Speakasy Tuesday at The Park Restaurant of Echo Park

When Mr. and Mrs. sinosoul asked if I could join them and Kung Food Panda at The Park Restaurant of Echo Park for Speakeasy Tuesday, there was only one possible answer.

I followed this BYOB Blazer Dude and the sign into the restaurant.


The place was tiny and dark. We had the one table with some semblance of light.

sinosoul brought the drinky-drinks.

On Speakeasy Tuesday, The Park offers three courses for $15. Good deal for tough times.

But was the food as good as the deal?

Classic chopped salad with lemon vinaigrette.

sinosoul said it was tangy. It wasn't a resounding endorsement.

Tomato and rice soup.

This reminded me of Andy Warhol. If you don't get what that means, you're the kind of person who would probably like this soup.

The kitchen was kind enough to let us taste a little of the vegetarian chili.

I didn't know "vegetarian chili" was "refried beans."

Then there was the buttermilk fried chicken with collard greens and biscuits with gravy.


Glorious, no? Golden brown and beautiful. Deceptively so. The chicken was only ok. It wasn't bad in the least, but it didn't knock my socks off. And I wasn't even wearing socks.

That didn't make sense. Whatever. This chicken not being awesome didn't make sense.

The greens, however, were quite lovely. I also enjoyed the biscuit, even though it tasted more muffin-like than biscuit-like. Borderline cake-like even.

Here's dessert. Bread pudding.

Easily the best food of the night, although I thought it could be sweeter. And, if you know me, you know that I never think things should be sweeter.

So, after all this moderate disappointment, would I go back? Maaaaaybe. Wednesdays are $5 burger nights. $5! For a burger and a side! I'm a sucker for deals, and I think this little place is trying really hard. I'd love to see them improve, and I think they're capable of doing so.

See what Kung Food Panda thought here.