Spiced @ Bellevue

After Googling and Yelping for Szechuan restaurants in the Seattle area, I found good reviews for a relatively new, family owned Chinese restaurant in Bellevue, called Spiced. We had been there for lunch today. It is located in a strip mall, across from the Crossroads mall. When we got there at 12:30 pm, we were the first ones and wondered about the food. But within the next 10 minutes the place was buzzing with plenty of Asians, who looked like regulars. That's a good sign, A said.

The decor was unadorned and it appeared to be a bright and shiny casual lunching/dining spot.

We ordered the Green Onion Pancake to start with. With the hot pepper sauce on the side, it was absolutely toothsome.

The waiter recommended their Tofu with hot pepper in dried pot for the main course. Basically, it is a dry cooked tofu hot pot. The hot pot contains fried tofu, sprouted mung, red chillies, peppercorns and celeries cooked in a Szechuan sauce.

When we requested it to be made "Spicy", the waiter asked if we would like "numbing" peppers to be added and we screamed "Yes please!".

Szechuan pepper (shown below) has a unique aroma and flavour. It is not as hot or pungent like black or white pepper, or chili peppers, but creates a tingly numbness in the mouth, that sets the stage for other hot spices.

 The sizzling hot pot was served with a flame burning underneath. It looked excellent and we couldn't wait to dig in.

 A was able to handle the spice, but I asked the waiter to keep the water coming in, as my glass was getting emptied after every few bites. But nevertheless, I love the kick I get from spicy food, of course, I dodge my thoughts about the morning after ;-). Warning to the weak-stomached, avoid the numbing peppers.

PS - They have a $0.50 credit card fee for bill < $20.00.