{"id":4230,"date":"2004-04-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"1970-01-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=4230"},"modified":"2018-01-24T12:53:22","modified_gmt":"2018-01-24T20:53:22","slug":"quantum-restaurant-lounge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=4230","title":{"rendered":"Quantum Restaurant & Lounge"},"content":{"rendered":"

For those of us who are addicted to appetizers, the new Quantum Restaurant & Lounge<\/a> (201 West Carrillo St.) is an immediate hit. The brainchild of Mondial Catering chef\/owner Cynthia Miranda, the concept is designed around shared dishes and building a meal around several small tastes, with a definite Asian influence in both the food and decor.<\/p>\n

The portions \u2013 and prices — are relatively small but the menu isn\u2019t. I went with a group of nine friends and still wasn\u2019t able to try everything that sounded appealing.<\/p>\n

Among our favorite appetizers were house fries with tomato jam (a must try at only $3.50) sweet shrimp and avocado salsa with chips and oysters three ways.<\/p>\n

High point entrees (all in the $10 to $15 range), which we also shared, were the delicious Chile roasted sea bass, yummy halibut wrapped in a banana leaf and mini Kobe beef burgers with onion rings, which put White Castle to shame.<\/p>\n

The wine list is impressive, with a number of bottles in the $30 range. They also offer wine and sake cocktails like a sour apple, watermelon and blood orange sparkler or sakitinis.<\/p>\n

While some in my party preferred the banana cr\u00e8me brulee (flavors change every night), I believe a dessert without chocolate just isn\u2019t worth the calories. Quantum\u2019s mini chocolate and Carmel sundae (topped with mini m & m\u2019s) was definitely worth the splurge.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a tasting menu for those willing to put their menu the hands of the chef. At $38 for four dishes and $48 for five, it\u2019s a good way to try a lot of things if you don\u2019t have eight other people in your party.<\/p>\n

While one my friends said the small dishes made him feel like he was at a tea party, he was outnumbered by appetizer aficionados who can\u2019t wait to return. This is a perfect place for celebrations as well as pre- or post-theatre nibbles. I\u2019ll definitely be back.<\/p>\n

Originally published in\u00a0South Coast Beacon on April 15, 2004.<\/a><\/p>\n

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