Liang's Bistro Asian Fusion Restaurant in New Tampa
Tampa has some great hidden spots for when you're craving Asian cuisine; one that stands out for an American take on Asian fusion is Liang's Bistro. Located in the heart of New Tampa, Liang's Bistro's warm, modern interior pairs well with the hot, comforting entrees placed before you. It's always been a favorite of mine since I was a teenager, but after an extended period of time being away from the New Tampa area, I stopped back in for a visit.
If you're a fan of Thai tea, it's a must-order at Liang's. A perfect combination of sweet and creamy, half and half is added to a strong, aromatic Thai tea upon ordering. It's the perfect sweet treat to sip on as you're perusing the menu.
Although the Egg Drop and Hot and Sour Soups are some of the best, I prefer to order the not-so-easy-to-find Tom Yum Soup. This Thai-favorite combines shrimp, tomatoes, pineapples, bean sprouts and shredded snow pea pods in a spicy, lemon-y broth. It's a delicious starter, and perfect for when you're feeling under the weather, too!
In regards to appetizers, the Egg Rolls at Liang's are a must-order. Perfectly deep-fried and crisp on the outside, the egg rolls are filled with plenty of shredded pork and veggies. Another favorite of mine is the Kung Fu Shrimp; if you're a fan of Bonefish Grill's Bang Bang Shrimp, you must try this appetizer! Large shrimp is breaded and quickly deep-fried, then tossed in a spicy Kung Fu sauce, with fresh scallions sprinkled over the top. The garnish provided on the plate makes for a great palate cleanser in between bites.
A new item on the menu that the manager suggested was the Teriyaki Salmon. The filet was a lot larger than I expected it'd be, and was lightly glazed in a sweet Teriyaki sauce. The salmon paired perfectly with its accompanied side of steamed broccoli along with white rice.
Liang's Bistro has an extensive list of fried rice and noodle dishes that complement any entree. I personally recommend the Japanese Fried Rice; tossed with a butter sauce rather than your typical soy sauce, it's a rich and full-of-flavor take on traditional fried rice. You can order Japanese Fried Rice with your choice of meat or vegetables.
I didn't get a chance to order dessert this time, but if you get a chance, the Banana Cheesecake Roll is divine. Cheesecake and bananas are blended then wrapped in a wonton wrapper, then the entire roll is deep-fried and served with ice cream. You won't regret it!
Liang's Bistro is located at 17515 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa and is open on Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
*Disclosure: The meal featured in this post was provided by Liang's Bistro for an honest review. Opinions expressed here are my own and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Liang's Bistro.