The day had all the makings of a remarkable day. It was a warm, sunny and rain-free day in January. We were spending time in Salem for several reasons. I was scheduled to attend a long-anticipated workforce related meeting at the Broadway Commons, an LEED Silver building constructed by the Salem Alliance Church as a space for the community to use, a "place of intersection for people of every sort." Steven was looking forward to visiting with the aging father of a dear friend.
Still, we couldn't have predicted that the day would offer an encounter with such a culinary delight as the China Gourmet. There simply was no way to know what splendid Chinese dishes would be served up in this nondescript little building nestled in the corner of a parking lot and set next to a car repair business. However, when we pushed the restaurant door open and the aromas came wafting out to greet us, we knew that we had indeed arrived at a very special place.
We ordered a variety of items including the Hot & Sour Soup with its delightful vinegar base, Spring Rolls that were perfectly formed and fried, Crispy Gourmet Noodles (pan fried noodles topped with an abundance of chicken, shrimp, beef and barbequed pork) along with mugs of steaming barley tea. The dishes arrived hot, beautifully plated and with amazing flavors. The couple at the table next to ours was so smitten with our rave reviews that they ordered the same dishes. They quickly agreed that they too had made a splendid choice.
The dining space is relatively small, with seats for perhaps 40 patrons, and it's as clean as a whistle. When we were there, there was no residue on the floor and everything was neat and tidy and spotless. The well-organized space allows for great efficiency when serving customers.
Our waitress was refreshing: cheerful and competent at serving a full lunch crowd while making the patrons feel as if they were the only diners in the room. She's the daughter-in-law of the owners and recently arrived from China. But don't be concerned - her English pronounciation and comprehension are excellent.
Surely, there is some criticism to be leveled at China Gourmet. No, I can't think of anything to mention except perhaps a word of caution that the parking is limited and the tables fill up fast. And why not? With Chinese food this extraordinary, there's sure to be devoted diners lining up every day at their door!
China Gourmet
1405 Broadway NE
Salem, OR 97301
503.371.9449