P.F. Chang's in Sacramento appeals to a lot of people, judging from the large crowds there on a Thursday early evening. It bills itself as a China Bistro. We see it as a Chinese restaurant for (mostly young) people who are afraid of Chinese food.

Proof of our opinion came when the waitress delivered our Mu Shu pork. Instead of depositing the pancakes, plum sauce and filling on our table, she made up every one of them for us. In general, the food is good, if a bit bland. The portions are much too large - when my wife and I ordered two mains to share, we wound up with enough food for five. The chunks of meat in the chicken dishes are about the size of the bowl of a tablespoon, making them impossible to eat (politely) with chopsticks. The rice was dry and fluffy, unlike proper Chinese rice, also impossible to eat with chopsticks.

The glassware and tableware were all water-spotted, much as you would expect at a budget coffee shop. The noise level was horrific.

The prices are reasonable, the wine list was adequate and the service was good. We like Chinese food, in all its varieties, very much - we won't return to P.F. Chang's.