Asian fusion Archives - Good Food St. Louis

If you’ve been missing P. F. Chang’s version of Lettuce Wraps, this appetizer’s for you. The crazy tasty dish includes sautéed minced chicken, water chestnuts, mushrooms, green onions, crispy vermicelli, and peanuts served with iceberg lettuce and tangy mustard dipping sauce.

Stop, Drive, Eat!

If you haven’t been to VP Square, stop everything you’re doing and go. The place is billed as Asian fusion. That used to mean a mishmash of flavors from the other side of the world. But VP has upped the ante in both taste and presentation.

An evening out on the town.

Recently my group, that dines monthly—we call ourselves “Women Who Eat Out”—selected the tidy, spacious restaurant on Juniata, just off South Grand.

Wilma, who had discovered the place earlier, suggested getting a selection of appetizers to share. A good plan for nibbler such as we—though I regret not asking for a larger plate to keep the sauces from mingling.

I’ve not yet tried the entrees. Nor the Bento Box lunch sampler. That will require another trip—and soon!

These Food Photos Tell It All

The menu of Starters

Summer Rolls with strawberries, crab, shrimp, vermicelli, cucumbers, and herbs wrapped in soft rice paper served with peanut sauce.

Homemade Crab Rangoon. Crispy wontons filled with crab, cream cheese, and green onion served with sweet and sour sauce.

Flash Fried Calamari. Lightly battered squid served with smoked jalapeno dipping sauce and lemon wedge.

Coconut Shrimp. Panko breaded shrimp tossed with siracha mayo, green onions and served on baby spring lettuce.

Hot and Sour Soup with bamboo shoots, carrots, black mushrooms, green onions with shrimp and pork wontons.

Crispy Eggrolls (chicken or vegetable) with sweet chili sauce

When the Bill Came!!!

Our group always splits the tab evenly among ourselves—which servers always love to deal with. When our individual bills came, we were shocked! For the 5 of us (with appetizers and drinks), the evening came to about $16 each!

We often pay twice that much for our monthly soiree. What’s more, the appetizers were ample and promptly delivered; the tables generously spaced and servers bemasked.

Put this one on your bingo card.

“Women Who Eat Out” agreed VP Square is a splendid addition to the Grand Avenue food strip.

Dessert, Anyone?

Having money still in our pockets, we decided to drive farther down Grand to Ted Drewes. I especially enjoy their fresh peach ice cream this time of the year. Unlike their flagship spot on Chippewa, they are not as crowded. I was saddened to learn, that they are closing this weekend until next summer.

My server explained that the student employees were going back to school. Happily, the Chippewas location will maintain their regular schedule.

VP Square: 3611 Juniata, just off South Grand across from the Rooster’s restaurant. Hours: Sun, Tue-Thu. 11a to 9:30p; Fri-Sat. 11a-10p; Closed Monday.

As you round the corner of S. Jefferson and Winnebago, you come upon a lively neighborhood restaurant in south city: Lucky Buddha. One of my blog readers, knowing my affinity for Asian fusion, suggested I give it a try. (Thanks, J.P.)

The karma was good the night my son and I stopped for dinner. Customers were enjoying the pleasant, spring evening along with the live music, as friendly servers glided between tables delivering on the “fast-casual” atmosphere they boast.

Gyozas—a pork dumpling fried golden brown and served with spicy peanut sauce.

We shared several items that had been recommended by reviewers: Gyozas, with a splendid peanut sauce, and the fluffy Kimchi Chicken Steam Buns. Each dish was attractively presented and easy to inhale. We moved on to split the Porkapocolypse Bahn Mi sandwich and the veggielicious Thai Spring Rolls. Both delivered bold, high-impact goodness.

Kimchi Steamed Bun—fluffy and yummy

Porkapocolypse Bahn Mi

By now I was eager to meet the food innovator, whose antics with Asian fusion had captured my taste buds. Later, as he visited at our table, Chef Rene Cruz spoke of his adoration for fresh food, creatively prepared and well plated. “I serve food that gives me goose bumps when I taste it,” he told me with a gleam in his eye. Now that’s my kind of chef.

There’s so much more to try another day. Wing lovers speak glowingly of the Crispy Fried Thai Marinated Wings. Also highly recommended, is the Five Spice Crème Brule and the Lemongrass and Basil Seed Cake with Lemongrass Ice Cream.

Put this one on your list.