If you are in my neighborhood and
you are looking for a variety of multicultural cuisine, than you are in the
wrong part of Brooklyn my friend. I know my borough is finally getting the
respect it deserves and for a large part the gentrification has done amazing
things which have helped land itself to a bigger part of my to do list this
year. It is so nice having something to look forward to every weekend without
going on a three-hour tour.
Besides the pizza places we have
on every other corner, at about the same rate you see Starbucks in Manhattan,
there is the occasional Italian restaurant. That about sums it up. Although I
would be negligent if I did not mention the Chinese Restaurant that my family
has gone to my entire life and probably my parent’s entire (adult) lives as
well. When you are a multi-generation family remaining in the same area you
tend to go to the same places out of loyalty and habit.
But alas we have finally broken
out of the mold! As my niece and nephew like to say, “we have an old and a new
Chinese restaurant, which should we go to?”
Well if that new Chinese
restaurant is “Chopsticks” I say new all the way!
Now no disrespect to the food that
has sustained us but they are losing the grip on their game. The menu has never
ever changed so when you compare it to someplace new they are unfortunately
coming in second.
“Chopsticks” is a little further
than we usually venture out but roughly still in my neighborhood. This opened
up my meal options; I could have sushi, pad Thai, and many other enticing
selections. The menu is practically too heavy to hold while flipping through
the pages. I also like that they carry Snapple. Sometimes it really is the
little things.
But before you even get to sit
down and order, you will see how big and accommodating it is. The staff is
friendly and moving around so much they look like a choreographed act. I have
never waited more than a minute for a table no matter the day or time. They can
accommodate a party of any size without notice.
When you enter the restaurant is
essentially split in half. On the left are takeout orders and deliveries. To
the right is the sit down section. On that side there is a mini bridge you walk
over where you will notice a small pond with real life coy fish swimming
around. This always gets a big thrill for new comers. As for my nephew all he
wanted to know is if we were going to eat them. Spoiler alert- we did not!
I have always been a relatively
picky eater but over the course of my adulthood I tried to branch out. For
example in my early twenties I started to try foods from other cultures. I had
a friend take me out for my first meal at a Japanese restaurant. I had my first
tastes of sushi and happily was able to use the chopsticks without looking like
too much of a fool.
I love a good pad Thai but I have
yet to have any here. I feel like I haven’t gotten to that page in the menu
yet.
However it was the dumplings that
won me over initially and continue to do so whenever I am there. The only other
dumplings that can compare are those found in Chinatown, near Canal Street, in
Manhattan. They are certainly delicious but even less convenient for me than
“Chopsticks”.
My favorite dumplings here are the
steamed vegetables. There are about six or eight dumplings and I can eat all in
one sitting but I usually have some help. On my visit last week I ended up
taking the leftovers home and I have to say when I heated up in the microwave
the next day they were still unbelievably good. I now have the urge for them
fairly often but sadly I don’t get it satisfied as much as I like.
Other menu items I enjoy are their
spring rolls, egg rolls, sizzling pepper steak, lemon chicken, and vegetable
fried rice. My friend recently tried the cashew chicken and I am pretty sure
that’s what I will order next time. But have no fear there is every typical
dish you can think of and then some. I can hardly think of a thing someone
could walk in craving that they had to leave without eating.
No matter what your favorite menu
you item is, I guarantee that Chief George Wong at “Chopsticks” can make it
even better.
My only complaint, and really it’s
just a disappointment, is that they do not deliver to my house.
Oh well I suppose the dumplings
are worth putting some pants on and heading out of the house for.
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