CJ underwhelmed by Red Pepper

[Robin Garr]

Marty reports from Red Pepper Chinese Cuisine today, delivering a remarkably hefty 835-word review but perhaps selling what may be the city's best Chinese restaurant just a bit short, with a positive review coming down to a lackluster 2 1/2 star rating.

Red Pepper has two faces

Red Pepper Chinese Cuisine
2901 Brownsboro Road
891-8868
http://www.redpepperchinesecuisine.com

On one occasion I had a translation problem there, ordering one dish with (it turned out) the waitress understandably misunderstanding my rendition of the dish's name. We figured it out when she brought my order - but I ate it anyways (it was more my fault than hers) and discovered a new dish!

Now, I mainly point, and have enjoyed consistency and wonderful food. (I tend to order the dishes that I don't understand or can't figure out, like the Unique Chicken Smell and Beef Maw, or else the daily specials were (thanks Marsha) are spectacular)

In other words, Marty did not change my mind, and for me it's still a 4 star to me.

For once, I really don't agree with Marty. I've been there five times and every meal has been outstanding. Service has also been on the mark. I could eat Dan Dan noodles morning, noon and night.

[Robin Garr]

I've been there five times and every meal has been outstanding. Service has also been on the mark.

I went the first time with no expectations and was blown away by the authentic menu. We don't live far from there, and I'll bet we've been a dozen times. It's also worth noting that the chef is a fairly prominent Sichuanese chef who cooked in Chinese embassies around the world for years. I was able to pick this up without blowing my anonymity because the friendly folks there are eager to talk about it.

I'm a big fan of Red Pepper. The pan-fried tofu is delicious! Red Pepper quickly became a family favorite shortly after it opened. I've never had any problems there. One night when it was quite busy a new server who I think had started that day had a bit of trouble communicating, but the folk in charge came over and double checked everything so we had no complaints at all.

[Robin Garr]

The pan-fried tofu is delicious!

No joke! It may rank as my No. 1 vegetarian option on any Louisville restaurant menu, although that's a crowded field (and maybe a topic for a good separate thread).

2.5 stars don't seem to fit the overall positive review with only a single nitpick about a dish being different on two occasions (probably due more to language barrier resulting in an order mix-up than a kitchen error). I'd say it deserved 3 stars, if not at least 3.14159265358979323846 stars.

I am dying to try this place.

[Robin Garr]

I am dying to try this place.

I think you'll really like it, Ron. Because even with the two-menu system there is still a natural tendency for staff to expect Westerners to want chow mein, I strongly advise chatting up the older woman who usually serves as hostess and let her know how excited you are about authentic Chinese food. My only slighty disappointing meal there was a night when I deliberately ordered from the American menu to see what it was like. In that case it was about what I expected: Well-executed, but a bit bland.

I'd say it deserved 3 stars, if not at least 3.14159265358979323846 stars.

I am dying to try this place.

I don't understand . . . they don't have pies on the menu, do they?

Red Pepper is my absolute goto place for Chinese- I've been a dozen times and turned on many friends to the double menu system. I've only had one dish that I wouldn't bother ordering again (it was a special). The bitter gourd, though definately not for everyone, is one of my favorite dishes in town. Maybe I'll even try the tofu- maybe.

I haven't been yet. How does it differ from Oriental House?

The pan-fried tofu is delicious!

I couldn't agree more. And they'll make the Dan Dan noodles meatless, as well. Did I mention I could eat vegetarian Dan Dan noodles for breakfast?

I haven't been yet. How does it differ from Oriental House?

Different regions of China (Szechuan vs (if I remember) Hong Kong), and more unusual items, but they rank 1 and 2 with me for more "authentic" Chinese food (with Red Pepper #1). Also, Red Pepper has much more extensive menus (both authentic and Americanized). The style of cooking at Red Pepper (and items on the menu) can be much less accessible for for the unadventurous.

I used to like Jasmine best, but have gotten some strange service there if the owner is not present managing things, so now it's a distant #3 (at least for me).