The Wok
Lee Strickler
On an ordinary Wednesday night, The Wok at 319 N. 7th Ave sounded like the perfect choice for dinner, and for once my two kids agreed on a restaurant, which, in hindsight, makes it an extraordinary night. My husband, two children and I were excited to try our hand at restaurant reviewing. I love eating and hate to cook, so I am game for any reason to eat out. We all love the Food Network and Iron Chef, so we ‘knew’ just what to do right? Turns out it is much harder than it appears.
The hostess greeted us promptly and politely. We were quickly seated, and had full glasses of water and a hot pot of tea right away. Looking around, the other diners in the restaurant appeared to be enjoying their meals.
We ordered a Po Po Platter and Cream Cheese Vegetable Won Tons for appetizers. The Won Tons were amazing, crispy and hot on the outside and deliciously creamy inside. The Po Po Platter included Chicken & Beef Skewers, Barbeque Pork, Crab Puff, Deep Fried Shrimp. The beef skewers were flavorful, but tough and sadly, the friend shrimp was soggy and mushy. Of course, spending the first 20 years of my life in the North East, seafood in Montana is not the same as fresh off the boat like I grew up eating. The barbeque pork and chicken skewers were enjoyable. The entrees arrived in a timely manner after we had finished the appetizers. I really do not like it when the entrees arrive before the appetizers have been finished; which makes a meal feel rushed. So I was very pleased with the timing, and the fact that the wait-staff refilled our water glasses frequently.
The first entrée we tried was the Mandarin Chicken, described in the menu as ‘lightly breaded chicken sautéed in hot & sour ginger garlic sauce’ and denoted with a * for being hot and spicy. The chicken was hot and crisp and generously coated with the zesty sauce. The Mandarin Chicken is a spicy dish that both adults and children can enjoy because it is flavorful but not overwhelmingly hot. My daughter, husband and I made short work of this dish. I mean, what is not to like? A little hot from the Chinese hot peppers, a little sour to temper the flavor and then garlic. This dish is an all around winner in my family.
The second dish of the evening was Kung Pao Chicken, a favorite of mine, another spicy dish summarized as ‘chicken sautéed with diced vegetables & peanuts in hot garlic sauce. This dish is spicier and probably isn’t the best choice for children. My kids did not care for it. The chunks of sautéed chicken, crisp vegetables and crunchy peanuts create a delightful contrast of textures in this dish. If you are not a fan of vegetables this dish is probably not the best choice for your meal. I love the zing of the sauce melded with the crunch of peanuts, celery and other vegetables. Again with the hot and garlic, I would imagine you are seeing a trend in what I like in my Chinese food.
Next was the Sweet & Sour Shrimp ‘breaded and deep fried shrimp topped with sweet & sour sauce’. This dish is a great choice for people who enjoy fried seafood. My son will take his seafood any way he can get it, unlike his pickier mother. The sweet and sour sauce is thick and rich and sticky. My son downed the entire plate in record time. I often wonder if he ever tastes the food he consumes. He claims to have ‘faster tastebuds’ than I do and therefore can taste everything he inhales.
Our final entrée of the meal was Szechuen Beef, explained as ‘beef sautéed with green pepper, onion, carrots, water chestnuts & bamboo shoots in spicy szechuen sauce’ is also noted as being a hot and spicy dish. My husband love spicy food, but still declined the Chinese hot peppers that laced his dish. The vegetable pieces were a little large for easy, manageable bites, but deliciously crisp and flavorful. This dish, after sitting in the refrigerator over-night, was even better and spicier as the flavors had time to sit and blend.
The fortune cookies were crisp and fresh, not mass produced, which was a perfect treat to finish a wonderful meal.
The restaurant and restrooms were clean and maintained, even if the booth seat was slightly worn and split. The décor was rich and colorful with brocade fabric covering the walls, giving the restaurant a unique ambiance in a western community. The prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. The Wok is a restaurant worth the time and money for a pleasant sit-down meal. They also offer take-out for a change of pace in your own home.
