| Author |
Message |
    
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1050
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 7:43 am: |     |
Place was pretty empty last night. Charlie said that business is so bad he may have to close soon. This is one of the few kid-friendly places around where an adult can get something other than pizza or pasta, and I would be sad it go. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 1988
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 10:11 am: | |
It's generally pretty empty. Charlie is always very nice.
It's my kids' favorite!
I think if they expanded the offerings a little (less fried stuff with the appetizers, or a wider selection of prepared food) they might get a better crowd.
Try as I might, I still can't perfect my mongolian bbq. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 609
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 10:57 am: | |
We would be VERY upset if they closed, although admittedly we haven't been in months!
Thanks for the heads-up Mark. I am going to make it my personal mission to eat there twice a week |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1053
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 12:18 pm: | |
Twice a week! Yegads, there will be a lot more Pippi after that (unless you are better than me and can lay off the fried stuff)! |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 2798
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 12:22 pm: | |
I've never been to JP Lee's. What is Mongolian BBQ? |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 610
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 1:32 pm: | |
Mark - I do indulge in the fried stuff, but with my mongolian I put very little sauce of any kind and never get noodles....but I suppose twice a week IS pushing it. 
Alg - mongolian BBQ is where you put raw meat and vegetables and lo mein noodles from a big salad bar into a big bowl and they cook right in front on a big grill.
It's very yummy and can be very healthy - if you lay off the oily and salt-laden sauces. It's all you can eat which is another fattening aspect, for some. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1055
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 1:42 pm: | |
You take some meat (if you are of that persuasion), add lots of fresh veggies and some noodles, ladle on a whole bunch of sauces (Hunan, Szechwan, cooking wine, ginger, sesame oil, etc.) and hand the bowl to a guy standing over a REALLY hot circular grill. He layers it onto the grill, stirs it around while walking in a circle around the grill, and hands it back steaming and done. Your kids throw a dollar in the tip jar and he rings a big bell.
In the meantime, you get a bunch of sushi and shrimp and pig out for a while. Then you go back for some standard Chinese buffet fare (egg rolls, General Tsao's chicken, tofu and mushrooms--and no MSG), and you try to waddle out. If you really are hungry, you can always go do it again.
In the spring and summer, you can walk it off in the park behind the restaurant, enjoying the roses in bloom or the softball games or a summer concert while the kids run around and get nutty.
The food is not outstanding, but it is decent and plentiful, and they price it lower for kids, which helps. |
Dave
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 4874
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 1:48 pm: | |
JP Lees isn't remotely Mongolian. A better description of real Mongolian communal hot-pot cooking is here. The American interpretation is to fry everything when it's supposed to be more like fondue. Photos |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3590
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 2:19 pm: | |
I hate to say that we've tried it a few times and have been underwhelmed. I love the concept, but there just aren't enough salad bar options for me. If there were a wider variety of veggies, beans, etc., I'd be there quite regularly. The present offerings look as if they are trying to save money.
I guess it's a vicious circle: people may not go because of the limited choices & he doesn't make enough to offer more choices.
As Pippi says, with enough fresh veggies to choose from, it can be healthy.
|
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 611
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 3:07 pm: | |
There's actually a better place in Garwood. Can't remember the name...Notehead, are you reading this?
They have better selection of veggies, including tofu. They do not have the buffet options, but they offer soup, rice and dumplings as an appetizer, so it likely evens out. Again, I find it a healthy choice, because I go verrrry easy on the sauces and don't get noodles.
Dave - our idea of chinese food isn't remotely chinese either, is it?  |
Dave
Moderator
Username: Dave
Post Number: 4880
Registered: 4-1998
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 5:03 pm: | |
Depends where you go. Joy Luck on Northfield Ave. in West Orange is fairly authentic Cantonese if you order from the Chinese menu (which is in Chinese & English). They tend not to want to give it to "foreign" guests, as some of the titles of dishes can be off-putting (eg. sea cucumber, tripe, etc.) or they think that the dishes won't be to the dishes most Americans are accustomed to. Even their regular menu is quite good, though. |
bmpsab
Citizen
Username: Bmpsab
Post Number: 98
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 3, 2005 - 8:28 pm: | |
We love JP Lees, and fyi: if you ask for tofu (I'm vegetarian and I always do), they are happy to bring you a bowl of tofu that you can add to your mongolian bbq. |
Amie Brockway-Metcalf
Citizen
Username: Amie
Post Number: 128
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 8:08 am: | |
Where is it? |
sullymw
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 445
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 9:06 am: | |
yes, I think if they stressed the healthy stuff and reduced the fried stuff and spruced up the decor, they would do better in Millburn. I think people these days (even with kids) are looking for healthy alternatives. That being said, I go for the Mongolian, but can't avoid the General Tso's too (even if it's not very good). I would be disappointed if they closed. |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 2801
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 9:12 am: | |
Is it all buffet style? |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1063
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 9:30 am: | |
All buffet style, except the soups and drinks are ordered at the table before you start.
It is located on Millburn Avenue in Millburn, across from Tinga (probably one reason business is down at JP Lees), one long block up from the Cinema near the park.
I agree that the food could be healthier, the decor snazzier, and neither Charlie nor the cooks are close to the real Mongolian chefs whose fare I have had the pleasure to sample in DC (more like what Dave spoke about). That said, it is fun for the kids, they eat mostly the vegetables at the grill side, it is reasonably affordable, and the food is better than standard Chinese fare, |
Ukealalio
Citizen
Username: Ukealalio
Post Number: 1606
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 9:51 am: | |
Love the place and the kids love the place. It's not gourmet food but it gives you a lot of variety and value for your money. Charlie and Cynthia are great hosts (I love his Verbal Adjuster button). Before I go on one of my trips to China, Charlie always gives me a brief Mandarin lesson and then practices his Yiddish. It would be a real shame to lose this place. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3599
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 10:15 am: | |
I feel very disloyal posting this here, but we had dinner at Jade Lake Gardens (?) in the strip mall between Whole Foods and Annie Sez last weekend. It was excellent. It's probably a little pricey for a regular kid excursion (two adults $40 with tip), but fabulous flavor.
We tried Tast of Asia in SO as well. We were both dissappointed. The flavors were wonderful, but both of us had tough, overcooked meat (chicken & pork). We may give it another try. We got take-out right as they were closing & wonder if they were not paying as close attention trying to get out of there.
I'd still love JP Lee's if there was more fresh stuff. My favorite mix (used to get this at the place across from my office in midtown): broccoli, tofu, cabbage, onions, 3 kinds of mushrooms, snow peas, shrimp, scallions, kidney beans, fresh grated ginger, chopped garlic, chilis, rice noodles & a splash of peanut oil. I wasn't popular in afternoon meetings, tho...  |
StringsTeacher99
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 271
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 4, 2005 - 10:47 am: | |
I love JP Lee's and frequented it when I was in high school and on breaks from college, but honestly haven't been there much in the past 2 years. It's something different, definitely not gourmet, but it is what it is and I've never had any complaints. I think it's actually a chain - I know there's another JP Lee's in south Jersey, and I think there might be another one someplace else. I really wouldn't consider it if I was looking for good Asian cuisine, I just go there when I crave it. I will definitely make an effort to start going there a little more often if their business is down.
Greenetree - I went to Taste of Asia once and had a chicken chicken dish - it was great! I actually remember saying that it was really juicy, so maybe you're right about it being because they were closing.
[edit] Also - if you love JP Lee's and are ever up in Harvard Square, check out Fire and Ice. I think that's the name of it, I was there maybe 3 or 4 years ago. It's like a giant, fresh, JP Lee's with more choices and a really cool atmosphere. |
Taurus5208
Citizen
Username: Taurus5208
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 - 3:55 pm: | |
JP Lees has always done me well. I think they have a pretty good selection, the staff is friendly and it is always clean and accomodating. It is sad to me that they are thinking of closing due to poor business.
I had a great meal at Taste of Asia as well. Everything I tried was delicious! |
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