The Open Door - Monterey Park

First off, I went in the middle of May so I know this post is a little outdated but I have goods and bad(s) to The Open Door.

The Open Door is supposedly an izakaya type restaurant but the price and food makes me feel like a fusion tapas restaurant. When I find a place deemed unworthy I really show it don't I? Most of these dishes were major misses, although I really wanted them to be major hits.

I'm not sure if it was because I was too excited for the food or if I was just excited that they had so many choices and were located in Monterey Park.

I'm sorry, I don't remember the names of each dishes, I have to remember to write them down from now on.

Salmon w/ sour cream, cucumber, and ikura(salmon roe)

This was the worst dish of the night, the salmon was not fresh.

Beef Carpoccio

- This one was really good although the beef was quiet tough and chewy.

Yuzu Chicken wings

-Pretty delish but it was hard to eat it like a lady. I wanted to just get my hands and lips dirty like I do at Wing Stop but since we were so closely seated to one another I just couldn't. :)

Gyu(beef) Nigiri

Doesn't it look really good?

I thought so too but the beef was so tough, I actually swallowed it without fully chewing it. I think it was $6 for 2 pieces but at Kabuki, it's only $2.50 during happy hour and much better!

I honestly don't remember what this dish was but it was pretty good though. :) I was a bit full by that time.

This is one of my favorites too! Onigiri a it's best, the outside was a bit charred and crispy while the inside was soft and yummy! Simple foods are the best.

This was another hit!!

Creamed Crab Croquette

I think this was J's favorite. It was very creamy and sweet, I loved it!

I remember the bill was about $70+. The salmon really ticked me off and so did the gyu nigiri. I just think it wasn't worth the money we paid.

It's located in Monterey Park and also in quiet a old run down plaza. The ingredients they use aren't up to par for the amount they're charging imho. Also, the one thing I absolutely hate is how younger people are treated differently. I'm 20 and J's 23, but we look a lot younger then we are. Maybe this is also another reason to why I feel very unhappy about certain restaurants regardless of the taste. I can understand that older adults tip more or understand quality better but younger generations should deserve a bit attention. It's not that anyone was rude to us, it's just I felt like they didn't give a shit about us. Maybe we just weren't worth their time.

I'm still willing to go back and hopefully next time this place will surprise me. I don't believe you can decipher if you like a place the first time you go.

The Open Door

122 S Atlantic Blvd

Monterey Park Ca 91754

www.theopendoorla.com

626-282-9829