I must again beg for forgiveness. There are excuses that can be offered, I am eating out less, this place is not terribly convenient to me, and such, but the truth is that this restaurant has been here for over four years, and I have probably passed within a mile or two of it more than 20 times and never stopped. Oh sure, I looked for it, but obviously not hard enough.
My loss. And it seems to have been ignored here, other than a few passing references, which is an oversight I shall now remedy in the hope that it will earn me the forgiveness I crave. Or maybe I just crave another visit.
Five years ago, Sunny and her husband Hon were partners with Helen at Fabulous Noodles in Lisle. They all worked together but I always knew the recipes were basically Sunny's and suspected much of the direction at FN was from her. But somehow the partnership dissolved and they moved on, leaving Helen with FN. It is unfair to both places and not at all what Sunny and Hon would want to compare the places, so let me simply say that FN has continued at a high level, but
Noodles Delight, oh my!
So I finally made it to Noodles Delight for lunch. Honestly, I do not eat out that much any more, as I have fallen victim to the CSA and farmer's market bug, finding myself the owner of a box every week and freezer of food that must be worked through, sort of my own Iron Chef challenge - what can be made of these ingredients - and the results have been their own delight. But given this meal and a recent meal at Double Li, it seems I need to go out for Chinese more often.
My arrival was greeted with a double take and the warmth of a long lost friend - it is nice to be remembered fondly, and I must admit that I reciprocated the greeting quite honestly, so perhaps my perception of the meal that followed is colored by that affection and a generally happy mood at the moment, tho I doubt it.
I asked Sunny what she recommended, and she pointed me to the lunch specials, specifically the Beef Chow Fun, and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce. This would not have been my choice, both because I look at lunch specials warily, and because I had spied some other seemingly more interesting items on the menu. But I felt obliged to follow Sunny's counsel, both out of friendship, and because I have so enjoyed her food in the past that she has earned my trust. And so I found myself awaiting a lunch of hot and sour soup, an egg roll, and beef chow fun with my initial excitement somewhat dampened.
The hot and sour soup arrived, and I started looking for vinegar and chili oil with which to douse the uninspiring, industrial lunch special rendition I expected. Then a taste. Good balance of chili and vinegar, the acid that is usually neglected standing out, and the chili standing proud where so many places pile on the white and black pepper in its place. This was very good! Sprouts, tofu and pork were recognizable, properly cooked and perfectly complemented the savory broth. My prospects were definitely looking up.
I actually have always liked Sunny's egg rolls, so it was no surprise that a fresh, hot, crispy egg roll came next stuffed with cabbage and meat. It remains just an egg roll, but a damned good one. I was truly happy now, though beginning to feel guilty for having waited so long.
Then the Chow Fun arrived, beef, onions and spices wafting up to tempt me. Strangely, the first impression reminded me most of Johnnie's Italian Beef - the rich deep aroma of beef, to the nth degree. Sunny checked in to see how I was doing, and was taken aback to find me sitting there with my noodles untouched, but I was just drinking in that aroma. Finally, I gave in and began to eat. Crisped slices of flank steak, seasoned and seared laid atop thick and flavorful, chewy Chow Fun cooked to perfection, with bean sprouts and scallions to brighten and add contrasting texture. At her next visit I quizzed Sunny on this dish, so simple and satisfying, perfectly rich and filling for the fall and coming winter. What was the seasoning and sauce? She was a bit evasive, spices, soy, she said, and then wanted to talk about he steak and wok technique, asking me if I was cooking much at home, and sharing that she found it difficult to reproduce this dish at home unless she put the wok on the burner from her turkey fryer, as the home stove top just did not have the BTUs.
Tea was good, service charming (but I surely am not objective there), and food excellent. I will be back and report some more, but the simple meal I had that lunch showed me enough - great ingredients, Sunny's palate and recipes remain impeccable and the execution was flawless.
Gush over, but I will be back and report on more of the menu. And if you are in the Roselle area with a taste for some hearty, simple, but impeccable, Chinese food, go and let Sunny point you in the right direction. Like FN, the core of the menu, and possibly its strength, looks to be Cantonese, but they cover most regions and cuisines.
Noodles Delight
853 E. Nerge Road
Roselle, IL 60172
630-307-1010
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Feeling (south) loopy