Location: Mountain View, CA
Cuisine type: Chinese, Vegetarian
Atmosphere: plain, kitchen table feel
Meal: dinner
Overall score: 7
Nina
I had heard much about vegetarian only restaurants, but never tried one out simply because given the choice between a place that offers meat and one that doesn’t I always choose the former. However, for this double date dinner one of us was vegetarian, and she proposed this vegetarian restaurant with a large offering of faux-meats.
I was happy that we went for a family-style dinner sharing of multiple dishes, that way I could try a much wider variety of this unique style of cooking. We ordered a wonton soup, sushi rolls, broccoli beef, sweet and spicy chicken, shrimp and crispy duck with mushrooms and broccoli. The wonton soup was flavorful and balanced, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, the sushi rolls were warm, which I found a bit strange. Considering this was a Chinese restaurant, I’m not even sure whether this was intentional (since the warmth just made for a slightly moist rice, and didn’t really enhance the flavor or texture in any way).
Moving on to the “meat” dishes, I was a bit surprised by the beef and broccoli - mainly, the light color of the tofu bites and the meat-like but non-specific flavor did not really say “beef” to me, they might as well have called it chicken or pork and I would have been just as convinced. The sweet and sour chicken was ok, nothing out of the ordinary but a convincing enough imitation that I didn't miss the meat. The shrimp dish put up a surprising effort in being more convincing, and came with a variety of vegetables, which was refreshing after all the broccoli. The tofu mix had a mild seafood taste, and on top of that was shaped and colored like whole, deveined shrimp - quite a nice touch. Last but certainly not least, there was the Peking duck - and I saved the best for last. The meat was not imitated by some variation of tofu, but rather a mix of mushrooms consisting primarily of shiitakes. The “meat” part was covered in a delicious and perfectly crispy skin that make the dish taste even more authentic. Even though the “duck” was served with even more mushrooms as a side, I did not find it too overwhelming and I really enjoyed both the flavor of the dish and the savory sauce accompanying it.
Disappointingly, they didn’t have any dessert on the menu, but then again I was pretty full after trying all these dishes. I’m not sure that I would go back often since I generally don’t pick vegetarian restaurants over others, but if I even find myself back at Garden Fresh I will definitely be ordering the crispy duck (and most likely I’ll be looking for the same dish at other vegetarian restaurants just in case I get lucky and find this again).
I was happy that we went for a family-style dinner sharing of multiple dishes, that way I could try a much wider variety of this unique style of cooking. We ordered a wonton soup, sushi rolls, broccoli beef, sweet and spicy chicken, shrimp and crispy duck with mushrooms and broccoli. The wonton soup was flavorful and balanced, but nothing out of the ordinary. However, the sushi rolls were warm, which I found a bit strange. Considering this was a Chinese restaurant, I’m not even sure whether this was intentional (since the warmth just made for a slightly moist rice, and didn’t really enhance the flavor or texture in any way).
Moving on to the “meat” dishes, I was a bit surprised by the beef and broccoli - mainly, the light color of the tofu bites and the meat-like but non-specific flavor did not really say “beef” to me, they might as well have called it chicken or pork and I would have been just as convinced. The sweet and sour chicken was ok, nothing out of the ordinary but a convincing enough imitation that I didn't miss the meat. The shrimp dish put up a surprising effort in being more convincing, and came with a variety of vegetables, which was refreshing after all the broccoli. The tofu mix had a mild seafood taste, and on top of that was shaped and colored like whole, deveined shrimp - quite a nice touch. Last but certainly not least, there was the Peking duck - and I saved the best for last. The meat was not imitated by some variation of tofu, but rather a mix of mushrooms consisting primarily of shiitakes. The “meat” part was covered in a delicious and perfectly crispy skin that make the dish taste even more authentic. Even though the “duck” was served with even more mushrooms as a side, I did not find it too overwhelming and I really enjoyed both the flavor of the dish and the savory sauce accompanying it.
Disappointingly, they didn’t have any dessert on the menu, but then again I was pretty full after trying all these dishes. I’m not sure that I would go back often since I generally don’t pick vegetarian restaurants over others, but if I even find myself back at Garden Fresh I will definitely be ordering the crispy duck (and most likely I’ll be looking for the same dish at other vegetarian restaurants just in case I get lucky and find this again).
Food 7
Drinks 5
Atmosphere 6
Service 7
Value 8
Drinks 5
Atmosphere 6
Service 7
Value 8
Ben
This the first restaurant I have seen specifying itself as vegetarian only, with the stated intention of imitating meat flavors. I actually enjoyed it much more than I would have guessed, particularly the amazing crispy “duck” with broccoli - a dense mushroom meat imitation that I thought was spot on. The other dishes were all pretty good - wonton soup, “sushi” rolls, broccoli “beef,” and sweet & spicy “chicken.” While there are a decent amount of soy - based “meats,” they do a good job of mixing it up and the dishes are flavorful and well beyond the lightly disguised tofu atrocities I was expecting.
It’s a little austere place, a single room with full window wall facing the parking lot, and maybe 10-15 tables. The service is polite, the prices are pretty low (~$8-12 / entree), and overall the place has a pretty lively feel and seems to get a good amount of business. I would say this place is definitely worth a try.
It’s a little austere place, a single room with full window wall facing the parking lot, and maybe 10-15 tables. The service is polite, the prices are pretty low (~$8-12 / entree), and overall the place has a pretty lively feel and seems to get a good amount of business. I would say this place is definitely worth a try.
Food 8
Drinks 6
Atmosphere 6
Service 8
Value 8
Drinks 6
Atmosphere 6
Service 8
Value 8
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