Photo by Teresa Kendrick
Pho and other soups with a broth base are simmered for four hours to bring out the flavor.
If you’ve fallen prey to certain demons of the holiday season, get thee immediately to tea at the Bamboo Gardens in Wimberley. Rose hip tea, green tea and flavorful broths, perfect to chase chills, congestion and coughs, can ease symptoms and restore you to the holiday spirit.
In the scrubbed, serene atmosphere of Bamboo Gardens foodies will find pho broths with noodles and vegetables, and soups like wonton, sweet and sour, egg drop and miso on the menu. This Asian restaurant, opened by Wimberley chef John Lee in April of this year, specializes in fresh, quality wholesome food to nourish body and soul. It’ll also satisfy cravings for the strategic combination of complex flavors that the Asian menu offers – sweet, sour, spicy, salty and umami – that arouse the senses and provide the emotional and psychological comforts that diners have come to love.
For the last 20 years, since leaving his homeland in China, Lee has been bringing fresh, good food to customers in the U.S. He is the owner of two other restaurants – one in Weatherford, near Dallas, and another in Lago Vista, outside Austin.
Located in the former Kate’s Place restaurant, Bamboo Garden features booth and table seating, a bar with wine and beer, and is decorated with Chinese-themed elements. Bamboo screens cover the windows to keep the mood on the cozy side and three television screens are tuned to peaceful nature scenes.
If you are no stranger to Asian Fusion cuisine you’ll find familiar appetizers like wonton, egg rolls, dumplings, tempura and edamame. The pho and wonton soup bases are simmered for five hours and yield a delicate, clear broth. Proteins such as tofu, chicken, beef and shrimp can be added for an upcharge.
Also on the menu are chop suey, teriyaki, moo goo gai pan, kung pao, General Tso and curry entrees as well as the Thai favorite, pad-thai. There are 23 entrees in addition to the appetizers, soups, noodle soups, fried rice and fried noodle plates. There’s a lunch menu and a kid’s menu, too. Besides beer and wine, hot and cold teas, they offer Thai iced tea. All of it can be made to go.
Chef Lee is passionate about offering fresh good food to his customers, “We meticulously select our ingredients and are committed to healthier cooking methods to preserve nutrients.”
Bamboo Garden, located at 600 FM 2325, across from Market Days, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the last seating at 8:30. Parking is off street and ample. To learn more, go to bamboogardenasiancuisine600.com.
