Cheng’s is a good place for a midday meal
A lady who lunches
While mulling over our lunch options this month, I was looking for a quiet, refined and relaxed atmosphere where we could enjoy a peaceful midday break over a good meal.
Something deserving that may not have received as much attention recently. Then it occurred to me that Cheng’s Garden located just south of King Highway on Youree Drive offers the perfect blend of elegant atmosphere and excellent service with a menu full of flavorful options.
If you have not visited Cheng’s garden since its time as a popular Chinese Buffet, it is time to plan a visit.
When we entered, we were warmly greeted by the hostess. As she led us across the dining room, I could not help but appreciate the large beautiful panels of etched glass that are spaced along the front wall and southern length of the room. The gleam of the colorful, yet subtle, natural designs lends warmth to a room fitted with rich dark wood furniture and wall treatments.
Seated and perusing the menu, it was hard not to choose a long time favorite, Dragon and Phoenix ($14.95), from the Chef’s Specialties. This is a split plate featuring General Tso’s Chicken and Jumbo Shrimp with ginger and onion in a delicious sauce.
As many of you know, I love dishes like this that give me more than one option.
In addition to popular Chinese fare, the Chef’s Specialty menu features enticing items such as Hot & Crispy Beef ($13.95), Walnut Shrimp ($14.95) and Ginger Duck ($18.95). They also have other unusual offerings including a Sushi Eel Box ($11.75) and Unagi Don Dinner ($13.75), broiled eel glazed with eel sauce over rice.
Sharing lunch with close friends and adventurous eaters that will enjoy pairing orders makes every meal an opportunity to create your own favorite combos. If you are experimenting with a new cuisine, order one meal that is a sure bet along with another meal that you are both willing to try. Or take the culinary leap and try two new dishes. Either way, your taste buds are twice as happy.
So after considering our usual Seaweed Salad ($5.25) or Sashimi Appetizer ($8.95), today my lunch partner and I ventured to order Squid Salad ($5.45) for our starter. All manner of slippery tentacle visions danced in my head, but none prepared me for the spicy swirls of thinly sliced cooked Squid tossed with seaweed and lettuce. The generous serving of Squid Salad, cooked and not slippery at all, was quickly devoured.
My lunch date chose from the Japanese menu, featuring a large selection of sashimi, and raw and cooked signature rolls. He selected the lunch three roll combination ($11.95) including California Roll, Philadelphia Roll and Spicy Tuna Avocado Roll. Preceded by a modest salad wearing a pleasant sesame dressing, the rolls arrived attractively arranged on a long rectangular platter accented with wasabi and ginger. They must have met his approval, because the plate was quickly empty.
After much mental tug of war between my favorite and trying something new, I chose an order of Orange Chicken ($7.95) with fried rice, from among the many very reasonably priced lunch specials. The waiter presented me with a generous platter of chicken crisply fried in a golden batter served in a silky rich orange infused sauce. It was very tempting to continue dipping into the platter as if it were possible to coat each piece of chicken in even more lush flavor, quite a flavorful treat.
Included with the lunch special, my choice of spring rolls versus egg rolls was also well rewarded. The two slim rolls encased in delicate crisp golden layers were delicious.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the warming cups of soup that we were served before our entrees. We are both fond of Hot and Sour Soup and Egg Drop Soup. They are always a welcome starter to a good lunch. As a matter of fact, if I find myself under the weather during cold and flu season, I prefer heaping bowls of these chicken broth based soups in place of traditional chicken noodle soup.
In addition to favored Chinese and Japanese cuisine, Cheng’s Garden also has a popular Sushi Bar located in an area recessed just off the main dining room. Centered in the stylish dark wood bar is a glass case displaying a tempting selection of raw delicacies. I am thinking that it looks like a great place to gather after work with friends for my favorite combination of great conversation and sashimi.
The long-time owner of Cheng’s Garden, Shangwei Cheng, has successfully transitioned the restaurant from a popular buffet to an elegant eatery offering an impressive menu. In a time that has seen considerable business growth on Youree Drive, this restaurant certainly seems to have progressed with the area.
Lynn Laird is a writer, fine artist and self-professed bon vivant living in Bossier. With “Flair for Cooking,” she seeks out interesting ingredients and techniques to help make everyday meals just a touch more fabulous. She can reached at [email protected].