Pampas
By Jesse Schmitt
Pampas (17003 Chatsworth St; Granada Hills) is an Argentine Café serving both lunch and dinner. I was pleased to get a different flavor there than much of the common dreck that is so many of the restaurants here in the Valley. A number of great positives make Pampas a great place for you to discover.
First off, the quality and size of the entrees sets Pampas apart. So often, it seems in Los Angeles or thereabouts, it is tough to even get a glimmer of a portion. At Pampas the sizes are generous and the prices reasonable, giving this restaurant the one two punch!
We ordered some bruschetta and empanadas to begin with. I love bruschetta, and these had thinly sliced tomato, fresh grated mozzarella and the toast wasn't too doused in oil. It has often been my experience that drenched bruschetta sends up red flags about the rest of the meal. Not here; the toast was crisp around the edges and soft and gooey while still being biteable in the middle. The empanadas were flavorful and bold as well. Argentine empanadas are a common dish served at parties, as a starter, as a main course or in festivals. The filling consists primarily of beef, spiced with cumin and paprika, and filled with onion, green olive and boiled egg,. Pampas where several types are served, a repulgue, or pattern, is added to the pastry fold. These patterns, which can be quite elaborate, distinguish the filling.
Then the entrees came; I ordered the NY Strip Sandwich, which came with thin, yummy slices of steak, cooked to my request, with lettuce, and tomato on a roll. Another thing I really liked was that they didn't cut off the fat around some of the edges; it made me feel as though the food wasn't "too prepared." My wife ordered the chicken milanesa sandwich, which came with thin breaded strips on a hard roll. Both of our orders came with fries; long, thin, stringy, crisp, salted French fries.
The colorful atmosphere at Pampas makes you feel as though you are in an authentic Argentine bistro. The cuisine added even more authenticity to the dining experience and the service was excellent. So enjoy the food at Pampas, and transport yourself to Argentina with each bite.