are available as well. Beers on tap are exclusively local (flights of three are just $10) and there is a substantial wine and cocktail list. Friday and Saturday nights are a prime time for free entertainment--that's when the resident Thai band takes to the stage and belts out covers (tween pop to Radiohead) from 10pm on.

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abrazilian

Joined 5 years ago

Exceeded All My Expectatons!. I figured... how good could it be?... God knows we have had our share of mediocre Thai food around LA - but from the second I walked through their door I knew we were going to like it. The staff is welcoming, the decor is cool yet comforting - and the food was way way way above average. You must try the Issan Sausage if you like sausage. The wine and beer list is very well chosen - the menu is big and the choices are unique and varied. The prices are low (I think 90% of the menu is under 10 bucks) - which makes this the perfect date spot. They even have a contemporary Thai band come in to play - they were terrific! Soi 56 is an authentic Thai experience. The owners obviously spent a lot of time and thought making everything just right. The location is at Selma and Cahuenga, which is right in the thick of things - yet there is plenty of parking all around.

If you want a great time in Hollywood at a very affordable price - then this is your place! We will be back for sure - no question about it.

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sightspeed

Joined 8 years ago

Too much too choose from & all of it good.. What a special restaurant. Finally a Thai restaurant that takes it's menu seriously. Everything you could ever want is on this menu, and more. I would entice you with some of my favs but this list is too long. Visit their website to see this extensive menu. The alcohol license has finally arrived so you can enjoy some fine beers on draft also.