Chicken

There is a restaurant chain taking Russia by storm that serves giant potatoes filled with a variety of concoctions. A charming young woman named Mariana Mirzoyan is trying to bring that culinary concept to America before they do. Her cheery little restaurant in the Plaza de Verdugo mini-mall is called Rotmos Potatoes. Rotmos is the Swedish word for potatoes. Mirzoyan, with help from her Armenian family, who owns the Restaurant Maestro next door, creates fresh, homemade fillings and prepares the huge potatoes with careful attention.

A bowling alley is not the first place you?d associate with food. Intermittent wafts of deodorizing foot spray? Yes. Discordant clanging and the likelihood of chipping your manicure? Yes. But as a viable suggestion for a refreshing repast, bowling alleys probably rate a notch above gas stations. Sure, nachos or chicken fingers are fine between frames, but I wondered if the food at Pickwick Bowl in Burbank or Glendale?s Jewel City Bowl could stand up to a sit-down meal. ? Pickwick Bowl Tucked inside the arcade area, Pickwick?

Linda LaZar You know what they say: "Some of the best things come in small packages." That is certainly true in the case of an unpretentious fast-food restaurant called Hamburger Hut. Many times we stop for a quick burger and fries at one of the globally known fast food chains available in countless locations in just about every country in the world. They are convenient, and they serve pretty good food. But there is nothing like those old-fashioned hamburgers served at the little family-owned hamburger stands.

I have to confess, I love good barbecue. Southern, Texan and Kansas City-style, each has its own quality and character. And I can tell you that a new eatery in the Burbank Village, Smokin' Jacks Kansas City BBQ, is literally smokin'. Slow-cooked smoking gives meat its distinctive smoky-sweet flavor and tenderness. At Jack's, I found the beef brisket, either as a sandwich or entrée, to be the highest expression of this culinary art form. The generous portion of beef comes without barbecue sauce, which seemed odd to me at first.

prosecco'sRefreshing, sparkling, reasonably priced -- these words, used to describe Prosecco wine, might just as well describe Prosecco the restaurant. A true Italian trattoria, Prosecco's is a place of casual elegance specializing in personal service, where regulars are greeted by name and individual preferences are indulged. Where the warmth and tastes of Tuscany can be found in the simple, well-prepared dishes set before you. Begin with the wonderful soups. Prosecco's soups are dairy-free, but they're so rich and creamy, you'll wonder how they do it. The Roasted Corn Chowder, always on the menu, is savory, hearty and topped with crispy proscuitto.

The recently opened Kyoto Seafood Buffet is without a doubt the best dining bargain in Glendale, especially at lunchtime Monday through Friday, when $8.99 brings you a fully stocked sushi bar, an ice table with fresh oysters, mussels and jumbo cocktail shrimps. Then there’s a hibachi grill with a chef standing by to cook ingredients that you choose, including extremely fresh boneless chicken breast, shrimp and sirloin steak. Kyoto also offers a wide variety of pre-cooked hot Japanese and Chinese dishes that include a very good hot and sour soup, orange chicken and other traditional offerings.

Late-night diners are known for their diverse menu selections and homey atmosphere. The food is never great, but as long as the staff is hospitable, it gets the job done. Conrads Restaurant in Glendale is not your typical Denny's or IHOP. With its friendly servers and classy set-up, it's no wonder this family-owned establishment has been a local favorite for 30-plus years. Oh, and the food's not too bad either. Conrads calls itself a family restaurant, but I see it more as a fine dining/greasy spoon/sports bar hybrid.

Karen S. Kim DOWNTOWN -- For owner Kevin Aksacki, Gauchos Village Churrascaria on Brand Boulevard is a little slice of home. The Brazilian barbecue buffet is decorated with animal skins, wooden beams, thatched awnings, stained glass lighting and ornaments that were imported from his farm town back in Brazil. The marinades and cooking methods for the restaurant's foods are based on the recipes of Aksacki's mother. "I brought a lot of things from home to this place," said Aksacki, 33. "I feel at home here.

Amy Dominguez, Weekend BURBANK -- "Figaro ... Pigaro -- A Barnyard Musical" is a delightful children's production about the joy of song and the support of friends. The setting is a country barnyard, where a young pig named Polly, played by Candace Lifson, is the social butterfly on the farm. When she overhears an opera playing on Mrs. Farmer's radio, she sets her sights on singing and decides to make opera her lifetime goal. Only Polly has one problem: She can't sing.