Take-Out Report: Faan
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…
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]
My biggest complaint with Faan is that they still use MSG! It blows my mind man, to think that you’d have to be that desperate for flavor to go to those measures.
Chance ain’t the cheapest, but it’s by far the best chinese that’s local in CG/CH. Yea, it isn’t strictly authentic but then what in this hood is? I will be trying Hunan Delight, didn’t know they delivered…
I agree that Andy’s is the best in the area, and they happily deliver to Carroll Gardens. Fortune House is also decent. Faan is really nothing special. It can be convenient due to location, but to claim that it’s the best chinese delivery option is absurd.
Empire Kitchen uses endentured workers. Its really quite sad. Food is not so great either.
Empire Kitchen and Red Apple are pretty dicey in our experience. fortune house is great but won’t deliver so far – andy’s on montague is about the best option with no true winners in the nabe (haven’t tried hunan delight but I will now)
I unfortunately can’t offer any good alternatives in the neighborhood, but I think faan is gross.
Please-oh-please tell me how long I have to pay BK rent in order to join the cool-kid club!!!!!!
umm…yea, you kinda do have to live here for more than 7 years to be a true brooklynite.
Red Apple on court and sackett is some good ol’ (some call it ghetto…it really isn’t though..) chinese food. Great dumplings. Nice sized shrimp.
Fortune House in Brooklyn Heights is also good classic chinese food.
When are some of you people going to learn that trendy doesn’t mean quality?
holla.
john PH.
Nothing personal. I eat at Faan. No biggie. But for a blog like this to post Faan as a headliner for Chinese food in the area is kinda shameful.
You don’t have to be here for more than 7 years to be a “true” Brooklynite. But BR postering Faan as a Chinese food destination is like postering Starbucks as a coffee destination.