[REVIEW] “Chef Wang”, New Hyde Park, NY

The Chinese Quest eagerly awaited their Quest last night to the newly opened Chef Wang, New Sichuan Cuisine Chinese restaurant in New Hyde Park.  Promising Authentic Chinese cuisine, the Chef delivered on his promise.  Chef Wang has three extremely popular Chinese restaurants in Manhattan. This is his first venture to Long Island.  While Chef Wang wasn’t present this evening, clearly his staff has been well trained, and his Chef’s are upholding his “Legend”.

Chef Wang is located at 1902 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Though New Hyde Park might have been a curious location to choose for his new Chinese restaurant (which was on the site of many failed Chinese restaurants in the past), I have the faith that he will develop a name and reputation here…. He has built it… and people will come!

Mee Gonzi Biao has crossed the bridge and entered the dining area

Extensive renovations to the interior of the restaurant were made, and this has become one very fine dining establishment, that will easily rival any of the upscale Chinese restaurants that are located on the Gold Coast of north shore of Long Island.

Tonight, Mee Yong Joo brought an esteemed guest, the most honorable Mee Bruce Ree.  The Quest was in rare form this evening, and we can only hope that the good Doctor Ree won’t think us all nut jobs.

True to their authenticity, Chef Wang didn’t have any fried noodles on the table when we arrived, but roasted shelled salted peanuts.  We knew we were going to be treated extraordinarily well this evening, when even I was complemented on the dexterity I displayed by eating the nuts with my chopsticks without dropping a single one.

The Manager, Richard, started us off with complementary Salmon and Tuna Sushi.  Fabulous!  They have an extensive sushi bar for those who are so inclined, and a fully stocked bar as well.  This Mee gives two straws up to their Mai Tai’s!

Appetizers

Four appetizers were ordered that whetted our appetite for what was still to come.

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We had:

• BBQ Spareribs – to this Mee, these were THE best spareribs I have ever had.  The meat literally fell off the bone, it was juicy and succulent.  The sauce slightly sweet, but not overdone, nor over whelming.   This wasn’t the typical spareribs that you typically find in an Americanized Chinese restaurant.  Some of the  other Mee’s weren’t as blown away by these ribs as this Mee, but they did enjoy them as they flew off the plate so quickly that I didn’t get a chance to have a second one.  I could have made a whole meal of these ribs.  And one day soon, I will come back, and do just that!
• Sichuan Pork Dumplings with Roast Chili Sauce – These were different, flatter, dumplings than I have had before.  They looked more like ravioli.  I liked these very much too.
• Dan Dan Noodles – these packed a surprising punch.  I liked them.  No wonder Marco Polo took the pasta idea back home with him.  It was probably a dish such as this that inspired him!
• Little Juicy Pork Buns – Soup dumplings that weren’t overly hot temperature wise.  Just right.  We were ready for the entrees!

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The Entrees

Richard created the menu for us; Zoey, and one other Server, served it all and made sure that we had everything we needed to really enjoy a great meal of:

• Shredded Beef with Three Vegetables – Beef was on the crispy side, yet good.  The vegetables were, of course, off the hook!
  
• Kung Pao Chicken (Most Famous Szechuan Chicken), served without the peanuts.  Not as spicy as other Kung Pao’s I’ve eaten, the chicken was quite tasty.
• Jumbo Shrimp with Asparagus (Chengdu Prawn)
  
• Lamb with Cumin – Mee Yong Joo felt that the cumin was overstated in this dish.
• Shanghai Bok Choy with Shitakii Mushrooms
• Seafood with Pan Fried Noodles

There wasn’t a morsel left on our plates or on the serving dishes.  If people weren’t watching, I think we would have licked all the plates clean!

Mee Yong Joo commented:

I think one thing they could improve is to be more subtle with the spices.  The cumin lamb was too strong with cumin.  The cumin overwhelmed the taste.  I love cumin, but it was overstated.  It was over-spiced if there’s such a thing.

Before we submitted our numerical analysis, there was the fortune cookies and the bill to consider.  Our fortunes:

Answer just what your heart prompts you.  Can someone please explain that one to Mee?

Faith is a law.  I don’t know if it’s a law, but a belief.  “Respect” should be a law!

Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.

Any idea seriously entertained tends to bring about the realization of itself.  I think the Fortune writer had just finished reading The Secret when s/he wrote up those last two.

Take your time today so you won’t walk in mud.  Personally, I keep my eyes on the ground to avoid puddles.

Wealth buys leisure, but not wisdom.  THAT is brilliant!

Rating of Chef Wang:

Whatever you do, please don’t overlook this gem of a Chinese Restaurant on Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park!

Humbly submitted for your consumption,

—Mee Magnum  (“Chop!  Chop!”)