When in the mood to try exotic new flavors and experience a comfortable, friendly environment with family, Dragonfly is the way to go! Combining Asian cuisine with traditional street food like tacos and bowls, Dragonfly has created a unique dining experience that is sure to leave food enthusiasts hungry for more. 

On Wednesday evening, my brother had just returned home from college, and my family and I decided to go out to eat to celebrate. We decided on Dragonfly, a local restaurant with a solid reputation. Upon arrival, a kind host greeted us and showed us to a picnic table in the outdoor dining porch. The porch was well lit by market lights and lamps, giving the evening the vibe of a night on the beach. However, the white walls, smooth wooden structures and shining concrete ground also impressed on us its tidy and organized nature, which made me feel clean and comfortable, despite eating outside. 

We started off with an appetizer of their house-made fried green beans. These crunchy delectables had the perfect mix of classic, delicious breading and salty and savory green beans. The dish came with a sriracha mayonnaise sauce, and the tangy flavor complimented the beans perfectly. The girl who served us was amiable and conversational, making small talk about her preferences regarding the peanut sauce on the Kung Pao chicken bowl. When she brought us our fried green beans, she quickly swooped down to refill our drinks to make sure no one went thirsty. Her timing was impeccable, and I noticed I always had a full cup when I needed a gulp after a handful of green beans. 

After asking about the specials, (a unique variation of their famous chicken tacos and a duck and shrimp ramen bowl) we ordered, and I got a bowl of veggie fried rice. Our server was very accommodating when I requested my peanut glaze on the side and my egg scrambled rather than fried. I appreciated her patience and willingness to make sure my meal was tailored to my preferences.

When my dish arrived only about ten minutes later, I knew that my order had been the right choice. Fried rice cooked to perfection, juicy edamame, thinly sliced carrots, hearty scrambled eggs, sauteed onions and sharp jalapenos were tossed together and mixed to create the beautiful dish before me. The smoky, salty taste of the rice combined with the cool, refreshing taste of the veggies made for a wonderfully unique tasting experience. Simply put: it was positively delicious with a capital D. As someone who is quite aware of how picky of an eater I am, I was pleased to find that the chef had perfectly understood my specifications of my order and delivered it perfectly. 

Our sweet and talkative server wasn’t the only incredible staff member. The food runner brought our meals out on a large tray over her head, which is no easy task by the way, was patient and understanding when my sister and I somehow managed to mix up our dishes and got confused at her expense. She couldn’t have been more amicable about the confusion. 

Like they say, my compliments are to the chef. My dish was absolutely fantastic, and my family enjoyed their meals just as much as I did. My father’s order was most interesting: three different kinds of tacos: chicken, shrimp and pork. The mastermind behind the cooking is truly an artist. 

As Dragonfly is a unique restaurant whose cuisine is something of a treasure to Fairhope, I’d consider their items to be reasonably priced. My vegetable fried rice bowl was around $13, which is understandable given the ingredients and style in which it was prepared, not to mention the fact that the portion was also large enough for me to clean the whole bowl yet still feel satisfied, even after consuming so much of the fried green beans from earlier. The fried green beans were $6, including the sauce, and it was enough to feed me and my four other family members. The portion sizes and pricing are just right for anyone in the mood for a casual, vibey dining experience with a unique flavor profile. 

In short, this night out was a perfect way to wrap up my evening and celebrate my brother’s return home from school. The meals and service were absolutely delightful. Dragonfly is a place to be enjoyed by families and food enthusiasts alike. 5/5 stars from me and my family! This special joint will definitely see more of us in the future.