Metrowest Boston Dining Guide

P.F. Chang’s
Natick Collection Mall

Ok - so I’ve got an update to my initial review having now gone twice. P.F. Chang’s is a reliably good Asian restaurant. Regardless of the location you choose, the fare is generally consistent in quality with fresh ingredients and a wealth of choices. The wine list is excellent offering many choices to the picky wine lover.

Initially upon opening, the Natick location was sub-par on cleanliness and service but they’ve picked up the slack. On a most recent visit in April, service was excellent (which is a tough rating to get) and the restaurant had cleaned up its act. You will still find lots of families and kids at this location simply because of its mall location but the staff is able to handle it with ease.

A new specials section offers some new takes on the typical Chinese fare and the menu has been slightly re-arranged to organize your choices by beef, chicken, seafood, etc. rather than organized by the P.F. Chang’s cooking styles. I dined with a large party with 2 small children and our waiter was excellent, meeting the demands of our large party.

The food was on target. Mongolian beef, honey shrimp, lemon pepper shrimp will all good main entree choices and the lettuce wraps are sure to please as an appetizer. The hip shot glass style desserts are worth saving some room for with about 8 different flavor choices on the menu along with the “great wall of chocolate” dessert that P.F. Chang’s is known for.

The bar is average in size lining only the one wall upon entrance with the restaurant being located behind it (about 14 seats or so). The atmosphere is typical P.F. Chang’s with low lighting, Chinese statues, and cool lighting.

I’m not sure I could recommend this place for a date night as it is a bit loud, crowded with kids, and you won’t find much in the way of privacy unless you stay at one of the booths but even then, the atmosphere isn’t exactly conducive to romance.

If you don’t care to dine in the mall, take-out is always an option and there are several spots reserved near the entrance that are 10 minute only spots for take-out pick-up.