Forbidden Garden and Delights in West Little Rock.

One of Little Rock’s classic Asian restaurants moved west a few years ago. The old Park Plaza mainstay, Forbidden City, became Forbidden Garden in the move.

I can happily say things haven’t changed a lot.  The egg drop soup, thick and rich, is still hearty, and it’s still served with fried noodles.  The egg rolls are hot and tasty.

For lunch, I can best recommend China Town.  It’s a dish of chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetables, sautéed together in a dark savory sauce and served with white rice.  Very pleasing, very filling and just the right amount of saltiness, this is a good quick dish.

Other good choices on the lunch special menu include Pepper Steak and Chicken with Cashews. Except for China Town or if you ask for it specifically, all dishes come with eggroll and fried rice plus a choice of egg drop, wonton or hot and sour soup.

Dinners are still pretty substantial, too. I’d suspect dinner portions are about twice the size of lunch portions, and they’re served on platters with big spoons and rice on the side, just for sharing.

Forbidden Garden does an excellent Crispy Beef and Dragon and Phoenix, but the dish I like best happens to be their Pu Pu Tray for Two.  It’s really good for sharing, especially if you’re dining with a kid like Hunter.  It’s served the same way as it was back when Forbidden City opened at the opening of Park Plaza Mall – in a big wooden Lazy Susan with a little hibachi.  It includes pork ribs, beef on skewers, crab Rangoon, egg rolls and chicken wings.

Check out the menu at Forbidden Garden here and here. It’s open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. You'll find it at 14810 Cantrell Road in west Little Rock.