Pearl of the Orient (Loudonville, NY)

M and I decided to spend a  not-so-Chinese New Year at a place other than Ala Shanghai.

M had a rare day off during the week, making it possible for us to have dinner together. After taking care of some errands, we drove over to Loudonville to try out Pearl of the Orient. I tried going to this place on my own before, but it was dark and I couldn’t find it… not to mention my GPS gave inaccurate directions. It’s near the intersection of Osborne and Albany Shaker, in Kimberly Square.

We were the only ones in the restaurant. It was a little worrisome for me, but M enjoyed the fact that we were dining alone. Maybe it was slow because it was a Monday, or maybe they do better for lunch or the weekends. Whatever the case may be, it seems like they’ve been there forever, so they must be doing something right.

While going through the menu we sipped on tea and those fried wonton strip things. Not very greasy, and served with hot mustard and duck sauce. I also ordered the Scorpion Bowl ($7.50), which I have no clue what was in it other than combination of alcohols and juices. I had a few sips before deciding it wasn’t the drink for me, and let M finish it off (with no complaints).

Because I was dining with M, I ordered what I thought was vegetarian friendly. We started with the Bean Curd and Assorted Vegetable Soup for Two ($5.95), which as you can see was nothing more than cubed firm tofu and blanched stir fry vegetables (baby corn, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, carrots and snow peas) in a broth. For M’s sake, let’s say it was a vegetable based (because he’s a vegetarian), but I’m pretty sure it was chicken broth. Quirks aside, it was decent. I think I can replicate this as home… and if I remember, I probably will.

After our soup, we moved onto our second dish, Sautéed Three Mushrooms ($8.95). I didn’t think about it at the time, but looking back, that’s pretty pricey for a dish that was just mushrooms (white button, canned straw *most likely* and reconstituted shitake) and snow peas in a brown sauce. Once again, something that I could easily make at home, as long as I remember/have the urge to make it. And just like the soup, it was decent. Nothing to gush over.

I feel as if I would have had a better experience if I didn’t feel so limited in my choices. I don’t want to eliminate this cuisine from our dining choices, but it’s not fair to M to go to a place doesn’t have many options. I guess I’ll have to go back alone.

Pearl of the Orient
471 Albany Shaker Road
Loudonville, NY 12211
(518) 459-0903

Monday - Thursday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Saturday 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

All major credit cards accepted