New Asian in Center City: Spice 28 and Jane G’s

Turkey truffle dumplings at Jane G's; Image via Facebook

By Danya Henninger

Two new Asian dining rooms have just opened in Center City. Just around the corner from the booming 13th Street strip on Chestnut, Spice 28 is now serving a menu of both authentic Sichuan and unabashedly fusion dishes at lunch and dinner. Walls, tables and chairs are all custom woodwork, which serve as a backdrop for appetizers like classic dan dan noodles and modernized plates like spicy tuna gyoza over guacamole, according to Philly.com. Nothing on the menu is over $20 (1228 Chestnut St.; 215-928-8880).

Further west at 20th and Chestnut, Jane Guo has launched Jane G’s, a high-end Chinese with an extensive fusion menu. Guo formerly ran Noodle Heaven on Broad Street, and currently operates Panda Heaven in Pottstown and Reading, but the Rittenhouse venture is a much swankier affair. Chef Michael Chan is offering relatively fancy small plates, such as duck pine nut dumplings and Tibetan lamb kabobs; a raw bar; pasta and rice dishes; and a list of entrees that ranges from lemongrass shrimp to a boneless ribeye with wasabi mashed potatoes. Appetizers start at $6 and the large plates top out at $38, for a seafood bouillabaisse with lobster ravioli. Check out the full menu, courtesy of Foobooz, below (1930 Chestnut St.; 215-563-8800).

SMALL PLATES/APPETIZER
Crab Puff Pastry w/ Curry, Chicken Puff Pastry $7/$6
Duck Taro w/ Mushroom Spring Roll $7
Duck Pine Nut Dumpling $7
Turkey Edamame w/ Truffle Dumpling $7
Pan-Seared Diver Scallops w/ Mango Salsa $11
Coconut Bay Mussels $10
Crispy Calamari On Sun Dried Tomato Coulis $11
Chicken or Beef Yakitori Skewers $9
Tibetan Lamb Kebab $11
Grilled Portabella Mushroom w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette $9
Roti Canai w/ Curry Chicken $7
Edamame $5
Popcorn Rock Shrimp w/ Wasabi Aioli $11
Tofu Duck Crepe $9

SALAD
Green Papaya Salad w/ Shrimp or Chicken $14/$12
Roasted Beet Carpaccio w/ Goat Cheese Fritter $14
Peking Duck Salad w/ Arugula $12

SOUPS
Seafood Bisque $7
Vegetarian Curry Lentil Soup $6

PASTA & RICE
Pineapple Fried Rice w/ Shrimp or Chicken $14/$12
Mango Fried Rice w/ Shrimp Chicken $14/$12
Garlic Noodle Heaven w/ Shrimp $15
Oxtail Pappardelle $12
Curry Chicken Noodle $9

ENTREE
Grilled Salmon Green Curry Sauce $18
Lemongrass Shrimp $22
Pan-Seared Monkfish Medallion $23
Cornish Hen w/ Five Spice Seasoning $19
Lamb Chop w/ Tamarind Sauce $28
Half Duck Done Two Ways $23
Seafood Bouillabaisse w/ Lobster Ravioli $38
Veal Chop w/ Massaman Curry $36
Boneless Rib Eye w/ Wasabi Mashed Potatoes $29

SIDES
Lobster Wasabi Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes $10
Coconut Brown Rice $4
Crispy Cured Tofu $8
Wok Tossed Asparagus w/ Sake & Hot Red Chilies $9
Herb Green Chickpeas $6
Spicy Cauliflower & Potato $6

RAW BAR - MP
Oysters on the Half Shell
a. Otter Cove
b. Wellfleet
c. Chincoteague
d. Blue Point
Top Neck Clams
Little Neck Clams
Shrimp Cocktail
Chilled Lobster (Steamed) 1 1/2 lb