Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year!

(learn here about it)

I really don't know much about Chinese culture. Growing up my older sister and I had two friends that were Chinese (and also sisters). I was a pre-teen and never asked about their heritage. All I wanted to know was when they could come out to play. They lived a block away and we'd often go ring their bell and then hit the street and play handball against the corner building. When I was a teen, they moved to a different neighborhood; which later became Brooklyn's Chinatown.

I really don't like Chinese food. Probably because I've only had the Americanized version of it. This crap that's passed off at fast food joints ain't the real thing. Every dish tastes the same to me. It all has this glaze of soy sauced film like goo. I love food. Thai food being my favorite. And I will only go to this place for Thai. I like spicy tangy flavors (probably where Critter gets his palette from and has asked me to plant a lemon tree on the fire escape for him). I've always wanted real authentic Chinese food. I imagine it as quite tasty with a burst of flavors. Sure we live in NYC and there's a huge Chinatown practically in our backyard but picking a restaurant to eat at always mystified me. Which one is good? Which ones are the real deal? Do we go to one full of Asian diners?

The other day, my Bro-n-law, sis-n-law and 3 of their kids came over. We ordered from Grand Sichuan House, a local restaurant that I've read rave reviews about.
"What do you want?" My sister-n-law asked her husband .
After he scanned the menu, he selected something from the "American Section", Chicken with Garlic Sauce - UGH!!
"And get me an egg roll." He added.
"They don't have egg rolls." She replied.
I immediately liked this place!
"How can they not have egg rolls?" He hollered.
"This place is supposed to be authentic." I replied.
I got the Shrimp with Citrus Flavor  and Dan Dan Noodles and my SIL got Cumin Beef.
"What the heck is that? My BIL asked looking at the Chicken with Garlic Sauce. "It doesn't look like it".
And NO it didn't look nor taste like Chicken with Garlic sauce from the typical Chinese places I've previously had.
I"M LIKING this place!

And WHY HAVE I NEVER had Dan Dan Noodles before???????
OMG! They were sooooo good; spicy and tangy.
I want to try more items from the menu. I just might like Chinese Food (the real deal) after all.

Now, as for this rabbit. Makes me want to go out and get one. Not the animal, but the toy ;-)
And if you go chasing rabbits, and you know you're going to fall.......