In terms of its extensive menu, Little Wok is anything but diminutive. In addition to Chinese dishes such as chow fun (sigh of relief), lo mein, and Mongolian beef, the menu includes Korean stone bowls, kimchi, a full sushi bar of more than 40 rolls, and Thai noodle and rice dishes.
Decor takes its cues from Japanese-inspired serenity - heavy black wooden tables and black leather high-backed chairs, a long sushi bar with plenty of seating, as well as flower prints and wooden tree trunk art on the wall behind the sushi bar. At half past three on a Sunday, a table of four ladies enjoys a late lunch; patrons swing by to pick up takeout, and a group of three 20-something men hit up the sushi bar.
Standouts on the menu include the Korean seafood stone bowl, containing layers of rice, jumbo shrimp, scallops and squid; Malaysian-style seafood baked rice with the same seafood as above (both $8.50); and maki rolls such as Godzilla (tempura shrimp, eel, avocado, cream cheese, smoked salmon, and spicy wasabi mayonnaise) for $13.95; and tofu or vegetable pad Thai noodles ($7.95).
Owner/chef Dexin Tan, who hails from Southern China, ranks Singapore noodles as a personal favorite. Tossed with jumbo shrimp, bean sprouts and curry powder, the dish is popular in China but not necessarily here. Tan relies on fresh herbs and spices (not gravy or heavy sauces) to flavor his dishes, a practice that separates this pan-Asian joint from the over-Americanized (read: bland) herd.
In addition to homemade thick noodles, Little Wok chow fun ($10.95) is packed with freshly sauteed jumbo shrimp, chicken, beef and seasonings.
Besides the welcoming, slightly upscale ambience and the varied menu, a daily lunch special (served with chicken fried rice and an egg roll from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) satisfies the desires of hungry folks weathering a recovering economy. Dishes range from $5.50-$5.95, including Chinese favorites such as General Tao's chicken, shrimp in lobster sauce, and Thai standbys along the lines of green curry and beef fried rice.
Average cost: <$10
Centerstage Reviewer: Marla Seidell
