| Author |
Message |
    
davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 155
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 4, 2003 - 5:32 pm: |     |
It is a significant personal culinary disaster that Ocean King IS closed. It was REAL chinese food that was consumed by many chinese people and my family, many times. They translated their chinese menu into english so you could get very unusual dishes.
I tracked down the owner and found out they are history for good--a true loss.
We think Cathay 22 is quite good; their Peking Duck is yummy and they construct the wrapped up things for you--fun. Mapo Tofu is real and good. They also have a delicious bottle of NZ Sauvignon Blanc (around $24) that goes superbly w/ chinese food.
I will try China Gourmet again; okay last time, maybe I was in a bad mood. Dim Sum good, huh? Big lines on the weekends? Fair numbers of actual chinese people?
Eat well, all.
David Buckley |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 555
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 - 4:40 pm: | |
Bill & Harry's food is not very delicious, imho.
Chen's is great; there's one on 22 but the better one is in New Providence.
excited about the recommendation for Peking House - thanks Elizabeth! - and also for delivery! |
Marc
Citizen
Username: Bautisma
Post Number: 48
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 - 5:19 pm: | |
I like Hunan Garden, unfortunately they don't deliver |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth
Post Number: 261
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2003 - 7:15 am: | |
davidbuckley--I too consider it a culinary disaster that Ocean King closed (I asked them many times to open a branch in SO/Maplewood). So try Peking House--no dim sum and no tables, but I'm still happy to have found it. |
kellybean
Citizen
Username: Kellybean
Post Number: 30
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, November 6, 2003 - 12:34 pm: | |
My husband and I really like Golden Chopsticks in Irvington, I think. It's just like the take-out place on my block when i lived in the city. They are priced very well and deliver super fast.
Kelly |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 78
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 10:01 am: | |
Last night we ordered from Peking House.
First, the positives:
1) fast service (I ordered it there and waited. It took about 10 minutes.)
2) friendly staff. They were very nice, and a free 2 litre soda came with our meal.
3) it looked pretty clean.
4) big portions (but that's a negative too. see below).
Second, the negatives:
1) the food. Here's what we got, and a brief review:
cold noodles with sesame sauce -- this is pretty standard fare. Hard to mess up. It was OK. My daughter called them peanut butter noodles (the sauce was pretty thick).
hot and sour soup -- not terrible.
vegetable fried rice -- this was really strange. It really looked like spanish rice. That's to say, the rice was yellow. There were big veggies, which were fresh and crisp. The carrots were especially good. Thinly sliced. This in no way resembled anything I've seen called fried rice at a chinese restaurant before.
ginger & scallion lo mein -- this was the best of our dishes. Nice ginger flavor, but not many scallions, and none of substance. Very big portion. This was pretty similar to the japanese disk yaki soba.
general tso's chicken -- quite bad. fatty. bad flavor. we ate very little of this.
fortune cookies -- actually, these were good. crispy.
the bottom line -- we won't order from here again. I must say, though, that the ginger & scallion lo mein would be a good dinner, if you asked them to throw in a bunch of the same veggies that come with the fried rice. With the size of the portion and the nice ginger flavor, that'd be a big and pretty tasty meal.
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algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1414
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 10:07 am: | |
What I DO like about Bill and Harry's is that their chicken (I get sesame not general tso's) is never fatty. That skeeves me. |
Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 14
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 12:53 pm: | |
Bill and Harrys Chinese seemed ok to me until we got a take out from Waterlillies (in Maplewood village too) - which IMO was definitely the better food of the two but the service was lacking.
Ofcourse, it depends what you order - some chinese dishes just ARE uninspiring. We could do with a decent Thai food place for some tongue tingling stuff.... |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5631
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 2:33 pm: | |
There are no uninspiring Chinese dishes, just uninspired chefs (possible exceptions: jellyfish appetizer, radish cake and sea cucumber). Bill and Harry's was the first Chinese food I had upon returning from working in China for over a year. It was absolutely awful. Greasy, tasteless, droopy. Waterlilly puts way too much sugar in the food. |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 80
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 2:39 pm: | |
Dave --
There are certainly uninspiring "American-Chinese" dishes: Chicken with snow peas and water chestnuts, for example.
Just curious: ever see that on a menu in China? |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5633
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 2:50 pm: | |
Menus in China are books, so it's hard not to find something. I don't think I ever had it in China, though. |
xavier67
Citizen
Username: Xavier67
Post Number: 294
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:11 pm: | |
The last time I was in a Chinese rest (Buddha House on Carmine St), I saw a fish dish the chef was preparing for the staff. I pointed to it and asked the waitress what the dish was. She shook her head dismissively as though I wouldn't be interested in the dish and said, "That? That's Chinese food."
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Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 81
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:18 pm: | |
Exactly xavier67. I've never been to China, but I remember the first time I had Chinese food in Japan. It looked, smelled and tasted absolutely nothing like the American Chinese stuff I'd been eating here all my life. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5634
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 3:35 pm: | |
I think the owners of Chinese restaurants do themselves a disservice by not offering more authentic dishes. Sometimes you can ask for a Chinese menu and, if you can read it, order from it. Sometimes the same dish is cheaper on the Chinese menu, too.
Many Americans are squeamish about having fish served with head still attached, which is why a lot of great fish dishes aren't served here, I think. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 2214
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 4:57 pm: | |
I can NOT eat the poor thing with it's little head still on and those poor pathetic little eyes staring at me - Yuck! Why do they keep the head on anyway? |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5636
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Friday, November 7, 2003 - 5:21 pm: | |
So you can see it's fresh (if the eye isn't red or dull). Plus, there's a bit of meat up there. No head? Restaurant is ripping you off. |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 153
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 8, 2003 - 12:07 am: | |
Having been to the PRC numerous times I can tell you the food is nothing like it is here. Some interesting dishes are, jellyfish (at 1st I thought I was going to gag, but if prepared right, not so bad) shark fin soup (delicous), chicken feet (pass) and my favorite lobster sashimi (raw lobster right out of the shell). You can get some of these dishes in a chinese restaurant that has a Chinese menu. The only one I frequent is on 24th street and 9th ave in Manhattan (sorry forget the namne but there is always Chinese people eating there and always a line to get in). |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 98
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 7:11 pm: | |
jj's has the best gen'l tsao's chicken-all white meat-much better than bill & harry and any other that i have had.
oots |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 727
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 9:56 pm: | |
We got Chinese takeout last night. Had been going mostly to JJ's from Dave's recommendation, but lately it's been a bit bland. (In the past we had really enjoyed it.) Decided to give Bill & Harry's another shot. Asked for almost everything extra spicy, and it was good. Broccoli with garlic sauce, Spicy shrimp with walnuts, shrimp mei fun. Even had leftovers for today's lunch. Don't eat chicken, so I can't comment on that but the shrimp were nicely done. |
bets
Citizen
Username: Bets
Post Number: 412
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 9, 2003 - 10:42 pm: | |
Anyone else miss Alex Eng's? |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1011
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 11:51 am: | |
In Bill and Harry's "specials" section of the menu, there's a dish called something like "shrimp in spicy tea sauce." Perhaps it has a bit too much sugar and oil in it for some, as the shrimp is deep fried, but it's pretty tasty!
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
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Mummite
Citizen
Username: Mummite
Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 2:01 pm: | |
We tried "China King" on Friday. The food was good. They do spring rolls. They're in W Orange but do FREE DELIVERY TO MAPLEWOOD and they threw in a few cans of free soda too. 973 731 2511 |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 316
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 4:21 pm: | |
YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO THE WRONG PLACE. Why dont you come over to the East side of town to Panda Kitchen on SA and Park Avenue.
1) All the cops eat there. (Good Sign)
2) Our friends consistently rave and request Panda when they come over.
3) They have Dim Sum which is rare for a take out.
4) They make their egg drop soup fresh while you wait.
5) There prices are good.
6) They are on SA. Help SA thrive!!
7) The food is fresh and delicious!! |
Chasm
Citizen
Username: Chasm
Post Number: 120
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 7:13 pm: | |
I was just in Taiwan, Hong Kong & mainland China. Here are some menu examples:
Jelly fish (not bad, a little chewy. Tingly feeling in Taiwan)
Eels in Hoisen sauce
Sea Cucumber (it's an invertebrate, not a veggie)
Chicken Feet
Fish heads (you eat the meat from the cheek)
Generally speaking, food in Hong Kong is very good as you might expect. More flavor, better variety. Food in China is not bad, but the flavor is lacking. Taiwan - not very good IMHO, although I had some decent Thai and Japanese food in Taiwan.
The people I met in China made fun of American Chinese food. Too much fried stuff they said. Many Chinese dishes are boiled. They tried to get me to eat the Chicken Feet, but I politely refused  |
Liz
Citizen
Username: Mschiquita
Post Number: 50
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 10:32 pm: | |
we tried Ling Ling last eve - very tasty, albeit a few dishes were a bit bland. The beef dish we tried was the most flavorful, and what we REALLY loved was that it was, truly, healthy as it says it is. The soup broth was light and fragrant, not putrid yellow like it can be at some places... And all the veggies we had were very fresh and great variety (not just carrots and water chestnuts)...as my mom said 'there was more than one pea pod in my serving, and they were crisp!'. This is a higher end place, obviously, with better quality chopsticks, containers, etc. Kind of nice for those of us who find it easier to eat in (between the 16 month old adventurer and Pop with dementia..) Am very interested to try some of the other options listed above, however...especially DIM SUM (oh how I miss DIM SUM in Chinatown) |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5708
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 11:00 pm: | |
Chasm, it sounds like your hosts were playing "let's freak out the foreign guest" with you, a fun game.  |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 376
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 11:16 pm: | |
NRL...
Panda was the WORST Chinese I've EVER had! Way TOO greasy for my stomach! YUCK! I did try them on someone's recomendation. Bill & Harry's is just so so...
Now, this is MY fave place in the area for GOOD Chinese food:
Hunan Spring Chinese Restaurant
288 Morris Avenue, Springfield, NJ 07081
(973) 379-4994
I use their take-out A LOT! Also go for their $4.95 lunch specials...
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SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 155
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2003 - 11:41 pm: | |
Is Hunan Spring in the shopping center (Foodtown, gym etc) across from the olde Springfield Presby church? If so, you're right.. it's good.... but a bit far for take out. |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 378
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 12:12 am: | |
No, it's at the next light past the shopping center. It's a free standing bldg. The parking lot is in the back, and it's a park and ride lot I believe. The place you are thinking about is Hillary's, they also have good Chinese food. It's in the shopping Center off Morris/Mountain Ave. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5709
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 12:15 am: | |
Anyone who wants authentic Chinese food can make the 20 minute drive up Rt 10 to Kam Man supermarket (shares parking lot with Home Depot). The small food court attached to the market is a good representation of what Chinese eat in China (except for business meetings, where the sea slugs and maotai for snake blood shots are brought out much to the horror of foreigners). The smaller food court on the right side has Taiwanese fare . There's a bakery there, too. Try the pineapple buns or chestnut cake. I just wish they carried fresh Qingdao beer, which is probably the finest in the world, but once it makes the long journey here gets skunky. |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 318
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:03 am: | |
Woody, Maybe your grease experience was just a fluke. I have yet to have a greasy meal there.
If my next meal is greasy, I am going to hold you responsible. (LOL) |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 133
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 9:06 am: | |
It's not Hillary's any more--changed names a few months ago (can't recall it right now), and advertises "Chinese & Japanese Food"--to me, a bad sign. pick one, and do it well. |
jem
Citizen
Username: Jem
Post Number: 826
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 9:37 am: | |
Actually, Hillary's had both and the sushi was good. |
Tom Reingold the prissy-pants
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 1084
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 3:25 pm: | |
I understand most places that serve Japanese food, even those that serve only Japanese food, are not run by Japanese. Most are Korean run but some are Chinese run. The Korean run ones often have very good Korean and Japanese food.
Tom Reingold
There is nothing
|
spw784
Citizen
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 399
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, November 17, 2003 - 5:20 pm: | |
Anyone have any opinions on the following West Orange Chinese Take Out places?
East Garden - P V Way, next to Starlite Pizza,
Sun Wah Kitchen - on Northfield , in strip mall across from Arena
Thanks!
|
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 95
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 9:58 am: | |
Dave --
Thanks for the Kam Man recommendation.
We're heading out to Morris Plains tonight. Is that the right direction on 10 to find Kam Man. Are they open until 8 or so? |
NRL
Citizen
Username: Nrl
Post Number: 323
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 7:11 pm: | |
Hey, Did anyone know there is a new chinese food place opening on SA near Maplecrest?
I saw the coming soon signs today. Something like "peking" or something. |
Dave Ross
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 5723
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 7:16 pm: | |
Y-
Sounds like the right direction. I think they open until 8 but best time is probably 4-6, when the selection is largest. |
parkah
Citizen
Username: Parkah
Post Number: 20
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 8:56 pm: | |
we like tomato garden in springfield... it's across the street from Hillary's in the foodtown shopping center. it's a bit on the greasy side... but cheap. orders over like $20 come with a free liter of soda (just like the good old upper west side days) and best of all... they deliver to maplewood. perfect for those cold fall/winter nights. |
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