To celebrate a buddy's birthday, we decided upon Korean barbecue to satisfy the hunger cravings of four hungry guys in a celebratory mood. I'd always heard that Park BBQ in Koreatown had the highest quality stuff, and I've gotta agree. This evening was definitely a home run.

The space is large but not cavernous like Chosun Galbee. And while you don't get the distinct flavor from charcoal, meat trumps heat. We order one each of bulgogi and galbi and had just the right amount of food for the four of us. I said we were hungry, didn't I?

For me, I was most impressed by the banchan selection. Up to this point, Sokongdong has provided the best side-dish selection, but the quality of Park BBQ extends also to these small servings. Sokongdong probably still presents the best opportunity to enjoy good banchan because of its cost of entry, but when you want the best of the best, I'd put Park BBQ at the top of that list.

My usual banchan favorites were represented, but I was most surprised by the glass noodles (jap chae). I could eat that all day.

Also, the sautéed broccoli with sesame was a hit. I'm not usual one to be drawn to stalky greens like broccoli, but the sesame flavor was quite righteous.

While we were polishing off our soju and beer, there were still a few stray bits of meat left on the grill. Cooked well-done, the meat still had a lot of great flavor, and I decided to try a pinch of the sea salt to bring it back to life. As we toasted each other's good company, I looked upon the cornucopia on the table and happily concluded that a recipe grilled meat and beer will always be a winner.