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Contra Costa Marketplace - Jan 2017

Open Kitchen at Noodles Fresh Lucky (Server) & Wenyan Petersen (Co-Founder) JANUARY 2017 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 37 many thin, tender slices of steak, accented with sautéed green peppers and bok choy. The moderate spiciness was a perfect choice for me, and I found the entrée to be extremely delicious. I typically do not order Asian noodle dishes (except for an occasional order of chow mein) but I honestly enjoyed the rice noodles in this dish very much. As we concluded our meals, we observed many late evening diners arriving, and the restaurant was still quite busy even as the closing hour (9:00) approached. As food was delivered to nearby tables, we stole glances to see what other patrons had ordered. Each dish we saw looked wonderfully appetizing and all portions were large. Peter Liang, the Master Chef for Noodles Fresh, has over 20 years of experience, and incorporates creativity and versatility into his culinary creations. He prepares each menu item meticulously so that they boast the authentic flavors of the regions from which they originate. Noodles Fresh offers a separate banquet menu which includes items not on the traditional menu. This menu is available to those who book private parties at the restaurant and who may wish to order some of these specialty items for their event. Many of these beautifully presented menu items from the banquet menu can be viewed on a slideshow which plays continuously in the dining room. A private banquet room is available which seats twelve guests comfortably, and Noodles Fresh accepts reservations for large parties in their dining room, which accommodates up to 90 guests. For events with fifty or more guests, the restaurant may be closed to the public to host the private event. If you’re interested in booking an event at Noodles Fresh, contact either Tom or Wenyan for more information. Because no meal is complete without dessert for this reviewer, I chose to order the Mango pudding from the Sweets Menu. The short list of selections also includes Vanilla ice cream topped with home-made sesame peanut candy, and Sesame Balls. There is also a short list of Tea Snacks to enjoy with tea service. The mango pudding was served in a “crooked” cup, reminiscent of those in Alice in Wonderland, and had a smooth, thick, and rich mango flavor. This is one of the recipes that Wenyan continues to prepare herself, and I readily complimented her on how delicious it was. Noodles Fresh is an upscale Chinese restaurant with a varied and interesting, yet affordable menu; high quality cuisine; a modernistic atmosphere; and the added feature of being a Tea House. Wenyan’s love of her country is clearly evident— the cuisine, the porcelain and artistry, and the variety of teas—all of which are showcased at Noodles Fresh. Also noteworthy is that the Petersen’s are environmentally conscious, and designed their restaurant with features to meet green standards. Their efforts earned them the prestigious award in March 2016 for being the only restaurant in Contra Costa County that is a Certified Green Business! Next time you are in the mood for Chinese cuisine, pass on your good old “stand-by” restaurants and head to El Cerrito to try out Noodles Fresh for some great regional cuisine and hot tea in a truly ambient setting. You’ll surely want to return again and again, as we do! Hours: Open daily 11 AM – 9 PM, closed Mondays Mango Pudding


Contra Costa Marketplace - Jan 2017
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