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Inside Gobi Mongolian BBQ - at last. (Andy Sternberg/LAist)
Even though it has reportedly been open since July, last week the owners of Gobi Mongolian BBQ in Silver Lake decided to "kick it up a notch" and ran with a pro-style grand opening for the Mongolian barbecue house. LAist was in attendance, although we snagged more pictures than food, due to the wildly oversubscribed event. Lines were out the door and on to the sidewalk, a sight that more typically signifies a popular band rocking the neighborhood than a restaurant opening.
Gobi joins the same block populated with local darlings Gamine Salon and Rambutan Thai. It's no surprise that the opening event was packed with friends, family and special guests, as it is part owned by the same folks who run the always-busy Pazzo Gelato, a favorite hang of the Sunset Junction crowd.
Two chefs working Gobi's sizzling griddle
It was tough to assess what an authentic meal would be like from this event, as it felt more like theater than hospitality, but at least we can say that the place is no longer flying under the radar. If you are unfamilar with the "mongolian barbecue" style of cooking, it typically involves cooking a mixture of thinly sliced veggies, noodles and proteins over a large iron table - sort of an Asian-style fajitas, except the dishes are customizable and made in the kitchen, not brought out on a sizzling skillet. Because of the wide variety of choices, it is probably a safe bet for mixed groups of omnivores and vegetarians alike. Check it out if you are a fan of the cuisine and of the 'hood. It seems to be one of the only non-chain restaurants billing itself as serving the "Mongolian" style of barbecue this side of Burbank.
Gobi Mongolian BBQ
2827 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles (corner of Silver Lake Blvd.)
