As usual the parking lot is a dis-ASS-ter.  I pull the “Christmas Parking Maneuver” and within two minutes we’ve trailed a couple to their car and we’re “in business”.

China Garden

A brief five minute wait inside and we’re seated.  The dining room is nothing special and reminds me of our other favorite “banquet hall looking” Cantonese restaurants from our old hood in Rowland Heights.

Dining Room

Dining Room

We order a variety of dishes as is mandatory in Chinese/Taiwanese restaurants.  The pea sprout with garlic and sesame oil and hollow heart are two of my favorite Chinese veggies.  They’re so different than anything found in your typical American grocery store.

Pea sprout

The deep fried oysters are huge with a light tempura-style batter.  The “belly pieces” have a bit of “sea gaminess” to them.  You dip them in a salt and pepper mix before eating.

Deep Fried Oysters

The roasted duck with crispy skin nearly violates my “cute animal rule” in regards to dining but a while back Bella showed me a photo of the large ugly ducks that she says become this dish.  Regardless, I rarely eat this delicacy.  It comes with a side of a vinegar sauce which I have “zero interest” in.  I hate to admit it but this tastes very good.

Roasted Duck with Crispy Skin

The rock cod is perfectly cooked, delicate, moist and soaking in a watered down soy sauce.

Steamed Rock Cod Fish

The beef lo Mein noodles here taste better than I remembered.  Normally I order beef chow fun noodles which are flat rice noodles with a smokiness to die for.  Bella has tried to make them at home but she simply can’t get our wok temperature high enough.

Beef Lo Mein Noodles

For dessert they provide us with a complimentary bowl of sweet red bean soup.  I have no interest in this odd Asian “dessert”.  Bella likes this one a lot but being American I simply don’t get it.  For me it tastes like someone took some black beans (they often appear a dark red color) threw water on top and added sugar.  Thus — “no interest”.

Sweet Red Bean Soup

Date of Visit: 9/3/2011

Restaurant:  China Garden; Address: 14825 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA  92618; Phone: 949-653-9988; Website: N/A; Key: (5 star maximum per category); Ambiance: **½; Service: *** ½; Food/Drink: ***½; Grade: B+.