A Very Good Sichuan Lunch We stopped by Mala House on Sunday looking forward to trying their lunch menu and, especially, the soup. Unfortunately, the lunch menu wasn't available on Sunday, which was a little disappointing. We ended up ordering the Kung Pao Beef and Black Pepper Beef. Both were very good, although they were similar enough that it was sometimes hard to tell them apart. The Kung Pao had a little more zip and the peanuts helped distinguish it, while the Black Pepper Beef had a darker, richer sauce with a noticeable peppery flavor. The staff was excellent--friendly, attentive, and welcoming--and the food itself was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. At $37 for lunch without drinks, it felt a little expensive for a casual lunch, but the quality and service made it feel worthwhile. Overall, Mala House was a very good experience. If you enjoy Sichuan flavors. it's definitely worth checking out. We'll be back, and next time I'm hoping to catch that lunch menu and try the soup. read more