So instead, I decided to try something - and that "something new" was PF Chang's. Either on urbanspoon or yelp had good reviews and described the restaurant as a US chain that had recently opened a location in Canada. One posting likened the dining experience at PF Chang's to "eating Chinese food at the Keg" - and it was exactly that. The atmosphere was clean and very Keg-like. Our server was attentive, the food came out quickly and it seemed to me that the food did not have a usual MSG-taste in cheap Chinese restaurants (this is not to said that they don't use additives - because I did experience the usual food additive swelling of face and hands in the morning - but perhaps not as severe as after eating at the usual hangouts).
The Winterlicious Dinner ($25) and their usual Dinner for Two ($24.99) ... what am I missing here. This made the entire point of coming here for winterlicious moot. I made Bear order the winterlicious option so that I could get the Ma Po Tofu and ordered an additional appetizer.
The yelp recommended "dynamite shrimp", which was small deep fried shrimp doused in Bear's fav - mayo-siracha hot sauce. Nothing spectacular except for the look of delight it is able to bring on Bear's face. Bear's favourite condiment isn't honey - it's mayo.
The veggie spring roll was nice (new kinds of veggies other than the usual cabbage etc.) but tasted processed. The wonton soup had nice pork dumplings with ginger which I enjoyed (then later regreted after reading that chinese restaurant soups and sauces are flavoured with food additives).
The sesame chicken was kind of like μλ
μΉν¨ (korean fried chicken). The Ma Po Tofu was deep fried and the sauce pleasant (loved that it wasn't overwhelming or salty). I especially enjoyed the "fire" flavour that comes from foods cooked in very high temperature.
All in all, I enjoyed the food at PF Chang's and the fortune cookie was a hoot. I considered coming back to try out other items on their menu as I walked out of the restaurant and waited for my $3 valet parking.
We were full and didn't have room for dessert. The New York style cheesecake we brought home - was so good with raspberry coulis - right before bed. The carrot cake was moist, light and soft (like of like cinnamon cake) but it wasn't my cake so I only had one bite.
Yes. I went to bed very full. Never a good idea. I'm surprised I didn't get nightmares.
But that was after.
After waking up to some swelling in the morning, I hit "msg" and "PF Chang's" on google and I find out that PF Chang's does not use MSG (good!) but they may use something worse - a mysterious food additive derived from yeast - it has neither been confirmed or denied - what the heck.
Good feelings are gone. I won't be going back. But now I'm curious to try the Japanese restaurant next door - Kabuki.
