Interestingly enough, we were supposed to have posole, having on hand the tomatilloes, poblanoes, jalapenoes, chicken, and hominy for quite the soup staple, but slacking left us with no option but to eat out -- my treat : T
So, we went to Dragon of Newtown, whose owner I love to chat with about China, rice cookers, food, and life in Newtown, and whose wait staff is, although unadorned, very pleasant and attentive. After their remodel several years ago, they greatly improved their service, food, staff, and overall rating in my book. I am there rather often for a snack-like meal if I don't feel like cooking something major for myself but what we have in the house is not substantial for this runner.
Asian food in general has a special place in my heart and stomach, where there is ample room for their adorned veggies and brown rice : ), and since I was paying, it would be Chinese rather than a la carte sushi from Ota-ya this evening. We entered the establlishment to find my favorite waitress welcoming us and taking us to a booth. She commented on my chopsticks as I whipped them out and deftly assembled them in preparation for the ensuing meal: a big score in my book, haha. Oolong tea was quickly served along with those chips I have never really been a fan of with both mustard and duck sauce, which kept my parents occupied as I sipped the tasty tea. We ordered our food as soon as we knew what we wanted, since it was not packed for a Saturday night in a restaurant in Newtown, one reason we specifically chose this place over other only mediocre options for dining out. Before we were served our food, the owner came out to chat with us a little bit, enquiring about the identity of those with whom I was dining this particular evening: my parents. We talked about China and the fact that our choir went there and about how I come in often and that I plan on becoming fluent in Japanese during college and have future aspirations of living abroad/whatnot. She had to go greet another customer she knew, but this kind action made me feel rather fortunate we had decided to dine in at Dragon rather than my going to pick up those cartons of cooked food to be scarfed at our kitchen table.
I ordered steamed chicken and vegetables with a mild white scallion sauce on the side with a lovely portion of brown rice. I hadn't ordered this particular meal during a sit-down excursion, so I was absolutely delighted when my favorite waitress placed a cute bamboo steamer basket in front of me and flourished to remove the lid as steam wafted in the gap between the plate and her hand. This service was wonderful because I love the fresh, crisp taste of steamed food and it was obviously cooked with some care for a business that deals mostly with takeaway orders. It reminded me that they really do care about their sit-down customers as well, if not more, than those who don't have a moment to enjoy the food in the company of those who prepare it and insure that it is indeed good.
Dad had duck with mushrooms and bamboo shoots in a mild brown sauce that tasted pretty good. The bamboo shoots, though seemingly from a can, were not overly perfumed like they can be from some take-out places, and they added a nice crunch to the dish along with the snow peas. The duck was tender, though the skin was not crispy like we enjoy, for it was not baked and the sauce did whatever it could to eliminate the crispiness from the wok stir-frying technique of the chef. All in all, it was good and paired nicely with the nutty brown rice. Dad couldn't complain, and we all helped him finish the plate.
Mom ordered chicken with green beans, which were nice and crunchy, showing the ability of the chef to stir-fry in the true Chinese fashion (I read a book about Chinese cooking but am in no way an afficinado). The garlic sauce added a depth of flavor to everything else in the dish, including her side of white rice that she mixed (>.<) with the chicken and beans. She ordered it with the explicit intention to save a portion for lunch tomorrow, helping my dad finish off the duck as a consequence or we would have finished off her chicken as well.
We ate this meal with quite the relaxed pace that is rather uncommon for us when we take our Chinese food home. It was a pleasant experience with a lovely wait staff and a leisurely meal with tea. I can't complain, and I truly believe it is the best Chinese food in the Newtown area and is definitely the best quality Chinese restaurant in the area. Philly was truly awesome with its dim sum, which Dragon does not serve, but staying close to home was the idea, and there's no better way to have a good Chinese meal in Newtown! Dragon of Newtown is a favorite for sure. ^_^
