The Bottom Line
On our visit to Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen we had two appetizers, three entrees, and one dessert. The total bill, excluding beverages, tax, and tip, came to $47. Our server was excellent, and attentive.
I am told that three Chinese good luck coins are buried under the entryway of the restaurant. The coins are said to bring prosperity, abundance and good fortune to those who enter.
Pros
- Large portions
- Spiffy, modern environment
- Great service
- Vegetarian-friendly
Cons
- Seem to be experimenting with the menu
Description
- Takeout is popular at Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen--there's even a separate kitchen and entrance.
- Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen was inspired by Paul Fleming, the man behind P. F. Chang's and Pei Wei.
- The original Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen was in Gilbert, and another has been opened in Avondale.
- Focus on family style at Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen. The portions are large and meant for sharing.
- Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen serves both lunch and dinner 7 days per week.
- This is another restaurant where you can watch what's going on in the kitchen from the dining room.
Guide Review - Paul Lee's Chinese Kitchen
I don't think that any lettuce wrap appetizer, by any name that it is known, will ever please me quite as much as P.F. Chang's, but we tried Paul Lee's, Sizzling Chicken in Lettuce Cups. Our server told us that it had recently changed. We actually liked it, but still, when I crave lettuce wraps I'll run into Pei Wei. Our other appetizer, the pork potstickers, was the better of the two, and even surpasses that other Chinese place.
We ordered three entrees at Paul Lee's. The Shrimp With Lobster Sauce was a disappointing for those of us with a preconceived notion about what Shrimp With Lobster Sauce is. I wish they'd rename this dish of shrimp, pea pods in a ginger egg sauce over noodles. The R&G Beef was good--thin, lean pieces of marinated beef with asparagus and mushrooms. The veggies had not been sauteed in the same hoisin sauce. The hit of the entrees was the Don Don Noodles. Not drenched in sauce, and the server suggested a shrimp and chicken combo. Good suggestion!
The Banana Chocolate Spring Rolls dessert is served warm with a banana and chocolate sauce interior and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Very sweet, very good, fine for two.
We had leftovers for two meals from this trip. We'll go again when we're in the neighborhood, and see how they continue to tweak the menu.
