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P.F. Chang's
Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd: 3301 Veterans (Lakeside Mall). 504-828-5288. Map.
Nice Casual
AE DC DS MC V
Website
WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
One of the more prominent national chains, P.F. Chang's concept is to serve the simplest, most familiar dishes from decades of Chinese restaurants in this country America, but in a completely American style in good-looking premises. Those who have never eaten in a Chinese restaurant before may like it. Those who have will be less impressed, and perhaps even outraged by how much the flavors have been sterilized for the mainstream.
WHAT'S GOOD
P.F. Chang's cooks with ingredients of reasonably good quality, and the plates are attractive and served fresh and hot. My problem with it is that it doesn't taste Chinese to me, even after factoring in the galactic range of Chinese cooking possibilities. I wouldn't even recommend it to a first-timer, because he'll get the wrong idea about the cuisine, which doesn't really have Bonefish-style blam-blam shrimp or cheesecake. (I will give the place credit for not having spinach-artichoke dip, even in disguise.) The menu is much more limited than it seems to be; many dishes are just ingredient shifts from others.
BACKSTORY
Paul Fleming--a native of Franklin, Louisiana--left the oil business during its tough times in th 1980s. He got into restaurants, franchising some Ruth's Chris locations. In 1996, he and chef Philip Chaing created P.F. Chang's in Arizona. The Metairie restaurant was one of the earlier ones. Fleming went on to open Fleming's Steak House, a Ruth's Chris wannabe.
DINING ROOM
The premises are spacious and handsome, and generally avoid cliche Chinese decoration or design. I keep thinking what a terrific environment this could be for the Mr. B's-style Creole bistro that Metairie needs so badly. The service staff is well-trained and intelligent.
ESSENTIAL DISHES
Starters
»Chicken lettuce wraps
Vegetarian lettuce wraps
Crab wontons
»Dumplings (steamed or pan-fried; pork, vegetable or shrimp)
Seared ahi tuna
»Northern style spare ribs (dry-style)
Barbecue spare ribs
Fried wontons
Egg rolls
Fried green beans
Spring rolls
Salt and pepper calamari
Dynamite shrimp
Edamame
Egg drop soup
»Hot and sour soup
Wonton soup
Chicken noodle soup
»Chicken chopped salad
Entrees
Spicy chicken
Crispy honey chicken
»Kung pao chicken, pork, scallops or shrimp (peppery)
Sesame chicken
Sweet and sour chicken
»Orange peel beef, chicken or shrimp
»Almond and cashew chicken
Ginger chicken with broccoli
Moo goo gai pan (chicken, shrimp (!), mushrooms, vegetables)
Mandarin chicken
Chicken with black bean sauce
»VIP duck (roasted, then flash-fried)
Moo shu chicken, pork
Mongolian beef
Beef with broccoli
Pepper steak
Szechuan chicken, pork, scallops or shrimp (peppery)
»Chengdu spiced lamb
Wok-seared lamb
Wok-charred beef
Sweet and sour pork
Crispy ("crispy"="deep-fried") honey shrimp
Shrimp with candied walnuts
»Shanghai shrimp (broccoli, snow peas, garlic sauce)
Shrimp with lobster sauce
»Salt and pepper prawns (black bean sauce, mustard, ginger)
»Hunan-style hot fish
Oolong tea-marinated Chilean sea bass
»Asian grilled Norwegian salmon with asparagus*
Norwegian salmon steamed with ginger *
Mahi-mahi, lemongrass garlic sauce
Fried rice (beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetable, or combo)
Lo mein (beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetable, or combo)
Singapore noodles (shrimp, chicken, vegetables, curry sauce)
Double pan-fried noodles (beef, pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetable, or combo)
Dan dan noodles (wide noodles, ground chicken, garlic; peppery)
Vegetarian
»Coconut curry vegetables
Buddha's feast
»Ma po tofu
Stir-fried eggplant
Desserts
»Banana spring rolls
Chocolate layer cake, chocolate chips, berries
Flourless chocolate dome
Cheesecake
Tres leches lemon dream
Triple chocolate mousse
Apple pie
Carrot cake
Tiramisu
Red velvet cake
FOR BEST RESULTS
It's probably best not to order your favorite Chinese dish here. Ask the waiter what he's high on, noting that you're not interested in what's most popular.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
They should take a risk now and then. Or offer special menu of ethnic Chinese specialties for those of us who know. Maybe send the cooks to China? Or even San Francisco or New York.
FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.
- Dining Environment +2
- Consistency +1
- Service+2
- Value
- Attitude +2
- Wine & Bar +1
- Hipness -1
- Local Color -1
SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
- Good for business meetings
- 25-75
- Open Sunday lunch and dinner
- Open Monday lunch and dinner
- Open all afternoon
- Quick, good meal
- Good for children
- Easy, nearby parking
- Reservations accepted
