We have yet to cut-and-paste our City threads from the old Saloon, and we never had a restaurant thread anyway, so I'll take it upon myself to start one. Doubtless this will get cannibalized and/or moved, but at least this will get the ball rolling. Fellow Suzhoukers, add to the pile! Othertowners, start yer own!
Western restaurants in SuzhouSouthern Cross Tapas TexMex Located on Lindun Road beside the famous Guan Qian walking Street, Da Cross apparently opened with an actual Mexican chef who taught the cooks himself.
FOOD: They have allegedly great steaks, although I've never had one (see "price" below); and don't bother with the Italian menu: other places in town do a better job. The Mexican entrees are tremendous (bear in mind that Mexican food in westen Canada tends to be lame, so perhaps I impress easily). Enchiladas, burritos, refried beans and all those other classic dishes whose names escape me at the moment are the real mccoy, and you can order extra bowls of salsa and sour cream to add to them (recommended, even if the sour cream ain't that good). I'd eat here twice a week if it weren't for the appalling...
PRICES: The Mongolian steak is 98Y, the Australian 200Y
The entrees general hit for 60 to 70Y, and you really need a beer or marguerita with Mex food. Foreign engineers and managers probably don't have to blink, but the working teacher best count his drinks as he goes.
The exception: on Tuesday evenings Da Cross has a taco special: any of the beef, chicken, pork or bean and cheese tacos, with hard or soft shell, for 10Y apiece. Tremendous! affordable! And once you show them how to safely eat one, chinese folks seem to like 'em fine.
SERVICE: The current manager, Jack, one of the tallest Chinese guys I've ever seen, is a friendly guy who knows what he's doing and keeps the staff performing at very nearly a Western standard of excellence.
No, really, this does happen in China.
ATMOSPHERE: It's a nice place. They've done their best to throw Mexicana up on the wall, and they've spent some money and care of stuff like tablecloths and carpetting. The patio is not that big, and features mosquitoes and panhandlers, but on the right evening it's heaven to sit out there. Best of all, the bar right next door, Harry's, boasts a drink special on Tuesdays (say "I'm a teacher!" for 15Y drinks
), and the best band I've heard in China- not saying much, true, but they're awesome.
The bathroom could be a little better. On the other hand, it could be much worse.