This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Jade Tree Offers Unorthodox but Tasty Holiday Meal

Not wanting to bother with the holiday rigamarole, diner opts for something different

What is Christmas without a pilgrimage to the Great Lakes Mall, that concrete heart of holiday shopping in Mentor, its arteries sending shoppers into stores, its veins pumping them back toward colorful kiosks, where we pay homage with our wallets? Check, cash or card, please.

On a recent trip with my betrothed, in the full bloom and pride of consumerhood, we decided that dinner, if possible, should be free of stress. Free of those circular tracking devices during 30-minute waits, free of $9 glasses of wine — and free of dollar or value menus served in cardboard containers. There is a time and place for such experiences, but this, we decided, wasn't one of them.

In a strip mall free of the mall's madness is restaurant, 7673 Mentor Ave., a Chinese mainstay that opened in 1994. Its hard-working owners provide the same traditional food in the same efficient way, regardless of season.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

There is something fun about Chinese food during Christmastime. (Let's not forget when Ralphie's family goes for Chinese after the neighbors' bloodhounds ravage the Old Man's prized turkey in the holiday film, A Christmas Story. There is no Peking duck, or "Chinese Turkey," at Jade Tree, but plenty of chicken, pork, shrimp and beef.)

At arrival we were rushed to our table and seated in a booth next to a picture of a Chinese woman. Large pictures of the entrees beamed from mounted shadow boxes; wooden lattice divided the restaurant into sections, with greenery tucked in places; and the decor offered an intimate feeling, like a corner restaurant in one of the country's Chinatowns, shielding us from the bright lights of the big-box stores outside.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Wonton soup is a warm appetizer, and fried shrimp and Crab Rangoon are always good starters. But entrees are the clear allure here: Kung Pao Chicken with vegetables, Moo Goo Gai Pan stir fry or War Sui Gai crispy chicken with gravy cost $6.95 or less. Shrimp with lobster sauce, beef broccoli, Spicy Szechuan (chicken, shrimp or beef) or General Tso's chicken are also inexpensive, $8.95 or less. Add an egg roll and fried rice to any dish for $1.25 more. The drinks include beer, wine and various cocktails among the regular fare.

We ordered the honey walnut chicken, crispy and blended with a glaze and honey-carmelized walnuts, as well as the beef Szechuan. The egg rolls were lightly fried with cabbage and meat. Both dishes were piled very high for $8.95 and $7.95, and both dishes, delightfully saucy, were what we expected. And so as three different people came in, ordered and left with their take-out food — we were seated, ordered and ate in 30 minutes. Fast eaters? It took eight minutes for our food to arrive. And $22 from our wallets.

Those who enjoy Chinese food are used to such dishes and experiences, which is why Jade Tree is the perfect holiday eating experience. Experience it anew. There was a poinsettia above the register and a wreath on the door, but Jade Tree is open late on Christmas Eve and all of Christmas Day. Its interest is in service, not spectacle, a refreshing retreat during this time of excess.

Jade Tree, 7673 Mentor Ave.,  can be reached at 440-269-8388. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 12:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, with lunch specials 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Mentor