Lanterne de Szechwan

Entering the intimate dining area we were greeted and seated right away. With about maybe fifteen tables, this place is not for large groups. The place was about half full, not bad for an early evening in Aylmer. Service was attentive and within seconds we had menus. I had hoped that they did the Dim Sum menu, like the Lanterne Szechwan in Gatineau, but this was a full-​service menu. We ordered fried bean-​curd (tofu) as an appetizer and my friend, who doesn’t like tofu at all, scarfed-​down four or five pieces. It was some of the best fried tofu I have had, crispy on the outside, soft and delicate and squishy in the middle. Delicious! We ordered the Mu Shu pork, Shredded Spicy Beef Szechuan and Singapore Rice Noodles. When the pancakes came, I was a tiny bit disappointed, as they were already rolled up. I like to make my own at the table, like a Chinese Fajita, but my misgivings were soon put to rest as the flavour was lovely, all sweet and crispy and meaty. the pancakes did their job admirably, being just wafer-​thin and offering up their contents to hungry mouths. The Shredded Beef was very good, with that crispy outside you need with these tiny beef strips. Cooked with a good helping of wonderfully blackened chili’s, this was a nice dish. For me, it could have been a little spicier as it was advertised as such, the spice level is really almost not there at all. Some chili sauce soon livened things up though. The Singapore rice noodles were good but nothing really special. Some good heat again would lift the dish up. The Fried Bean Curd was the star of the night for me.
Overall a good place to get some Chinese food when you are in Aylmer. I will be working through the menu and telling the kitchen to spice it up!