Tandoori Bites

Tandoori Bites
1620 S College Rd
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
(910) 794-4545
 
Man, I love this place. It's an old Wendy's that was later converted into a biker bar, then taken into its latest incarnation and you cannot tell it was ever either previous version. The decor is really something to see. Go check out their web site and it will give you a good idea. It's a really cool place to look at while you eat. And they have this big screen teevee behind the bar that plays Indian music videos that could be obnoxious, but just... isn't. It just lends to the atmosphere and is really fun.
 
We've been there a few times with friends, one of which is actually Indian, and she declared the food authentic, that some people think it's good and some don't, and that it's probably an acquired taste. We've obviously acquired it, because we think it rocks.
 
The assorted bread basket is outstanding, and I was glad we had four people there the night we ordered that, or they probably would have had to roll me out of the double-door service entrance in the back. As it was, I had to remind myself to share a couple of times.
 
I've had their chicken tikka masala, which was rich and spicy, but not over-the-top. Pootie has had the lamb jalfrazi and loved loved loved it. I would describe it, but I wasn't allowed a bite of it, so there you go. I've also had the butter chicken, which was so tender and good. Pootie has also been for their lunch buffet, and tried a little of everything. His considered opinion when asked for comment was "It's great. And it's cheap.".
 
The only minus at all was my decision to sample the after-dinner bowl of what looks like potpurri at the door as we left the first time. Our Indian friend said that was most definitely an acquired taste, and that one missed me. It tasted like old lady and licorice. Blegh. I chalk that up to my own lack of sophistication, however, and if you want to try it, by all means give it a whirl. If you don't spit it out in the parking lot, you're a better man than I am, Gunga Din.
 
But everything else is fantastic, prices are reasonable, they have a good beer and wine selection, and the atmosphere is just wonderful. By all means, get over there and give them a taste.

Double Happiness

Double Happiness
4403 Wrightsville Avenue

Wilmington, NC 28403-6339
(910) 313-1088

I've been remiss in not posting about Double Happiness before now. It's one of our favorite places, and we eat there fairly regularly. Tucked away off Wrightsville near College, it's kind of easy to miss - not a place you necessarily see when you drive by. But as Chinese food goes, they're about the only place in town I think has really got it going on, so it's worth looking for.

Here is the explanation from Liz Biro on the owners. May is absolutely wonderful. She's nice, she's funny, and she takes the time to visit and joke with everyone who comes in. She loves to talk about the food, the restaurant, and her history in China and then coming over to the States and her time in Wilmington. She'll also happily help you pronounce the words on your fortune cookie.  It's always a pleasure to see her.

But even if May wasn't such a joy, the food would bring us in anyway. This isn't your standard soy-seasoned buffet fare. Everything is fresh, flavorful and delicious. They often start by bringing out a small plate of steamed salty edamame and some of the most delicious sweet pickled cucumbers I've had since Pootie's grandmother passed away. They're crunchy and vinegary-sweet and I could honestly sit and eat a big bowl of them and be perfectly content.

They do some seasonal dishes, like a great watermelon salad they have in the summer. As I recall, it had a ginger dressing that didn't taste like everyone else's Asian ginger dressing. Soups and appetizers are familiar, but always excellent. Their won ton soup is nice and salty with a generous amount of won ton noodles. Their scallion pancakes are hot and crispy, the spring rolls are fresh and crunchy, and all the sauces are well-balanced.

Entrees are complete with the old favorites, like moo goo gai pan and mongolian beef. But they also have some different dishes, like their dry wok chicken, which the menu says is a "must-try", and I agree. Crispy duck is done perfectly, and I love their double pan fried noodle dish. They serve it in a deep bowl so that some of the noodles are crispy, but some are a little more tender toward the bottom, so it's not like eating a plate full of sticks. Pootie really digs their Sichuan Eggplant, partly because it's that good, and partly because I rarely cook eggplant and he loves it. I have to say, as a non-eggplant person, their version is pretty darned good. I can eat quite a bit of it before I go "...oh... yeah, that's still eggplant, isn't it?"

If you google their menu online, ignore the first scans. I'm pretty sure the menu shots with pictures were from the old iteration of Double Happiness, before May and her brother revamped the menu. Use the bottom ones with no pictures.

Definitely give it a go if you're looking for good Chinese food. The restaurant is off Wrightsville on the left if you're headed from downtown toward College and is right before the intersection of Kerr and Wrightsville.