Restaurants: Zheng, Russets On The List Downvalley

April 13th, 2006 at 07:00am Michael Conniff 2

Thus begins our attempt to provide some feedback on the local food scene—you know, that thing people are always talking about but almost never write about. I urge everybody to use Aspen Post as a way to have opinions and information bubble up from the people who do the actual eating.

The two places I want to hit right off the bat are Zheng in the City Market shopping center in El Jebel and Russets in Carbondale and. But first I want to tell you how we ended up at Zheng on my birthday night. We went to “Inside Man,” the Spike Lee movie starring Denzel Washington, and it got better as it went along, which meant our mood was generous as we left the theater. I had a good experience or two at the Mexican place next to Movieland in El Jebel, so we went inside. There was an open table, but we were told to wait in the front and then ignored. The front, by the way, is also the entrance to the kitchen and we got so uncomfortable we left.

Zheng, on the other hand, was a revelation: nice enough to make you want to come back, inexpensive enough to make that possible. I continued my quest for the perfect “General Whomever’s Chicken” and theirs was the best I’ve tasted in the valley, light without feeling fried, sweet enough without being syrupy. We definitely plan to return ASAP, and consider “pan-Asian” takeout a very pleasant proposition for the near-future.

Russets, on Main Street in Carbondale, is remarkably good on every level. We got there last Friday at 6 PM to beat the crush—and literally every seat in the place was taken. One of the things I like about Russets is just about every seat is a good one, from the booths to the bar and everything in between. I’ve been there for burgers and other bar stuff, and for the KSPN/KNFO holiday party after Bill O’Reilly saved Christmas. Everything I’ve had has been prompt and stellar, but I’m particularly fond of the pulled porked Chipotle sandwich with the gorgonzola—and I don’t even like gorgonzola—and the Philly Cheese steak sandwich. I’ve never ever had a better hot sub/sandwich type dish anywhere.

One final note: Mark Fischer’s Phat Thai down Main Street was also packed that night. Given that his SIX89 and White House Pizza are on Main Street as well, foodies could do worse than to stick to the main drag in Carbondale.

Entry Filed under: Food, Restaurants, Carbondale, El Jebel, Business, Fractional Post