The Eastern Pearl, Williamsville

The chefs at The Eastern Pearl may specialize in gourmet Cantonese dishes, but they don't always limit themselves to the flavors of South China. An expansive menu celebrates the diversity in Cantonese food while also drawing from other regions of China and Hong Kong, and spices are used only in moderation to put the focus on the meats and vegetables. Chicken, beef, pork, and fish are the focal points of colorful plates ranging in flavor from sweet and sour to bold and spicy. House specialties, meanwhile, include a massive peking duck platter and flaming prawns that can be used to light romantic candles. And it isn't just the cuisine that pays tribute to other cultures: lavish interiors whisk diners away to warmer climes with accents of saffron and red. Thin dark-wood partitions with geometric designs divide the booths, and replicas of the famous Qin terracotta warriors stand guard on one wall.