It's taken a while, but P.F. Chang's has finally come to Baltimore (600 E. Pratt Street, 410-649-2750), setting up residence in the Inner Harbor building that houses a Best Buy and new Filene's Basement. Before this, the nearest outpost of this quasi-Chinese chain was the one opened in Columbia in 2001. This one is a little smaller, and given a more intimate feel through the use of low lighting and extra soundproofing. Staff is friendly and upbeat, and the small, bright bar is a good stop for festive, candy-colored cocktails. As for the food, the menu ranges from Chinese-American staples like moo goo gai pan and Mongolian beef, pictured, to more unusual selections like wok-seared lamb with cumin. On our visit, on a weeknight shortly after their opening, the dining room was almost full by 6:30, making us think Chang's should do well in its new location. It's nice to see that block of the Harbor, which has been pretty dead for a while, come back to vibrancy.
Let's hear it for the power of soy sauce!
