Tsai Shen Garden

Okies, once again, how come there are "two slotted" spot for this establishment?  Hence I'll write my review in this "slot", which was first reviewed in 2009 with the rest of the Yelpers who had reviewed this establishment.  Was here with one of my gurl fren, on TUESDAY February 21st 2012.  

First note to self, make sure if to dine out on a TUESDAY, check all the possibilities of all the restaurants, I am eyeing, to dine out especially at this part of neighborhood to be open.  Tsai Shen Garden came to our rescue coz after running errands all the way from the other part of the neighborhood aka WEST AREA and need to be in this area.  We called in, and asked TSAI SHEN GARDEN if they are OPEN.  Thankfully they are.

When we arrived for this LATE LATE LUNCH, time was : 15:15hrs ish.  Another good note, we arrived just in time for their LUNCH HOUR cut off, which was 3:30pm.  If I am not mistaken, there are like another patron dining in.

Since both of us were "starving" and from the brief "glance" of the menu, these was what I ordered :

*  Szechuan Beef ($6.25)
*  Bomber Combination (to go for Hubs) (Chef's Specials $6.95)

My friend ordered Kung Pao Three Delight ($6.95)

My order came in with, Egg Roll, and Crabmeat Cheese Wonton, and I opt for Egg Drop Soup and Fried Rice.  The Egg Roll and Crabmeat  Cheese Wonton, came out hot, crispy, a good sign, since I dont like stuffs cold or soaggy.  Another good note, if I could recall properly, we were given complimentary tea for our lunch.  My main entree of Szechuan Beef was A-OK, though I so wish it could be more spicy.

All in all, its an OK Lunch though I bet my friend bet to differ from her glowing review.  For the LUNCH price you get, its DEFINITELY a STEAL DEAL!  As with regards to flavor, its just OK for my taste bud.  Dont mind returning, when needed if I am in this part of the neighborhood.

The Bomber Combination comes with Shrimp, Beef and Chicken with a Spicy Sauce and Vegetables.  Also from the Hubs' feedback, he likes the order of his Bomber Combination, the flavor was just right and has a "unique" taste in which until now I am trying to figure well.  Oh well.  But when I had the Bomber Combination to go, I think the Kitchen staff forgot or perhaps its "their" practice NOT to include any kind of soup for that pricing.  No big deal, but just want to give a heads-up.

The service was prompt, inviting and we got our food freshly cooked, hot and fast.  While having our late lunch, there are many more patrons came in to dine in.  We left Tsai Shen Garden about 16:05hrs ish.

@27/2012

I happened to chance upon this place with a girl friend few days ago cos we have been driving ard for like 2hrs trying to go to a few of our fav restaurants but they are just not open on Tuesdays! So ya, I whipped out the phone and typed "chinese restaurant" in the area.

Tsai shen popped up, and we decided to just go for it as we were really too hungry to think or do any more research. I did call just to make sure they're open for biz (of cos!).(There was another chinese restaurant that came up but it said 'american chinese' cuisine, and we wanted authentic chinese food, so we decided to go for this one)

We were pleasantly surprised to find the food very good. On top of that, hot chinese tea was served complimentary! Nice. The lunch came with a freshly deep-fried crunchy spring roll and a crab cheese wonton, both of which tasted great. And mind you, I had many spring rolls before, and some I would just not eat after one bite because they just taste icky. Oh yea, came with a soup too, and you even get to choose which soup you want (out of 3 options). And yes, I was even impressed with the soup - had fresh ingredients (springy tofu), something I normally wldn't think twice abt.

Count our lucky stars that 2 too-hungry-to-think girls chanced upon a great Chinese restaurant.

Free good tea, good soup, good food, nice spring roll and wonton. Loved it, will bring my husband and come back again.

Price is high for dinner. Mongolian beef was salty. Honey walnut shrimp had good fried texture but buried under a mountain of mayo sauce so every bite was like a pre-eminent heart attack. Service was lackluster, every question I asked the waiter would shrug his shoulder and reply "ehhhh I don't know". Conclusion? I've had better elsewhere for cheaper.