Sometimes a girl has a craving. Sometimes it's for pasta. Sometimes it's for chocolate.
For me, it's been Chinese food as of late. Not just any Chinese fare. I wanted the real deal. And, that's a tall order after spending time in China.
There may be a Chinese takeout joint on every corner in New York, but I was having none of it. An order of Beef with Broccoli or Sub Gum Lo Mein just wasn't going to do. If anything it stoked the fire. I was beginning to dream about Soup Dumplings and Sauteed Bok Choy. Something had to be done, and done quickly.
So, I turned to a friend. A friend with family from China. A friend who knew were to go. We went to Elizabeth Street, to a small unassuming Cantonese spot called Oriental Garden. He ordered with abandon. (Heaven!)
After sipping on lightly sweetened cups of Marigold Tea, a feast was set before us: Crabmeat in an velvety, eggy sauce served over bright green Snow Pea Leaves, a breathtaking Steamed Sea Bass with Scallion and Ginger, an addictive, sophisticated sweet-and-sour Pork with Lychees, and a kingly Country-Style Lobster, a succulent crustacean sauteed with minced pork and green onion.
The table was hardly big enough to accommodate our order. It was so darn decadent. (Heaven!) There was no way some of this wasn't being wrapped up and taken home for reheating later in the week.
Then again...
Okay. Nothing was left. We got up from the table several hours later empty handed and very full -- and very happy.
Yet, the next day, I curiously felt the craving return. It was back with a vengeance. Thank goodness for my MetroCard and the address of Oriental Garden. That said, thinking a return visit to Pacificana in Sunset Park's Chinatown for dim sum is also called for. Mmm...And, maybe Lan Zhou Noodle House for a bowl of steaming soup and hand-pulled noodles too.
Unsurprisingly, I don't think leftovers will be possible.
