"In an effort to discover the hidden gems of Ridgewood, i just happened to walk in an hour before closing hoping for a decent bite with fresh ingredients and impressive flavor. I was a bit skeptical at first because the cuisine is not something I get the chance to try often, and while approaching the restaurant the outside wasn't very distinct. I rarely get the chance to have really good asian food because of my gluten intolerance so going into the experience I kept my expectations moderate. I ordered the black pepper prawns (even though I was leaning towards the fried chicken dish) and the server was kind enough to give me a taste of the wine he recommended to pair... which I ended up getting the full glass of, because let me just say if the wine was more dynamic and multi dimensional than most people I meet (pic of bottle included) The host/server, Sully, was so personable knowledgeable and answered all my questions before i could even ask, and I already know I'm high maintenance so I really appreciated the knowledge. The black pepper prawns were absolutely phenomenal, and the right level of spicy (though I am a person of color so my spice tolerance is a bit edgier than I somtimes think) but the wine helped dull the spicy aftertaste without triggering that acid reflux feeling. The prawns were mixed with celery, sliced rice cake, sliced mushrooms, garlic, basil, cucumbers and onion crisps with a bunch of seasoning/sauce that really took what could have been a simple almost salad like dish and made it a Michelin level meal perfect for one. The prawns didnt taste fishy, the herbs were aromatic, fresh and used tastefully, and overall was reminiscent of a freshly made home cooked meal by someone that definitely knows what theyre doing in a kitchen. Always appreciate having a meal that makes me feel healthy and energized after, rather than tired or sleepy. Ive got to say im astounded by the quality of food, the ambiance and even the wine though this is not the place for solo work/study dinners more like a non pretentious upscale business dinner or an occasion like a date or meetup with your boojie family/friends. My tastebuds are already looking forward to returning and seeing what other unique creations they have to offer."
