Oodles of delights at Michael's Noodles

The soothing sound of trickling water from a feng shui set greets diners as they step into the eatery. The tranquil murmur is an introduction to a restaurant full of pleasures at Michael's Noodles, a Chinese restaurant whose grand opening recently graced the Travilah Shopping Center in Rockville.

At Michael's Noodles, the little touches create a comfortable, homey aura. Bamboo and orchids decorate the counters, and Chinese brush paintings adorn the walls. The color motif is coffee and light brown, generating a soothing ambience. Music discreetly blends into the background, and tables and chairs are placed strategically next to walls and counters to give diners a feeling of privacy. The overall effect is a welcomed blend of coziness and tranquility.

The waitresses are polite, friendly and quick. Food comes in generous portions, more than enough to eat and take home.

The main dishes are few at Michael's, but side dish and dim-sum selections are ample, ranging from $1.95 to $5.00. The specialty of the house is noodles. From Wonton with Noodle Soup to Taiwan Style Rice Noodles and Spicy Pickled Cabbage Udon, the choices are many and varied.

The Shanghai Broad Noodle, stir-fried with Chinese cabbage and meat, is a good choice to start with. The noodles are thick and chewy with a slight barbecue taste.

Even better is the Spicy Slow-Roasted Noodle Soup. Prepared Szechuan style with vegetables and beef, the soup is spicy and hot but not excessively so with just the right combination of saltiness and piquancy to leave a satisfying tingle in your mouth. The meat is tender, and the slippery noodles just beg to be slurped. It's a combination that's hard to resist.

For diners looking to escape General Tsao's chicken, beef with broccoli and the like, Michael's Noodles is sure to leave you pleased.

Michael's Noodles - 10038 Darnestown Road, Rockville (301) 738 - 0370 Open: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Friday through Saturday. Prices: side dishes $1.95 to $4.95; dim sum $1.95 to $5.00; main dishes $4.95 to $6.95.