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P.F. Chang's China Bistro 8 Park Plaza Boston (617) 573-0821
It's no secret that I'm obsessed with P. F. Chang's. When discussing this amazing restaurant I refer to it as "Changers," as if it's a little brother or professor I know well and thus can bestow a nickname upon. I'm also willing to take that long T ride to the Theater District or pay the insane parking fees ($20 for the garage, $10 for the valet).
Due to its immense popularity, I doubt that Changers and its staff feel the same obsession with me or my equally obsessed friends. We recognize most of the waiters from the predominantly male staff and can remember the one who refused to sing to us on our friend's birthday, the one who stepped on my foot, and even the one who let us guess his height (6 feet, 4 inches).
These are the same waiters who are instructed to ask you every time if this is your first time, as well as to personally "mix" your soy sauce by asking you just how hot you like it (i.e. how much wasabi can you stand). This doesn't ensure that we will get a table without following the strictest of policies: call ahead and everyone must be there at the time you are to be seated.
This obsession is slightly embarrassing considering that P.F. Chang's is a rather large chain restaurant that serves over-the-top Americanized Chinese fare. I'm comforted that I am not alone, though, because every time I eat there, it seems that the restaurant's dim lighting, white tablecloths, revolving doors, and Oriental decorations are also appealing for business dinners, dates, and even cheesy bachelorette parties.
The best piece of advice someone gave me about Changers is that it serves family style, so have your table order an assortment of food to share. A favorite is Chang's chicken in soothing lettuce wraps ($6.95), which may sound unappealing but is actually delicious tiny pieces of spicy chicken and scallions served with chunks of lettuce for do-it-yourself wrapping. The best part is that it's quick, thus satisfying the hunger that inevitably accompanies the wait for a table.
In terms of entrees, two favorites are the Cantonese chow fun ($9.95) and the spicy ground eggplant and chicken ($8.95). The Cantonese chow fun includes chicken or beef served over wide rice noodles with onions and ginger. The noodles in this dish are so good (sticky, without being overcooked) I often notice that they get picked out and eaten over the chicken. The second favorite can be tailored to be less spicy and includes larger chunks of eggplant, ground chicken, and scallions served with a medium-spicy sauce.
For this visit, we went with lettuce wraps and chow fun. We also tried kung pao chicken ($10.95) and wild Alaskan sockeye salmon steamed with ginger ($15.95).
I wasn't a huge fan of the kung pao chicken (chicken, peanuts, chili peppers, and scallions), but that's probably because I ate one of those chili peppers by mistake. I enjoyed the salmon, but I sort of regretted not getting something more traditional.
That being said, there are no bad decisions to be made with the P.F. Chang's menu. I would only recommend saving some time, some money, and your appetite before you go.
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