My fourth Taste of Hartford visit brought me to Feng Asian Bistro. Construction may mar the street in front of the restaurant,
but don’t let that deter you from going in.
Once inside, you’ll find yourself in a sleek modern Asian bistro worthy of Manhattan.
You’ll find the congenial bar area to your right,
and out supporting the Restaurant Week event you might even encounter a couple of movers and shakers (sorry, poorly focused) like State Representative Kelvin Roldán (right) of Hartford’s 4th Assembly District and Glenn Geathers (left), Project Manager for Hartford Economic Development.
Moving farther toward the back, you’ll find a fully manned and well-stocked sushi bar, one of Connecticut’s best.
Those guys behind the bar are real cut-ups, aren’t they? But what I really look for are happy diners—like these attractive gals.
And most of all, I look for great food.
On its special menu, Feng offered a choice of three starters. I certainly could never tire of its Korean-style calamari in a sweet chili sauce.
Nor could you go wrong with the duck spring roll garnished with shoestring sweet potato and accompanied by housemade hoisin sauce.
But I liked the jalapeño yellowtail (four pieces) in an orange and grapefruit yuzu sauce most of all.
Feng’s entrées wowed us just as much as its starters had. The five-spiced chicken teriyaki with brown rice was simply delicious.
Just as tasty and even more exotic was braised short rib with wok-fried vegetable rice.
But it would be tough to pass up Feng’s sushi. This platter included a spicy tuna roll and stunningly fresh, nigiri-style striped bass, snapper (two pieces), big-eye tuna, white tuna and Alaskan king salmon.
Most Asian restaurants disappoint when it comes to dessert, but Feng isn’t “most Asian restaurants.” Delightful rice pudding with pistachio, caramel and strawberry sauces came in a bowl so deep it challenged my limited photographic skills.
Even better was a banana and coconut spring roll with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
My Asian wife makes banana spring rolls (called “toron” in her homeland), but I’ll have to suggest the addition of coconut.
Feng put together an irresistible menu for Restaurant Week. If I didn’t need to maintain my frantic pace of restaurant visits, I would undoubtedly go back a second time.
Feng Asian Bistro, 93 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, 860-549-3364
If you have an adventurous and health-conscious side, then Feng cuisine is for you! I first tried the Angry Dragon rolls…delicious with cooked Alaskan crab…..then I moved to the Bamboo Tree rolls…what a great lunch! The staff knows how to treat their customers so tell Jim you saw them on the web….your lunch or dinner will be one to savor!