If you’ve got a hankering for Chinese cuisine, but also feel like getting dressed up, Eastern Empire offers just the right ambience and menu to satisfy. One of several “upscale” Chinese restaurants in the Sacramento region, Eastern Empire offers a dimly lit, elegant atmosphere with dramatic dragon-etched mirrors, delicate painted screens and soft, dust-brown walls. Windows are covered with rattan blinds, blocking views to the parking lot outside, so diners have the sensation of being in another (more exotic) location. In addition to a startlingly large menu, the restaurant also offers an intriguing selection of Polynesian-inspired cocktails, whose descriptions are humorous to read—the “Flaming Volcano,” for example, promises a “spectacular display of your flaming passion,” with “large quantities of rums and exotic nectars to warm up the smiles.” After giggling over the cocktail list, you’ll have to devote some time to exploring the menu, which is divided into sections such as “Empress Fitness” (low in calories, the dishes are characterized as “health food”); “Imperial Gallery” (house specialties) and “Emperor Garden” (vegetarian). Popular items at Eastern Empire range from the Singapore rice noodles (soft rice noodles sautéed with shrimp and roast pork, tossed in a spicy curry sauce) to the light and flaky fish filet with black bean sauce. The restaurant is popular with lunch-goers, who appreciate the economical menu items (everything is under $8); but this would also be a fun (and different) place to being a first date or a gaggle of friends. — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Watching your waist? Try the “White Coral Prawns” (prawns sautéed with fresh vegetables)—one of the kitchen’s low-cal menu items.

Reservations: Recommended for parties of 10 or larger

Payment methods: AmEx, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $7

Hours: Monday–Thursday: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Dinner 3–9:30 p.m.
Friday: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Dinner 3–10 p.m.
Saturday: Lunch Noon–3 p.m.; Dinner 3–10 p.m.
Sunday: Lunch Noon–3 p.m.; Dinner 3–9 p.m.