Sweet and sour: Oriental delight

 It's Chinese at heart, but cosmo-politan in style.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro offers authentic cuisine from the land of the dragon - albeit within a modern setting. Though there are no red tablecloths or violins in the background, an oriental experience unfolds as the flavours tingle your taste buds.

For starters, it's hard to pass over the Dynamite Shrimp. Described as "smoky, with a little kick," the seafood tossed in sauce arrives at the table in a cocktail glass. Once deployed, the spicy payload doesn't hit you right away, but takes a few seconds to reveal its tangy flavour.

Perfect balance

A milder but popular option is the Chicken Lettuce Wrap. The minced meat is ready in a jiffy and presented alongside fresh lettuce spreads. You can roll it all up or even make cups. The cooling effect of the crisp greens balances the meaty fried chew.

The signature main dish, Mongolian Beef, is another must-try item. Its deep, dark colour is enough to fire up the appetite. Extremely juicy — thanks to a liberal treatment of sauces — the slices are remarkably firm yet tender, virtually melting in the mouth. Cooked with garlic and scallions, it's a meal in itself, but also goes well with wok-fried rice.

But perhaps no culinary expedition of the Far East may be complete without Singapore Street Noodles. Loaded with shrimp and chicken and dripping in a curry sauce, this Asian "street fare" variety of rice noodles is surprisingly light, so don't be taken aback when it's served up to the brim in a large bowl.

The meals have a creamy texture and are soft on the palate. To spice things up a bit, there is a signature sauce on demand: the Trio. A unique mix of soya sauce, chilli oil and mustard that helps prepare the dressing on the spot. It has a very powerful flavour: hot, sour and slightly sweet, all at once.

To wash it all down, P.F. Chang's keeps a wide variety of cocktails on the ready. The watermelon and lemon fusion has been specially crafted to suit local weather conditions. It's hard to separate the refreshing blast of lime from the soothing melon. Guests can also opt for hot beverages: Italian and American coffee or Chinese herbal teas.

For the daring and still-hungry customers, there is The Great Wall of Chocolate. Recommended for at least four guests, this monstrosity lives up to its name. Six layers of chocolate cake are studded with chocolate chips on one side, not unlike the bricks on the Great Wall of China.

The triangular slice sits idly on its side, in a thin pool of raspberry sauce, while guests struggle to do any serious damage to it.

Average prices

Starters: Dh20 per dish

Main: Dh30-Dh35 per dish

fruit Cocktails: Dh20 per glass

Coffee and tea: Dh10-Dh15

Dessert: Dh25-Dh30 per item

Location: Ground floor, Mirdif City Centre