HARLINGEN — The buffet is silent and empty.

I am glad the buffet at China Star is silent and empty because a full buffet is too tempting and I prefer to select what I want and have it made for me.

“Dine in or carry out?” says the waitress as I enter the restaurant at 1801 S. 77 Sunshine Strip.

“Dine in,” I say, and she tells me to choose my table and a waitress will be with me soon.

I choose a table in the corner. The table is covered with orange koi and water plants and along the walls the Tiffany style peacocks and mountains and flowers convey a sense of peace.

As is often the case with Chinese menus, the menu here is covered with an endless array of dishes: Kung Pao chicken, beef with oyster sauce, pork Chungking, won ton soup.

I have not had Chinese food in quite some time. And t

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