THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Phood on Main

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Phood on Main Restaurant Review:

Chef Marla Cohen has cultivated a loyal following in Riverside, probably because she can appeal to both no-nonsense truckers and pretentious foodies (or “phoodies,” in this case) in a single menu. As a result of her modern takes on American classics and moderate prices, she and co-owner Lyn Cloninger’s downtown restaurant has succeeded in a spacious, high-ceilinged space where others have failed. A richly sauced shrimp dish, inspired by hot L.A. sushi chef Katsuya Uechi, is among the most popular starters, but the “Aha” spinach-artichoke dip, shrimp-and-onion dip, and cheese-stuffed dates are all capable of keeping a group noshing over small talk. After the preliminaries, diners move on to half-pound burgers smothered with onions, pot roast, or baby-back ribs with a sweet-and-sour barbecue sauce. Cohen, who made her mark in the catering business, makes all of her own desserts and loves to kibitz with customers.