WANTAGE-"To be a good cook, one must first be a good matchmaker who understands harmony and the marriage of different flavors." This old Chinese proverb tells that the secret of this ancient art is not just in mastering the basic technique but in the blending ingredients to achieve a harmonized contrast in color, flavor and texture. The recently opened Eastern Garden, Chinese and Japanese restaurant (located in the A&P Shopping Center in Wantage) follows this philosophy in offering beautifully prepared food that is a delight to the senses. The family-owned and run Chinese and Japanese restaurant has three chefs, including Ping Qim, who trained in China for five years and one year in the U.S as a Sushi chef. "We offer very unusual chef specials that are not offered at other area restaurants, such as lamb dishes and sizzling dishes," said Xiu Qim, co-owner of the Eastern Garden. "Our sushi chef is extremely talented and hand makes a variety of decorations form various vegetables. We have had people order dishes just for the decorations," she added. According to Qim, the most popular item on the Chinese menu is the Taieoi Trio, a combination of chicken, beef and shrimp. The Eastern Garden has weekly house specials and a selection of desserts which include green tea ice cream, fried banana and fried ice cream. The Eastern Garden does not have a liquor license; however you can bring your own wine or beer. "If a customer does not finish their wine or beer, we will put their name on it and keep it here for them until the next time that they come," said Qim. The Eastern Garden is both an eat-in and take-out restaurant with reservations recommended for eating in, especially at weekends due to limited seating space. Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and noon-10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 973-875-0089.