What's Your Favorite @ Tchoup Chop?

[tarheelmjfan]

After reading so many glowing reviews on here, we've decided to give TC another try later this month. I read a post by one member who said TC was the best restaurant on UO property. If that's the case, we went on a really off night. The meal was fine, but not in the same league as Emeril's. We also like Latin Qtr. & Mythos better than TC. Here's where you come in. What menu item is guaranteed to deliver a "wow" factor? Please, include any & all favs. We're interested in appetizers through desserts. I'm hoping with your help we'll have an experience as great as has been described by others.

 

[gschmerl]

For appetizer, I loved the Tchoup Chop Crunchy Shrimp and the Polynesian Crab Cake. For dinner the Firecracker Tempura Fresh Fish and Tchoup Chop Spice Seared Ahi Tuna

 

[patster734]

I liked the Hawaiian Style Dinner Plate at Tchoup Chop because I really enjoy the flavors of the pork, ribs and chicken. And their Mai-Tais make everything taste better!

 

[Dislifer]

Please tell me a little more about the Mai Tais ...do I want one with dinner????
Are they very sweet???? Are they very strong????

 

[patster734]

Please tell me a little more about the Mai Tais ...do I want one with dinner????
Are they very sweet???? Are they very strong????

They're very strong and very tasty, but they do cost $10.00 each.

 

[rxlowry]

Ok, We've been to TC more times than I can count...actually it's about 10 times probably. With one exception, I have had the Hawaiian dinner plate. We had lunch there twice and once I had the Kobe burger which was awesome. The dinner plate is absolutely one of my favorite meals from any restaurant anywhere I've every been. The flavors are incredible!

 

[sha_lyn]

Appetizer..... Ahi tuna lettuce wraps and lobster miso soup
Dinner.... Hawaiian dinner plate
dessert..... banna cream pie or pineapple upside down cake

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I can't wait to try it again. The platter sounds perfect for my DH & DS. Could you tell me more about the Spice Seared Ahi Tuna entree? What spices are used? I had an incredible Seared Ahi Tuna entree in San Diego. If this one is anywhere near as good, I'm sold.

I tried to remember what we all ordered, when we ate at TC before. I know we got 2 appetizers to share. We ordered 4 different entrees, & everyone got dessert. For some strange reason, I don't remember what any of those things were. In my defense, we ate there at the end of a 14 night road trip, & we had eaten quite a few meals by then.

I think one reason we weren't thrilled with the restaurant is that we don't like soy or teriyaki sauce. I'm convinced this meal will be better though.

 

[gschmerl]

Here's the description of the ahi spiced tuna from the menu:
Tchoup Chop Spice Seared Ahi Tuna - Served with Wakame Slaw, Blackberry Poblano Vinaigrette and Panko Fried Rock Shrimp $30.00

 

[ColUK]

The salmon was the best id ever tasted (medium) was just amazing! last time 3 of us had the chefs menu and this was fantastic also, added the wine option to it as well and to be honest was a little dissapointed by how much you got especially with what is the main course. Less than half a glass of each wine. No faulting the choices and the way they compliment the food mind you! I also dont believe for a second that the total value of the wine you got wasnt worth it but I think with a main course you would reasonably expect to get more than a third of a glass.
Anyway I recommend TC to anyone!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks again for all the info.

We've talked about getting the Chef's menu, if it looks tempting. It's good to know about the wine issue ahead of time. Do you remember how much the tasting menu was, as well as the wine pairings?

Also, can some at the table get the wine pairings, if everyone doesn't? We have a DS(14) who always orders the Chef's menu when we do. Some restaurants have rules concerning the Chef's menu & wine pairings that cover the entire table. Each person at the table has to order the same thing, or it isn't available to anyone.

 

[kda]

Been there twice, with different groups of people. Each time, we all thought the crab cake appetizer was exceptional.

Other excellent choices were the Hawaiian dinner plate sampler and the a NY strip steak (some thought it was the best they ever had).

Can't recall much about dessert. I had the creme brulle and it was good, but not as special as the other choices.

We're going back in November!

 

[Fan2CSkr]

This is what I had last time.
Braised Lamb Shank Marinated in Chinese Mustard & Soy with Maytag Blue Cheese Smashed Potatoes, Garlic Wilted Spinach, Apio Chips and a Sherry Reduction Sauce
It was AMAZING, however undercooked for my liking. The tastes melded devinely!
Last time I had a Clay Pot Special that was awesome! My Husband had Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop with Ginger Roasted Sweet Potato Mash, Tamarind Barbecue Glaze and Five Spiced Green Apple Chutney and he's counting the days before he can have it again!

ABOVE ALL --- Get a Mai Tai and I did notice a nice selection of icewines that you mentioned.

Desserts-

Warm Individual Pineapple Upside Down Cake served with Caramelized Ginger Ice Cream (This is my favorite)
They also make these deep bowls filled with homemede thick and fluffy whipped cream and they dot the bown with HUGE chocolate dipped strawberries...to die for!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I usually get the Chef's nightly tasting menu but I can't describe the courses as well as ya'll have (guy thing). I asked for a copy of the menu when I went for my birthday and they promised to send it but....

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Wow...these reviews are splendid!

One thing I'm curious about is the filet with gooey melting brie on it. My eye went right for that on the online menu. Anyone tried it?

Tarheel, when y'all going? We just booked our ressie for 9/19 at 7:30.

 

[lwilliam]

for the first time - next Friday at 1:30, at Tchoup Chop - kids are even excited (and that is hard when you have a 19 and 14 year old!)

Anyone have the famous dessert, banana pie?

For those that have been there before, for lunch, kids ok with cargo shorts and a polo?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

gschmerl & kda,
How large is the crab cake appetizer? Is it enough to share? We try to always save room for dessert & try to not overdo on the preceeding courses. That is, unless we go for the Chef's menu. In that case, I sample all the courses, & my guys just leave waddling.

Fan2CSkr,
The lamb sounds great also. We don't like blue cheese though. Is the taste really noticeable? It's funny that we are so adventurous in dining, but the very few things we don't care for seem to keep coming up with this menu. Odd!!!

Did I read Icewine? You're calling my name. I told DH you mentioned it last night. Do you think they would wonder about us, if we ordered Icewine for the entire meal?

PlutoLuvr,
We're dining there 7/24 @ 8pm.

lwilliam,
Our DS(14) is the reason we're trying TC again. We ate there once & weren't impressed, so we had decided to skip it until we had tried all the resort restaurants. DS & I saw one of Emeril's toothpaste commercials, & I mentioned we'd be bamming @ Emeril's soon & he wanted to give TC another try too. So, we're going again, & hoping to be TC converts after that.

 

[Dislifer]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is Icewine???

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Ice wine is what you get when the grapes just barely freeze early one morning/late at night per season. The workers go out and get as many grapes as they can before it either warms up or becomes even colder. There's generally only a few-hour window per season this happens.

The result is a very, very sweet, extremely thick wine, very syrupy. It's also generally very expensive, like $30 to $100 plus for half a bottle of wine.

This type of wine can be referred to as a dessert wine or a breakfast wine. DH & I always share a bottle on Christmas morning when we're opening our presents.

Canada seems pretty popular right now in putting out some nice, economical ice wines, but a few years ago, we were getting good ones from Germany.

P.S. No ignorance on your part, just interest! I didn't know what it was, either, until I asked

If you try some, drink it on a special occasion. It's not just a "drinking before dinner after work" wine. You can also keep an eye out for local tastings to just have a sip before plopping down some $$$.

 

[kda]

The crabcake appetizer was one very large crabcake (about 3" across, but thick and it seemed to be almost 100% crabmeat). DH and I usually split an appetizer and don't always get a dessert (if we do, we split it). Because there were so many things on the menu that sounded good, we each had an appetizer, entree, and dessert (no drinks). It was a very leisurely meal, but we were stuffed.

You could definitely split an appetizer if you're planning to have dessert, too.

I haven't had the lamb, but bleu cheese has a very distinct flavor, and it's an acquired taste, so I'd hesitate to order it if you know you don't enjoy it. Talk with the servers about options --- can it be left off or less used.

My mouth is just watering! Can't wait until November.