We’ve been pretty disappointed in our search for a decent Chinese take-out joint in the Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill delivery zone. Of course, there’s plenty of wonderful, authentic Chinese fare just a few subway stops away in Sunset Park, but what are we supposed to do on a lazy, rainy night when all we want is some basic sesame chicken that isn’t gristly? The unlikely answer to our prayers is Faan. This heavily decorated corner restaurant is our go-to spot when we have picky young cousins in town — nothing on their extensive Thai/Japanese/Chinese menu is outstanding, and the sushi is nothing to write home about, but kids like the busy décor and never have trouble finding some decent Americanized Asian fare. We haven’t been there in a while, but we recalled that the prices were always cheap and the chicken was never chewy.

When we ordered from the delivery menu the other night, their large portion of sesame chicken, packed with a few saucy broccoli spears, was as tender as we remembered. The lemongrass shrimp dish was a little heavy on the green pepper, but pleasantly spicy, and made with large, fresh-tasting shrimp (rather than those creepy, curled-up mini-shrimp). The crabmeat raviolis were a bit soggy, and their gooey sauce was a bit too sweet — but we should have guessed that they wouldn’t travel well. All in all, it wasn’t the Best Chinese Food Ever, but next time our sesame chicken craving calls, we’ll be dialing up Faan.

Faan is located at 209 Smith Street, between Baltic & Butler; 718-694-2277.
Best Chinese Food in Brooklyn? [Brooklyn Record]