I am a big fan of
PF Chang’s China Bistro. But, make no mistake; it’s not really a Chinese
restaurant. In fact, their menu describes their fare as “Asian inspired”. I am
usually critical of Asian restaurants that dumb down their food to satisfy
American tastes. With PF Chang's, however, it’s actually more of a globalization
of taste. And the food is always flavorful. And unique. Which is one of the
reasons I love eating there. Here are some more reasons:
I arrived at PF
Chang on a Saturday afternoon around 4:00pm. My first server was Jen, who was
very helpful, and executed the PF Chang tradition of mixing the restaurant’s
signature sauce of soy, chili paste and a vinegar. She asked if I like it
spicy, to which I replied “I keep a bottle of Sriracha in my cabinets at all
times." So, I soon had a small cup of Sriracha sauce as well. Jen soon handed me
off to Jill as part of an unfortunate shift change due to my timing. Jill was
just as helpful and attentive to my culinary needs. Both young ladies were
charming, personable and exemplary of what a professional server should be.
And, of course, they kept my tea glass full the entire time.
I started my meal
with what is probably my favorite item on their menu: Lettuce Wraps. It is one
of their Signature appetizers, in
fact. Tender minced chicken stir-fried with shredded mushrooms, green onions,
and water chestnuts on bed of rice sticks. You then spoon that mix into crisp
lettuce leafs like a taco and eat up. It is an absolute delight.
 |
| Shanghai Cucumbers & Chengdu Spiced Lamb |
For my main course,
I indulged in my favorite type of meat: lamb. I always make it a habit that if
I go to a restaurant that has lamb, then lamb is what I get. In this case it
was the Chengdu Spiced Lamb. The spicy, cumin marinated lamb is succulent and tender.
Also tossed into the mix is mint, tomatoes and yellow onions. The consistency
of the meat was heavenly, and the flavors abundant. A smart move- in my
opinion- of spicy versus cool with the cumin and mint. And the portion was well
appreciated by this Epicurean. The gravy-like sauce also had a unique smoky
flavor to it. I will be hard pressed not
to get this again and again in the future.
As a side for my entrée,
I partook of another one of my favorite signature dishes; the Shanghai
Cucumbers. Crisp and sweet, these cubed pieces of cumber are marinated in a
vinegary soy sauce and seasoned with sesame and pepper. An absolute must when you
visit. I might also add, that the white rice served with my entrée was
perfectly cooked: a feat I greatly admire.
I finished off my
meal with a slice of Cheesecake. I say “finished off”, but this huge slab was
too much for even me. It was creamy, with pieces of fruit to the side; an utter
delicious delight. While I am a fan of pie, I am not always a fan of pie crust.
I am known to often leave crust behind when indulging. Not so with this tasty
treat. The crust was entirely perfect. And it was just as good when I finally
finished it off later that night at home.
As you can imagine,
I have nothing but high marks for P.F. Chang’s. The service was phenomenal; the
food was exceptionally delicious; and the environment is extremely conducive to
both family and fun. Being someone with many allergies, one of the things I
really like about P.F. Chang’s is their service to “run a matrix” on their menu
to give you options that adhere to your restrictions. That is a huge plus. So
if you have never tried P.F. Chang’s, you should. Appetizers range in price
from about $5 to $7. Most entrée’s are between $9 and $14. So, it won’t break
your wallet, either.
If you would like
to learn more about P.F. Chang’s, or browse their menu before going you can do
so here: www.pfchangs.com
My Rating: * * * * *
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