Chu's Cafe is Readers' Choice for Best Asian Food in Town

was in the middle of a busy lunch period on Friday when informed that the restaurant had been chosen as this week's— but owner Wei Hsu stopped for a brief whoop, hug and to clap her hands.

Then she answered Chu's busy telephone to book a reservation for a large party.

Chu's was selected as this week's Readers' Choice after receiving 110 votes, favored by 38 percent of those who voted, as well as four five-star ratings on the restaurant's listing on the Basking Ridge Patch.

"Can't beat the location. Great flavorful food and friendly service!" said reader Kathy Taulbee.

Chu's, located at 576 Allen Road at the Highlands Village Center right smack dab in the middle of The Hills, is in a spot that attracts a lot of visitors from the thousands of people living in nearby homes as well as those who drive to the restaurant.

And diners said that besides the menu, they like the ambiance and the fact that they can eat outdoors on a little patio when the weather allows. "Good food, interesting menu, nice ambiance — in good weather you can eat outside too," another reader said in posting a five-star rating.

For her part, Hsu said she will pass along her happiness in winning the award to best serving her customers.

The Basking Ridge Patch as a good choice for both eat-in and takeout service.

Some nights (and days) are busier than others, but when the staff isn't serving people in the serene dining room, they're often busy placing to-go orders.

Although they didn't win, other restaurants in town had their fans, too, some providing a different menu from Chu's.

The second place choice, with 67 votes, or 23 percent, was , located in Dewy Meadow Village off King George Road, a Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi and sashimi.

"My wife and I have enjoyed this restaurant many times in the past few years and have never been disappointed. Its one of the best, if not THE best sushi restaurant in Northern NJ. Try the fireball roll!" advised reader Gary Nelson.

Another strong contender was , a relative newcomer to the area, which received 64 (22 percent) of votes from readers.

Other choices in the township include at Riverwalk, in the Lyons Mall, also , and the French-Thai at 25 Mountainview Blvd., (100 Marketplace.)

The moral of this story may be that it's a good idea to sample all for Asian food with a different style and flair at each.

Next week's Readers' Choice will ask what's your favorite place to go to buy flowers or spring plants.