Kung Pao Kitty - cheap and tasty, like the name implies

Kung Pao Kitty
6445 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 461-4481
Happy Hour 3:00-7:00

Food - 6.5
Prices - 10
Service - 8.5
Total - 25

Kung Pao Kitty is rewriting the definition of the word, "bargain." Nothing on the Happy Hour menu is over $5. NOTHING. So, being the experimenters we are, we ordered all of it.

My house sake ($3) was the same size as you'd get in any sushi bar and was fine. It wasn't the best sake I've ever had, but if you aren't a sake snob, it will do. It was certainly the least expensive sake I've ever had. I also think you can order it warmed, which will make it a bit smoother and tastier. My companion's chardonnay was $5 and he said it was nice. If we were staying longer, we'd have tried some of the $5 cocktails or $3 beer.

All of the apps are $3-5. We got the cream cheese wontons, the dumplings, the potstickers, the calamari, and the spring rolls. As you know, calamari is the baseline (that thing we judge everywhere) and this was the worst dish on the table - too greasy, not well cooked enough, and only rings (no little squid legs, which are the best part). If I were to order it again, I'd request well done. It needed to be crispier. The spring rolls were below average by east coast take-out standards, but that's where the disappointment ended.

The steamed dumplings were supremely flavorful, and though I found the potstickers to be a little too greasy -- four out of the five dishes were fried [ :-( ] my partner-in-crime thought they were delish. Where we totally agreed, and raved and raved, was the cream cheese wontons. Fried to a perfect crisp, hot, soft and tasty and with a sweet dipping sauce, these were well worth the $3. In fact, they were so good, it made us wish we'd gotten the chicken ones as well.

As far as atmosphere, it really wasn't a mingling crowd. Good for after work, but not for meeting strangers. Friendly staff, good space, and easy parking at 6:00. WARNING: Be very careful of the parking signage in Hollywood now - it's one hour parking at almost all meters until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and until midnight on weekends. Guess the valet parkers have a stronger union than we realized. Or just contribute a lot of singles to their local councilman.

So, the verdict? Kung Pao Kitty was fun, cheap and tasty enough. Two of us got out of there with two drinks & five appetizers (which would have been enough for four people) for $29 before tip, $36 after. I honestly think four people could eat and drink for $15 each (but don't skimp on the waitress).

More folks are emailing with suggestions, and some restaurants are even asking us to check them out (or return, if we've been there before), so we'll get on that.

Ramping up for the summer, so expect -- hopefully -- one new review a week. And keep those cards and letters coming. Thanks!