If you arrive early, good. The bar is bustling and makes killer martinis. They arrive in the required stemware and in little viles chilled in a wooden bowl. You can order appetizers here and they'll bring it to your table if your table is suddenly ready. A plate of Taiwanese fried crickets is a must if you're daring. The name actually sounds worst than it really is. How can you go wrong with deep frying something, mixing it with spices, chili, and crispy fried wontons? But I digress. The ubiquitous chicken lettuce wraps are a good alternative if vanilla describes your dining partner (not that there's anything wrong with vanilla).

When reserving ask for a window table (reserve ASAP, weekends are busy). The menu/table mat have got everything to please everyone, except for someone who wants a key to the Chinese zodiac. The Mongolian beef is tasty, tender, and succulent. It comes with a basket of carbs (bread topped with sesame) for you to place your meat in. Yang chow fried rice is a medley of flavors. I'd skip the "Mi Goreng". I'm from Indonesia myself and this isn't my thing. Pad thai works much better if you're celebrating someone's birthday Chinese style (long noodles to symbolize a long life). Maybe the "mi goring" works if you're passive aggressive and your m.o. is to dump someone soon. Again I digress.

There's a rooftop patio on top of Typhoon, but it's hit and miss with choosing that as a dining option. It all depends on if the waiter has time to trek up there to take your order, deliever your food, and check everything is okay. However, the bar can still serve you up there. Enjoy a Santa Ana evening.