asia cafe

I have enjoyed reading the posts on this forum, but the experience I recently had at Asia Cafe forced me to start a new thread.

After reading an old thread about the area's best chinese take-out, I noticed that Asia Cafe was mentioned a couple of times. I have always gone to Hong Kong (near Shoppers), and have been very satisfied. However, I figured, why not give someplace else a try? What a mistake.

The theme of my meal was simply "gelatinous." Apparently, this place doesn't know when to quit with the corn starch. From a soup with the consistency of glue, to broccoli that had a sauce which could substitute for plaster, to an egg roll that was raw on the inside--almost everything was simply inedible.

Was this just a bad night?

 

For good chinese, go to Cafe Opera. I haven't been back to one of these other fast food chinese places ever since my first visit there.

 

I like Asia Cafe a lot, we eat there a couple times a month. Must have been a bad night.

 

Had Cafe Opera last night and it was easily the worst meal we ever had from there. The sesame chicken and orange beef were tender but absolutely tasteless.
We will certainly give them a few more opportunities to lose our business as we have always been pleased in the past.

 

I'll definitely try Cafe Opera. I'm in Ashburn Village, so Hong Kong is more convenient for take out (& is good).

But I'm always willing to try new places (for any type of food)...just to see if I'm missing something interesting.

 

We got carryout from Cafe Opera for the first time last night (Sunday). Soups (egg drop, hot and sour) were run of the mill. However, the Orange Chicken and Roasted Duck were quite good.

 

We have always been happy with Cafe Opera. Even though the owner is from Hong Kong, we usually ordered curry dishes (we did not used to have any Thai restaurants around here). On my daughter's 4th birthday they brought out ice cream for her which I much appreciated.

 

We were regulars at Asia -- until last night: sesame beef was not crispy at all, soggy goo; Low Mein was far too salty and not edible; fried rice was bland. Definitely a new cook or something.

 

I think you must be correct. Our meal this week from Cafe Opera was nothing like anything we'd had there before. T8erman was nice to say that it was bland...
I'd have say it was a tasteless mass.

 

LMT, I live in Broadlands and I order regularly from Hong Kong. I haven't found a Chinese takeout place this good since the hole-in-the-wall takeout place I used to order from when I lived in Falls Church.

Mike

 

Get your facts straight woman! I DID say it was tasteless, not bland.

 

Yeah, I've never had a bad meal from Hong Kong. My wife, who usually dislikes most Chinese food, actually looks forward to their Singapore noodles. Everything is always fresh, service is quick and friendly.

Not to mention they have some of the best crispy noodles I've ever had. Just the right amount of light greasiness & delicate crispiness.

 

It's going to be a chilly night at the T8 house tonight!!

 

Chilly??? More like FRIGID! HA!

 

Back to the Asia Cafe.....does anyone know if they did get a new cook and that's the reason things have gone downhill?

 

every restaurant deserves one bad night- we are regulars at Opera and it's always spectacular- with the exception of one meal, one time. let them know if you thought things were better in the past- maybe they'll unchange whatever changed- if they can.

haven't been in awhile b/c we're dieting but i PRAY that they are still as superior as they once were.

 

I'm a semi-regular at Cafe Opera and have never had a bad meal there. But then I'm not nearly as picky as some people on these forums are.

 

Cafe Opera is our standard for the area. It's normally quite good - pork with bell peppers is my go to meal.

Ordered last night and, for some reason, it wasn't quite as good. I guess everyone has an off night occassionally.

 

After school tonight, Travis and I stopped by the hong Kong place over by Shoppers for take out. Almost forgot about the place and because of these forums I thought I would try it. My last take out from the asian place by the ice rink (same owners as the one by safeway) was not that good .

Anyway the scallops and mixed vegtables from the Hong Kong place was very very good. Large tasty scallops with many different types of vegtables not just a few like you get at some of the other asian places.
Nice surprise to have a tasty meal that hit the spot.

Lee j.