Christina Wan’s – 664 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, http://www.christinawans.com/
I eat at Christina’s frequently, as those of you who follow my travels on Twitter and Facebook can attest to. However, I have made my way through many of the local Chinese restaurants from the older style Cantonese ones to the newer corporate incarnations. Fort Lauderdale it seems, has them all. I experienced Christina’s soon after moving here seven years ago. There is a Christina Wan and she and her family have been in the restaurant business since 1966 beginning with a restaurant in Miami. On the face of it, Christina’s appears to be just nice neighborhood restaurant…and it is if you order your standard fare of: wonton soup, egg rolls, egg foo young and etc. But it’s when you depart from the expected and try some of Christina’s, and now my, favorites and you’ll see why folks from Miami and Hollywood take the drive to eat here. Try the Colossal Ginger Shrimp served with bok choy or the Sizzling House Wor Ba (I know you’ve had this before, but its wonderful here.) If Christina has live Lobster on hand ask her to prepare Ginger Lobster…whole Lobster in the shell chopped and cooked with Ginger and vegetables. A treat you won’t forget. The Szechwan Chicken, Singapore Rice Noodle with Curry and the Pepper Scallops with its dark peppery sauce should also not be missed. A large part of the energy of this place is Christina and her family. All can be seen greeting customers, taking orders and making frequent runs to the kitchen. Christina is always on hand to guide you through the menu options especially if you’re in an adventurous eating mood.
And finally, I’d like to tell you about the famous Christina Wan almond cookie. Those who know about this thin, delicate cookie with a sliver of almond on the top, seek it out on each visit. The recipe is a closely guarded secret known only to Christina and sources say she bakes them herself. Should you find yourself at Christina Wan’s, mention that you read this in alanEATS and one or two of these tasty treats may find their way to your table.
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