Bento Eats
A closer look at our favorite customers
One of the best parts about working at BentoBox is getting to interact with amazing restaurants and people who are so passionate about serving great food. We often visit Bento clients when not at work, in fact, some of our favorite local spots for an after-work drink or nice dinner happen to be Bento clients. For this post, we wanted to take it one step further and visit some new Bento client restaurants and ‘review’ them so-to-speak. We’ll be looking at interior decor, menu design, branding, and of course eating some delicious food along the way.
Come check out some cool concepts with us!
Fat Sal’s (Los Angeles) — https://www.fatsalsdeli.com/
Fat Sal’s is an LA staple, yet despite living here for nearly 7 years now, I have never been. Fat Sal’s specializes in what they call ‘guilty pleasure sandwiches’ which are exactly what you might imagine when hearing that term. From cheesesteaks with fried mozzarella sticks on them, to burgers with both fries and onion rings built in, Fat Sal’s is the kind of place you go to on your cheat-meal day to make the absolute most of it.
As you enter Fat Sal’s Hollywood location, there is an unmistakable east-coast diner vibe to it. You order at a walk-up counter, the staff are slinging code-phrases and food nicknames, it feels like a family sandwich shop even though it’s technically a small, local chain. In keeping with the East Coast vibes I ordered one of their signature sandwiches called the ‘Fat Bodega’, a chopped cheese on a grilled hero with onion rings, pickles, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, fries, ketchup, and mayo. This was my first time trying fries AND onion rings built-in to my sandwich and I was surprised how well it worked, though it was definitely more than 1 meal’s worth of food. In the best way possible, the food fit the vibe — fun, messy, casual, loud, and larger than life.
I will absolutely be back to try other crazy sandwiches — maybe this time with backup in the form of hungry friends.
Written by Kai Malowany
Bathtub Gin (NYC) — https://www.bathtubginnyc.com/
Bathtub Gin is a speakeasy located in Chelsea that is known for their expertly crafted cocktails. I had the honor of visiting for the first time this past week on Disco Thursday. As I walked through the door I had to double-check that I got the address right because I entered a coffee shop. I soon realized this was the correct place because the coffee shop had a bouncer and hostess. I was escorted to the actual bar and truly felt transported back to the 1920s. The dim bar was lit up with prohibition-era lights which illuminated their patterned wallpaper and bounced off all of the copper adornments, including the tub!
When I sat down at the bar I introduced myself to the bartender, Michael, and confessed that I wasn’t much of a gin drinker but was excited to expand my horizons. On his recommendation, I ordered a “Last Word” that consisted of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and fresh lime. For dinner, I got the grilled beef skewers dipped in tzatziki sauce and patatas bravas which were fried potatoes drizzled with garlic sauce. Like the drinks, the food too was phenomenal. I can’t wait to go back!
Mangia Toscana (Metuchen, NJ) — https://www.mangia-toscano.com/
Mangia Toscano, situated in Metuchen, NJ, is a traditional Italian restaurant that feels like a hidden gem in our neighborhood. Having lived just a short walk away, I’ve often heard glowing reviews from friends and family, who swear by its status as the best Italian dining spot in NJ — a title that carries weight given the abundance of Italian restaurants in the area.
Once you step inside, you’re greeted by an ambiance that’s a cut above the rest. The decor is stunning, with dark woods, deep greens, and an abundance of plants creating an elevated yet welcoming atmosphere. What’s more, both owners hail from Italy, and the chef boasts experience from several Michelin-rated establishments. The attention to detail is evident everywhere you look, from the carefully curated lighting to the thoughtfully chosen plates and the cohesive design that seamlessly transitions from the website to the in-person experience.
While Mangia Toscano offers an impressive selection of award-winning wines, they also allow guests to bring their own bottles — a practice I took advantage of by bringing back a favorite from my recent trip to Italy. For starters, we indulged in the Coccoli — a delightful combination of fried pizza dough with Tuscan prosciutto and stracchino cheese. Moving on to our main courses, we shared the Gnocchi Al Quattro Formaggi and the Pollo In Due Cotture. The consensus? The food here lives up to the hype, with the gnocchi in particular standing out for its cloud-like texture.
Of course, no Italian meal is complete without Tiramisu and a strong espresso to round off the experience. I’m already looking forward to my next visit to this culinary haven in our little corner of NJ, eager to relive the exceptional dining experience once again.
Streetcar Bar + Bites (Charlotte, NC) — https://www.streetcarclt.com
Over the weekend, I visited Streetcar Bar + Bites, a new sports bar recently opened in Charlotte, NC. Despite being a newcomer, I’ve already heard a lot of positive feedback and have been meaning to check it out for a while. The timing was perfect as some of my friends were in town and we were looking for a good place to have brunch.
When we got there, we were immediately impressed by the space. It had a large, comfortable patio area with open doors that created a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. The decor inside was stunning and not what we expected from a sports bar. Pop-up art and graffiti murals inspired by Charlotte sports teams covered the walls. The overall vibe was light and airy, and don’t worry — there were still plenty of TVs to watch any game you want.
Our server Taylor quickly came to greet us and made some recommendations. She suggested we try their famous Golden Margarita, which was hands down one of the best margaritas I’ve ever had. My friend decided to go with a mimosa, but with a twist — a full glass of prosecco, and a spray bottle of orange juice on the side to guarantee the perfect oj x prosecco ratio. When it came to ordering food, I decided to go with the avocado toast, and my friends went with the Hangover Smashburger and the Cast Iron Biscuit with Gravy. We were all blown away by how delicious everything tasted, and the food presentation was top-notch too! Overall, it was a super fun experience for all of us and I’ll definitely be going back.
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting a closer look at some of our favorite BentoBox customers. We had a ton of fun exploring new restaurants and connecting with our customers in real life. Maybe we’ve even inspired you to try that new place down the street for dinner tonight.
