Noodle house a great break from dining halls

Lunch menu offers more reasonable prices

Does it seem to you that the food on board gets worse every year? Don't despair - with the addition of Wéa Téa, the food off-campus will provide some relief. In just four short days the co-owners of The Mandarin, Jai Wei and Connie Luu, turned the Hunan, that overlooked Chinese restaurant, into a hip, new, orange place to dine.

"It's something new for a small town like this," Wei said. No kidding, the addition of one new restaurant alone has expanded Obies' options tremendously. Not only can you take your parents to Wéa Téa as a viable option to the Macaroni Grill, but it's also a good excuse to ask that Hot Tamale from your history class out on a date.

Although they have no liquor license (sigh) for cocktails, you won't know what's missing once you're sipping on one of their exotic shakes. Word on College Street is that the Tropical Twist or the Imperial Leechi shake will not let you down. And this is only the beginning.

Now it's time for appetizers. If you're a vegetarian, keep on looking. If you're not, take this opportunity to delight in a Vietnamese Paper Roll, stuffed with shrimp, chicken, veggies and noodles. The Bang-Bang Chicken, a staple for many, is definitely tasty with a complimentary mix of peanuts, cilantro, and veggies. Beware, however, that if you're not sharing this dish with a tableful and plan on indulging in a main entrée as well, you may want to choose a lighter option for a starter. If your parents are treating, take a stab at the Nori Wrapped Shrimp, a pricier item.

We obviously could not sample every item on the menu. The Asian Pizzas looked tantalizing and were difficult to skip over, but the Japanese Eggplant with Thai Spicy Curry couldn't be overlooked. It is truly a rich dish that accentuates the succellence of eggplant. The Pad Thai, whether chicken, shrimp or vegetable, exemplifies the owners' attempt to establish their own type of cuisine.

"You couldn't recognize this cuisine," said Wei. According to him, the food is a fusion of French and Asian with no real authentic cooking style. He personally recommended the Seared Salmon with Thai Spicy Pesto, and reaffirmed our choice of the Japanese Eggplant.

Full yet? We certainly were. But if you're not, don't be afraid to ask for the dessert menu-we hear the selections are great. And as for the Vietnamese Style Coffee, it's an excellent alternative to the coffee shops in the area, that one block radius of downtown Oberlin.

Most students can't afford dinner out on a regular basis. Not to worry: Wei, a former Oberlin sudent, recognizes the barrenness of our wallets and offers a reasonably priced lunch menu.

So to avoid the chaos that engulfs Dascomb during the lunch hour, swing by Wéa Téa for an order of Cold Sesame Noodles to go. At $3.95, they sure beat the offensive Big N' Tasty Value Meal from McDonald's. Wéa Téa is located at 27 West College. They are open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

A wealthy bowl: The noodle house is located downtown. Its spongy orange facade is hard to miss. (photo by Heidi Good)