Restaurant Review |
If you like Chinese food, you'll like Daniel's Place. A fixture on MacArthur Boulevard since 1988, Daniel's Place serves traditional Chinese dishes in the Cantonese and Szechuan styles. (Cantonese dishes tend to be light and more subtle in flavor than Szechuan dishes, which are often spicy and boldly flavored.) |
Daniel Man, the owner of Daniel's Place, was born in Hong Kong and emigrated to the United States in 1980. Daniel's mother is the inspiration for his interest in cooking, so much so that Daniel returns to Hong Kong regularly to enjoy her cooking. Daniel's Place is inspired by Daniel's experiences growing up in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is the New York City of the far East: a business center where people dine out all the time, and dining out is as much a part of the culture as the omnipresent neon lights. Daniel's Place has a well-rounded menu of entrées, all priced appropriately. The menu includes such Chinese classics as kung pao, mu shu, foo young, and sweet-and-sour dishes, as well as appetizers like egg rolls, fried won tons, and hot-and-sour soup. While most of Daniel's dishes are faithful to traditional Chinese recipes, he has his own specialties. Daniel uses a secret blend of homemade spices in his "salt and pepper" dishes, and his various mushroom plates are uncommon and surprisingly succulent. Each regular order brings a full plate, and the rice is perfectly prepared. Daniel's most popular plates include Mongolian beef, a spicy Szechuan-style classic, and the sweet-and-sour dishes which he prepares in the Hong Kong style instead of simply pouring the sweet-and-sour sauce over batter-fried meat, Daniel immediately sautés the freshly fried meat in the sweet-and-sour sauce along with thick slices of onion, bell pepper, and pineapple. While many customers order carry-out, Daniel's Place is best experienced in the dining room. The restaurant is laid out like a traditional Chinese restaurant, a large and open dining hall with "good luck" pink as its base color. The service is prompt, professional, and courteous. Most of the staff, including his head chef and head waiter, have been with Daniel since the restaurant opened in 1988. In addition to the quality food, one of the best parts about Daniel's Place is Daniel himself. He's there almost every night. Daniel is affable and funny, and he often develops a friendship with his customers. So if you're in the neighborhood and looking for some good Chinese food, stop by and say hello to Daniel. Daniel's Place, 4245 MacArthur Boulevard, 530-8880 / 530-9898. |
