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P F CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO

The evening started at our arrival at Phillips Place.  We had a quick smoke outside in the expansive alley of Phillips Place.  Charlotte Council woman Sue Burgess was nowhere in sight, so we were safe to smoke in peace.  At five minutes until eight o'clock we entered P F Chang's and informed the hostess that we had a reservation for eight.  At Eight we were promptly escorted to our table.  Our server, Georgio arrived and took our drink orders.  Having already viewed the wine menu, I ordered Seven Deadly Zins.  I wanted a bold wine to accompany my Chengdu Spiced Lamb.  I was pleased that Chang's arranges their wine menu according to the wines body and style and not the price.  This gives those patrons who have a lesser degree of wine knowledge to pick a good wine to accompany their meal.  Our wine arrived and was served. When Georgio noticed a small piece of cork in one of the glasses he had poured for us, he immediately apologized and went back to the bar to replace not only the glass, but the wine in it as well.  Again, I was impressed.  The appetizers arrived shortly after. 

CHANG`S CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
Wonderfully cooked chicken with shiitake mushrooms, onions, garlic, chillis, bamboo shoots and water chestnuts.  Add some cooking sherry, some spices and don't forget the Hoisin sauce.  Add this wonderful combination to crisp lettuce cups and you have a wonderful beginning.

I ordered the Chengdu Spiced Lamb for my main course.  Absolutely fabulous.  Marinated caramelized lamb cooked to perfection and served with  yellow onions, and tomatoes.  Some cumin and mint for spice makes it just right.  The perfect entree to match the strong zinfandel.

Throughout the entire meal our server, Georgio, was very attentive and met and exceeded our expectations.  The most amazing thing to me however was not how how much I enjoyed the meal, but rather how affordable it was.  For an upscale restaurant, Chang's has exceedingly good prices.  Even the wines were very affordable by the bottle.  Most restaurants have a bottle markup significantly higher than Chang's.  My hat is off to the management and staff.  Wonderful job.