Chengdu -- the best???? Yeah, whatever.

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Author Message   AlleyGater Citizen Username: Alleygater Post Number: 1001 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 4:13 pm:        OK, I've been involved and even started many threads on MOL about how bad I think chinese food is in NJ. I've discussed which Chinese restaurants I think are edible (very few) and in every discussion people RAVE ON AND ON ABOUT CHENGDU. So last night, I FINALLY went up there and then to a movie. Perfect date night. So my first impression the food is over-priced. But I knew that was going to be the case. Second impression, the wait staff is trying TOO HARD to give the impression that this is Fine Dining, which seemed unneccessary and uncomfortable. Thirdly, the food was just ok. I had the shrimp duet special my wife had the mooshu pork and we shared the curry shrimp spring rolls and a hot and sour soup (which was neither hot nor sour). I could see that the chef tried to use quality ingredients and add some integrity but the flavor was lacking. Since they specialize in Sichuan style chinese I expected a bolder spicier meal. In fact some of the dishes were down right bland. Seemed to me that they are cooking for an American palette. So my final impression: I wouldn't have any problem going back, but I certainly won't go out of my way to go again. Bottom line, the food was fine, although not superlative and when compared to my regular chinese joints near my old apt in the city, this place is WAY OVERPRICED and NOT NEARLY AS GOOD. Certainly not worth RAVING about.   JMF Citizen Username: Jmf Post Number: 137 Registered: 9-2004 Posted on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 8:46 pm:        I hate the search function on these boards... I was going to look up if anyone has mentioned Bean Curd in Chatham or Shanghai Jazz in Madison. Those are my favorites in the area.   Lizziecat Citizen Username: Lizziecat Post Number: 913 Registered: 5-2003 Posted on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 9:45 pm:        I love the Bean Curd for lunch. For dinners, though, I prefer China Gourmet--also for Sunday Dim Sum. It has a much more sophisticated menu than he Bean Curd. But, the BC does do a great lunch.   Dego Diva Citizen Username: Fmingione Post Number: 637 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Monday, November 7, 2005 - 11:27 am:        Where's China Gourmet?