5 out of 5 stars

Peking Garden was a great find- I daresay a hidden gem. Though it lies on the corner of a not-so-savory strip mall, the interior has a kind of log-cabin vibe with a pretty koi pond. It would be a great date location.

Kung Pao Chicken

I ordered hubby some Mala tofu and some hot and sour soup to take home. He enjoyed both and found them quite spicy! So if they tell you something is spicy, don’t doubt it, but you can certainly order it mild like my mom did. Both the brown and white rice were an ideal consistency, slightly sticky and not dry at all.

I look forward to my next meal here- I’d love to try one of the specialties. News and Observer recommends many of the dishes, including the sweet Peking Shredded Pork.

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4 out of 5 stars

Stopped here for lunch with co-workers – the caveat is that I ate at the buffet, which we all know is not something you should judge a place on. While the decor is somewhat typical – mismatched pastels and randomness, service was brisk.

What I liked about Fortune Palace was that they have a different take on the classic entrees, it has a more authentic feel (what am I, an expert?) and was fresher tasting. The dumplings were better than many I’ve had here, but that doesn’t say much because the selection of chinese in Raleigh is pathetic.

A random selection of comments from table mates would include – spring rolls were too greasy, hot and sour soup was just ok (a usual occurrence around here as well), love the fried green beans. We loved the basil beef in the buffet, as well as the other options which were less memorable but the meat was tender and the veggies were varied and tasty, not wilty and damp like you often see.

I’d go back, for sure, and am giving them the benefit of the doubt because of the buffet handicap. Brad tells us that dinners are delightful and they make an art form out of carved veggies on your plate. He also often sees people roping off the front section for asian banquets, which has to be a good sign.

Fortune Palace Chinese Restaurant
2815 Brentwood Rd
Raleigh, NC 27604
(919) 850-0086

2 out of 5 stars

We’ve been here twice now so I’ve had a chance to sample both the sushi and the mongolian grill. This place is a strange cultural intersection with a haphazard decor style with a kinda of depressing run-down feel to it. They have sushi, although it is just ok, and then they have the grill. You basically pile your plate with all the veggies, meats and flavorings you want (sauces and spices) and then hand it to the grill person and he will stir fry it for you. You can go back as many times as you want for about $10. It’s not a bad deal, and my first trip up was a success but not as much on my second. While I like the choices of meats (sausage, tofu, beef, chicken, scallops, shrimp, egg, pork), I think generally Stir Crazy does this concept better.

My husband loves this place because he’s on a low carb diet and he can have as much as he wants without getting drowned in rice. I won’t mind coming back to accompany him because I can get sushi, but this definitely wouldn’t be my first choice. The food is ok but it takes a while of awkward waiting to get it. In addition, our waitress was horrible, just chatting with her friends most of the time.

Crazy Fire Mongolian Grill
13200 Strickland Rd # 110
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 866-1300

4 out of 5 stars

This is my new favorite Chinese place in Raleigh. This is about the fifth one I’ve tried so far and there are a few things I truly appreciate about it. 1) They offer brown rice which most places don’t around here. 2) They’ll do custom orders to meet your dietary needs, very important for us – Glen can get sugar free 3) Fresh veggies and meats, (especially the pork, which is super tender). My favorite item so far has been the pork and tofu. We also enjoyed the chicken ravioli which had a delicious sauce. The menu is online and has a wide selection.

They don’t deliver, but we feel it’s worth the occasional drive to get the good stuff. Also, I’ve noticed that their spicy dishes are not really spicy at all. Perhaps if you ask they’ll kick it up a notch.

Neo-China
6602 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 783-8383

2 out of 5 stars

Our first visit here was very interesting – Hubby ordered a seafood dish in a clear sauce, which was pretty tasty and I ordered steak and scallop dish called Empress Beef. He liked his but mine was disappointing for a dish which was so expensive. I wanted to return since the restaurant had good reviews and also that it seemed to have a menu which showed promise- I hoped that they would prove unique compared to the poor quality of many Chinese restaurants in the area.

But on our second visit we were not particularly impressed either. Hubby had volcano shrimp, which tasted predominantly of ketchup and had what looked like frozen diced corn and peas in it as well as some mushrooms. I ordered from the “House Delightful Dishes” section – sesame chicken. The chicken was quite typical, not particularly memorable. The rice we got with our meals wasn’t very fresh and they did not offer brown rice as an option (as most places don’t).

Considering the prices here are more expensive than other restaurants and this place does not deliver I’m not sure that we will return. I would hope some of the unique items on the menu have more flavor that is in the traditional ones. I was tempted to try the “PI PA TOFU (A blend of tofu and shrimp, fried in ball form and sauted in succulent sauce to blend a delightful taste.)” but am not sure that I would want to take the chance with what we’ve seen so far.

Imperial Garden
773 Lead Mine Rd, Ste 15
Raleigh, NC 27615
(919) 846-1988

1 out of 5 stars

We ordered takeout from here because it’s near our new house. Not sure if we will again. Disappointed by the garlic beef (which came without the rice he said that it came with) and the chicken chow mein combo. Fried rice was a bit peppery but otherwise flavorless. Hot and sour soup not approved of by Glen. Just generally dissatisfying for everything.

China Court
8357 Creedmoor Rd
Raleigh, NC 27613
(919) 847-6663

4 out of 5 stars

I found a menu on my door for Wang's, which usually isn't necessarily a good sign that a place will have good food but we decided to try them out.  We were pleasantly surprised.  The veggie stir fries were fresh and everything arrived very quickly.  The combination platters are cheap, all for $7.  Hubby loved his hot and sour soup so much he downed a whole quart of it at once!

It turns out this is now our go-to place. They deliver to our house usually within 15 minutes and the quality of my Kung Pao Chicken or Egg Foo Young is consistent. Glen’s favorite now is the Home Style Tofu. Check out their menu here.

 2 out of 5 stars

Grand Asia Buffet is a pretty large buffet in a free standing building at Celebration at Six Forks.  Prices are low, ranging from 6 to about $12 per person depending on what time of day and week that you go.  The selection is large for a price that low, but the quality of food is average for a buffet.  They feature at least 3 different soups, two buffets of sushi and nigiri, a selection of chilled shrimp, crawfish and mussels.  They also have a large selection of cooked dishes, some American food, a dessert table and of course frozen yogurt.

The first time I went I loved the food here, but I went again recently and found it lacking. Especially the sushi, they had no salmon and the sushi was pretty dry/old looking.

This fried rice recipe never fails for me.  The shrimp gives the whole dish nice flavor, and you add your seasonings to taste.  It's probably my husband's favorite dish that I prepare regularly.  This recipe serves three, so double the amounts for company.  Use a wok, if you have one.

Ingredients
3	green onions, sliced
1	small white onion
2	tablespoons sesame oil
2	tablespoons Chinese five spice powder
1/3	lb. medium shrimp (frozen or raw)
1	garlic clove, minced
4	ounces mushrooms, sliced
1	egg, beaten
4	tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2	cups cooked brown rice or cooked white rice
Optional
1/2	cup bean sprouts
1/3	cup carrots, shreds
1	diced red pepper