What was supposed to be a simple dinner with a good friend turned into a birthday party. My girlfriend and some friends surprised me at Bashan Restaurant, one of my favorite NELA dining destinations. The restaurant from Nadav Bashan and his wife Romy resides in Sparr Heights, a northern Glendale hamlet. Bashan food belies the relatively basic decor. This dichotomy more or less matches the Grilled Skirt Steak, which costs $26 or is available as part of a 3-course, $40 prix fixe menu that runs Tuesday through Thursday.

This was one of the better skirt steaks that I’ve enjoyed in Los Angeles. The lean, accordion-like cut sported a winning sear and a rosy pink core. A vivid poached egg yolk was nice and runny in the middle and doubled as a sauce. Punchy pickled shallots, micro parsley, and a frisée and Peppadew pepper thatch provided textural contrast. The tangy Sherry Dijon vinaigrette that graced the accompanying salad added enough acid pop to balance the savory meat. In the future, I’ll no doubt remember the surprise from my friends best of all, but certainly enjoyed the Bashan Restaurant steak most at the moment.