P.F. Chang’s | West New York, NJ

My husband and I went out to dinner with another couple friend of ours.  They live in the beautiful and upcoming area of Edgewater.  The city of Edgewater is located along the Hudson River and faces Midtown Manhattan.  The views are stunning to say the least.  Here is a shot…

I know I’ve been dining out quite a bit lately so I need to eat healthy this week.  I’ve just been so excited to check out P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and here was my opportunity at last… I couldn’t exactly pass on it.  🙂

LOCATION

201.866.7790 

AMBIENCE
I really liked the decor at P.F. Chang’s.  It has a contemporary layout and high ceilings with modern lanterns hanging from above.  In this particular location if you are seated near the window, you can enjoy views of Midtown Manhattan.

RECOMMENDED TO
Casual Dining, Groups, Everyone, Kid Friendly.

CUISINE
Chinese

MENU – $$
P.F. Chang’s Menu.  Entrees range anywhere from $8 to $23.  Vegetarian entrees are on the cheaper end, whereas seafood entrees are on the higher end.  I love the P.F. Chang’s For Two Special… 2 people can enjoy a four-course meal all for $40… BARGAIN!  My husband and I chose this option. Lastly, P.F. Chang’s does offer a Gluten Free Menu.
For 4 people:
3 glasses of Wine + P.F. Chang’s for 2 Special + 2 Entrees + 2 Mini Desserts = $110 (including 19% tip)

RECOMMENDED HEALTHY EATS… choices below are based on Calories, Fat, Saturated Fat, Protein, and Sodium, found on P.F. Chang’s Nutritional Menu. Choose brown rice over white rice. Please use your own discretion when making a decision.

HEALTHY EATS	CALORIES	FAT	PROTEIN
APPETIZERS
Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps	160	7g	8g
Chang’s Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps	140	7g	6g
Shrimp Dumplings	45	0g	4g
Vegetable Dumplings	45	0g	2g
SOUPS
Wonton Soup	92	3g	7g
Chang’s Chicken Noodle Soup	120	4g	6g
SIDES
Garlic Snap Peas (small)	64	2g	4g
Spinach Stir-Fried w/Garlic Sauce (small)	53	3g	4g
LUNCH BOWLS
Buddha’s Feast Steamed w/Brown Rice	210	2g	10g
Asian Grilled Salmon	320	6g	22g
CHICKEN
Chang’s Spicy Chicken	323	13g	28g
Philip’s Better Lemon Chicken	343	14g	26g
SEAFOOD
Chang’s Lemon Scallops	232	10g	11g
Asian Grilled Salmon w/Rice	345	6g	32g
NOODLES
Garlic Noodles	178	4g	5g
VEGETARIAN
Vegetarian Fried Rice	190	2g	5g
Buddha’s Feast Steamed	55	0g	4g
Vegetable Chow Fun	250	2g	2g
DESSERTS
Mini Carrot Cake	130	6g	1g
Mini Red Velvet	130	7g	1g
Mini Great Wall	100	4g	1g
Mini Apple Pie	150	4g	1g

MY REVIEW
From the P.F. Chang’s For 2 Special, my husband and I ordered the following:

Hot & Sour Soup – The soup tasted average and extremely salty.  Sodium is generally high when eating Chinese food.  

For appetizer we had the Vegetable Steamed Dumplings, they were rather bland, I’ve had much better.

I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp which was really good, but unfortunately fried.  🙁  I didn’t expect the shrimp to be fried, I just thought it would be similar to takeout Chinese Food Kung Pao which is sautéed in oil.  There wasn’t much gravy in the dish which made it difficult to eat with rice.  I like that P.F. Chang’s allows us to choose between White & Brown Rice and they do offer quite a few healthful options, you just need to see their Nutritonal Menu before heading to the restaurant.

My husband ordered the Dali Chicken which was pretty spicy and in my opinion had a hint of Indian spices.  His dish was fried as well, this was disappointing.  I thought his dish was average.

We were also served Mini Desserts, I opted for the Tiramisu which was out of this world and he opted for the Red Velvet Cake which was horrible… my homemade version of RVC is a hundred times better.

VERDICT – 2.5 / 5
P.F. Chang’s was just okay.  My expectations were pretty high prior to dining here.  I was expecting food that would be a few steps above greasy Chinese Food, however it seems like most dishes here are fried and there isn’t much gravy going on. Overall the food did not taste like traditional Chinese Food, I personally think the food here is slightly Americanized. In addition, the food seems to be way too fattening with a ton of sodium and lacks the Chinese flavors I was hoping for.  I’m all for eating fattening food when dining out, however it better be good.  I felt as though the calories I indulged at P.F. Chang’s were a total waste.  My poor arteries!  🙁  If I ever dine here again, I’ll be ordering some of the healthful options on the menu.

And now comes the good part… the location is amazing, the decor is chic, the portions here are good… not too small… not too big, there are many healthful options on the menu, and the Tiramisu is yummy.  The four of us ended the night with a stroll along the Hudson River… at least I burned a few calories.  I hope you guys don’t think I’m tough to please… I just know and love good “quality” food, not too much to ask for, right?

Another amazing view on our walk back!