P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Review and Giveaway
The generous people over at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro sent me a $50 gift card. Awesome! They will also send a $100 gift card to a lucky reader of this dad blog. Double awesome!
As you probably can tell by their name, P.F. Chang’s is an Asian restaurant. Actually, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro is a chain of 190 upscale casual dining restaurants. Upscale and casual? When I saw that on their website, I was skeptical too. When I think of upscale, I’m picturing a jacket, tie, and an experience far from casual. However, when we dined there, I was pleasantly surprised that the restaurant was indeed both upscale and casual. The restaurant was spectacular and no one even glared at us when my kids were a little too loud.
I’ve been to many Chinese restaurants in my life and I can tell you P.F. Chang’s is the most stunning Asian restaurant I’ve ever been to. The atmosphere was fabulous. It’s the kind of upscale restaurant a dad can take their spouse to for special occassions. It’s a shame my wife couldn’t go (she stayed home with baby and the Little Princess). She would have loved P.F. Chang’s. Too bad, so sad.
Here’s a first for me: P.F. Chang’s is the only Chinese restaurant I’ve been to with a menu specially designed for children. As a dad, I can tell you from experience that a kids menu is nice way to keep the kids entertained. Otherwise, the children might set each other on fire before their food arrives.
The kids coloring their menus at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
The kids menu offer a variety of games and puzzles to keep kids entertained:
- Warrior Wisdom
Color the warrior and draw a background scene - Dot-to-Dot
Connect the dots to finish the picture - Lucky Cat Fortune
Make words from the letters in “Lucky Cat Fortune” - Chopstick-Tac-Toe
Best two out of three games wins
I was also surprised by how affordable the kids meals were. The kids meals range from $5 to $3. With prices like that, you can afford to take the entire family to P.F. Chang’s. The kids meals feature a kid-size entrée, a drink (with a lid), and an appetizer bowl (fruits and noodles). There are four entrées to choose from:
- Chicken ($4.95)
Served with Honey or Sweet and Sour dipping sauce - Lo Mein ($3.95)
Egg noodles stir-fried with chicken - Chicken Fried Rice ($2.95)
A kid’s favorite without the veggies - Baby Buddha’s Feast ($2.95)
Snap peas, carrots, and broccoli served steamed or stir-fried
I was hoping my kids would each order something different so I could sample more dishes, but the Little Monkey and Spiderboy both ordered the Lo Mein noodles (they loved it). My son (age six) didn’t have any problem finishing his noodles, but the portion was just a little too much for my daughter (age four). I ordered Chang’s Spicy Chicken (General Tso’s). It was a little too spicy for me (I had to ask for water — I’m such a wimp when it comes to spicy food), but I still loved it. The chicken was tender and sweet.
The overall dining experience at P.F. Chang’s was wonderful. The waitress was nice, the service was quick, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was great. Note: tea isn’t free like it is at the mom and pop Chinese restaurants. The tea costs $2.50 and it comes in a nifty looking black teapot.
And now for the giveaway. To enter the contest for a $100 gift card to P.F. Chang’s, take a look at their menu. Then leave a comment telling me your favorite dish. The deadline to enter is Monday, December 14, 2009 and is limited to US addresses. The winner will be randomly selected. In the meantime, think about getting a gift card for the holidays. For every $50 in P.F. Chang’s gift cards purchased, you will receive a $10 Be Our Guest Card for use in 2010. Offer ends December 31, 2009.
Look! I know how to use chopsticks.
24 Comments
Subscribe to Daddy Forever
the crispy honey chicken looks soo good!
I love PF Chang’s and I always get the Sweet and Sour Chicken. Or the Fried Rice Combo. It’s all good!
.-= Stephanie Reed´s last blog ..A Charlie Brown Christmas =-.
P. F. Changs is one of my favorite spots! My wife and I really like the Kung Pow Scallops.
The lettuce wraps are great too though we’ve both gone vegetarian since our last trip there. I guess we’ll have to try something else: we’ve yet to be disappointed though!
Took the wife there once. She doesn’t remember. It was after a movie and pretty late.
But I loved the mongolian beef.
Thanks DF.. Have a great day.
.-= Eric´s last blog ..Twenty Five Days of TORTURE!!! =-.
I have only been to P.F. Chang’s once. I’m pretty sure I ordered the Chang’s Spicy Chicken. But all the food on the menu looks good. Incidentally, Pei Wei is owned by the same company, and their food is really good too. We have one of those down the street from us.
MMMMmmmm we love Changs. My daughter lives for their individual desserts at the end, the raspberry chocolate one is her favorite. We all love the chicken lettuce wraps and Mongolian beef too. We’ve never had a bad meal there, loved everything we’ve tried. And I agree with you completely about upscale, yet still kid friendly. :)
Hugs,
Holly
.-= Holly Schwendiman´s last blog ..Signs of Growth =-.
Love the Sweet & Sour Chicken. Hope you guys are doing well, especially the little one. Thanks.
We have both PF Chang’s and Pei Wei (their “down scale” quick eatery). Pei Wei is down the block from my house, so we go there quite often. I love their Pei Wei Spicy (which is basically what you had); not too spicy for me! I ADORE the hot sour soup, too. PF Chang’s is a bit “farther” for us – about two miles! But we love them both. Yum!
.-= Desert Songbird´s last blog ..Treasures and Blessings =-.
The Sesame Chicken sounds great.
Oh the Dumplings and the egg Drop soup. YUM.
Pick me! Pick me!
CHENGDU SPICED LAMB
Richly spiced marinated lamb, wok-caramelized then tossed with cumin, mint, tomatoes and yellow onions
Oh god I’m salivating. YUM. I just started seeing commercials for them so they must be somewhere around here. *Looking from side to side* Where are you P.F. Changs? I want that lamb.
And….. PICK ME! LOL
Their lemon chicken is the best I’ve ever had in my life.
*sniff*… yet ANOTHER giveaway I cannot hope to win.
I love Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps. Now I’m craving for some! Thanks for having this great giveaway.
CHANG’S SPICY CHICKEN! Hoot hoot! My 11th anniversary is in the month of December so it would be fun to go there. I hope I win! I haven’t gone on a date in a year. Probably my last anniversary. Haha!
.-= Virginia´s last blog ..Our Christmas Pics 2009! =-.
I always love chicken so any kind of cooking will do for me.
.-= Palabuzz´s last blog ..LJ on the Spot of FHM this December =-.
The Oolong Marinated Sea Bass sounds really interesting — I have never heard of a meat dish with oolong in it before!
I’m so glad you reviewed this, because there’s one sorta nearby and I keep wondering if it’s worth going to! I think I’d try the beef a la sichuan. (That’s what it’s actually called — is it a Chinese-French fusion dish? :)
.-= Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: 50,000 words down to one =-.
I wish they had that resto here but those menu things are abundant here … we figured kids needed to keep busy so lots of the restos here have coloring stuff for kids.
.-= Kay´s last blog ..a bundle of nerves =-.
A lot of “American” restaurants have kids menu/activities books, but PF Chang’s is the only Asian restaurant that I know that has a kids menu. Not sure why.
Ma po tofu! I went there last night. My favorite dish!
I have such limited Asian food experience, but LOVE chicken lo mein. I would try their Chicken Lettuce Wraps off of the Starter/Small Plates Menu. They sound d e l i c i o u s!
i know it is simple but i love the fried rice
Oh man!! I wish I knew about this giveaway sooner!!! :)