For The Daring Diner, there is Hung Sou Tofu ($10.95) with bamboo shoots and snow peas. Or plow into Rock Salt Pork, but take an extinguisher … this one has the three peppers symbol on the menu (hot!). It's $11.95.
What we had: We're both Chinese foodies, so we wanted to mix some traditional favorites with something new. We started with the appetizer list, with yummy-looking options from $1.50 all the way up to $12.95.
- Zombie, $6.95: Rum, brandy, pineapple and orange juice. Comes with a pretty umbrella to ward off "walkers."
- Mai Tai, $6.95: Rum, Curacao, lime and orange juice. This is the drink of kings, or at least THE King, as it was featured prominently in the movie Blue Hawaii, starring Elvis. Ironically, the Mai Tai wasn't invented in Hawaii. Nonetheless, it is delicious and refreshing.
- Crab Rangoon, $4.95: Cream cheese shells with a generous portion of crab, chives and garlic. Some places skimp on the filler — not China Cottage. The sweet sauce gives it a refreshing kick while the hot mustard takes you in a whole other direction. Connie said, "You can feel the warmth of it rising in your sinuses!" Sniffing, she added, "Wow, I can breathe!" After you've taken a bite, the ample cream cheese cools your tongue.
- Won Ton Soup, (complimentary with meal): Another tradition favorite. Its clear broth is a little salty, and the hint taste of chives is just right. We went during the Great Heat Wave of July 2013 and still the hot soup was refreshing and light. Sausage is not overpowering and flavorful. "It has a ton of flavor," Connie said with her mouth full, as she pointed to my notebook, encouraging me to try to decipher her guttural guidance. Egg Drop Soup is also available, along with Baby Bok Choi Bean Curd Soup ($7.95). We made a note to try that one next time.
- Spicy Triple Delight, $12.95: We decided to split a meal (to save leftovers and our waistlines) and ordered something with a little of everything in it. The Spicy Triple Delight has three times the flavor. It's a delicious meal complete with beef, chicken and shrimp together, served in an edible bowl made from a fried shell. Peanuts in a brown sauce gave the dish a nice texture of crunchy with the chewy protein. They kind of sneak up on you. The vegetables (which are typically not Sandy's favorite) were perfect in size and flavor. Small carrots cut in a box shape joined same-size peas for the perfect combination. We were thrice delighted with the generous amounts of meat, again China Cottage didn't skimp. It's a moderately hot dish, and was terrific. Garnished with decorative orange slices and there was more than enough for two.
Overheard at our table by the fish tank:"Oh, my gosh, I'm sweating!" Guess which Diva said that.
“Hot flash?”
“It’s the mustard … or the brown sauce … I can’t tell which, but something is lighting my fire.”
If you guessed Connie was sweating, you’re right. Sandy would never quote a Doors song in a food review. People are strange, aren’t they?
Final musings: For a traditional Chinese experience, China Cottage fits the bill.
The info: China Cottage, 3718 Wilmington Pike, Kettering. Three other locations: Centerville, 6290 Far Hills Ave.; Trotwood at 1983 Shiloh Springs Road; and Springboro at 784 N. Main St.
Hours: Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
News Talk Radio WHIO’s Sandy Collins and Dayton Daily News’ Connie Post are two of Dayton Daily News’ Dining Divas. Think of them as your personal taste-testers. If you know of a special dish they should check out, email them where and what. Life@CoxInc.com.
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