At Lotus 8, a great modern Cantonese restaurant in Folsom whose name nods to a lucky number in Chinese culture, diners are the fortunate ones. Gone are the gummy sauces and drippy soy bottles ever-present in Lotus 8’s counterparts, replaced by fresh ingredients and less grease, as well as a sleek interior featuring bright red paint and floor-to-ceiling windows. Be sure to try the lunch specials with entrées like the orange chicken or sliced lamb with ginger—each comes with steamed rice or freshly made chow mein and soup. Portions are perfect for sharing and the service is welcoming and swift. Feeling bold? Go for the Chef’s Special tasting menu for authentic offerings you won’t find at most Chinese-American restaurants, like bitter melon with beef or sliced pork stomach in clam soup. With dishes like these, may Lotus 8, which opened in April 2013, live long and prosper.