I stepped into Phoenix Chinese Restaurant for the first time for the occasion of a solitary 31st birthday dinner. With the exception of a Chinese UNMIL worker sitting beside me on a flight from Brussels, I’ve not encountered anyone who has ever patronized the establishment.
The restaurant is located just before Corina Hotel near 24th Street and Tubman Boulevard when coming from town.
The dining room had echoes of an American frat house. A humidifier and bar fridge graced a corner, while a small waste basket lay in the middle of the room just beyond my table. A liquor cabinet contained several unknown offerings. A mixture of wood and wicker chairs were bequeathed an air of pseudo decorum with a red cloth covering. There was no air conditioner, but each sitting area was serviced by its own fan.
The interior of the Phoenix Chinese Restaurant. Photo: Brooks Marmon
As I passed through the threshold of the restaurant’s door, I encountered three Chinese staff lounging around with nary another customer in sight. A lady (she would later serve me) was playing on her phone while half-heartedly watching cooing music video ballads. A gentleman (he would take my order) was vigorously engaged in video games on his computer, while a shirtless fellow (the chef) hurriedly retreated to the kitchen.
I was presented with an extensive menu which I did not have time to fully take in before I was asked what I’d like to order. I vaguely recall considering dishes like lamb with cumin, crab curry, and cabbage. While most entrees were between US$10-20, there was also a section for house specialties with prices in the US$40+ range. Had I had company for my birthday dinner, I might have ventured in that direction.
As it was, I settled on what seemed to be the quite reasonably priced shredded pork and vegetables at US$12. Soon after placing my order, the Chinese TV station shifted from music videos to movies. The film, which combined martial arts and ballroom dancing on what appeared to be a World War II era military base, looked quite intriguing and the Chinese lady soon put down her phone.
My food came fairly quickly and it was absolutely delicious: a huge mound of tender, shredded pork with strips of carrots, green pepper, and crushed cayenne pepper in a generous red sauce. The rice came in an annoyingly small cup, but unlike my last time reviewing Chinese, it did not cost extra and was steaming hot.
The meal arrived with a small, steaming hot cup of rice. Photo: Brooks Marmon
I did not detect much in the way of garlic, but I was privileged to enjoy a rather strong and delightful ginger flavoring.
I was informed that the restaurant is also open on Sundays and I will soon be making a return visit to further explore the menu. But based on the strength of my lone sample, I would highly recommend.
Featured photo by Brooks Marmon
