Black Bamboo Chinese Restaurant in West Hartford, CT

A new Chinese restaurant, Black Bamboo, has opened in West Hartford, Connecticut, filling a desperate need with those hungry for top-quality Hunan and Szechuan food.

For years, many have bemoaned the lack of a really good Chinese restaurant in West Hartford, the upscale suburb just outside the Connecticut capitol city. The small handful of take out stands were undistinguished, with subpar Chinese food that's only feature was the speed at which it was served. The primary sit-down Chinese restaurant in West Hartford is really more of a bar, seemingly more intent on karaoke night than great food.

But now comes Black Bamboo, on Farmington Avenue just east of West Hartford Center, and fans of top-notch Chinese food can celebrate the restaurant's opening. Because Black Bamboo features outstanding Hunan and Szechuan cuisine, as well as the take-out stand-bys many customers have come to expect.

The difference is Black Bamboo's commitment to using only organic ingredients. Even the side dishes of brown rice are organic.

Like most Chinese restaurants, Back Bamboo offers meat and seafood entrees, as well as noodles, stir-fry and sautéed favorites. But, unlike any other Chinese restaurants in the West Hartford area, Black Bamboo offers a range of low-calorie and even vegetarian and vegan menu choices. And all of it is delicious.

The newly-renovated restaurant is decorated in sleek green and black décor. You know immediately that this is a different kind of Chinese restaurant than anything else in West Hartford. Two wide-screen digital monitors show a revolving selection of menu items, specials, an even live TV. A pot of free tea is always brewing. The seating area features a small number of tables, as well as a counter. It's a comfortable and entertaining place to either wait for your take out order, or to sit and enjoy your meal.

Black Bamboo is open seven days a week, and Sonny - the entrepreneurial young owner, is virtually always on site. He's an outgoing, friendly business owner who's engaging and hospitable - and anxious for any feedback his customers can offer that will improve the quality of either the food or the service.

But it would be hard to improve on most of the dishes that Black Bamboo offers. In addition to traditional favorites such as General Tso's chicken and Sesame Beef, the Chef's Suggestions are highlighted by a mouth-watering Happy Family dish. It includes pork, shrimp, beef, chicken and lobster in a delicious brown sauce. The Kung Pao chicken - or spicy chicken with peanuts - is another winner.

Despite its upscale charm, Black Bamboo features great values. There are over 30 daily lunch specials available for under $5.00. Dinner specials, which include pork fried rice and an egg roll, are just $7.00.

After years of deprivation, West Hartford finally has a Chinese restaurant that offers great-tasting meals at affordable prices!

Black Bamboo is located at 844 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, just a half-mile east of West Hartford Center. The restaurant is open seven days a week - until 10pm Sunday through Thursday and until 11pm on Friday and Saturday night. There is free parking available, and free delivery on orders of $15.00 or more. Black Bamboo accepts all major credit cards.