OK...I am a sucker for cloth napkin lunches. When I find that establishment, it goes to the top of the list of must return restaurants.....but only if their food is worthy.
China Pearl qualifies!
Today, we had a recommendation to try China Pearl in Farragut. I arrived at 1130 and the place was empty. OK...maybe a slow Thursday. Within the blink of an eye, I would swear the city bus dropped off 40 people and the restaurant was packed at noon..packed! Glad we were early...since we would have had to wait for a table. Something is "going on good" at this restaurant.
Our server brought our "southern house wine", aka sweet tea. I have never seen tea this color....mostly clear with a tinge of caramel color. We asked if they served any stronger tea. The server immediately returned with tea of the proper color and strength.
The soup choice were the usual for a lunch special....Egg Drop, Wonton, Hot & Sour or Chicken Rice. We all chose the Hot & Sour soup. All the lunch specials ranged from $5.75 to $7.75. All include soup and egg roll.
On to our entrees. Sweet Sour Shrimp, Kung Pao Chicken and Pad Thai Beef. Good choices...and I must say this had to be the BEST Kung Pao Chicken I have eaten anywhere. The sauce was outstanding...perfectly prepared, crunchy vegetables and peanuts. So many times I find the peanut char to overwhelm the dish. This was not my experience. The Pad Thai was mildly curry flavored...and next time, I would request they kick it up a notch. The Sweet Sour Shrimp was exactly what you would expect with the exception of the battered shrimp. Light, puffy and cooked just right. The shrimp floated in the sauce rather than being submerged like most serve.
Our server brought our "southern house wine", aka sweet tea. I have never seen tea this color....mostly clear with a tinge of caramel color. We asked if they served any stronger tea. The server immediately returned with tea of the proper color and strength.
The soup choice were the usual for a lunch special....Egg Drop, Wonton, Hot & Sour or Chicken Rice. We all chose the Hot & Sour soup. All the lunch specials ranged from $5.75 to $7.75. All include soup and egg roll.
On to our entrees. Sweet Sour Shrimp, Kung Pao Chicken and Pad Thai Beef. Good choices...and I must say this had to be the BEST Kung Pao Chicken I have eaten anywhere. The sauce was outstanding...perfectly prepared, crunchy vegetables and peanuts. So many times I find the peanut char to overwhelm the dish. This was not my experience. The Pad Thai was mildly curry flavored...and next time, I would request they kick it up a notch. The Sweet Sour Shrimp was exactly what you would expect with the exception of the battered shrimp. Light, puffy and cooked just right. The shrimp floated in the sauce rather than being submerged like most serve.
This restaurant deserves all the raves it receives and the size of the lunch crowd validates their existence. Bravo China Pearl!
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| Hot & Sour Soup |
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| Pad Thai Beef |
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| Sweet Sour Shrimp |
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| Kung Pao Chicken |
The dessert menu looks tempting but we passed today. Maybe next time..until then, Bon Appetit!
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