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| Sauteed Chinese Star Squash at Lotus Cafe in Hackensack. |
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| Fillet of Sole with Ginger and Scallion. |
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| Each of us had a filling bowl of brown rice. |
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| Lotus Cafe gives out chocolate fortune cookies. |
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| The restaurant does a brisk takeout business. |
We won free tickets to a jazz concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, but wanted to get something to eat before the show, which began at 6 p.m.
So, on Saturday afternoon around 4:15, we stopped at Lotus Cafe in Hackensack, our favorite Chinese restaurant in North Jersey, and had a filling meal of fresh fish, vegetable and brown rice, with cup after small cup of tea.
Looking over the menu, I asked the waiter what vegetables were available, and he replied, "Have the Star Squash."
I ordered the Sauteed Chinese Star Squash, which I had never noticed on the vegetable section of the menu ($9.95); Fillet of Sole with Ginger and Scallion ($16.95); and small bowls of brown rice (no extra charge).
Small pieces of the wild-caught fish are floured and stir-fried.
My wife and I loved the squash, and the simple but delicious meal was the perfect amount of food for two hungry people.
Lotus Cafe, 450 Hackensack Ave., in the Home Depot Shopping Center, Hackensack; 201-488-7070. BYO, free parking, open 7 days.
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Try the Star Squash
