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RESTAURANTS
Sambi / 1*
8649 FIRESTONE BLVD, DOWNEY; 562/869-1 171
A vast Japanese restaurant with soaring ceilings, dark walls, huge prints,
and black lacquer furniture, Sambi looks as if it belongs in San Francisco
rather than in humble downtown Downey. But this combination teppan, sushi
bar, cocktail lounge, and restaurant has been serving its inland community
for 25 years. Despite the burly sumo wrestlers hurling each other
about in almost-life-sized panels hanging high above the diners, the overall
atmosphere is quite gentle. The cocktail lounge has cozy tables with comfy
chairs facing a big-screen TV, and a piano player tickles the ivories
somewhere in the further reaches of the restaurant. Though the menu isn't
particularly unique, it covers fresh and flavorful renditions of
Japanese favorites: teriyaki, tempura, yakitori, and kushiyaki. The $10.95
Sunday champagne brunch brings in budget-minded bingers for regulation
salads, egg dishes, and breakfast meats, along with Asian dishes, sushi,
and made-to-order dessert crepes. $; AE, DC, MC, V; no checks; lunch Mon-Fri,
dinner every day, brunch Sun; full bar; reservations not
necessary; between Lakewood and Paramount Blvds.
Szechwan / 1*
11010 PARAMOUNT BLVD. DOWNEY; 562/923-3277 OR 562/923-3278
A meal at Szechwan probably isn't worth a special trip to Downey, but
if you're in the neighborhood and have a yen for Chinese, you won't be
disappointed at this Art Deco/ minimalist dining room with a few Asian
touches. The staff is friendly, the clientele loyal and local; and while
the menu isn't particularly innovative, it's been a traditional fresh
and tasty
Chinese food standby for the past 15 years. For lovers of fiery Szechwan
cooking, there are two-star "extra hot and spicy" specialties
such as the hot and spicy chicken in orange flavor and braised whole fish.
Milder palates are satisfied with familiar dishes such as sweet and sour
pork and almond chicken. Sunday champagne brunch offers about 30 items,
includ-
ing lemon chicken, barbecued pork, and an assorted seafood buffet. $;
AE, DIS, MC, V; no checks; lunch, dinner every day, brunch Sun; full bar;
reservations not necessary; 1 block northeast ofFirestone Blvd.
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