SKYWAY WOK - Minneapolis

Skyway Wok is coming to the skyway level of the Baker Building, Spring 2012. Construction permit is posted and windows are papered. Looking forward to an option other than sandwiches!

CHIN CHIN - Los Angeles (Brentwood)

Chin Chin, one of my favorite eateries for... maybe 20 years, is on San Vicente Boulevard in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Since my last visit, the space has been comfortably updated with deep brown leather bench, booth and chair seating seating, white cloth napkins, lightened Walls and drop trendy globe lighting. In addition, I discovered a recently completed, fantastic renovation of a rooftop space for added outdoor seating.

My lunch companions, Richard and Roberta, were as excited as I to return to Chin Chin. Taking the advise of our extremely friendly server - Gavin, we decided to share a starter plate of their Szechuan Dumplings. The plump dumplings stuffed with minced chicken, onion, ginger & garlic were perfectly cooked. The accompanying dipping sauce accented with soy, citrus and cilantro was perfect!

For lunch, we ordered their "famous" Chinese Chicken Salad. The salad of shredded lettuce, chunks of chicken breast, shredded carrots, toasted slivered almonds, tidbits of scallion, red pepper, and thin crunchy wonton strips tossed in an amazing ginger dressing. This masterpiece is topped with crispy rice noodles. The incredible salad is large enough to share but no - we each ordered our own and left nothing on our plates. Delicious!

I will most certainly be returning for the great service, the relaxing outdoor space and the delectable menu!

Mmm... Mmm... Mmm...

ChinChin.com

$

++++

&&&&

Entrée

$ 10

$$ 20

$$$ 30

$$$$ 40+

Staff

+ Stop bothering me!

++ Anyone here?

+++ Stopped when in the area.

++++ As needed and friendly.

+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall

& “One visit too many!”

&& “Convince me!”

&&& “I’ll be back!”

&&&& “Same table next week!”

ARCHIE'S WOK - Puerto Vallarta

Archie’s Wok can be found in Zona Romantica - the older, charming area of Puerto Vallarta, ½ block up from the wooden pier. The restaurant was started over 20 years by Archie, He was director, John Houston's personal chef for almost 8 years while John was living in PV. Archie's widow, Cindy, and family continue to run the eatery. The space is very basic with the expected sprinkling of bright Chinese colors. The dining space is slightly separated by a short set of steps up to the space at the rear of the restaurant. The kitchen is oddly located behind the host station near the front door and first dining area.

I began with the “Spicy Life Salad” – it was great. The thin slices of mixed vegetables were very fresh & crunchy; the light dressing with the right amount of zing was outstanding. A perfect start to what I expected to be a good meal.

I can not say the same for the Chicken & Almond entrée I ordered for dinner. The abundance of larger-than-necessary chunks of celery and onion left little room for anything else. The 4 tidbits of chicken breast I found buried among the carrot, jicama, onion, mushroom & celery had a steamed texture – certainly not seared in a wok. The light sauce attempting to hold this dish together lacked flavor and failed. I should have ordered another salad & skipped the chicken entrée.

The restaurant was surprisingly busy; it maybe that many of the dinner guests (tourists) find it a “safe” choice. Not in my opinion – there is a plethora of reasonable priced dining options in PV... keeping walking.

Mmm...

$$
++
✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

KAN'S - San Francisco

KAN’S RESTAURANT is a family owned restaurant that advertises itself as being a Chinatown landmark for over 45 years with a long-standing tradition of fine Chinese dining. The restaurant specializes in Chinese seafood dishes and dim sum. It is located 4 blocks from the Dragon Gates at Bush & Grant in the Chinatown neighborhood of San Francisco, home to the largest Chinese population outside of Asia.

I chose my lunch from their Dim Sum menu. I started off with the Pork Pot Stickers. The pot stickers were the size of golf balls filled with tasty chunks of pork and vegetables. The Roasted Chicken & Vegetables on Skewer was excellent; the very tender chicken was accompanied by onions and carrots. The black bean sauce is an excellent dipping option. The Crispy Prawns with Salt & Pepper were perfectly seasoned, coated in a very light, see-through breading. The whole shrimp is served – a little bit of work, but the reward is so worth it! The Pan Fried Stuffed Mushrooms could not have been better. I can not remember how they were stuffed, but I do know that I would have ordered another plate had I not reached my limit.

My favorite dim sum plate was the Snow Flower Crispy Shrimp Balls. Again, these golf ball size nuggets of delight were filled with chopped shrimp and a very small amount of onion. The balls were very lightly breaded and creatively hidden in a “bird’s nest” of very thin strips of won ton skins. This delight was quickly fried – apparently at a very high temp, there was no trace of oil on my plate. I chose the sweet & sour sauce and the spicy red sauce for dipping. Choose your sauce; you won’t be disappointed.

How can you go to Chinatown and not have some very authentic dim sum? Each dim sum plate was a tasty treat! I always feel it is a good sign when you find “locals” dining in an ethic restaurant. The restaurant is located on the second level. Request a table near the window for added entertainment.

Mmm, Mmm...

$$
++++
✦✦✦

Entrée
$ $10
$$ $20
$$$ $30
$$$$ $40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”