ATMOSPHERE
P.F. Chang’s is a restaurant that I think tries just a little bit too hard to be trendy. However, the atmosphere of the place is very much like a fine dining establishment and, save for the Asian motif, you would not really know it is a place for Asian cuisine. Decorated tastefully but with just enough Chinese and Asian influences to give away the general idea of the menu the atmosphere of P.F. Chang’s is pleasant and arty without being too gaudy. It’s the perfect place to get together with friends, take a date, or have a birthday party.
CROWD
The crowd at P.F. Chang’s seems to be mostly young. As I mentioned, this place strives hard to be trendy so this seems to appeal mostly to the twenty – and thirty-something crowd. Even the wait-staff falls into the category. Still, since this is a restaurant and not a bar or nightclub you will also find families. The major difference between this and most restaurants is that the prices are high enough and the atmosphere fancy enough that it isn’t over-run with screaming children.
SPIRITS
P.F. Chang’s has a full bar and drinks of all kinds are available. The groups I have gone with have had mixed drinks and a variety of beers and there has never been a complaint. The main selection when it comes to alcohol at P.F. Chang’s is the wine list. They even provide a wine list with headings such as “Medium to Full Intensity Red Wines” just to give you the right feel for the flavor of the wine. When I went with a large group we had a selection of a white and red wine and both were quite excellent.
GRUB
The food at P.F. Chang’s is quite simply phenomenal. The real reason it is so special to me is because P.F. Chang’s offers a special menu just for folks who have certain food intolerances, in my family that would be a gluten-free selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts that taste just as good as the real thing. This goes a long way towards making the diners with special needs feel “normal” and is something more restaurants should consider doing.
I have been to P.F. Chang’s a number of times and even on the most recent visit the meal always starts with the lettuce wrap appetizer. If you haven’t had these then you are missing out. Big pieces of curved lettuce served with noodles and spiced chicken. You then assemble the ingredients yourself into a kind of Chinese lettuce burrito. Green onions, water chestnuts, black mushrooms, sesame oil, garlic, and various sauces all serve to compliment each wrap and add flavor rather than overpower the taste.
My personal favorite entrée is “Phillip’s Better Lemon Chicken.” I have no idea who Phillip is, but I would like to shake his hand and thank him personally. Chunks of chicken dipped in cornstarch and then fried all served in a lemon sauce that gives it just the right amount of citrus flavor this dish is just fantastic. It comes with either white or brown rice. I get the brown rice and don’t even eat the broccoli that comes with it. This dish is also on the gluten-free menu and it also quite simply outstanding. Some P.F. Chang’s have a take out option and this dish would be worth the trip alone.
The rest of the menu has above-average versions of various Chinese dishes. Kung Pao Chicken, Mu Shu Chicken, Orange Peel Chicken, etc, all find their places on the menu. You can get dishes with duck and beef and straight vegetarian dishes as well.
In addition to the gluten-free and allergy specialty menus there is also a menu available known as a “Training Menu.” For those of you into running marathons and such this is a menu high is carbs, proteins, nutrients and calories that you will need to have the energy for running long miles.
PRICES
P.F. Chang’s, as I mentioned, is closer to the level of fine dining than your average take out place. Expect to spend a few bucks on the dishes and the wine to properly enjoy them. A large group will run into the hundreds of dollars but portions are large and you will likely have plenty to take home and enjoy the next day.
WHY IT'S UNIQUE
P.F. Chang’s is different from your run-of-the mill Chinese food restaurant because of the food, the service, and the consideration extended to the customers. Because P.F. Chang’s took the time to think about people who might have special dietary needs and created an entire menu just for them it shows me that P.F. Chang’s is the kind of restaurant that cares about the customer. Making the specialty food with as much care and attention to taste as the regular menu shows without a doubt that P.F. Chang’s is a great place to eat and spend your money. It’s hard to find a place these days that shows it cares in much the same way that this place does.
Photos courtesy of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro.
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