P.F. Chang’s (Downtown SLC)

Summer months give us a variety of reasons to celebrate. Warm — sometimes hot — temperatures, longer daylight hours, and less rigid routines make each day feel like its own little party. July, in particular, comes alive with holidays and birthdays of family members and friends. My friend Kaleb celebrated his birthday last weekend, so he invited friends to join him for dinner at P.F. Chang’s in downtown Salt Lake City. It was my first time dining at P.F. Chang’s, and we enjoyed a fun evening with good company, delicious food, and gracious service.

P.F. Chang’s is a casual dining chain that serves Asian fusion cuisine in a welcoming environment. We started the evening by sharing some appetizers: an order of BBQ pork spare ribs and an order of crispy green beans. The BBQ pork spare ribs are braised with a tangy Asian barbecue sauce, and they are smoked tableside, which adds flavor and drama to the dish. A spicy coleslaw accompanies them on the side. The tender meat falls off the bone, and the tangy barbecue sauce has hints of raspberry or plum. The spicy coleslaw packs a surprising punch. The crispy green beans are tempura-battered, and they come with a spicy dipping sauce. The slightly salty seasoning in the flaky tempura batter makes the green beans a delicious treat. I loved the mix of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in the appetizers we chose.

We then ordered three entrées that we shared family style: wagyu steak with a side of noodles, ginger chicken and broccoli with a side of brown rice, and chicken fried rice. First, the wagyu steak is prepared in a bulgogi glaze and served with wok-seared mushrooms and an Asian chimichurri sauce. This provides a satisfying combination of flavors, and the tender strips of meat melt in your mouth. Next, the ginger chicken and broccoli offers a flavorful mix of ginger-garlic aromatics and green onion, while the broccoli has been stir-fried “just enough” to remain a little crunchy and vibrant green. Finally, the chicken fried rice is a solid staple dish to round out the meal. The best part of eating family style is sampling a variety of flavors, all of which in this case were enjoyable.

Celebrating a birthday requires that there be cake, so we ended the evening by sharing a slice of P.F. Chang’s Great Wall of Chocolate. This dessert includes six layers of rich chocolate cake, separated by equally rich chocolate frosting, and crusted with semi-sweet chocolate chips. A berry purée comes at the side. An individual person could theoretically consume a portion of this cake alone. However, we agreed that it would be a challenging task! The Great Wall of Chocolate is best enjoyed shared among friends.

If you are deciding where to go for a summer celebration or just an evening out, consider going to P.F. Chang’s in downtown SLC. Our group had a delightful evening, and we suspect that you would, too. You can read more about what the restaurant has to offer by clicking here.