Seaboard’s newest addition, Peace China, is now open. The small Cheap Chinese restaurant is similar to others of this ilk that you’ve seen around, and this location has a definite “A” sanitation grade. I spoke with a man who seemed to be in charge, who explained that he basically defected from the Panda Express restaurant chain to open this stand-alone shop.

The menu is similar, as is the quality of the meat, to the Panda Expresses that I’ve seen. My order of Szechuan Beef was served piping hot with fried rice. The flavor of the sauce, especially with the rice, was delicious, but the meat had that suede texture that I’ve only experienced at Cheap Chinese outlets. I must admit to momentarily asking myself,”Is this beef?”

The menu has an excellent array of variety, and the prices are unmatched in downtown. Starting tomorrow Peace China will offer their lunch buffet. This won’t be an all-you-can-eat operation. Rather patrons can select from two or three of the hot food items and make their own combos. Sounds interesting.

Next time I’m going to try wonton soup and a chicken dish in my ever-going quest for a lovable, reasonably-priced Chinese restaurant in Raleigh.