Cheap Eats: Wan Lai
May 5th, 2009 by Jennifer Zyman in cheap-eats
GET IN MY BELLY: The pork belly casserole at Wan Lai
My friend Kit Fenton is an admitted snob when it comes to Cantonese food, which he grew up eating in Hong Kong. So, my interest was piqued when I got an exclamation-point-riddled text about his new find, Wan Lai (4897 Buford Highway, Chamblee, 678-530-0633). Kit called the food “real Cantonese” and said it was “some of the best” he’d had in Atlanta. I naturally accepted his invitation when he told me he was organizing a large group for a family-style lunch — is there a better kind of meal?
The lunch was on a Sunday when every table restaurant was packed. I like to think I’m a seasoned eater, but the massive menu left me in a frantic state of indecision. What had I never had before? What “litmus dishes” should I have? “Why don’t you just order for everyone, Kit?” I found myself saying. He looked shocked that I’d actually relinquished control over ordering then rattled off our order to the waiter in a mix of his native tongue and English.
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(Photo by Jennifer Zyman)
May 5th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Just an FYI: The restaurant is, like most Chinese restaurants, closed on Tuesdays.
May 5th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Don’t tease me with pork belly casserole! My dad makes it for me because he loves me :-) It looks like I can find love at Wan Li now too!
Thanks for sharing this find! I can’t wait to try it out!!!
May 6th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Jennifer – What’s the background on most Chinese restaurants being closed on Tuesday?
May 6th, 2009 at 11:04 am
This place rocks.
May 18th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
ChowdownATL led me through the menu today. Ridiculous.
The three dumpling soup is out of control. The garlic fried chicken…oh man