Red Pine isn’t easy to find; it’s tucked into the ground floor of One Town Center, a corporate tower diagonally across from the soon-to-open Restaurant Row at Butts and Town Center Roads. Created by Mitchell Robbins, owner of The Farmers Table, Red Pine brings us authentic Chinese recipes using quality ingredients. (It’s not often the case!) Robbins partnered with Kings County Imperial (Brooklyn and Lower East Side) to elevate flavor and presentation. The menu bears little resemblance to your corner take-out joint.
Red Pine’s mixologist brings us one of the most interesting drink menus anywhere! Sticky Rice, with chocolate and coconut rum, mango and lime or a non-alcoholic mocktail like the creamy, sweet Red Lantern, blending hibiscus tea and coconut milk with taro root, pineapple and blueberry boba pearls. Pair with Edamame, the simplest of Dim Sum, steamed with sea salt flakes or, better yet, wok-fired Sichuan style, with a flavorful, crispy char.
The Scallion Pancakes are light, tasty and not soaked in oil; dip them in the cinnamon chili oil for an authentic experience. Shrimp Toast with a ginger soy dip and Sticky Spare Ribs with hoisin soy glaze never disappoint! Among the dumplings, Red Pine Pork Soup Dumplings are outstanding. This Shanghai specialty isn’t a dumpling you put into soup, it’s a fat round dumpling filled with soup surrounding a meat center. Be prepared to slurp out some soup (and lean forward Fieri-style) with every bite!
