I was lucky enough to score a last-minute invite to Peter Chang’s China Grill Second Anniversary Party held last evening.

I love Chinese food.  It’s right there behind pizza as food I can and will eat three meals a day for days on end.  The people that I live with however, have a different view.  I have successfully gotten them to accompany me to Mr. Chang’s China Grill, but they are still lukewarm to the idea of Chinese food in general. So mama’s night out for Chinese food with my friend Megan was perfect for everyone in this house.   It was fun to get out, have a nice meal that I didn’t have to cook, serve or clean up after and meet some new people.  I’m going to give you some of the highlights of our meal, but not some well written review – I’m going to leave that to some of the press who were there last evening that do that far better than I.

There was quite a bit of spice in last night’s meal.  There were many tasty little bites and even a sighting of the elusive chef.There was some impressive presentation – like this Sea Bass with Chili Peppers.

And this Duck Breast with Shitake Mushrooms and Bamboo Shoots.  Generally, I don’t care for duck – it’s definitely something I never order on my own although I will always try it when offered.  I’m glad I tried this duck too, because I was pleasantly surprised to find myself liking it.    I also enjoyed the lamb in the Kung Pao Lamb – lamb being another one of those meats I don’t care for usually.  It pays off to have an open mind because you are gifted with surprises like this from time to time.

Dessert was Sweet Rice Marble Dumplings, which were filled with a sweet (sesame?) paste, served in a light, clear, sweet broth.  I’d never had anything like it and enjoyed it immensely.  It was a nice cap to the meal, which I summed up to Pat as leaving me feeling ‘pleasantly satiated’.  That’s the sort of meal it was – it drove me to use big words in recapping it to my husband.  Then again, that might have just been the influence of spending time with Megan, an incredibly eloquent and graceful person.  Or some combination of the two.  Either way, that’s my summation of the evening – pleasantly satiated.