Restaurant3

A wonderful way to end a day — my girlfried and I came on a Sunday evening a few months ago after finding this place on Unilocal.Yes, the fried chicken is truly amazing and the service was excellent. This was one of our first forays into Los Angeles dining and we were pleasantly surprised. Yes, LA can hold a candle with the gourmet ghetto in my hometown.
One bit of advice — the Fried Chicken is a bit pricey and comes in a large portion. I would recommend sharing (although you may be charged a split-​plate fee).

Everyone gets the fried chicken here and it is pretty good. It wasn’t as good as I remember (I used to go years ago before I learned how to cook) but, as far as flavor, crispness, and portion it is decent.
One thing that worries me though is that I think I can duplicate both the fried chicken and cobbler at home and for significantly less. That’s not a good sign.

I wish I wasn’t hyped up about the fried chicken. Otherwise, it would have been a good lunch. But here I was, expecting mouth-​watering and show-​stopping fried chicken. Their menu features many southern favorites, so I figured I’d be getting some old fashion fried chicken.
I am a firm believer that meats should be cooked with the bone, since the bone provides additional flavor. You see it with chicken, steak, and pork, and even fish. But at Restaurant3, their fried chicken was boneless. When I first saw it, I was a bit disappointed. But I think the taste of the fried chicken was good, but not great. It had good flavor and a nice fried crust, but I kept thinking it was basically chicken strips. With my high expectations, perhaps Restaurant3 was bound to be over hyped. In addition, their lunch prices seemed a bit high as well. Its too bad, since on this weekday lunch time, the place was a bit empty.
Anyways. .. I really was rooting for chicken to be great, but it didn’t come through.

The restaurant we were planning to try was closed so we went walking and came upon this place. The menu looked like it had something each of us could order so we stayed.
The awning still reads Cynthia’s, but the menu states that they are now «Restaurant3 (not Cynthia’s).» I wonder if they get annoyed at the folks who keep asking about Cynthia’s. But using all three words as the name of their restaurant is kind of silly. By the way, I have a different theory about the 3 in their name. I don’t think it’s because they’re located on 3^rd Street. I think the 3 is for the three Medinas (the executive chef, chef de cuisine and sous chef).
It’s not a large space. The interior is dim and sparsely decorated. The tables are covered with white linen and paper. Only a few tables were occupied so we had no trouble walking in and getting seated. The bread they start you off with are piping hot rolls with cheese baked on top. Heavenly.
I had the Hangar Steak with garlic fries and vegetables. The steak (made medium rare) was excellent, charred nicely, juicy and topped with some grated cheese. The fries were okay and vegetables (mostly broccoli and some sliced carrots) came steamed. My friend ordered the Seafood Linguine. It came with only three large shrimp, plus vegetables in a lobster tomato cream sauce. I didn’t try it but my friend said the pasta was made very well and she liked the sauce. For dessert we tried their highly-​recommended Blackberry Crumble, which is definitely enough for two people to share. It comes in a large ramekin. The blackberries were fabulous. It’s not so much a crumble though. The crust is brown sugar with a bit of texture. Still it’s very good and comes topped with three scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Most of my friends, and I, don’t cook so we eat away from home almost daily. In addition, I have a tendency to be quite particular and healthy when it comes to food. One of my friends don’t eat fried chicken too often, at least to my knowledge, so when he highly recommended the fried chicken at Restaurant 3, I thought maybe he either hit the bottle earlier in the day or was just joking. So, we came to Restaurant 3, which is a small restaurant, formerly known as Cynthia’s, on 3^rd Street in Los Angeles. As we walked in, it was dimly lit and almost full of diners.
Without hesitation, we ordered the fried chicken, which really isn’t fried, in the traditional sense. Our waitress explained that the chicken is baked then dropped in the hot oil to fry very quickly for the coating. By the way, this dish is $ 25.00 with two sides, but if two people order the same dish, the second dish can be ordered for only $ 12 dollars more. I have to admit, I was really impressed with this fried chicken, as it wasn’t overly greasy or oily but rather moist, tender, and very good. In terms of dessert, the berry cobbler was good too, however I think it’s overpriced at $ 12.00.
Overall, our dining experience was enjoyable. The staff was always smiling and congenial. In terms of décor, this restaurant has tasteful design elements with cloth-​covered tables. Restaurant 3 is certainly worthy of another visit.

Restaurant3 /​Stars2
I’ve heard of people naming their kids «ABCDE» which is moronically pronounced «ab-​suh-​dee», and I suppose you could say that either their parents are totally cool hipsters or complete morons. With Restaurant 3 it’s leaning towards complete douchebaggery.
Ok, there’s a ton of restaurants and businesses naming themselves after their street name such as the hotel next door called «the Orlando» off of Orlando, and Restaurant 3 off of 3^rd?! But is this supposed to be a cool restaurant name? I suppose this appeals to a small percentage, but I see it as a poorly executed concept cuz nothing about this place is cool. The interior, the graphics, the menu, and definitely not the pricing. The fifty year-​old OC MILF in the Forever 21 outfit at the end of the bar is cooler than this.
First of all, they charge $ 25 ($ 37 if you’re sharing) for some of the most mediocre fried chicken ever. The chicken definitely can’t even compete against any commercial chain, yet they still have the balls to charge $ 25 for it. What am I paying for? I’d rather pay $ 25 for Popeye’s chicken.
WTF is up with the side dishes?! The potatoes tasted like they were left sitting in a pot of boiling water, and it absorbed half the water in the pot. They were watered down and uninspiring. These taters get the «so fuck’n’ what!» vote from me.
Nothing here was worth it’s price and especially the «braised duck & Asian (yea, Asian) vegetable eggrolls» $ 11. These sucked so much that nobody out of 5 people decided to even bother finishing it.
I should also mention that we all went on a Saturday at about 7pm, yet the place was DEAD EMPTY except for a couple over in the corner. We were told it was because of the halloween festivities up the street, but that seemed kind of odd because that was the reason why we were there.
Well this Asian #4 will pass on Restaurant3 and settle for token Asian restaurant #6 instead.

Well, this place is no Cynthia’s AND THANK GOD FOR THAT!
That woman was a witch, to put it mildly, nothing like the new owners who are friendly and nice.
We ate dinner last night with a group of 7 and the majority of us had the fried chicken and ALL of us LOVED it. I am still eating my leftover pieces and it’s still one of the best fried chicken dishes i’ve had in Los Angeles, next to Roscoe’s who just can’t be beat. Cynthia may have moved on (good riddance), but the kitchen is still being run by the original chefs, so the menu is almost identical and the food is still great. The blackberry cobbler is still a winner for dessert. The place may have the same food, but the attitude is a 180 degree change from the previous owner — they actually like you.

This place used to be known as Cynthia’s but don’t let the name change fool you. The food is still delicious and the staff friendly.
My favorite dish is one that they are known for, the fried chicken. It’s absolutely delicious! Don’t let the fried part fool you, this chicken is deviously flavored, moist, and you can cut it with the side of your fork.
I’ve been here twice and ordered the same thing, and the caliber of «yummy» has not changed. The dish comes with 3 chicken breasts, which is more than enough for your average hungry eater. They do allow you to split the dish, but they’ll charge you a little extra and each person will have 2 chicken breasts.
As an appetizer I love the mac n cheese and the dumplings. The cream sauce that goes over the dumplings is just mouth watering, and you can’t really go wrong with mac n cheese!
The desserts are amazing as well. The crumble is to die for. The hot gooey fruit on the bottom just hits the sweet spot after stuffing your face with chicken. I tried the pistachio pound cake the second time I went and it was pretty good. I have a fondness for pistachios so I can be a little biased on that.
This place is good for a dinner with friends, date night, or you’re just hungry and want to eat.

Restaurant3 is the reason why «third time’s a charm!» I don’t know what efforts 1 and 2 tasted like, but restaurant numero tres is definitely putting the «ness» in deliciousness!
It;s a small venue with intimate seating, and although the outside dining are was right on 3^rd Street, it wasn’t too loud or distracting, and the dishes kept the focus on the culinary experience more than anything. My friend and I were torn between so many menu items (and this was even before the recession specials were brought to our attention). Sadly, I didn’t experience the fried chicken madness praised in other reviews, however the description and the option for a dinner for two sounded finger licking good. The prices were a little on the high-​side, however the blend of each dish seemed so exciting that the final choice rested more on the ingredients than the number value.
Bread was delivered to our table fresh and piping warm (no burnt digits from impatience and insatiable hunger), as were waters. I ordered the recession-​proof grapefruit/​vodka cocktail for $ 8 (any cocktail under $ 12 I immediately swoon over, but this one was actually tasty as well). It was refreshing and lacked the sugary emptiness that most hwood cocktails tend to sport. Essentially, it didn’t overpower my ability to enjoy my meal.
I ordered the grilled vegetable platter ($ 18) and my friend ordered the chopped salad ($ 14). The more heartier entrees were appetizingly appeasing to the eyes and ears, however since it was a rather warm evening, we both decided we would go for something more refreshing. Despite my destest for vegetables growing up, I ate every single grilled legume on that plate… mom would have been proud! I was so enamored with the star character of the dish, I almost didn’t realize there was a co-​star that presented a performance so surprisingly lip-​smacking, it almost stole the show. The risoto «cake» had just the right texture and sprinkle of cheesy goodness to bring it to life (I don’t even know what that means, but just the visual is making me salivate all over again!). The salad my friend ordered was so scrumptuous (hello…avocado and buffalo mozzarella– what a pair!), she risked the wilting aspect of «to go» box salads so she could savor every last bite at a later date (she confessed to me that most likely she would eat it later that night).
Having such a wonderful experience, we decided to top the night off with a dessert. Ummmmmmmmmmm… I didn’t care who was watching, I would have stuck my entire face in that little gem of sweetness! Of course the name escapes me, but if you go and would like to try your own face smashing just look for the chocolate mud pie or something to that effect… totally worth the caloric suffering!

On the same day I made a head to head comparison of two places on the West side that have been recommended for their fried chicken — Cynthias’s on the Corner, and Cynthia’s old establishment, now named Restaurant 3.
I got take out from both and brought them home for a head to head comparison. Both were very similar (not surprisingly), moist pieces of boneless breast meat, fairly juicy, with a nice crispy coating, not too greasy, and not too bland. The Restaurant 3 version came with mashed potatoes and a salad for 15 bucks. All in all a good entrée, and more than enough to satisfy my big appetite.
Beside the chicken, I tried their soup of the day, a black bean purée, with some queso fresco — good soup, with just a tiny bite of heat.
Overall, solid meal for a reasonable westside price. Officially, the place is called Restaurant 3 on their menus and business card, although you can still see the outline of Cynthia’s name on the outside awning.
Be warned though, this fried chicken is boneless breast meat only, don’t go comparing it to Pioneer, Golden Bird, or your typical fast food fried chicken.

Go for the fried chicken, go for the fried chicken, go for the fried chicken… that’s all I heard about this place. In fact, when I arrived at the restaurant the waitress even walked up to me and said «Are you here for the fried chicken?».
I should have gone to Golden Bird instead (yes, it’s quite a different experience, but if you are looking for some of the best fried chicken ever — or at least in LA — then go to Golden Bird).
Don’t get me wrong, the chicken was so juicy and tender. But get me right, the batter was bland and relatively unseasoned and so the fried chicken was somewhat tasteless and needed salt. I will say though — if you want fried chicken in an upscale, 3^rd street type environment at a nice sit down restaurant with other gourmet items then this is probably your best bet.
The service was great, our waitress was a sweetheart. The bread was good and hot. They give you a lot of food with the fried chicken plate — 3 big boneless breasts, mashed spuds and some green beans.
Would I go back? Most likely not. Not because the restaurant was bad, but because it was nothing special. Even what was supposed to be special really wasn’t in my opinion.

I just realized this is one of my favorite restaurants. The BEST fried chicken breasts EVER. The seasoning bursts with flavor. The seared ahi– light yet satisfying. The tuna tartar is incredible because they toast their crostinis there, they are devilishly buttery.
DATE place for sure! You MUST get the BERRY COBBLER a la mode. No, seriously, it is diabolique. I feel like tearing up when I eat it.
My favorite cocktail is the Flirty– kettle one, pineapple juice shaken in a martini glass with a champagne floater– I started making them at home and for friends!
Also the French Kiss– champagne and St. Germain.
The service sometimes is so-​so but totally worth it.

I came here to sample some of the great mac n cheese that Stephy S recommended. I came away totally impressed and sampled a variety of the menu.
First and foremost the mac n cheese was dope. The noodles were fresh and al dente. The cheese was flavorful. It was a four cheese blend and I couldn’t really tell which cheese stood out but the integration was creamy and sharp. The green onions were definitely a presence in the taste which I surprisingly liked. The bacon was were also very understated but provided a nice compliment to the recipe.
It’s the type of dish can split (it’s on the app. menu) because it’s a decent size and very rich.
We preceded the mac with a stuffed green pepper filled with cheese and other veggies. It was also good but not a big enough portion to split for 2 people.
We were still a bit hungry so we called in a safe bet with the calamari. It was breaded, crisp, and served with a tasty red cocktail sauce (forgot to ask for ai.
No room for dessert but I look forward to it next time as we saw some that looked amazing. I had the pleasure of talking to the owner Larissa before my friend met me there. She was super chill and genuine. really knew her menu in depth and could offer great recommendations and descriptions of the entrees.
If that isn’t enough they offer «recession drink specials» that cover beer, wine, champagne and vodka drinks. You can get a beer for $ 3.
That being said, it was a great outing and I look forward to trying their special (fried chicken) amongst other things. Totally the type of place to split things and share.
The entrée prices are a little high but certain items are also very low. Basically the menu has a huge range. Most people rated it a $$$ for price (which it can be) but I am going to give it a $$ because you could easily get a good deal depending on your selection…
What else, street parking which was surprisingly easy at 6pm on a Monday.

So yummy! I’ve only been twice and each time I’m satisfied with my food.
What blows me away the most is their cobbler! Sooooo amazing! That cobbler is a must have! No matter how stuffed you are.

I’ve been here a few times, I’m surprised I haven’t written a review yet. I like Cynthias… the food is good, the service unobtrusive, nice wine list, excellent desserts.
We went on a Wed at 6:30 and it was dead. We were literally the only ones there. I was really surprised. On the weekends, it’s packed. It scared my husband a bit but I assured him, this place was good.
i shared the fried chicken special with my friend. The chicken was perfect – crunchy and a bit spicy on the outside, totally moist and tender on the inside. Came with yummy bacon flavored green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. Filled my belly with warmth and comfort. Hubby had the flat iron steak that he loved… I think he might have even licked his fingers afterward. Then the 4 of us shared the berry cobbler. It really is the highlight of the place, so if you go you must get it.
No complaints here. Good food, good friends, a good night.

I LOVE this place!!! My all-​time fave is the chicken and shrimp dumplings appetizer. SOOOOOOO good! The ahi tuna is my favorite entrée. Best ahi in town. Their wine list is good and pretty reasonable, and the service and ambiance is always great. This is a great place to come with a group of friends or a romantic evening.

Hosted a lunch here for a few of my favorite journalists (PR-​ing right now), and they had suggested this place. No one was in there for lunch on a Monday. I mean, no one. Just us and the crickets. The host/​waiter was very nice though. Food came out fast for a group of 9 and they have a wide selection, ranging from sesame-​crusted ahi, salmon sandwich, fried chicken and meatloaf (their specialities). Dumplings, mac and cheese and fritters were ordered for appetizers and all were surprisingly good. Blackberry crumble and peach cobber, both a la mode, were shared for dessert. Both were to die for and I think put me on sugar high for the rest of the afternoon.
Street park and bring quarters for lunch. Lunch ranged from about $ 15-​$ 30, but service was fast and courteous. I would definitely go back there for lunch again (non-​weekday, unless I feel like dealing with LA traffic), or dinner. I want to try the fried chicken.

The Blackberry Crumble at Cynthia’s is the most outrageously delicious dessert in Los Angeles. Hands down. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you close your eyes and say, «Oh my God, that is GOOD!» Repeatedly. If you decide to split this dessert with your dinner companion, you may come to blows with them over who gets the final bite. I’m just warning you.
The lunch and dinner items here are also very good. The famous fried chicken is, in fact, wonderful. And that is coming from someone who is not the hugest fan of fried chicken to begin with. I’m also a fan of the grilled chicken breast, the endive salad and the lobster cake. But it’s all good. Food is on the pricier side, but it’s worth it.
Now that Cynthia herself is no longer with the restaurant, you can enjoy the fabulous food in peace. That is a good thing. Valet is available out front, or you can search for a meter nearby. The restaurant space is on the small side and tables are close together. I’ve enjoyed both company lunches and romantic dinners here and it was an appropriate venue for both. Whatever you do and whoever you come here with, just make sure you order the blackberry crumble!

Killing some time prior to having dessert, dinner had to come into play. So me and a few friends descended upon Cynthia’s café in BeHi/​WeHo near the Beverly shopping center. Sat down and were greeted nicely with fresh bread and a courteous waitress. I ordered a Penni pasta which was delicious and per other Unilocaler’s recommendations, friends ordered the fried chicken which looked delicious also. presentation is nicely done with a dark setting and candle lights abound. Cynthia herself was making rounds greeting people but never came around our table (wtf? did someone fart?) Oh well, food here is prepared very carefully and the taste is superb. Not for cheapskates, but it wont kill you either to enjoy a good meal.
Parking is a beeyotch here so get it validated. It’ll save you the headaches and not to mention those nasty meter maids…

Cynthia (a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of 3^rd Street) is long gone, so you’re left with nothing but great food and great service. Hurrah!