4 minute read
What's Cookin'
from News4U July 2022
WHAT'SCOOKIN'
WITH MATT LAINE
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2ND LANGUAGE
401 NW 2ND ST, SUITE B EVANSVILLE, IN
Oh, how I have been waiting to try this place out! I was already a massive fan of the owner’s restaurant on the east side of town, Pangea, so the anticipation to try 2nd Language was palpable. I’ve been checking out their menu for awhile and all their pictures look absolutely stunning. And let me assure you, the food looks every bit that good in person, too.
This was a lunchtime trip and I’m glad I went during that time of the day because I imagine this place is packed in the evening. When I pulled into the parking lot, it was just a gravel lot which wasn't a huge deal, given there isn’t much open parking downtown; it was just nice to have somewhere to park. I was also a little confused because the “front” door was actually on the side of the building because there were renovations going on in the front lobby area. As I walked in, I didn’t see any signs directing me where to go and the reception area was up and around the corner. Maybe a sign or moving the hosting stand during renovations might help clear up confusion…or maybe I’m just an oldtimer that needs help finding my toes in my shoes.
Regardless, let me tell you, the dining room is gorgeous! The color schemes, artwork, and furniture meld together beautifully and nearly everyone has a view straight into the kitchen, which is a ballsy move for any restaurant owner. This bold statement wasn’t lost on me and I appreciate that someone is so confident in their kitchen standards that patrons are allowed to peek in at any time - which is similar to the confidence on display at Pangea. We need more places with these standards for sure. I did check out the bathroom and it was just as clean as anywhere else in the restaurant and smelled nice.
Now on to the food...I ordered one of my all-time favorite appetizers, Gyoza. I had tried the ones at Pangea before and loved their chili oil drizzled on top, so when 2nd Language brought the plate out with a cup of that same oil, I was extremely happy! A little bit will take you a long way with this oil so take it easy. But these Gyozas were packed with flavor and as juicy as possible in a dumpling. I’m being literal when I say they were bursting with juiciness. Delicious - and I will certainly order
them again next time I visit. For my entrée, I ordered the Southeast Asian Steak Chimichurri. I want to say this is a fusion dish because I believe Chimichurri is a South American thing - though I could be wrong. But I love this sauce and truly think it can elevate any dish. (Side note: I don’t know if it's the norm not to ask how someone wants a steak cooked, but this is a flank steak so it's not a thick slab of meat. The cook was right at medium-rare to medium, and that's right in the sweet spot for me.) The Chimichurri was bright and vibrant as it should be, and paired with the rice, it was crazy tasty. Also, in Chimichurri fashion it packed a touch of heat from the pepper flakes, which, combined with the Gyoza, left an ever-so-slight tingle on my tongue and lips as a reminder on my journey back to the office of how good this food tasted. I’m a sucker for Gyoza, steak, and some heat-packing sauce, so this meal was an out-of-the-park home run in my opinion!
The service was also amazing. Servers carry around tablets that allow them to place orders and take payments table-side which is very efficient. This addition is always pleasant to see, and I wish it were affordable enough for all restaurants to adapt this technology; it just streamlines the process. I would like to say I’m not surprised by anything this place had to offer, but it was truly a great visit and I can’t wait to come back and try out their ramen, which I hear so much about. Again, it all looks like utter perfection in a bowl so I look forward to tasting it on another day!
*I know once the building is completely renovated 2nd Language will easily be above 9 for an overall rating. The food is delicious, the service is good, and the decor is spot-on.
