Old Peaking

For dinner, I went to one of my favorite Chinese restaurants, Old Peaking, which is located at Tucson and Speedway. From the outside, it looks like a typical western building and even once you get inside, the architecture is very western. What makes it feel distinctly Chinese is the decor they have added. Their lighting fixture (left) are very ornate and have the same detailing as a classical Chinese building would have. The picture does not show it, but the panels are decorated with detailed painting of plants and animals, reminiscent of the Southern Song School style of artwork. Even parts of the restaurant is completely in Mandarin, such as the sign below. What for me sets this restaurant apart is that they not only cater to what American's are use to as Chinese food but they also expand to have a Szechuan menu to give an even more authentic taste of China