QUESTION: Hi, Ms. Talorico,
I love your blog; I read it every Friday. Thank you for the beautiful articles.
My grandson will visit me from New York City this weekend, and he has had a tremendous range of Asian cuisine tastes from Chinatown in lower Manhattan. I want to surprise him with our local authentic, traditional Asian restaurants, Japanese, Chinese, or others.
Would you recommend few for me, so I can show off?
Thank you greatly. Henry
Thank you greatly. Henry
ANSWER: Oh Henry. I'm going to be as positive as I can, but you're facing an uphill battle when it comes to comparing restaurants from Chinatown in New York and Asian places in little old Delaware.
Chinatown in New York is pretty hard to beat unless you're talking about Chinatown San Francisco.
I've talked to several Delaware Asian restaurant owners over the years who tell me that they are reluctant to offer more authentic food because they are afraid it won't appeal to "American" tastes.
And that's a big bummer.
I've been happy at the Dumpling House, 1828 W. 11th St., Wilmington; 888-1869, which can be one quirky restaurant. There are drawbacks to deal with: It has a very awkward layout on the first floor; it feels like a private club; and you have to bring your own booze. But Taipei raised owner Eileen Chao strives to offer the freshiest food possible on her very short menu.
She recommends the curry fish, spicy eggplant and, of course, the house pan-fried dumplings.
I've always enjoyed the Kahl-Bee Korean restaurant, 2011 Kirkwood Hwy, Elsmere, 998-4310.
Another reader recently had a very good experience at the Korean Barbecue & Sushi Bar restaurant, 3 Liberty Plaza, Kirkwood Highway, Newark, 455-9100
For Thai food, I'd head to either Tasti Thai, 287 Christiana Road, New Castle DE 322-1306 or Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine, a BYO restaurant at 275 Wilmington-West Chester Pike (U.S. 202); near Glen Mills, Pa.; (610) 358-4015.
Some people, I know, are happy at China Royal, Plaza III Shopping Center in North Wilmington; 475-3686; but I've had hit-and-miss experiences there in the past.
I was a big Asian Palace fan, but it has long departed its former Independence Mall location. And Shanghai restaurant on Philadelphia Pike never reopened after its fire.
Readers? Other suggestions?
9 comments:
I am the big fan of Pho Nhu Vu, in Bear. The classic Vietnamese.
Thanks Bob.
I forgot that one. Pho Nhu Vu, 1146 Pulaski Highway (U.S. 40) in Bear; 595-2529; is definitely worth a visit!
There's another good Vietnamese Resturant, can't remember the name, in Newark Shopping Center on Main St. I think it compares to Washington, D.C. asian which is very good. I would disagree with Tasti Thai, I haven't had a good experience there.
Absolutely love Tasti Thai....Pho Nu Vo is amazing...but hands down, the best sushi in Okura in Hockessin. Good Chinese can be found at Crownery (also in Hockessin) or Hunan Inn in the Branmar Plaza on Silverside Rd. Had an amazing Thai BBQ beef dish there this past week that was awesome.
Spill a secret, the best American Chinese Restaurant is Mings Garden (302-369-2839)
4138 Ogletown Stanton Rd,
Newark, DE 19713
Amazing value for money. I have the baby steak ribs in black bean sauce, my wife always orders eggplant with Chicken in Garlic sauce. My children love their Egg drop soup. All are perfectly cooked, with the vegetables beautifully crisp. Charming people, great food and a cheap but hugely enjoyable meal.
I believe the vietnamese restaurant that Rebecca mentioned in her comment is Saigon Restaurant. I love that place as well. Their food is always delicious and the service is always great.
For the Japanese in Hockessin area, I prefer Kyoto located behind Pike Creek shopping center. You can tell the difference by the Sushi Rice.
I wouldn't try to compete with what is in NYC - nothing here will be as good. Why not take him somewhere with a local spin. We always serve Cheesesteaks to New Yorkers because they are so much better here than there. Casual, but good. You could top it off with Woodside Farms ice cream! Or go to Deep Blue or Harrys Seafood if you want to go out.
THE best Thai cuisine/Asian restaurant in the Delaware Valley which opened about a year ago is Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine. They are on Rte 202 just past the DE line on the right after the WAWA and before Bruster's ice cream. They are a BYOB and are on the end of a little strip shopping center on the right heading toward W. Chester. The food is fresh, hot, and wonderful. The owners are a husband/wife team and they are always there to make sure your meal is enjoyable, customizing to your tastes. Fresh fish, duck tamarind, chicken, beef, shrimp, salads, piping hot soups....5-star housemade desserts. The owner was a former chef at the Ritz Carton in Phila. so he has his act together. Bring the wine, alcohol, and they provide the ice/lemons/limes - no corking charge. Great for parties....make a reservation now for your holiday office or birthday party!!!
Post a Comment