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Friday, Jun. 19, 2009

Peking has Garden of ordinary delights

I’m still on a quest for authentic Chinese cuisine. I mentioned that in this space many moons ago, but fortunately, between you and me, I’ll soon be able to experience just that when I finally visit China this fall. I can hardly wait!

In the meantime, there are many good restaurants where one can consume a delicious Chinese-American meal; Warner Robins in particular has one just about everywhere you look. The latest to spring up is Peking Garden, which not only services Chinese-American meals, but also Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant, located in the semi-new Kroger shopping center on Watson Boulevard, includes a pleasant dining room. A sushi bar rests in a far corner.

I’ve never noticed it to be particularly crowded during my various visits, so I think you’re good-to-go for a quick lunch or dinner. Take-out is also available, as well as delivery with a minimum order of $15 if you live or work within three miles of the place.

The menu is not surprisingly extensive, ranging from egg rolls and steamed or fried dumplings as appetizers, to various poultry, beef, seafood and pork dishes.

Such restaurants do vary with their versions of lo mein, always my favorite of the soft noodle varieties. Peking Garden uses meaty chicken for this dish. I can’t stand it when restaurants use that rubbery garbage that leaves you gnawing to digest the stuff.

Peking’s egg rolls are light spring rolls filled with thinly-sliced vegetables, and they come with the luncheon specials, served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. during the week. Each entree comes with an egg roll, lightly-fluffed fried rice (no veggies) and a fortune cookie (an invention made famous here in America, by the way.) The specials are very affordable at $5.95, and range from chop suey, chow mein and mushroom chicken, to pepper steak, vegetables and sweet and sour pork, shrimp or chicken.

If you’re in the mood for Japanese food, there are almost a dozen appetizers to choose from. Tempura selections include vegetable, chicken, shrimp or lobster, or any combination of those. Lunch prices start at $7.95 and dinner at $9.95.

Teriyaki dishes are available featuring tofu, chicken, salmon or steak. And if you’re in the mood for hibachi-style dishes, all the sauteed main ingredients come with vegetables, rice and miso soup. There are also sashimi choices starting at $3.75 for a two-piece crab stick, octopus or shrimp.

Although Peking Garden is situated more on the western end of Warner Robins, it can be a hike to get there if you work on base or on the other side of Houston County. But the service is quick and friendly, and a meal at Peking Garden won’t put a hole in your wallet.

Peking Garden

Address: 3070 Watson Blvd., Suite 600, Warner Robins

Phone: (478) 971-1822, 971-1833

Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Prices: $1.25- $25.95

Payment: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, no personal checks

Children’s menu: Yes

Vegetarian selections: Yes

Dress: Casual

Noise Level: Low

Delivery: Yes; minimum $15 within three miles

Latest health code rating: 96