Panda Machi (Alpine)

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy (again).  Kirk and His Missus have barely begun to enjoy their vacation. 

In the first months of each year, when I am driving around the County for my job, I make notes about places I see and would like The Mister and I to return to check out once things slow down.
 There in the left corner-walking distance from an Ayres Hotel, Chase Bank and a Carl's Jr., I had seen Panda Machi.   The Mister and I returned one weekday.  This Chinese-Japanese restaurant (Panda, for its Chinese roots and Machi (means 'town' in Japanese)) is a tribute to the roots of this family owned and run (since 2020) restaurant. 



The front of the extensive four page menu lists the less expensive lunch specials and appetizers.
 
The sushi chef was busy around noon the day we were here.
 The Almond Chicken (lunch, $8.95) with fried (instead of white) rice was what we decided to order.  The large plate of stir fried chicken with celery, peas and carrots included a cream cheese wonton, pork potsticker,  
 salad with ginger dressing and an excellent egg drop soup.  The freshness of all the ingredients was notable and of great quality. 
 The Mister and I ordered the Assorted Egg Fu Young ($13.95), as we do on first visits to Chinese restaurants. Chicken, beef and shrimp along with fresh mushrooms, sprouts, water chestnuts, peas and carrots in a lovely gravy covered the unique omelette.
 The version made here is baked in the pan (rather than fried like an omelette, with thin edges)- the top, bottom and edges were uniform and a consistent bake.  The eggs were blended with lightly mashed cauliflower and broccoli.  It is so interesting to see the various versions of this dish, which is basically a way to use up leftovers.    

We will be returning to try out the Japanese side of the menu.  So happy we stopped here.

Panda Machi 1730 Alpine Blvd, Suite 101 Alpine, CA 91901 (619) 445-6224 Open seven days 11-9 website

Comments

[kat]

neat how they have both cuisines:)

[Cathy]

The menu is interesting, Kat. Based on what we saw others ordering, the (quite crowded at lunchtime on a weekday) ordering is split, which is why we need to go back for only the Japanese side of the menu. However, that Egg Fu Young was quite memorable...

[Dereck]

Was the Egg Fu Young memorable in a good way or bad way? ;-) I have a little nostalgia for that dish as it was one my mom used to make in the deep country in Indiana.

Many times I find the fried versions way too greasy and am rather intrigued with the baked version you had.

[Cathy]

Ha-It was memorable in a good way, Dereck. Very different than we've had (and we've had a lot of egg fu young)..I think I need to change the wording- the vegetables in the omelette were more or less 'riced', not mashed...there was a texture different than the 'baked' top, bottom and edges of the omelette; not eggy fluffy.

[caninecologne]

A spot down south has two cuisines as well, Bento & Noodles which shares space with China China (Terra Nova strip mall off H Street and the 805 in Chula Vista). A long time ago, Bento was Thaigo, which was what I believe the South Bay's first Thai spot (back in 98). Wish we still had it. It transitioned to Japanese food soon after. You can have the Japanese or Chinese menu no matter what side you sit in Bento or China China.

[Cathy]

I pass that strip mall a lot, cc; will definitely stop there next time. Thanks for another tip!