The Local Flavor

Author: Andrea Glaessner

When Panda House mysteriously shut its doors last fall, it was not long before a new sign appeared, with a new name and new management. May Garden, nestled in the Marble Works shopping center in the same building as its predecessor, Panda House, offers not only better Chinese cuisine than Panda House and the new China House around the corner, but incredibly friendly service and a warm, comforting atmosphere to boot. Upon entering the restaurant, one may notice the décor has changed, and the space is much more inviting than the dimly lit, cramped interior of Panda House. Not only is the room welcoming, but the hosts were cheery and jovial, and truly made the dining experience a delight. If you are a Chinese student, feel free to take the opportunity to practice conversing with the servers who are both patient and helpful.
As for the food, start out with the hot and sour soup. It is the perfect combination of spicy and sour, true to its namesake. Try adding a few crispy wontons that are already at the table when you take a seat. Hot tea is served promptly, and offered at no charge. Other tasty appetizers are the crab Rangoon - a cream cheese and crab filled wonton, and the steamed dumplings, either pork or vegetable. The dumplings were firm and just the right size, unlike the frighteningly large ones served at China House.
If you saved room for the main course, the mu shu pork is a wonderful choice. It comes with four crepes and a heaping dish of mu shu pork along with a bowl of duck sauce to stuff your Chinese-style burrito. The chicken with vegetables was also delicious. Try ordering it with brown sauce, instead of the white sauce typically served with the traditional chicken with vegetables dish. It has a better consistency and much more flavor than the bland, gooey white sauce.
If you do not eat meat, you do not have to go hungry at May Garden. The eggplant with garlic sauce was highly recommended by the server, but make sure you ask for it without pork. The dish traditionally is served with pork so it would be wise to confirm that it is meatless before you order it. The ma pao doufu (Szechuan-style bean curd) is also delectable - even if you do eat meat you should give it a try.
For less than $30, three people can easily eat to their heart's content, and take home a doggie bag - and that is with dinner prices. If you really want to save, you can order from the special combination menu which features a plate with rice, an egg roll, an individual portion of a specified dish, and a side of soup in the $6-$7 range. The lunch special is the same concept with even cheaper prices and more options to choose from.
For a taste of China, from the people to the dishes, step into May Garden and go home full and happy like a little Buddha.