PALM BEACH COUNTY DINING SCENE
Six highly rated Asian restaurants
Important: This article was last updated on February 11, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
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Kyojin -- 21073 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, 561-218-1708 (AE, MC, V). While an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet may not seem like a very good idea, it's carried off in surprisingly good fashion here. A team of sushi chefs replenishes the buffet all day long and includes both traditional and American-style rolls. If sushi isn't your style, there's a hibachi grill with ribs and chicken. The hot foods include vegetable-filled dumplings, spring rolls, curry chicken and fried rice. For dessert, there's cheesecake, brownies and an ice cream bar. The menu changes daily. Moderate. Lunch, dinner. 7/25/03. -- J.T.
La Tre -- 249 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, 561-392-4568 (AC). From an unassuming storefront comes some of the best Vietnamese food in South Florida. You might start with crunchy Vietnamese egg rolls filled with pork and bean sprouts, skewered lemon chicken or any of the satisfying soups. The Happy Pancake, a stuffed rice crepe, is amazing. Fish is exquisite. Sweets include lemon mousse and a decadent almond chocolate cake. Moderate. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 9/5/03. -- J.T.
Lemon Grass Asian Bistro -- 420 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561-278-5050 (AE, MC, V). An ambitious and stylish eatery that combines lots of authentic Thai food with Japanese sushi, even Vietnamese. Starters are particularly tasty, from mee kob, the Thai crispy rice noodle dish topped with shrimp, to sushi bar offerings like tuna tartar served in a crispy won-ton roll. The menu is huge and you may have to come back a few times to really see how one small kitchen can put out so many dishes: stir fries, noodle soups and a variety of inventive sushi rolls. Take time to explore the sake offerings. While service can be a bit hectic, the wait is well worth it. Moderate-expensive. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 8/6/04. -- J.T.
P.F. Chang's -- 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-393-3722 (AE, DC, MC, V). In Boca, at least, this national chain seems to have taken over the place of the neighborhood Chinese restaurant. Service is good. The kitchen delivers on all of the flavors of Chinese cuisine, from Cantonese-style spare ribs to start to Sichuan-style twice-cooked spicy beef. Every meal should start with spicy chicken wrapped in lettuce leaves. Also recommended is Singapore Street noodles and the Great Wall of Chocolate for dessert. Moderate-expensive. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 4/18/03. -- J.T.
Red Lantern -- Piccadilly Square, 8221 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-482-8817 (AC). There are two kinds of Chinese restaurants: destination and neighborhood. Here is a good neighborhood variety where most dishes are very well executed. Prices are fair, ingredients are fresh, but make sure to ask for "extra spicy" if that's what you want because chefs err on the side of caution. Recommended dishes include General Tso's chicken, walnut chicken and Peking duck. Inexpensive-moderate. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 10/31/03. -- J.T.
Stir Crazy -- Town Center, 6000 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-338-7500 (AC). While the restaurant allows guest to create their own stir-fries cooked by a trio of wok-wielding chefs, there's also an extensive menu of pan-Asian favorites. Try Beijing noodles, pad Thai or teriyaki chicken. The restaurant itself is a beauty with a 12-foot high mural that dominates the room. While the taste may not be authentic, it beats much of what's available in any mall. Inexpensive-moderate. Lunch, dinner. Reviewed 3/7/03. -- J.T.