By Cathy Hendrie
Passport to San Diego

Panda Inn, a white-tablecloth restaurant with a top-floor location in downtown’s Horton Plaza shopping center, literally rolls out the red carpet for it patrons. The parent of the Panda Express take-out food chain invites guests in with its cheerful entrance, while tasty and textured cuisine keeps them coming back.

The exceptional welcome is topped only by the experience inside: The color red, symbolizing good luck in Chinese culture, adorns walls, art and even the napkins. The service is polite and professional.

The menu, featuring Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine, has innovative entrees, all reasonably priced. Popular items like wok-seared mongolian beef, sweet and sour pork, and honey-walnut shrimp are also naturally offered.

The venue also features a sumptuous Sunday Brunch, including Panda Inn favorites like orange-flavored chicken, tea-smoked duck and unlimited champagne, mimosas and mai tais. In a nice finishing touch, Panda servers complete the whole experience with white chocolate-dipped fortune cookies.

Guests catching a movie or concert nearby might enjoy quick bites like spring rolls or potstickers during Happy Hour, offered 4-7 p.m. weekdays. Whatever the occasion, Panda Inn pleases the palate. Stop in for lunch or dinner daily. Enjoy a 20 percent discount here: http://passporttosandiego.com/company/panda-inn/. The restaurant also offers three hours of free parking with validation, and catering and party tray services.

For more information, (619) 233-7800 or visit http://www.pandainn.com/.