Know any good places for Chinese food in the valley? I know a few that I like. This week, I went to Sandy to see if I could add another spot to my list. I'm talking about the newest installment in the mega-food-business-entertainment-plex known as Jordan Commons.
China Lily is across the path from Matilda's Fair Dinkum, that casual Aussie place that features uncommonly good meats from down under.
Decorated in reds and golds, China Lily is open and spacious, with a large dining area, a tropical-fish aquarium and a Mongolian-style grill.
Our service was very good. I really appreciate it when I get a server who knows just how much to check in — not too much and not too little; one who is kind and willing to make suggestions but isn't too chatty and casual. Pedro was one such server.
China Lily bills itself as serving "traditional Chinese cuisine." I would probably describe it more as "traditional American-Chinese favorites." Even at that, though, the food is still enjoyable.
The menu features familiar dishes, such as General Tso's chicken, broccoli and beef, and moo goo gai pan. It almost seems the focus of the restaurant is familiarity. For many people that's a good thing.
We started with two appetizers that I heartily recommend — the barbecue pork and the walnut shrimp.
If you're a fan of Chinese-style pork, sometimes called char-shu, you'll enjoy this. The meat is very moist, and it's a fatter cut of meat than you may be used to. Served thinly sliced with spicy mustard, there's plenty here for at least three people to share.
And do try the walnut shrimp. The large shrimp are covered in a tangy sweet sauce and sprinkled with roasted walnuts. This one is a bit addictive, so don't overdo it!
Other popular appetizers are lettuce wraps, wontons and pan-fried dumplings.
Menus at Chinese restaurants tend to be pretty big. I wish I could have tried more things. But as it was, my husband and I were stuffed after having tried the spicy beef with black bean sauce, sweet-and-sour chicken, pork with garlic sauce and Shanghai-style noodles.
My favorite was the beef. Tangy bean sauce covers thin strips of beef and vegetables. This dish is fresh, colorful and light.
Normally, sweet-and-sour chicken isn't even a favorite Chinese dish for me, but since the menu is so filled with the standards, I thought it was worth talking about. But it was a disappointment. The batter covering the chicken was too thick and had a doughy consistency. The chicken was sparse and dry, and the sauce was bland. Oh, well.
The pork with garlic sauce was excellent. It is a moderately spicy dish filled with strips of vegetables and pieces of pork. It's served in this funky basket made out of fried, shredded potato.
Try the Shanghai-style noodles. They're phat! They epitomize Chinese comfort food.
If you have enjoyed Xiao downtown, or China Lily in either Lindon or at the Riverwoods in Provo, the menu will be familiar; they are all owned by the same family. The atmosphere is casually elegant, so China Lily is ideal for business appointments.
That China Lily is at Jordan Commons is also a good thing. The menu's wide appeal and family-friendly prices help make a case for the dinner-and-a movie model.
I'll be back to try the Mongolian barbecue and the Peking duck.
Prices for appetizers range from $3.25-$7.50, a la carte dishes $7.95-$12.95, Peking duck in two courses $25.95, rice and noodles $4.50-$8.95, soups $1.50.
China Lily
*** 1/2 (out of five)
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Location: 9400 S. State, Sandy (Jordan Commons); 304-4095
Payment: major credit cards
E-mail: stephanie@desnews.com