Liquid Ginger is another one of Gainesville, FL's independently owned, ridiculously good restaurants. The prices are phenomenal for the quality of food that is served, as well as the portions. Unfortunately, Liquid Ginger does not have an online menu, but I will outline just a few of their tastings below:
Soups & Salads:
Your choice of Miso or Tofu & Spinach soup, both of which are good. Salads come with a choice of ginger, sesame, lime or soy vinaigrette dressing.
Appetizers:
Some of the appetizers you will find on the menu include Calamari (tender, not chewy, cooked to perfection, fresh and flavorful. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Served with a spicy dipping sauce that I liked but didn't eat), garlic eggplant, fried eel with spicy sauce (eel in a light panko breading, drizzled with spicy saucy, recommended), fried tofu, spring rolls, crispy soft shell crab, etc. Prices on appetizers from $5-$9. The calamari is a good sized portion at a very affordable $6.
Entrees:
I have not yet been to Liquid Ginger for dinner, but I've heard your plate is surrounded by various nibblees and that it's a really fun experience. The lunch menu is priced from $7-$9 and you will get full. All lunches are served with soup, salad, rice and a spring roll. Some of the entrees you will see on the menu are:
- Crispy Tilapia with lime sauce (I felt the panko breaded tilapia was cooked to perfection but was in need of salt. I thought the lime sauce was a little off putting and tasted like sprite reduced. This is the only dish from Liquid Ginger that I've felt non-plus about).
- Pad Thai Noodles
- Singapore Rice Noodles w/yellow curry: This dish is quite good and the portion is very generous. The noodles are not the thin/fine "rice vermicelli"/mei fun that you would expect, but rather a thicker cut rice noodle like udon. The curry flavor comes through and is well balanced. Recommended.
- Thai Coconut Curry w/ chicken, beef or tofu: When I go to a restaurant and find a dish I like, I usually stick with it and order it time and time again. This dish with tofu was my "usual" and I've only recently started branching out. The coconut curry sauce is very good, especially when you sop up the rice with it. Recommended. (I have a new "usual" that I mention below)
- Spicy Cream Shrimp: Yep, I'm stuck on this dish. I can't find a negative thing to say about it, other than I can't get enough of it. Good sized shrimp battered and covered with a slightly spicy cream sauce with a hint of sweetness. Oh my lord. Red and green bell peppers intertwine and are sauteed in just enough to heat them yet maintain their crispness. This is my new usual and I can't seem to try anything new to review for you good folks.
- Some Other dishes: Thai Pepper Steak, spicy red curry chicken, beef or tofu, basil chicken, beef, or tofu, etc.
The dinner entree selection has the items listed above and several other things to choose from. Now, for some food shots...
Spicy Cream Shrimp Dish with rice, salad and spring roll. I already devoured my soup. Excuse the fact that I dove right in and remembered to take a picture after the fact. I pretty much had a one-track mind when it came to this meal and it's a good thing I even remembered to take a pic:
Calamari in the foreground. In the background you will see seared scallops with a dipping sauce I can't recall, but the scallops were fresh and cooked perfectly. I'm salivating just putting this blog together:
Walking into Liquid Ginger's reception area:
Sun Center Courtyard pictured below. This is the courtyard directly behind the Hippodrome State Theatre. This is also the courtyard where the Gainesville Downtown Farmer's Market takes place (also known as the Union Street Farmer's Market), every Wednesday starting at 4 p.m.
If you like a restaurant with "different" cuisine, definitely give Liquid Ginger a try. Great food, great service, clean and a trendy yet casual atmosphere. When you're all done and sloppy full, you can meander about the Sun Center and browse local shops or go have a cup of coffee and perhaps dessert at Maude's Cafe.
Location:
101 SE 2nd Place SUITE 118, Gainesville (behind the Hippodrome Theatre)
352.371.2323 For Questions or Carry-Out service
Best to call for hours. I believe it's 11-2 for lunch and 5-11 for dinner, M-Sat and Lunch 12-4 and Dinner 5-10 p.m. Sun.
Are you a Gainesville local with something to say about Liquid Ginger? Did you try Liquid Ginger on my recommendation and wish to share your experience? Shout out in the box provided below (if you're viewing this on Active Rain), or click the "comments on active rain" link if you're viewing from Localism.
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Angela Elliott is a licensed Florida REALTOR® with Century 21 Classic Properties in Gainesville, FL. Please visit my profile for more about me and browse my Gainesville, FL real estate website for additional Alachua County information and listings. Your phone calls are always welcome at (352) 256-7038 as are your e-mails to angela.elliott1@century21.com. A portion of all my closed sales will be donated to the Alachua Co. Humane Society (View my mission statement).
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