At your service: Language may be a barrier, but servers are friendly and fast. On a day we visited with a Mandarin speaker at the busy lunch hour, everything was fine. On another visit, without a Mandarin speaker, it was hard to get detailed descriptions of cryptically labeled dishes. Despite that, service was efficient and our table was full of hot delicious food in about 15 minutes.
Second helpings: The Szechuan pork dumplings in a rich red garlic-spiked chile oil holds firm dumplings, cooked al dente, and the robust sauce could make anything taste wonderful. The twice-cooked pork was full of tangy fat-marbled pork slices, again served in that red garlic, chile and Szechuan peppercorn-spiked oil that sent a wonderful numbing sensation through my mouth. The ma po tofu with yet a slightly different spin on the chile-oil combo was the most flavorful version of this dish I’ve ever tried. Sauteed peashoots added a bright green note to the deeply fiery fare it shared the table with. The sesame noodles were nicely firm in a creamy, nutty bath. Chewy and crunchy jellyfish salad gets an onion bite from a scallion pesto. On chilly days the hot pot, served in a big, electric boiling pot, makes for a great communal meal with ultra-fresh ingredients and excellent broths. We always love the hot, sticky rice dessert “eight treasures sweet rice pudding,” dotted with edible seeds and sweet red beans.
Take a pass: Thai yum chub caal, described as “fresh vegetables, fruits and tofu in Chef’s signature peanut dressing,” was mostly iceberg lettuce, unripe tomatoes and decent fried tofu with a sweet dressing. And we found sauteed “fresh bacon” nearly flavorless. Twice-cooked pork is a much better way to go if you love fatty pig meat.
Thirst quenchers: A full bar and selection of sodas and hot tea.
Price range: Appetizers, $2.50-$7.25; soups $3.50-$8.95; entrees $8.95-$16.95; noodle dishes $6.50-$7.95; desserts, $3.95-$4.95; soft drinks $1.25; beer, glasses of wine and cocktails $2.75-$7.
Asian Bistro (3 forks)
65 W. Golf Rd., Arlington Heights
847-439-5888
Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sun.-Thu.; 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Credit cards: M, V, A
Noise: Conversation friendly
Delivery: Yes, within about 15 minutes of the restaurant.
NEARBY
Shop op: Mitsuwa Marketplace (100 E. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-956-6699), a huge Japanese supermarket and mall with extensive food court.
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Song op: Ding Dong Dang Karaoke (224 E. Golf Rd., Arlington Heights; 847-718-0883), a Korean karaoke house where you can rent a singing room for five for about $35 per hour.
Ratings key: 4 forks, don’t miss it; 3 forks, one of the best; 2 forks, very good; 1 fork, good
Reviews are based on anonymous visits by Tribune staff members; meals are paid for by the Tribune.
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