Pearl Lian Bistro And Bakery Showcases Oriental Culinary Arts And Architecture

Pearl Lian Oriental Bistro and Bakery, a new Duluth restaurant located on Medlock Bridge Road in the John's Creek corridor, offers a unique dining experience for Atlantans seeking fine Asian cuisine. In addition to an innovative menu of contemporary influenced dishes from the Orient, the restaurant features an on-site bakery serving traditional Asian style pastries and other fresh baked goods.

Under the ownership of Atlanta restaurant veteran Andy Fang, founder of the former Great Panda restaurant chain and owner of Lon U restaurant in Norcross, Pearl Lian was created as a cultural showcase of oriental culinary arts and architectural design. Fang traveled extensively throughout Asia to observe the best of the continent's dining establishments and architecture. The restaurant's name is a whimsical alliteration of "pieu lian" which means "beautiful" in Chinese. Pearl Lian lives up to its "beautiful" connotation with its striking dicor designed by Fang and his architect, Alex Munoz, utilizing materials and artifacts directly from China.

Pearl Lian's design features imported mahogany woods from the Chinese countryside, in addition to onyx, the Chinese symbol of fortune, which highlights the restaurant's bar area. Symbolic figures of dragon heads similar to those atop the Palace in Beijing's Forbidden City adorn the roof of the restaurant's private banquet room. Custom rock garden beds and spectacular glass-enclosed cherry blossom and bamboo arrangements are displayed throughout the restaurant. A display of figurines representing the Ching Dynasty is showcased to complete the classic Asian architectural ambience.

The menu features a wide range of creative and innovative Asian influence offerings. Starter choices include Ginger Soy Glazed Fried Calamari, (calamari strips fired golden brown and drizzled with a ginger soy glaze) and Cilantro Miso Baked Crab Cake (baked cilantro crab cake served on baby mixed greens in soy and vinegar emulsion and topped with a pineapple salsa and spicy Japanese mayo). Sample signature dishes include Mandarin BBQ Spareribs, Filet Mignon Asian Style and Papaya Chutney Lamb Chops, (oven roasted lamb chops served over tempura vegetables and scalloped potatoes, topped with herbed papaya chutney and sweet soy reduction).

Wok-prepared dishes include Chicken Cashew in Honey Lemon Sauce, Sichuan Beef with Chiles and Carrots, and a vegetarian offering of Tofu & Vegetables in Sweet Mango Sauce. Highlighting the menu's seafood delights are Steamed Hunan Hot Grouper, Seared Sesame Seed Crusted Tuna and Moo Goo Lobster. Lighter fare salads such as Pineapple Chicken Spinach Salad, Lobster Soba & Mango and the vegetarian Golden Tofu and Mixed Field Greens are featured. Diners also have a choice of eight Sushi items. The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list with more than 40 wine offerings.

Located at 11600 Medlock Bridge Rd. in Duluth, Pearl Lian is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. serving lunch and dinner. Hours on Saturday are from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Afternoon tea is served every day from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Brunch is also offered on Sundays. Lunch entrees range from $8.00-$14.00 and dinner entrees from $9.00-$25.00.

The restaurant has seating for 150 inside and patio seating for 12. Private parties can be accommodated up to 150 people.

For more information and reservations please contact Jukka Hamalainen, General Manager, at 678/205-1326 or visit www.pearl-lian.com. ###