Brunch @Yu's Bistro

We have been to this restaurant 1.5 years ago and was very disappointed with the food quality as its tasted blah. A big embarrassment as we brought the take out to a friend's potluck party. =(

A few days ago, hubby and I decided to give their dinner meal another try.  We were surprised as there was a big difference. It's way better. Apparently, it is now under new management.  The lady owner told us that her hubby is the chief cook so kitchen quality is well monitored. That's good to hear. 

So we went there today to try their brunch. It actually tastes good enough to be added on our regular to-go places.  These are the yummy food we had:

soy milk (豆漿)

I had the sweetened soy milk but I think it should taste better if they lessened the sugar a teeny weeny bit. Also, I prefer it served in a glass. It also tastes better than the one sold in Westmont, IL. Sigh, that's what happens when you get used to the great food sold everywhere in Taiwan.

Dan-Dan Noodle (担担麵)

 This one comes spicy and a bit salty, so be mindful for those who can't take spicy food. As with typical Szechuan dishes, they added pericarpium zanthoxyli (花椒) as with most of their spicy dishes. This leaves your lips a bit numb afterwards. Don't worry as it lasts for only a few seconds.  If it's just a bit less salty, I would highly recommend this dish.   

Pan friend bun w/meat stuffing (生煎包)

I guess the strong taste left by the dan-dan noodle has made this one bland. So, I should try this one again the next time we go back to be able to give a fair comment on whether it's good enough to be recommended or a definite blah. =)

Crab Rangoon (酥炸蟹角)

I think I should emphasize that crab rangoon is not a typical chinese dim-sum at all in Asia. I have not seen it in HK, China or Taiwan. In fact, it is only here in US dim-sum restaurants that I have encountered the crab rangoon dish. They are said to be one of the favorites of non-chinese (usually westerners) who frequent the dim-sum restaurants. So far, I can say that Yu's Bistro can be said to serve the best tasting crab rangoon yet. They come with a substantial filling of crab meat w/ saucy fillings (which we usually call crab meat salad) wrapped in those wonton wrappers and deep fried. They are served with honey mustard and/or a kind of sweet sauce (this is not the typical sweet and sour sauce but tastes like the so-called duck sauce that's popular only in US chinese restaurants). The other crab rangoons that I've tried usually have so little fillings that I can't even taste what's in it. You know, like huge fried wrappers with barely anything in the filling. Yu's crab rangoon is best served with dippings of honey mustard and that other sweet sauce. yummy. thumbs up.

Chinese Cruller (油條)

I personally find their chinese cruller too oily. I know they are supposed to be deep fried, but when you tear open the cruller and find the oil almost dripping... it's simply yuck. The ones sold in Westmont, IL by a Taiwanese fast food stand is way better, no oil drips.  

Chinese Chives Pie (韭菜合子)

This is my first time to have chinese chives pie and it tastes- wondeful! As usual, I think that this would have been perfect if its a bit less salty and I don't see the oil dripping.  Can you see the oil on the skin?  A piece of clean tissue dabbed over it should do the trick. I guess I have been used to food in Taiwan, which means that food aren't too salty, sweet or oily. I guess Taiwanese are just too health conscious.  

I took photo shots of their brunch menu for those that are curious how much these dishes costs:

As I usually appreciate knowing where we can find good food and new places to dine, I am including their contact information below for reference, hoping that it makes life a bit easier for others:

Yu's Bistro (七星椒)

658 S. IL-59, Naperville, IL60540

Phone- 1.630.8486998

They claim to serve authentic Szechuan, Cantonese, and Taiwanes cuisines.