Today's mini-adventure brought us back to a local gem, Hunan Taste in Denville, and I am genuinely…read morequestioning my life choices as to why it took me five long years to return.
The exterior architecture is stunningly authentic, channeling a traditional aesthetic complete with a beautiful outdoor fish pond (no, you cannot order them for dinner, though don't quote me on that because I didn't actually ask).
Upon stepping inside, you are greeted by an inviting, ornately decorated space. It feels a bit vintage and dated in the best way possible, offering a unique character that modern, cookie-cutter spots just can't replicate.
We were seated promptly at a table adorned with actual fresh-cut flowers--a beautiful detail that immediately separates this venue from places utilizing tacky plastic alternatives.The service here is absolutely impeccable. The server, the manager, and the support staff operate as a highly attentive, deeply friendly team.
We began with appetizers: a simple vegetable roll for my girlfriend which she declared was absolutely amazing, and the boneless spare ribs for me. While boneless ribs are an absolute staple on any Chinese takeout menu, I have never had a local version execution this elite; they were perfectly lean, deeply flavorful, and entirely free of the typical fat pockets you usually find elsewhere.
For the main course, my girlfriend (who doesn't eat meat) ordered the tofu and mixed vegetables blanketed in a rich brown sauce with a side of brown rice. She rated it as one of the best variations she has ever encountered, noting that the kitchen's flavor balance was so dialed-in that it required zero corrections from additional soy sauce, salt, or pepper. I opted for the General Tso's Triple Fragrance, featuring a massive, premium protein trifecta of chicken, beef, and shrimp tossed with fresh vegetables and brown rice. It was extraordinary.
Hunan Taste simply does not belong in the same conversation as your standard neighborhood joint; it operates entirely in a class of its own. We will absolutely be back, and it definitely won't take another five years.