We’re going to make a bold claim.   Commonwealth Restaurant is the best restaurant in Burbank, and certainly one of the greatest restaurants to ever open in the Valley.  Located along an unsuspecting stretch of Glenoaks Boulevard, the eatery serves an eclectic selection of small plates alongside a global wine list.  Co-Owners, Ryotaro Isobe and Peter Park collaborated with their chefs, Ryan Eleco and Mario Lopez (calm down A.C. Slater fans, not that Mario Lopez) yielding vibrant but delicate dishes, featuring Asian, French and Italian influences.  The result?  Unique, rich flavors, further complemented by the cozy décor, and impeccable service.  Here are our picks for 5 dishes you can’t miss at Commonwealth.  It’s on Burbank.  Oh, it is on.

P.E.I. MUSSELS

Will this dish drive you to sop up every last drop of its sauce—a white wine base amplified with chili butter garlic—using shards of its slightly charred French bread?  Yes, yes it will.  And we won’t judge you for it. 

Wine Pairing: Rose

 

SEARED HANGER STEAK

We like our steak rosy and tender.  We also like it laced with earthy mushrooms and served in a pepper cream sauce.  We don’t doubt that you’ll like this, too. 

Wine Pairing: Malbec or Cabernet Sauvignon

 

PINK SNAPPER CARPACCIO

The beauty here lies in its texture.  The satisfying crunch of the almonds and shallot apple relish complements the silky slivers of snapper—sliced thin, gossamer, and quenched with homemade ponzu. 

Wine Pairing: Reisling

 

SHRIMP DUMPLING

We couldn’t decide what we liked most—the delicate wonton wrappers, stuffed with goat cheese and minced shrimp, or the fact these dumplings were topped with shitake mushrooms, and bathed in a cream sauce. 

Wine Pairing: Pinot Noir or Bordeaux

 

SHISHITO PEPPERS

Shishito peppers are always a game of Russian roulette:  some mild and sweet, while other pack heat on the backend.  Here, the peppers, doused in balsamic syrup and topped with goat cheese crumbles, are balanced with the salty crunch of prosciutto cracklings.

Wine Pairing: Sake (yes, Commonwealth serves sake)

BONUS: Just look at this pudding, crowned in prosciutto crumbles!

Commonwealth Restaurant, 222 S. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, (818) 845-2225.