Thursday, March 28, 2024

Eclectic Asian

My husband and I love food and the Travel Channel, but we have never been able to justify an Asian destination. Every time I see Anthony Bourdain slurp Vietnamesenoodles, or Sam Brown sampling sake, I feel a slight pang of jealousy. While I haven’t yet had the pleasure of far east travel, I was comforted by my experience at a pan-Asian restaurant right here in Toledo — Wei Wei on North Reynolds
Road.

A red canopy, a large backlit sign touting a daily special, and a neon “Bud Light” sign are its only distinguishing characteristics. I expected to find a simple take-out counter inside, but was pleasantly surprised to find a well lit and very clean dining room with large round tables in the center, great for parties of five or six. The restaurant also has a fully stocked bar and a banquet room,

A vast selection

At first glance, the menu was overwhelming. The selection ranged from Vietnamese hot pots to Pad Thai to classic Chinese fare (including Peking Duck, $35, which serves two, and must be ordered in advance), with a little Japanese tempura and baby octopus thrown in just in case you weren’t already undecided. I decided to start with a signature cocktail called “Buddha’s Dream” ($5.95). Apparently, the Buddha dreams in banana liquor, dark rum, and vanilla ice cream. The drink was sweet but delicious, and gave me the motivation I needed to decide on dinner.

Subtle flavors

Appetizers of Chinese pot-stickers (pork dumplings) ($5.95) and Cantonese chicken lettuce wraps (also $5.95) were a great start. I chose one of the specials, black pepper beef short ribs with Szechwan sauce ($11.95). Usually, I am leery of anything with ‘black pepper’ in the title, but I was pleased to find out that the pepper was an undertone to a well-balanced sauce with beautifully cooked short ribs. Other members of my party ordered red curry shrimp ($10.95), sweet and sour chicken ($8.95), garlic tofu and vegetables ($8.95), and a very large seafood hot pot which included several types of seafood, including cuttlefish ($12.95, complete with fresh herbs you may add at the table). Everyone went home happy, and given the generous portion sizes, we also went home with lunch for the next day.

Wei Wei on N. Reynolds Road, just south of Dorr St. Bourdain and Brown may not be sightseeing in Asia, but Wei Wei provides authentic Asian cuisine right here in Toledo. 419-531-1117.

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