Panda Garden
June 18, '08
The Panda Garden restaurant is one close to my heart as it is where my husband and I spent many of our dates while courting. The staff was always friendly, the food good, and the atmosphere was private but casual. We stopped going while expecting our second child since complications made it difficult for me to eat out and we never returned to the habit since we knew the menu like the back of our hand and had tried it all. As we tried other new restaurants I remained fond of our memories at Panda Garden so when I found out that they had renovated the restaurant a few months ago I had to return, and so we did.
As we parked and walked up to the entrance the first thing I discovered was that they had replaced more then the sign you can see from the Boulevard; the sidewalk to the entrance is tiled beautifully, the doors have been replaces with a large elegant ones, and the small lobby welcomes you right in. Inside the changes have continued from a large display in front of you when you walk in, to the textured and stained cement floor, to the wonderful art displayed on the walls. All right, maybe I am gushing but it blew me away.
We were seated and after looking around and gushing about the decor we
opened our menus and discovered the decor was not the only thing to
have changed. All their best dishes were still there but they had been
supplemented with new ones including Thai and Japanese recipes. We
quickly decided to try an old favorite and something new. (Once again
no appetizers, sorry.) The food came on new platters that were just as
beautiful as the place.
The first dish was our favorite Chicken Egg Foo Yung. Surprisingly it was even better then it used to be. The patties were fluffy and delicious with the rich sauce, vegetables, and meat served over it. The steamed rice that was served with it was perfect with the sauce as well. There was 3 patties, 1 & 1/2 for each of us.
The next dish
was a Pad Thai with assorted meats. It was served with lemon slices
that finished the flavors off perfectly. I love a good noodle dish and
this one more then qualified. The sauce was creamy and bursting with
flavor. The meats and vegetables went perfectly including the shrimp
which had been fried with some type of rub or coating that matched the
sauce exactly. There was absolutely nothing left on our plates when we
finished.
The food and experience was so great that we will be returning soon to sample the remainder of the menu so expect a sequel to this review. We will probably go for lunch next time. Lunch time was always full for them as they flooded with workers on their lunch shift. Some regulars would come back every weekday. They tell us that hasn't changed so now we just have to see.
Panda Garden
212 North 900 East
ST George, UT
84770-3053
(435) 674-1538
Open Everyday 11am-10pm
Call for take out orders
- Appetizers $2.50-11.95
- Japanese Kitchen $9.95-12.95
- Taste of Asia $7.95-10.95
- Chinese Kitchen $7.95-14.95 (Peking Duck $29.95 3 hours notice)
- Weight Watchers Menu $8.95-11.95
- Child's Plate $4.95
- Dessert $2.95-$4.95