Baoding

Baoding Restaurant Review:

One of Charlotte's sister cities is historic Baoding in northeastern China. To honor the city and its special relationship with Charlotte, its name has graced this popular South Park restaurant since 1993. Booth seating, purple walls and gold silk canopies all contribute to the warm atmosphere. Baoding's cooking draws from a Chinese-American repertoire, although the kitchen will adapt, adjust and re-create authentic dishes at customers' requests. Most of the specialties are spicy hot, but the duck dishes won't drive your palate to the water pitcher. Vegetable steamers with a choice of chicken, shrimp or scallops make a nice --- and healthful --- lunch or dinner, while dinner selections, such as salt-and-pepper shrimp and tangerine beef, are among Baoding’s more serious offerings. Vegetable-focused plates are plentiful. Desserts are chocolate cake and ice cream. While most wines are American, consider pairing the New Zealand Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc with seafood or chicken if it isn’t too spicy; otherwise, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling should get the nod. Craft beers, specialty cocktails, numerous Asian brews, and quite a few wines by the glass are available, too.