Big Boy Dining Out
Google
Taste of Chengdu 2030 W Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32804
5 Stars
As I was in O-town on other business and hungry, I popped in some parameters to my trusty random name generator and was greeted with a Taste of Chengdu blinking back at me. For those unfamiliar with Chinese geography, Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province. You know it's going to be spicy!
I arrived moments before the regular lunch crowd started piling in and, without an ounce of folie du doute, got to work perusing the menu. Glancing up, I noticed the place filling up with Asian patrons, speaking what I assumed was Chinese. This is a good sign. If you are in an ethnic food joint and the diners are all of that ethnicity, you know the grub is going to be tasty!
Joy was my waitstaff today, and not to get all cheesy, but it was a joy to be in her section, as she was outstanding in every way possible. I asked for an order of their pickled cabbage soup, diced rabbit, pork dumplings, the House dry wok, and some slow-cooked pork belly. As Joy removed herself to place my order, I relaxed in the welcoming atmosphere.
Before too long, Joy returned with my foodstuff and forcing myself to snap some pictures I dug in with great anticipation. Everything looked and more importantly, smelled out of this world. I started my gastronomical journey today with a sample of their Pickled Cabbage and sliced fish filet with traditional Chinese cellophane noodles. While I did find this somewhat lacking in flavor, it was prepared correctly. It just might be not to my taste.
Turning my attention to the diced rabbit, I promptly loaded up a forkful and plopped it in my mouth. Savoring the flavors like a sommelier sampling a Williams and Selyem Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, I took my time as the flavors dribbled around my palate. This was outstanding! The rabbit was tender, and the Sichuan Mala sauce was abundantly flavorful, with just enough heat to remind you of whence it comes. Kudos!
Taking a bite of the pork dumplings, I knew I was in the right place. These were fresh, made to order, and again, outstanding! What a treat! The dumpling was perfectly cooked and nestled in an ambrosial sauce. The same can be said for the last item up for review today, the slow-cooked pork belly. This was thinly sliced pork belly, slow cooked and served with cucumber in a minced garlic and chili sauce. I am sure all sauces are made by their own Le Saucier and whoever it was on FIRE! This sauce, like the others, was complex, flavorful, subtle and hot all at once. I am in awe.
The Big Boy says, “Tely's is damn close, but Brevard will NEVER have a Chinese restaurant this good as we just don't have the demanding clientele Orlando has.”
