I have seriously been a total ditz in the morning lately when packing my gym bag. The other day I forgot to pack a sports bra so had to come home after work, and today I forgot make-up remover and a hair tie. I have no clue where my mind has been.
Last night for dinner Kevin and I grabbed dinner at a new-to-us restaurant in Baldwin Park, Chi Pan Asian. Every time we’ve been in Baldwin Park, I want to try it, and then the Orlando Sentinel posted a review, so I knew it was a sign to go.
It was a Tuesday night, so the place was pretty empty. Everyone who worked there was extremely nice from the moment we walked in. The menu is large and kind of unusual in terms of all the different types of food they offer. You can get all your typical Asian cuisines—Chinese, Thai, Japanese—in addition to Turkish cuisine. On the Turkish menu were traditional offerings, such as hummus, falafel and stuffed grape leaves.
I started out with an order of the shrimp summer rolls, which came with peanut dipping sauce. The sauce was really good. It was flavorful, thick and sweet. The summer rolls were good but contained mostly noodles and could have used some more veggies. However, the summer rolls were really just serving as a utensil to get the peanut sauce in my belly. I could have probably just drank it.
I ordered Asian coconut curry sauce with beef. I was really pleased that the curry contained both beef and tofu. Usually places give you one or the other. The portion was very large and came with an option of white or brown rice.
The sauce was very good, and you could taste all the different spices. The beef was very tender and there was a healthy amount of it. I really enjoyed my dish.
Kevin ordered the Chi filet mignon, which was sautéed with mushrooms and onions and an Asian sauce.
He asked for the steak to be cooked medium rare, but it was definitely very rare. The steak was very, very red on the inside so it was a little chewy for Kevin’s taste, but he said it was a good cut of meat and the sauce was tasty.
I thought Chi Pan Asian was another good dining option in Baldwin Park.
Could you work out without your hair pulled back? I really like to take the makeup off my face and pull my hair back before working out, so today was rough. My hair was a mess and drenched by the end of my run. It’s funny how such a little thing can drive you so crazy!
White rice or brown rice? I usually opt for brown rice just to be healthier and I like how hearty it is.
When I had longer hair there is NO way that I could have worked out without a hair tie! Now, it’s really not a problem
Good to know about another good restaurant in Baldwin!!
And definitely — brown rice!
If I forgot my hair tie it would be really hard to workout. I would have to ask someone at the front desk or something for one!
Ahhh good idea! See?? Total ditz lately.
Brown rice, NO doubt. I love the thickness of the grains as opposed to white– (and the fact that I feel healthier
)
This restaurant looks awesome! I’ll have to try it out once I get back up to O-town– this definitely looks like a place I’d enjoy. Oh, and I TOTALLY feel you on peanut sauce. I would go to The Cheesecake Factory and pretty much spoon the peanut sauce for the Thai lettuce wraps into my mouth.. seriously.
Mmmm, peanut sauce – it goes well on anything!!!
Definitely brown rice. It’s got that awesoem chewy/nutty thing going on – beats boring old rice any day!
Oooo that looks good. I’m a brown rice fan, but some brown rice is better than others. As for the forgetfulness, I go through phases. I’ll forget at least one thing for a week or two, but then I’ll be golden for a month. It’s odd.
I’m a brown rice girl ALL the way – and definitely could NOT work out without my hair pulled back. I always admire girls that can!
I must say you are giving me some great places to check out in Orlando! I don’t understand how anyone can workout with their hair down. I always wear my hair up and have bobby pins plastered to my head! It’s a must!!
mmm… this place sounds good.
I definitely cannot work out without a hair tie! I literally always wear one around my wrist and never take it off. Plus I keep an extra in my gym bag. Once, in a pinch, I asked at the front desk of the gym and they actually have some!
Absolutely noooo on the work out without hair pulled back. I actually don’t understand how anyone can. There’s always girls in yoga with their hair down and it drives me crazy.
I have a super huge Thai/Asian food craving now, thanks
Oh no I would be completely lost without a hair tie! I would have been so frustrated
Okay now I am craving literally every food in this post haha
i LOVE summer rolls! I haven’t had one in super long but everytime i go to whole foods i always get the summer ones
I’ve never eaten at Chi Pan Asian, but have always wanted too. Must remember to eat here the next time I am craving Asian food! Thanks for the review.