Here’s One Vote for Competency
Written: Dec 27 '02
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Pros: Tasty, if unadventurous food. Moderate prices make this a good value.
Cons: Handicap accessibility is not great. Parking (like any other downtown Chicago restaurant)
The Bottom Line: Worth going - decent food at a good value.
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| Saxguy's Full Review: Szechuan East |
Christmas Eve found us staying at a downtown hotel. We made dinner reservations for 6 at the Szechuan House Restaurant. Formerly known as the Szechuan House, the restaurant had moved to a downstairs location on Ontario Ave.
Please note that the dated Epinions database describes this as the Szechuan East, a name the location is no longer using, although it is the same restaurant. Also the address and phone number in the database is old - the address is 625 North Michigan Avenue and the phone number is 312-642-3900. Again, the entrance is on Ontario Street.
Their hours are described at 11:30 am to 10:00 pn 7 days a week. Reservations accepted.
My wife selected the restaurant because she had gone there frequently when a grad student 25 years ago. There were six of us - myself, my wife, her father and his girlfriend, our son and his girlfriend.
The restaurant was not crowded, but nicely spaced out. We were at a comfortable round table, with a turntable in the middle for sharing. My wife had made a reservation for 8, knowing that we then would have enough room to eat comfortably.
We consulted the expansive menu and dispensed with the appetizers, except for soup. Most of the party had Egg Drop Soup, which they described as hot and tasty. I had Hot and Sour soup, which was hot and tasty, but not really
unusual.
We then ordered the entrees to share:
*Moo-Sho Pork (comes with 4 pancakes - we added two so that all could enjoy it)
*Chicken with Cashews
*Mongolian Beef
*Fried Noodles with Vegetables
*Beef with Vegetables
*Ginger Shrimp
The food was served hot. All the entrees has generous portions, although I thought the shrimp dish was a little light on the shrimp. It also seemed like the beef used in the Beef with Vegetables was a little leaner than that used in the Mongolian Beef. Otherwise, the food was enjoyable. The entrees came with Steamed Rice, which was competently done, and Chinese Tea, again competently done and very hot.
The service was attentive but low-key, which is as I like it. We had no difficulty getting silverware (my wife does not use chopsticks), extra napkins, water and tea when needed.
We left full. Everybody liked the food, including Grampa’s lady friend, who is Korean. The spicing and taste was what you’d expect from a good Chinese restaurant. Not very adventurous, to be sure, buy a taste that would appeal to the masses. None of the food we had was designated as heavily spiced so I can’t comment on their spicier dishes.
The dinner cost $122 with tip, which I felt was moderately priced for Chicago Downtown for 6 people including the incredible eating teenage boy (g). Of course, with appetizers, drinks and dessert, the tab could be a whole lot more.
I understand that there is a luncheon buffet that some local reviewers have described as tasty with good value.
Drawbacks?
The restaurant is in a basement and wheelchair accessibility is through a ramp off an alley. While it’s under a covered awning, getting a wheelchair into the restaurant could be problematical during a typical weekday.
I did find street parking, but most times, if you are driving, there will be no alternative to valet parking.
Bottom Line:
Good, if unadventurous Chinese food, with a good value for a downtown restaurant. Compared to PF Chang’s a trendy Chinese restaurant, I thought PF Chang’s Northbrook location was more adventurous, but they were also more expensive.
4 stars.
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations Moo Shoo Pork
Beef with Vegetables
Best Suited For: Friends
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