Dishin': Keeping It Real at Green Leaf

We’ve sung Green Leaf’s praises in the past, and it’s still one of our favorites with fabulous food and sweet service. This time, we especially enjoyed the vermicelli with grilled beef in lop leaf. But what’s that in the background of the photo? Is that a nautical theme?

Our beloved Green Leaf closed for a couple of weeks to expand to the second floor, and the new décor has many bewildered. Floral carpet? Chunky wood furniture? Some wonder whether it all came from a closeout of a Texas BBQ or steakhouse joint, but owner Peter Kuang explains it’s all specially imported from China. Here’s what we’d imagine the American Idol judges saying about the new look.

Randy Jackson: Yo, yo, yo…dawg…so check it out, check it out…you know you’re my favorite dawg, and the dishes are as tasty as ever. But look…as for the new décor, I just don’t know if I get it. A little kitchy. A little kitchy. I see what you’re trying to do, but it just doesn’t work for me. Dude, I love you, but I’m just keeping it real.

Paula Abdul: You’ll always be beautiful to me.

Simon Cowell: I have to agree with Randy. I just don’t get it. Look: It’s like the prom queen awaiting her limo and instead getting a dusty pick-up truck. Alright, I’m just being hard on you because I know you can do better. The food remains great, so don’t distract from it. If I’m being honest, I’d recommend you take a tax loss on what you just did, start over again with a professional designer, and do something simpler. Your challenge is to find charm that enhances the dining experience without overwhelming it. I guarantee your audience will appreciate that.

(For the record, we share Paula’s feelings, but wonder how you’ll "vote.")

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By Jay in Food on April 14, 2008 11:30 AM

Comments [rss]

vanderleun

If you've spoken to the owner of this jewel of a restaurant, you'd know that he is frugal to a fault. Kept the furnishings? Very probable. And what do you care unless you eat the chair?

spowelldow

china? Likely story. There's a cracker barrel somewhere missing their chairs.

but I agree, damn if the food isn't too good to care.

-sara

romulus

I'm still convinced the upstairs place was previously an out-of-the-way Chinese businessman's bar and Green Leaf simply kept all the furnishings. Why would a Vietnamese restaurant decorate with Chinese furniture and lighting?

Also, my party and I concluded that the furniture is made of wagon or rickshaw wheels, not ship wheels; they have no handles and too many spokes.