China White, a Noodle House and Hong Kong-Chinese Restaurant, Opens in Purchase: Photos, Menu
I must admit, when I first heard the cb5 Restaurant Group would be opening China White in Purchase, I was pretty excited — and not just because it’s nother pre-theater option for the Purchase Performing Arts Center.
China White is the group’s first restaurant in Westchester, but if owner Jody Pennette’s take on Chinese is anything like his take on Mexican over at Lolita in Byram, we are in for a real treat.
Owner Jody Pennette, left, and manager Rob Moss. All photos by Mark Vergari/TJN.
Pennette and his group are describing China White as “sleek, modern and sophisticated,” but my bet is that it will be fun, bustling and convivial, too.
“Think ‘dumpling noodle house’ meets ‘Chinatown street vendor’, prepared by Hong Kong cooks,” says the press release, except here, you’ll find natural chicken, local pork, grass-fed beef, organic tofu and wild-caught fish. The eggs are cage-free and the vegetables are organic. (And yes, there are gluten- and wheat-free noodles, too.)
Chef Joe’s Spicy Dragon Chicken, with red chile and sugar peas.
There are communal tables and counter seating — for more of that buzz and energy — and there are Asian beers, sake and house-made sodas.
As for the menu, I have it — and some of the specialties — after the jump.
Here’s a look at the menu: China White Menu
- Vegetable spring rolls with chile five spice dipping sauce
- Laughing shrimp made with rice wine, ginger, garlic, and chile pepper, in crisp lettuce cups
- Steamed or fried dumplings filled with edamame and shrimp, ginger pork, Szechuan beef, scallion chicken, or crispy vegetables
- Organic wheat bao bao buns stuffed with Chinatown roast pork or BBQ beef.
- Rice vermicelli with golden curry and crushed peanuts
- Glass noodles with wild mushrooms
- Chow fun with five spice chili basil
- Organic wheat lo mein with sesame ginger sauce
- Crispy whole fish with ginger chile sauce
- Wok seared prawns with spinach and black bean sauce,
- Chinatown roast chicken
- Crispy Peking duck with black vinegar sauce
Here are a few photos that Mark took at the restaurant earlier this month.
Shanghai noodles, served cool, with peanut sauce and cucumber:
Bao Bao Buns with Chinatown Roast Pork and pickled cucumber and daikon:
White Salad, pear, tofu, cashew, choy and sherry vinaigrette:
The dining room:
cb5 Restaurant Group also owns Red Lulu in South Norwalk and Gabriele’s Italian Steakhouse in Greenwich. Another China White is also opening in Greenwich.
The 411 is coming. Til then: 578 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. 914-437-9700; or 9701 for takeout. chinawhiteusa.com.
Photo Caption: China White Noodle Bar
Oh, so THAT’S what a $26 plate of General Tso’s Chicken looks like. Plus we get 2 pea pods and a scallion brush? Fabulous!
China White? Isn’t that a slang term for heroin? (Not that I’d know personally…)
holy crap, for the price of a 3 course meal there, it would be cheaper to fly to china and go to a real noodle house..
If I cmomiuncated I could thank you enough for this, I’d be lying.
Tried on 11/30/11 for the first time. They should rename the restaurant “ChinaHype”. Food is one notch better than a neighborhood takeout joint, except it is 5 times the price. Dinner for 2 (i.e. 2 appetizers and 2 entrees + 2 glasses of wine) was $122 WITHOUT the tip. I guess if they open in Greenwich and Purchase, they are under the illusion that the rich customers enjoy paying outrageous prices for so-so food. I will detail the food below, but first a couple of comments about the service. It was amateurish-
menus were put down, and before anyone had a chance to look at either the drink menu or food menu, the waitress was waiting for us to order. With the ribs, we were served “hot towels” which were literally ICEY COLD TOWELS-when I asked a waiter if they were supposed to be ice cold, he said no. He then brought two more, both of which were still cold. Although we had about half of our food remaining to eat (about $70 worth), we were asked if we were done and whether they could take away our plates. How many times can the wait staff ask “is everything ok”?NOW, the food—(a) rib appetizer-
skimpy portion laden with goopy sweet glaze fully masking the meat. If you like sugar, you will like these. (b) pork filled sandwichesnice idea, but again the pork was glazed with so much sweet sauce, the meat was unrecognizable. (c) Peppery Beef entreethis was ok, but did not knock any culinary socks off. Again, very sauce-laden. Nothing that I would log into my culinary delight notebook. (d) Shrimp with vegetables-this was the best dish. Nice size and properly cooked shrimp and generally tasty.Dessert-
we looked at the prices. My first thoughtCarvel was a better choice. Passed on the $4 a cup coffee and the $10$12 desserts, all of which appeared to be more presentation than taste.In sum—don’t be suckered in by the hype or the “cute” and meaningless little touches. i.e. the cotton candy brought at the end of the meal, or the white jumpsuits which the wait staff wears. Don’t fall for the “organic” pastiche—at best, the food is akin to PF Chang’s or your local Chinese restaurant.
Food is actually well worth the price. Very delectable and carefully prepared dishes. The chef does an amazing job and this is the best Chinese I have ever had living in Fairfield County and trying all varieties of it. Definitely knocks the socks off PF Changs, can’t even compare with that place! Deserts were all wonderfully tasty especially the dark chocolate filled wontons! Staff was more than helpful and right there for everything I needed!
I read that previious comment and entirely disagree with them!