P. F. Chang's China Bistro, Freehold, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

P. F. Chang's, located outside the Freehold Raceway Mall, one of five locations in New Jersey, is not your neighborhood style Chinese restaurant. It's a destination restaurant!

The decor is attractive with an entrance of guarded stone horses leading up to a stylish main dining area with large tables and spacious booths. The atmosphere of high ceilings and cherry wood trimmings and candlelit tables is high energy, noisy, with throngs of people waiting for their table.

Once in and seated though, you are in for a treat. The food is artfully prepared with fresh and Eco-conscious ingredients.

P. F. Chang's China Bistro features Mandarin style wok cooking in the preparation of many of the menu selections.

* For skeptics who claim that that P.F. Chang's serves non-authentic, Americanized - Chinese food --- As an aside; Mandarin is a style cooking where presentation is key. Originating in the royal courts of China centuries ago, Mandarin dishes pair mild spices with colorful vegetables. It is considered an art form mixing colors and aromas. Rice is not the central staple for Mandarin dishes. Wheat is the more typical grain. Mandarin dishes with wheat products are a work of art.

Chang's offers a full cocktail menu along with a variety of Asian wines, saki's and beers. The attractive bar is a high energy New York style scene.

The staff is attentive and friendly, and does an excellent job of accommodating the very high volume of people in a professional manner.

P F Chang's is very child friendly.

(updated September 2024)