Some Good news from the East End

As usual, was cutting through Norton Commons to go to work and noticed that a new Chinese Bistro, Tea Garden, is opening soon next to Karem's Deli (on the other side of the previously announced Gelato Gilberto).

Looked to be upscale, but definitely more low key than the meat market they call PF Changs.

Norton Commons is attempting to become the Prague of the Mid-South Region. I see revolutionaries and avante garde artists mobbing the sidewalks within 2 years.

What the place really needs is an underground Goth bar (literally underground), or a Cafe du Monde knockoff.

Rock on, East End!!!

[Robin Garr]

a new Chinese Bistro, Tea Garden, is opening soon next to Karem's Deli (on the other side of the previously announced Gelato Gilberto).

Looked to be upscale, but definitely more low key than the meat market they call PF Changs.

I wonder how it might compare to Yang Kee Noodle or the newish I Ching on Shelbyville Road. I believe the latter bills itself as a "bistro."

Worth checking out, anyway! Please let us know when the doors open!

I noticed a big "for lease" sign in the I Ching window last week, I guess another one bites the dust. I forgot about it until I saw the name in your post.

[Robin Garr]

I noticed a big "for lease" sign in the I Ching window last week, I guess another one bites the dust. I forgot about it until I saw the name in your post.

That's unbelievable! It only lasted a couple of months!

I went three times early on and couldn't see any reason to choose it over Yang Kee Noodle, which is similar but significantly better.

My husband and I stopped in for lunch at I Ching's on Sunday while running errands. It was open. I think the "For Lease" sign was on the store window of the space for lease right next door.

It may have been. We were on Shelbyville, stopped at the light, and saw their sign on the wall. I thought we had not been there yet and then saw the for lease sign just below. I will check later this week.

[Robin Garr]

My husband and I stopped in for lunch at I Ching's on Sunday while running errands. It was open. I think the "For Lease" sign was on the store window of the space for lease right next door.

Whoa! Thanks for jumping in with that, Lori. I hate for us to "close" a place before it's closed.

What the place really needs is an underground Goth bar (literally underground),
Rock on, East End!!!

Now, that would be something.

[Robin Garr]

What the place really needs is an underground Goth bar (literally underground),
Rock on, East End!!!

Now, that would be something.

I can hear the denunciations from the pulpit at SEC already ...

Stopped @ I Ching's tonight (by Penn Station near Mall St. Matt's.) I got the Thai Coconut Curry (noodle dish). The noodles were wide (weird, I thought), the chicken that came in the dish wasn't too tasty, and the curry itself was "bleh." I couldn't finish it, and thought it was kind of overpriced for what you got. My boyfriend got Honey Seared Bowl with Chicken - he didn't like his either - I tried a bite and thought it was decent - nowhere near as nasty as my curry, anyway.

Don't know if I'll try it again or not. I'm a tightwad, and hate throwing away restaurant food even if it was only $7...but I know it's pretty bad when I won't even get a "to go" container.

!###

Does anyone know if Gelato Gilberto is open now?

We drove by there yesterday and they were open and very busy! We didn't stop but home to soon.

Thanks, Staci!

They are up and running and it was as good as last year. It was very crowded, even though the owner said that they had opened only last Thursday.