all's fare

ei Wei offers great food and val

BY DAVID MOSS I PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGIE BAAN

Bold colors set the stage for an array of bold flavors at the Pei Wei Asian Diner in chopped chicken, lettuce, mint, carrots and peanuts in a lime-vinaigrette, served
Farmington Hills. It is the less glitzy sibling of P.F. Chang's, a national chain that
with Thai peanut and sweet chile sauces on the side. There's also wonton or hot-
serves diners locally at Troy's Somerset Collection, among other locations.
and-sour soup as well as vegetarian spring rolls.
At Pei Wei, the food comes to you pretty fast, but it's not fast food. You place
We chose four main courses that could have fed six had we ordered another
your order at a counter, but a server delivers your meal. Dinners are generously
appetizer. Rice bowls are offered with either white or brown rice. My Chicken
portioned and expertly prepared, but it's hardly a date-night destination. Call it
Teriyaki Bowl was tasty and nicely presented, with large chunks of wok-seared
fast-fresh — or quick-casual.
white-meat chicken, cabbage, carrots and spinach. The sauce was a little overpow-
Pei Wei (pronounced "pay way") features an easy-to-
ering. Our favorite dish was probably the Ginger Broccoli with
navigate menu listing noodle or rice bowls and signa-
Chicken; broccoli, scallions, ginger and seared chicken are stir-
Pei Wei Asian Diner
ture dishes. Recipes originate from China and Japan to
fried in a light, sweet ginger sauce and served over rice.
31367 Orchard Lake Road
Thailand and Vietnam. Everything is stirred to order in a
We went vegetarian with the Lo Mein, a classic Chinese
Farmington Hills
traditional wok. Diners choose the dish by name and then
comfort food of egg noodles stir-fried with soy sauce and rice
choose whatever protein they'd like, or none at all.
(248) 862-7260
wine, sprouts, shiitake mushrooms and carrots. Our last dish
Pei Wei offers seating for 65 in a fairly casual atmo-
was a Chicken Pad Thai, the ubiquitous Thai noodle stir-fry
www.peiwei.com
sphere of blacktop tables and lots of dark wood. Water and
that combines tastes of salt, sweet and sour tossed with veg-
fountain drinks are self-serve. Bottled water, soft drinks
tables and fried egg and garnished with crushed peanuts and
Soups/Appetizers: $3.95-$6.95
and juices are available at the counter where you place your
fresh lime.
order. There is no beer or wine served.
Entrees: $6.75-$9
Fortune cookies are available for everyone to grab as they
After reviewing the menu on individual paper sheets
please, and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies can be purchased
Kids menu with drink: $4.25
or on large standing boards, just place your order at the
for $1 each. Everything is available for carryout. There's even a
counter, grab your drinks and the food is quickly brought
separate entrance.
Hours:
to your table.
On the much-traveled corner of 14 Mile and Orchard Lake
Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m
For starters, our group tried the Vietnamese Chicken
roads, Pei Wei is a lunchtime favorite and a casual spot where
Salad Rolls. A salad that you eat with your hands, the
Friday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m
you can take the kids without creating a deep hole
dish features three rice-paper rolls generously stuffed with
in your wallet.

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B 6 •

OCTOBER 2008 •

JN platinum