Thursday, December 3, 1998

Sophicated feast

By Mireya Vazquez

Special to the On-line Forty-Niner

Making a dining decision along Third Street in Long Beach can be a difficult task because of the sheer number of restaurants and cafes located in that area.

However, if you are a connoisseur of exotic cuisine, fine wine and great service, Papashon will satisfy all your needs.

What is alluring about Papashon is its classic sophistication both in its decor and its cuisine.

Within minutes of being seated one is offered an assortment of fresh baked breads.

What follows is a delicious choice of seafood, pasta, meat or poultry.

Almost any choice you make will lead to a very pleasing experience.

The California goat cheese salad is suggested to start the meal. Warm goat cheese is served over white wine-thyme poached pears with baby mixed greens in a raspberry vinaigrette.

As an appetizer, a delightful surprise would be the calamari and Asian corn fritters dusted with Panko crumbs and served with chili-garlic sauce.

The Hoisin-Chile roasted chicken breast is served with a chicken, mushroom and vegetables.

Stuffed Mu Shu pancakes is one of the top choices for a main course.

Any choice on the menu is sure to be worth the wait, but fair warning the menu tends to be a little pricey. Papashon is located at 200 Pine Ave. in Long Beach.