QUALITY CHINESE CUISINE AT OLD PLACE BISTRO
By: Marc Kent
The Old Place Asian Bistro and Bar centers on standard and unusual Chinese offerings plus a few tastes of Thai.
Located at 2885 Federal Highway in Delray Beach (561-266-9298) they offer dining inside for 150 and another 20 on their patio.
10 sections of the menu total 108 dishes, their combinations another 35 and their chefs selections 14 more – spicy dishes well marked.
This reviewer and 3 foodies enjoy sampling such standards as plump, well filled egg rolls and spring rolls, both with above average taste. Both pork steamed dumplings and the shrimp steamed dumplings were light pockets of fine flavor. My soft shell crab was tasty but not crispy, which I much prefer.
Owner Michael Chang suggested the “House Special Wonton Soup” – a very nice broth with vegetables, shrimp and more! Their hot and sour soup was great with a discernible bite and after bite – a must try. We sampled a sweet Pad Thai shrimp – full flavored with good size shrimp in the excellent sauce.
Chicken with ginger root then chicken with eggplant were both enjoyable. There is a special menu with dishes described in Chinese for their Chinese following. Michael described and presented a great Chinese style basil chicken which we feasted upon.
Ask your server about the extra treat.
We enjoyed the duck with plum sauce – true duck taste comes through and is delicious! A must try.
The average Chinese food goer orders a shrimp with lobster sauce, scallops with snow peas, chicken chow mein and the like. We found them average in taste but we encourage all to seek out their signature dishes. A case in point was the wonderful sliced lamb with garlic sauce, their flavors blended perfectly. Ask your server for suggestions.
Old Place, in addition to dine in or take outs, does catering and banquets.
Their true Chinese dishes are a cut above with nice sized portions for both lunch and dinner. Luncheon from 11:30PM to 3PM daily, a sunset dinner menu to 6:30PM and full dinners from 5PM to 9:30PM Sundays through Thursdays, 10PM Fridays and Saturdays. Established a year ago, they have a following who appreciates true Chinese foods in liberal portions and at attractive prices. Why not- Go and Enjoy!
