Headline: “Wok” on the “fire” side

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

We were in Hoffman Estates shopping at Mariano’s, aka The Dining Duo’s “Disneyland,” one late Saturday afternoon and decided to have dinner out that way. Jim was craving Asian cuisine, so I suggested, how about that restaurant in the South Barrington Arboretum that is across from the Mago Grill called Wok ‘n Fire? So we “wok”ed on the wild side and gave it a try.

This restaurant is different from most Chinese restaurants. Usually you see take out bags stacked up next to the cash register like a Pagoda waiting to be picked up. You find yourself seated in a booth while listening to orders being barked out in an unknown language by the cooks in the kitchen. Instead, Wok ‘n Fire is a beautifully decorated and large restaurant. When you enter, you are greeted by a giant gold statue of a smiling Buddha. Please don’t try to rub his belly for good luck because the proprietor’s may frown upon it. When you are seated at your table in the dining area, your eyes are drawn to the illuminated dragon sculpture that fills the back wall. As you gaze upward, you see hundreds of Chinese lanterns that seem to be floating up to the sky.

For our appetizer this evening, we chose the Yakitori Beef ($9.95). It consisted of skewers of char-grilled steak and scallions basted with teriyaki sauce, served atop a bed of homemade Asian coleslaw and cucumber salad. This dish was made from chunks of beef, and we were hoping for the more traditional thinly sliced grilled beef. As far as our taste buds are concerned, this was not a keeper.

For Jim’s main course, he decided on the Double Pan Fried Noodles with Chicken ($13.95). This was semi-crisp egg noodles with carrots, onions, and Chinese broccoli, all in a brown sauce. A lesson from the Dining Duo school of useless information: Chinese broccoli in no way resembles the broccoli you’re familiar with. It’s more like a cross between kale and spinach and Jim said it was actually very tasty. I was in shock, since neither one of these items have ever passed between his lips.

On to Nancy’s main course. Wonder of wonders, she picked the Bangkok Garlic Pepper Shrimp ($16.95), which was diced garlic cloves and house spices, onions, pea pods, and scallions in a pepper brown sauce over a bed of white rice. Of course she had them hold the Shitake fungi and she added vegetable fried rice for a $1.25 upcharge. She was in heaven with all that garlic! This was right up her alley and unfortunately, it was right up my nose for the next few days…

We usually don’t order dessert in a Chinese restaurant, but our waiter recommended the Sesame Banana Fritter ($6.50). This was a banana, battered and deep fried until crispy, and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. A scoop of vanilla ice cream was added and everything was topped with caramel sauce. We weren’t expecting much, but this decadent delight was awesome and could easily serve two people, even us. The two of us were fighting over that banana with our samurai spoons like two warriors in a bad Kung Fu movie!

If you’re in the mood for a different spin on your traditional Chinese food, give Wok ‘n Fire a try.

FYI: Finish your appetizer before you order your entree since the service is very fast. The restaurant is handicap accessible.

The price for our Kung Fu food was $59.76 or $392.38 Yuan, whichever currency you have lying around the house.

Jim’s take: My dinner was good but I wish the noodles were just a bit thinner. Boy, am I getting fussy in my old age. That dessert was unbelievable, what little Nancy left me.

Nancy’s take: I loved my dish if only the menu would have said the entree contained cilantro. I despise that herb! It was every man for himself with that banana, and I (a mere woman) won!!!

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.

---

---