Break the Chinese Take-Out Routine

This week keeps the awesome restaurant streak going with Hunan Springs. It’s a great place for not only a delicious Asian meal, but a unique dining atmosphere.

The restaurant’s building was once a large horse stable, and when the Ho family opened Hunan Springs in 1994, they preserved its pastoral appearance. With its stone walls, wooden rafter beams, and high ceilings, the place has a rustic feel to it. But it also has a touch of elegance. Tiffany-style lamps dangle in every shape and color (seriously - no two are alike) and sheets of black paisley paper separate seating areas for a cozier feel. And if you sit in the main dining area, your eyes are sure to wander to the large aquarium in the center of the room.

As for the food:  after glancing at the menu, it’s easy to tell that this isn’t your average “Shrimp Fried Rice” bill of fare. Hunan Springs’ entrees are listed by specific flavors (like Sweet & Spicy Garlic Sauce, Chinese Eggplant, or Sautéed Snow Peas) to which you may then add chicken, beef, or shrimp. It also features a traditional Asian menu, with dishes like Chicken and Jellyfish, Sha Cha Beef (which is delicious), and Peking Duck, along with a list of Chef’s Specialties.

There’s also a list of Vegetarian Entrées, Noodles & Rice Entrées, and Seasonal Seafood.

And while you’re waiting for your dinner, you can munch on crispy fried dipping noodles with Wasabi mustard and Duck sauce.

Drink-wise, Hunan Springs is known for its cocktails. The copper-top bar is quietly sectioned off from the dining areas and is surrounded by an intriguing rounded wall with wooden slats. The cocktail list includes titles like the Green Melonie and the White Lily. There are only two beers on draft (Miller Lite and Hoegaarden), but there’s a decent selection of bottled beers (though not many microbrews) like Rolling Rock and Amstel Light.

My meal:  A Mai Tai, Wonton Soup and Crispy Pineapple Chicken (the daily special) that came with a Shrimp Roll and a little piece of cake (which was delicious). Both the meal and the atmosphere were wonderful, so a full 5/5 for Hunan Springs. (Even William, our server, was friendly and entertaining).

Details: 
4939 Hamilton Boulevard, Wescosville
(610) 366-8338
Open Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. (10:30 on Friday), Saturday noon to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

Price range: $$ (the average dinner entrée runs about $13)

P.S. My favorite part is after your meal, you get a little bowl of pineapple to cleanse your palate and traditional Chinese fortune cookies.