Delicious, Inexpensive, Satisfying
My fiancee and I have regularly been going to Chef Wang's for almost six months now. The menu is large and well stocked with dishes that please everybody across the board, not just Americanized cuisine and not just the hard core authentic stuff. Everything I have eaten there is very good, and consistently good. The food tastes fresh and they are unafraid to tweak recipes to your taste. The portions are generous for such low prices. As far as the food goes, everything my fiancee and I have tried has been a real treat. The fresh pulled noodles are a specialty of the house, and they are magnificent. Their orange chicken is spicy and bursts with bright citrus flavor. The General's Chicken (my favorite) is always really satisfying, and they have a house chicken dish (Chef Wang's chicken) that is really super if you aren't into the whole deep fried fare. Their Mongolian lamb is tenderly flavored and unabashedly spicy. Moo Shu anything is always yummy, and their vegetarian dishes went over really well the last time I took a veggie friend with me to the place. (They had the yellow duck, and said it was divine.) The appetizers are really scrumptious. I've tried almost all of them and I can't get enough of their flakey, fresh-tasting eggrolls. Everything from potstickers to barbeque to jellyfish seems to set a standard for what this kind of cuisine should taste like. My personal favorite appetizer is the sesame pan roll, which is not on the menu but will be lovingly prepared for you for $2.95 upon request. This very authentic, hearty mandarine treat will really knock your socks off. It is a doughy pastry filled with beef and a few greens, rolled in sesame seeds. One of these with a cup of soup would be PLENTY for lunch. The soup is always fresh and flavorful, even during the lunch hours. The restaurant is immaculate, including the restrooms. The staff is prompt, courteous, and very friendly but not overbearing. They are all more than happy to help you select items from the menu, and are very professional, always, but never ever snooty. The head waiter in the evenings is exceedingly charming, and the entire staff works together like a well oiled machine to ensure a great experience. Consistently. The atmosphere is always pleasant, even during the lunch rush. White linen tablecloths and handsome crystal chandeliers make for a tasteful environment, but it's never stuffy or uptight. It is a fairly large restaurant, with an enclosed area for private parties, but always feels cozy and welcoming. There is a full bar room and a karaoke lounge available as well. The prices are very low. Two people can eat dinner with an appetizer and soup, two entrees and sodas, plus a fair tip, for thirty bucks or much less. We *always* walk away very satisfied. Chef Wang's is no longer located at Castro. You can now find them @ 5100 El Camino Real in Los Altos. Their phone number is (650) 965-2689.
Recommended: anything and everything, honest.
Food: 10
Service: 10
Ambiance: 8
Overall: 10