Chin Chin II

Housed in the parking lot of Kroger known more for its gunshots than its culinary ventures, thoughts of glowing neon and bad buffets come to mind when you think of Chinese. Instead, Chin Chin II shocks with plush red ottomans, hardwoods and mirrored walls-looking less like a Chinese chain and more like an upscale sushi-bistro. The food follows suit with well-executed versions of standard, Americanized dishes that don't break the bank. Three cups Taiwanese chicken is a hearty casserole of veggies rich with sesame oil and rice wine. Crispy Hunan-style fish is a generous, flaky whole snapper (de-boned tableside) with a slightly sweet ginger-scllion sauce. Sugar snap peas with prawn could benefit from less thickener, but the shrimp are plump and the peas tender. Pass on the overcooked and under-seasoned salt and pepper calamari in favor of soothing velvet corn and chicken soup to start.

High Marks
''I was already sold by the food, but the ambiance and excellent customer service made me a dedicated customer for life.'' (skyylife, Citysearch user)

''he atmosphere was very comfortable along with the wall decoration...and the Mushu Duck and the Mongolian Beef we've had was the best I've ever tasted.'' (philipjameston, Citysearch user)

Low Marks
''I like Chin Chin, but had a bad time with the delivery driver. On top of it all, they forgot all the good things that go with the lunch special - overall not worth the trouble!'' (pricey1, Citysearch user)