Let's Eat
By CARL PRICE
Staff Writer
Feb. 07, 2007 |
Year of the Pig
brings flavors of Yunnan to
P.F. Chang’s China
Bistro
|
 The
Chinese New Year heralding the Year of the Pig
begins Feb. 18, according to the Chinese lunar
and zodiac cycle. It is what led chefs at P.F.
Chang’s China Bistro in the Quarter at Tropicana Casino
and Resort in Atlantic City to the small
province of Yunnan in China.
Little known
outside of China, Yunnan is well-known within
the country for its ham -- a savory, salty
delicacy similar to the Serrano ham of Spain.
Yunnan province
has a diverse climate and ethnic makeup, and the
foods of the region reflect that. Mushrooms are
abundant in its moist mountain areas, and Yunnan
is famous in China for its rice noodle dishes.
Executive chef
Claudia Richards, along with other chefs at
Chang’s, tasted many dishes from the region
before selecting four to add to P.F. Chang’s
menu for the new year.
While obtaining
true Yunnan ham is an import nightmare, Serrano
ham, which is readily available for purchase,
substitutes nicely.
Zodiac Noodles
is a savory blend of vegetables, noodles and two
types of pork (lean strips and cured Serrano
ham) tossed with a blend of kung pao and abalone
sauces. Yunnan Wontons, an appetizer, also
incorporates Serrano ham, this time served with
hot mustard, ginger and green onions and a
special cream cheese mix tightly stuffed into a
wonton wrapper.
Wok Charred Beef
is marinated flank steak and fresh vegetables
seared in a wok. The Yunnan region is known for
its vast variety of mushrooms, and three
varieties are used here -- shiitake, oyster and
king trumpets.
Dali Chicken is
a dish of tender pieces of boneless, skinless
chicken breast and Yukon gold potatoes tossed in
chili sauce.
“The Yunnan
Province isn’t well known to most people outside
of China, so we are excited to introduce these
new flavors to our customers,” Richards said.
P.F. Chang’s
offers traditional favorites such as dumplings
(three kinds), sweet and sour chicken, kung pao
shrimp and chow mein, but it has an extensive
menu of specialty items, too.
Wok-seared lamb,
ground chicken and eggplant, and
oolong-marinated sea bass are some of the more
untraditional house specialties on the menu.
Chang’s also
offers gluten-free items for people with
allergies and a training-table menu for
athletes.
“I
encourage our customers to experience these new
dishes along with their traditional favorites,”
Richards said. 
Customer
Favorites 
Seared Ahi Tuna ($7.95) Rolled
in Chinese spices, wok-seared and served
cold with spicy mustard
Salt & Pepper Calamari (6.95)
Calamari tossed with scallions, kosher
salt and coarse black pepper
Chang’s
Chicken Lettuce Wraps (7.95)
Quickly cooked spiced chicken served
with cool lettuce cups
Pin
Rice Noodle Soup (Bowl $6.95)
Pork dumplings, shrimp, green onions and
bean sprouts in a spicy chicken broth
Sriracha Shrimp Salad ($8.95)
An intriguing variety of tastes and
textures with just a little kick
Moo Goo
Gai Pan ($11.95) P.F. Chang's
version of the classic Cantonese dish
with chicken and shrimp
Shrimp
with Lobster Sauce (Lunch $7.95, Dinner
$11.95) Garlic white wine sauce
with Chinese black beans, mushrooms,
scallions and egg
Coconut
Curry Vegetables ($7.95)
Stir-fried mixed vegetables, crispy
silken tofu and peanuts in a vegetarian
coconut curry sauce
Stir-fried Eggplant ($7.50)
Tossed with scallions in a savory chili
pepper sauce
Cantonese Roasted Duck ($14.95)
Served with steamed wheat buns,
cucumbers, scallions, plum and hoisin
sauces
Philip’s Better Lemon Chicken ($10.95)
Quick-fired with broccoli in a
tart citrus sauce
Oolong
Marinated Sea Bass ($19.95)
Broiled and served with sweet ginger
soy, baby corn and spinach
Hot
Fish ($13.95) Crispy slices of
their fresh daily selection in a Sichuan
sauce with stir-fried vegetables
Tam’s
Noodles with Savory Beef and Shrimp
($13.95) A unique gnocchi-like
noodle stir-fried with sliced beef,
shrimp and chili peppers in a subtle
abalone sauce
Dan-Dan
Noodles ($9.95) Scallions,
garlic and chili peppers stir-fried with
ground chicken nesting on hot egg
noodles, garnished with shredded
cucumber and bean sprouts
Great
Wall of Chocolate ($7.95) Six
layers of rich chocolate cake frosted
with semisweet chocolate chips and
served with raspberry sauce
The
Lucky 8 ($8.00) Eight crispy,
chocolate-crème-filled sticks served
with a warm caramel and peanut butter
dipping sauce and bits of toffee brittle
|
If
You Go
P.F. Chang’s
The Quarter at Tropicana Casino and
Resort
Brighton Avenue and the Boardwalk,
Atlantic City
(609) 348-4600
Hours:
11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Credit cards accepted
Prices range from $5.50 to $19.95 |
Tips and Tidbits
Takeout
is available. The wine
list at Chang’s features more than 50
wines available by the glass or bottle.
Recipes
are available at
www.pfchangs.com
. |
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