Chengdu Taste

Chengdu Taste Restaurant Review:

Chengdu Taste chef-owner Tony Xu draws big crowds to his original Alhambra restaurant with authentic Sichuan cuisine. The minimalist space features a red awning, decorative Sichuan masks, and tables coated with white cloths. The food is much more interesting, with flavor fueled by the chiles and tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorns of Xu's home province. Mung bean noodles bathe in chile sauce and come sprinkled with crunchy toasted mung beans. Boiled sliced fish in hot sauce arrives in a massive bowl with a rich broth hosting tender slices of fish, a liberal shower of dried chiles, minced garlic and scallions. Toothpick lamb is nearly as flavorful as the dish is fun to eat, with cumin-coated lamb chunks tossed with chile oil, dried chiles and cilantro. If you’re looking for something unique, order the off-menu, deep-fried lion fish with prickly spine and sweet, tangy sauce. Cool your palate with steamed white rice and sweet tart plum juice.