LTH North Picnic - 7/26 - 12:30 - China Kitchen - Highwood

Continuing in the LTH North tradition of dining from places not yet on the LTH radar, the July offering will be from:
China Kitchen
114 W. Washington Ave.
Highwood, IL 60040
(847) 433-8809

This place isn't set up for dining in. Weather permitting, we plan to dine alfresco nearby at:
Moraine Park
2501 Sheridan Rd. @ Moraine Rd in Highland Park.
http://www.pdhp.org/index.cfm/fa/parks. ... 5ccf77a903

Cathy & I will provide provide plates, utensils etc. I'll bring a cooler with water and carbonated beverages. In case of snow or rain, we'll relocate to either Cathy's or my house.

Here's the plan - they have a huge freaking menu of 266 Chinese & Thai items.
A couple of online versions can be found here:
http://www.grubhub.com/chicago/china-kitchen-highwood/
http://www.menuism.com/restaurants/chin ... 664/dishes

I have an original menu. I'll try to shrink it down to a scan-able size and post it.

First off - post your RSVP so we can have a headcount. Then PM me any particular dishes you'd like me to order.

See ya on the 26th! Bring a friend.

Dave148 - Esteemed Coordinator of the LTH North Lunch Group
WillG+1
Cathy2
Helen
milz50
LHS

I am in.

Thanks, Will

Time frame, please?

bean wrote:Time frame, please?

I don't understand your question. I'll bring the food over to the park by 12:30.

Hi,

Helen and I will be there.

Dishes we recommend:
- Beef chow fun (better than Won Ton Express, which is comparable to Seven Treasures in Chinatown)
- Shrimp egg foo young
- Stir Fried Vermicelli Noodle with Vegetables and Shrimp

Only once was a Thai noodle dish ordered, but it wasnt eaten for hours afterwards. It wasn't especially liked, though how it was treated was not optimal.

The only dish I didn't particularly like: Hawaiian Shrimp, very pretty but you have to like cooked peppers (more than I do)

Their lunch specials are $5.25+tax with choice of soda or soup of the day (it always seems to be egg drop soup), eggroll or 3 crab rangoon (we always choose the crab rangoon) and entree. It comes automatically with a decent fried rice with no upcharge.

The lunch is of good value and generous quantity, easily passed around. The egg foo young was two large patties, easily split for 2-4 or more servings.

Regards,

There are 33 lunch specials on the menu. Perhaps an assortment of those might be a better option. As Esteemed Coordinator, I will go with the consensus of the group.

HI,

Helen and I do recommend the lunch specials as a solid option for our lunch.

Regards,

I'll be there.

Count me in.

Thanks!

In all likelihood, I will be +1.

Thanks, Will

Hi,

If the plan is for Dave to pick up the food, Helen and I suggest: Beef chow fun and Stir Fried Vermicelli Noodle with Vegetables with chicken lunches. Helen likes orange pop and I want a Coke. Crab rangoon instead of egg roll.

It was suggested we place our order at by 11:15 for a 12:30 (or earlier) pick up. They are closed Monday, they experience higher order volume on Tuesdays.

Regards,

Any other requests from the menu? Otherwise, I'll order more stuff from the Lunch Special section of the menu for a 12:15 pickup. It looks like tomorrow's going to be an excellent day for outdoor dining.

EC

I like thai curries. I think I saw upthread that it wasn't good here though. If I'm not remembering correctly and if you're looking for something else to order then I'd go for a green or red curry. I may be five minutes late.

milz50 wrote:I like thai curries. I think I saw upthread that it wasn't good here though. If I'm not remembering correctly and if you're looking for something else to order then I'd go for a green or red curry. I may be five minutes late.

They have green and red curry along with Panang and yellow. Any preference? Do you prefer your curry with chicken or beef?
EC

HI,

What Helen and I have had of the Thai were the noodle dishes. When I reported earlier, it was eaten hours afterwards. We did order Pad Thai last week, eaten fresher than before but still not a winner with us. Not the worst, just not the best.

What I would likely not order again: a Thai dish called crazy noodle or something like that. They used a wide rice noodle, just not enough for our tastes.

Regards,

Chicken is good...I don't care what color. More importantly...does anyone want me to bring some wine?

Not sure about the park policy on booze. I did notice that we need a permit ($100!) or resident decal to park at moraine park. Is that enforced? Should we just park on the street?


Thanks, Will

Hi,

I just called the Highland Park Police. They suggested parking on Moraine AVenue across the street and walk over.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Regards,

WillG wrote:Not sure about the park policy on booze. I did notice that we need a permit ($100!) or resident decal to park at moraine park. Is that enforced? Should we just park on the street?


Thanks, Will

Cathy and I are HP residents. If they haul you away in handcuffs, we'll take up a collection and bail you out.

Excellent. You know that I had your backs at Caputo's! Parking on the street should work fine. I will definitely be +1.....no particular food requests.

thanks, Will

Hi,

Dave is picking food up at 12:15. I will try to be at the park around that time.

If you come a little earlier, your food will be ready.

Regards.
Cathy

No parking on Moraine either...


Edit...looks like there is West of st johns on moraine

HI,

Thanks again to Dave for organizing this.

Regards,

As always, good food, company and conversation. A hearty welcome to Moose, the newest member of LTH North.

For those concerned, WillG just barely dodged the bullet with the HP Police.

Dave148 wrote:For those concerned, WillG just barely dodged the bullet with the HP Police.

They drew their weapons, eh?

=R=

Here is a pic of Pamplemousse, aka Mousse, waiting for more Chinese food.

Fortunately it was just an assistant police officer, so he was unarmed. Apparently the Lake Forest vehicle sticker looks enough like the HP one that he never even stopped, or else his lack of a weapon made him easily intimidated by Dave and Cathy.
As usual, a fun and filling LTH North lunch......thanks Dave. Matt- I take it that Moose didnt cause a ruckus at the dog beach?

Thanks, Will

milz50 wrote:Here is a pic of Pamplemousse, aka Mousse, waiting for more Chinese food.

I really thought his name was Moose.

Now that I see his name spelled out, it is more in line with your dog's looks and personality. He was so well behaved, I hardly noticed he was there.

Regards,

Hi,

I was at China Kitchen today after an absence of two weeks.

First bite of the Crab Rangoon, I knew something had changed. They were not as plump as before nor was it very crisp.

My Beef Chow Fun was overloaded with white and spring onions with not as much rice noodle. Where before it was Chinatown good with that ephereal breath of a wok taste, it was flat today.

Helen ordered the vermicelli with shrimp. They didn't use the right noodle, it was a mung bean noodle. That wouldn't be a big issue if it had taste, which it didn't.

I waited until they didn't have any customers to inquire. I learned they are the new owners since last Tuesday. I advised we had become regulars because of the quality of the food. If the food continues like we had today, we will be going elsewhere. I would prefer not to, so please reconsider their style.

I hope I said it as diplomatically as possible, because we really had come to like their food.

Regards,

Looks like we dodged a bullet. Mousse would not have been happy.