We have one of the large round tables with the Lazy Susan and an adjacent long table for the gala.

No calling dibs on seating! First come first served.

See y'all on Wednesday.

EC

Usually when we have a big group, you can walk in and say, "I'm part of the big group" and they know which one you're talking about.

Every once in a while, though, that doesn't work, because the place is expecting more than one big group. (It's happened a couple of times with the Evanston group.)

Dave148 wrote:We have one of the large round tables with the Lazy Susan and an adjacent long table for the gala.

No calling dibs on seating! First come first served.

See y'all on Wednesday.

EC

Be forewarned. I'm gonna bring my cross-hatched backyard chair over there today & duct tape it to one of the seats on the big table.


J

The clams with black bean garlic sauce are described as "spicy" on the menu. There was some warmth, but should not be a problem except for the most spice-averse.

Interestingly, the mussels with black bean garlic sauce were not listed as "spicy." Could be a typo or it could be the same sauce but without the peppers as Giovanna said.

Accidentally posted twice. My apologies.

The clams with black bean garlic sauce are described as "spicy" on the menu. There was some warmth, but should not be a problem except for the most spice-averse.

Interestingly, the mussels with black bean garlic sauce were not listed as "spicy." Could be a typo or it could be the same sauce but without the peppers as Giovanna said.

This is too far from work to sit and eat but I could drop by to say Hi! and grab some carryout.

I adore a great Egg Roll and I'd be willing to bet their Egg Foo Young wouldn't be bad either.

Don't save me a seat. See you tomorrow.

Of course I'll be there for, as JNM points out, a "Festivus miracle." Too bad Katie won't be there to participate with us in "Airing of Grievances."

EddieK wrote:Of course I'll be there for, as JNM points out, a "Festivus miracle." Too bad Katie won't be there to participate with us in "Airing of Grievances."

WillG will be in attendance. Between the three of you, I suspect you'll manage with "Airing of Grievances."

Make sure to ask for chili oil as China chef's homemade chili oil is one of the best I have tried from an American Chinese restaurant. You can buy a glass jar (ask for large/not individual portion) for $4 to take home from china Chef as well.

diversedancer wrote:

B2B wrote:Hey, what are those LTHers who have occasionally attended BOTH meet ups supposed to do? Where do we sit? I’m know for a fact that I am not the only one faced with a “difficult” decision.

Maybe the esteemed coordinators could get together and designate tables for spicy/medium/mild as I suspect that is a likely significant preference selection, or in addition or alternatively, tables for vegetarians/vegans, "no seafood", or other preferences.

Or did I miss something and it will be set up as a buffet (another solution to the spice level issue).

And perhaps the much simpler solution is to simply try a dish and if you don't like it - ( drum rolls ) Don't eat it. This discussion is getting a little bizarre.

I will be joining in the fun tomorrow and I have a couple of questions/requests please.

At minimum t 48% gluten free dishes and sodium breakdown of at least 72% of the offerings, no trans or bi fats and a gram scale on hand to weigh portions.

Separate checks, a specific timetable, order of dishes served , recent health department records of the restaurant and access to an ultraviolet lamp.

What will the restaurant music play-list be? Will they play "ethnic" music? What is the decibel level?

Thanks in advance,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:I will be joining in the fun tomorrow and I have a couple of questions/requests please.

At minimum t 48% gluten free dishes and sodium breakdown of at least 72% of the offerings, no trans or bi fats and a gram scale on hand to weigh portions.

Separate checks, a specific timetable, order of dishes served , recent health department records of the restaurant and access to an ultraviolet lamp.

What will the restaurant music play-list be? Will they play "ethnic" music? What is the decibel level?

Thanks in advance,
Gary

Just like the good old days!

I live very near by and have 2 notes to offer:
Pancit guisado is very good.
Egg Foo young is very good.
YMMV, as always.

Giovanna

Hi,

Sadly, there is a family schedule conflict.

Someone is at the dentist. The other party has a noon appointment concluding at 1 PM. If someone gets home from the dentist earlier than expected, I can make it.

If you don't see me, I am twiddling my thumbs waiting for the 1 PM pick up.

Regards,
Cathy2

Wonderful lunch, I felt honored to be in the presence of the LTH North and LTH Evanston groups, in particular the always interesting GAF and benevolent Esteemed Coordinator Dave148. Lunch was very good, solid to very good Chinese American, comfort food to my Jewish American soul.

There was a bit of confusion with the bill, we had two separate tables, our table ordered from the regular menu, the other lunch specials. When the bill came I took a picture of it, so I could remember what we ordered, added a generous tip and divided. The problem was neither I, nor the others, notice the bill was for both tables and it was originally figured out for just the one. We paid, then realized the problem, the other table pitched in, and we took refunds, but there was money left over.

NSX left early for an appointment, he has $7 coming back, Jay Martini (jnm123) has $15 coming back. That said, the overage was given to irisarbor to hold and donate to Major Nancy Powers at the Salvation Army dinner on 12/21. NSX and Jay may either get their end back from irisarbor or allow it to be donated with the rest, up to them.

China Chef's chili oil was very good, even better than I remember, and they kindly made up a batch of crispy chow fun, which was terrific. Old school pressed duck, head on shrimp, Pancit Canton , shrimp toast, clams with black bean sauce, Mongolian beef, Tokwa con Baboy and lumpia rounded out our meal.








China Chef, Count me a Fan!

Amen, Gary.

A consistently fine meal. I enjoyed everything I tried, especially the fried chicken skins which Iris Arbor referred to as Chinese gribenes. Delicious.

G Wiv wrote:China Chef, Count me a Fan!

G Wiv, Count me a Fan! Great to see you - and Ronnie, too.

Gary posted Before I got home. I do indeed have the $$ overage which I will bring to the Salvation Army dinner on 12/21 to be donated unless anyone contacts me about wanting their component back.

Everything I had was so delicious. The lumpia were a stand out as well and the fried shrimp were just a bit spicy and is good as any I’ve had.

Count me a fan as well. It was great to see everyone.

George R wrote:I tried, especially the fried chicken skins which Iris Arbor referred to as Chinese gribenes. Delicious.

Yes, I neglected to mention the fried chicken skins, an oversight on my part as they were Delicious! I also did not mention the presence of the awe inspiring Ronnie_S, but his greatness is a given, unlike a random dish served in a restaurant.

Edited to add it was 100% irisarbor's idea to order the fried chicken skin, and a wonderful idea it was!

Hi,

ARe the chicken skins still an off-menu item? I remember learning about this from EatChicago a long time ago.

Regards,
Cathy2

Fried chicken skins are on the menu and have been for as long as I can remember. I'm a wee bit sorry we didn't order them at our table but lunch included egg rolls, potstickers, lumpia and shrimp toast, which seemed more than adequate at the time. Our strategy at Table 2 was to each order lunch special entrees for ourselves and share a few appetizers, along with a full order of Pancit Guisado.

I have to give a special shout-out to B2B, who graciously swapped egg rolls with me, since I was waiting on mine and she was planning on taking hers home, anyway. Any act of kindness can only be improved via the inclusion of an egg roll.

It was great lunching with so many LTH legends. I was damned near tempted to ask Gary and Gary for their autographs!

In all seriousness, it was wonderful having a tasty lunch while also getting to see so many friends.

=R=

Yes, it was, for a fleeting moment, the nexus of the LTH universe. At China Chef. Who knew?

It was great to reconnect with the two Garys & Ronnie, and to meet nxstasy, iris arbor and Giovanna. Will have to do it again soon.

EC Dave has the wrong idea that I was maligning him & his autocratic ways to the group, but I'm sure everyone at the table realizes that 'rat b***ard' is definitely a term of endearment...

My highlights were that pressed duck, Mongolian beef and the chili oil. EddieK and I had to vamoose because I had to work, but at some point in the near future I have to pick up some of the oil. It was not incendiary at all, just a nice bite, full of flavor. Good call Mr. Wiv!

Next time then!

J

jnm123 wrote:...but at some point in the near future I have to pick up some of the oil. It was not incendiary at all, just a nice bite, full of flavor. Good call Mr. Wiv!

Next time then!

J

While G Wiv might be the master of all things chili oil the lead on this has to go to...

polster wrote:Make sure to ask for chili oil as China Chef's homemade chili oil is one of the best I have tried from an American Chinese restaurant. You can buy a glass jar (ask for large/not individual portion) for $4 to take home from China Chef as well.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Any act of kindness can only be improved via the inclusion of an egg roll.

Banner quote! Is there anything good that is not made even better with an egg roll?

Sorry I had to miss the Festivus festivities and the Airing of Grievances. I had some saved up too. Also sorry to miss a plotting opportunity with my co-conspirators. Ah well, next time.

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." - Henry IV, Part 2
"The peasants are revolting!" "You can say that again!" - The Wizard of Id