Dragonfly Asian Restaurant & Bar

Dragonfly Asian Restaurant & Bar

Written by Deb Arnold Thursday, 07 June 2007

Dragonfly mixes cultures in extensive menu

One might not expect to find a serene dining experience in a shopping mall, but the Dragonfly Asian Restaurant & Bar in Lakeline Mall offers quiet, casual meals.

Dragonfly opened four years ago as a family venture. Owner Tom Quach and his wife live in Cedar Park and knew the area was growing rapidly. When space became available in Lakeline Mall, Quach moved in and became the only sit-down restaurant in the mall.

“Most of the other restaurants [in the mall] are in the food court,” San Quach, Tom’s daughter, said. “Dragonfly food comes out fast, but we are still a sit-down restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere.”

After we were seated, our waiter presented an extensive menu of Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. Keeping both their heritages is very important to Tom and his wife, which is why they offer a mixed menu.

We began with Egg drop Soup ($1.50/cup or $3.95/bowl) and the Pu Pu Platter for Two ($9.50). The platter consisted of Egg Rolls, BBQ Beef Sticks, Ribs, Chicken Wings, Fantail Shrimp and Crab Rangoons encircling a tabletop hibachi. The variety was interesting and sharpened our appetites for the main entrees.

The Pho Tom ($6.50/bowl), a well-seasoned beef broth served with noodles, bean sprouts, sliced jalapenos, fresh basil, cilantro and a wedge of lime, was a hit with our party’s Pho Tom expert. I had to taste this soup because it was so aromatic. The flavor was full but not overwhelming, and the fresh vegetables in the savory broth were enjoyable.

The Salt and Pepper Shrimp ($12.95) arrived with batter-fried shrimp and squid along with sautéed jalapenos and onions. A side of broccoli and white rice complimented the dish, and the delectable salt, pepper and garlic dipping sauce crowned this selection.

I enjoyed the Sweet and Sour Chicken ($8.95). The white chicken bites were light and batter-fried. The rice was moist, the peppers and onions were al dente and the sauce was tangy.

The restaurant has a bar with beer, wine and a flat-screen TV so patrons can watch sporting events. Seattle’s Best Coffee selections are also available.

There is no dessert menu, so our meal concluded with the traditional fortune cookie. My fortune read “Relax and enjoy your everyday ventures.” I looked around the table and decided that we had done just that.

Vietnamese translator

• Pho – Beef or chicken broth
• Mi – Egg noodle soup
• Vermicelli – Rice noodle
• Cari – Curry
• Lemon grass – A long, thin gray-green leaf with a scallion-like taste
• Cha gio – Egg roll
• Gui cuon – Shrimp spring roll
• Do xao – Stir fry

Chinese translator

• Lo mein – Soft noodles
• Chow mein – Crispy noodles
• Moo shoo – Wrap
• Hunan – A style of cooking named for an area of China
• Szechuan – A spicy style of cooking named for an area of China

Dragonfly Asian Restaurant & Bar, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive, Ste. EV01, 996-9809