Zoe's Gourmet Chinese Cuisine

Oh Zoe's. I really wanted to love you. I remember when you were a hole-in-the-wall not too long ago. I remember being pleasantly surprised at how good the food was - how you seemed like a "hidden find" with surprisingly great Sichuan food in the middle of a dumpy part of Somerville.

Now you look all spruced up. You really have a beautiful interior now, and I love the new space (uhh . . even despite the fact that it's adjoining a condemned building). Nevermind that. But the food. Did I just not order correctly? Or is something different? Was the head chef on vacation? Maybe because it was lunchtime? I know I didn't order all Sichuan dishes. Maybe that was my problem.

The food was alright. I can't complain. But it wasn't surprising. It was just . . fine.

At least the mapo bean curd, my favorite dish from the past, still had its characteristic sichuan peppercorn zing. I still love it - it's still one of my favorite dishes here.

But, the dumplings were tired. The beef chowfoon, which I think you recommended, was average at best. The duck was so-so, though the water chestnuts with snow peas was solid.

Maybe I just didn't know what to order. I do want to give you another chance. Maybe during dinner sometime, or on the night that the head chef is cooking?

Zoe's - you are so close to my house, and there isn't really any good Chinese food in immediate vicinity. I think I'll give you another chance. Oh . .I really hope you don't disappoint me. I do still want to love you so much.

289 Beacon St
Somerville, MA 02143