First visit:
Service: good - rough start - but she warmed up and things were fine. She gets extra points for honesty... and sweetness.
Cucumbers: Good...although China Mama's is still in the lead...
Potstickers: meh
Eggplant with Garlic Sauce: good version...if only a bit undercooked...
Salt & Pepper Shrimp: this and the potstickers were the duds - do not order this...the batter isn't right - and they were under cooked... Pho Kim Long has a definitive version.
Fresh Water Spinach: delicious
Potato "Stripes" (strips): Yunnan Garden's is the best - but it's so great to see this on a menu near campus!
Spicy Fish Hot Pot: Wow...seriously impressive presentation... do not try to breathe and swallow at the same time, lest you suffer the same fate as I - which resembled becoming a fire breathing dragon - well, once I stopped strangling... I asked what kind of fish? "filet" ok... but there's enough here for a family of 6 easily. enough bay leaves and star anise, and peppercorns, and chilipeppers to knock your socks off - and cellophane noodles on the bottom which soak up all that red unctious firey oily sauce. This is NOT for the uninitiated or the faint of heart. One of our dining companions said "if my mother in law saw this, she'd just drop dead from looking at all that..." It was really interesting...most fascinating side effect is that it left all our tongues tingling and numb. Swear. It's been over an hour, and it's still buzzing... which unfortunately does effect the way everything else tastes.
All this - with enough leftover to feed 3 more people easily...
Extra points: that this used to be Capriotti's - and now they're turning out authentic Chinese near campus...I just pray they stay true to their convictions...
Value: for 3, this was an expensive lunch, but we ordered lots of things because we wanted to taste and try...and we succeeded... $80 including tip.
We'll be back soon...
Oh and they have lunch specials...