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The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - New York, NY
by Regine Zamor
New York is notorious for all types of cuisines and whatever one desires to dine on is available, no matter what part of the world it comes from. One of the cuisines easily found in the world is of the Chinese kind, yet eating bad Chinese or mediocre Chinese is the norm in other places- well not in New York. As rampant as Chinese food is across the globe, New York can be considered an innovator in the transformation and fusion of Chinese delectable eats. From the high priced celebrity hang out spots to the venues that dish out great food on a constant basis, and to those restaurants that keep classic Chinese cuisine and modern food art, New York has it all. Although Chinese food almost seems impossible to make classy and elegant, these ten restaurants in New York have been praised, innovated the industry with their tastes and have a strong following for their food, grace, and ambiance. Here’s a look at New York’s top ten Chinese restaurants.
Chiam
160 E. 48th St., New York, NY 10017
212-371-2323
Chiam is more than a step up from the average Chinese food restaurant. This Cantonese restaurant serves delicious and generous dishes like the filet mignon with black peppercorn sauce. Delicacies that you may not find in another Chinese food are served at Chiam on a regular basis. Items like the shark fin soup and twin lobster rolls add flair to the basic Chinese menu. Chiam’s décor also makes for a tranquil Chinese eating experience. Glass bricks and stone, blue lanterns, wooden beams, fresh flowers and the division of rooms make Chiam a pleasant place to dine. For the very health conscious or for those looking to eat a bit cleaner, there is a spa section that offers each meal without the salt, sugar and oil, which is a delicacy within eating Chinese period. Indulging in the extensive wine list and enjoying an evening are easy to come by at Chiam- a great midtown east restaurant for enjoyable Chinese cuisine.
Price Range: $30-45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Half Day, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Half Day, New Years Eve-Open
66
241 Church St., New York, NY 10013
212-925-0202
66 is another Jean-Georges restaurant that has NYC elegance and flair. The Chinese eatery comes complete with a décor that can impress anyone who thinks they are just walking in for simplistic Chinese food. The long ranged fish tank and pristine tables make 66 a special Chinese eatery on its own. The long bench style bar counter tabletop is aligned with a long line of chairs for patrons to comfortably enjoy themselves. A mighty high ceiling and beautiful hostess are also two things that you’ll meet upon entering the eatery. Known for restaurants like Spice Market and Mercer Kitchen, 66 serves up to its owner’s reputation. Although Jean-Georges’ other restaurants have an added French flair, 66 serves up Chinese food at its best. Although Chinese, the prawns with lily bulb and sweet walnuts, steamed cod with caramelized onion, ginger and scallions, and seared salmon with a chilled glaze and wok-charred snow peas take the traditional out of ‘traditional Chinese’. The loaded menu has something for every taste bud, including desserts and a nice listing of wines.
Price Range: $25-40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Open, New Years Eve-Open
Kelley & Ping
127 Greene St., New York, NY 10012
212-228-1212
Kelley & Ping is classic in the Chinese eating areas of New York City. Anyone who has ever eaten at Kelley & Ping usually cannot stop, and that’s for good reason. Located in Soho, trendy New Yorkers flock to this location for the great tasting Chinese food. Known for its dumplings and noodles, Kelly & Ping caters mostly to the downtown artsy neighborhood locals and the out-of-towners looking for good, comforting Chinese food. Lunch hours at Kelley & Ping allow for a more cafeteria-style experience with sesame noodles, Thai wraps, and curry flavored wok ensembles. It’s evening time that allow for a satisfying and romantic experience. An innovative menu, which caters to the sophisticated crowd and dim lighting intensify the experience that is Kelley & Ping.
Price Range: $15-20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
House of Vegetarian
68 Mott St., New York, NY 10013
212-226-6572
On the not so pretty side of things is House of Vegetarian. At this Chinatown location, you may find the restaurant to instill fear, but don’t turn away. It’s important to get to the good part, and that’s the food. The setting is modest to say the least and not the prettiest place to be. The depleting Chinese New Year decorations, the sad lime colored walls and worn chairs may deter some, but really, if you want a great meal for a wonderful price, and even better, if you’re a Vegetarian than you should definitely get to the food before you judge. An abundance of Vegetarian meals takeover and what was once General Tso’s Chicken becomes General Tso’s “Chicken”. Substitution meat is big here at House of Vegetarian, and so is the use of vegetables and mock meat, which includes, roast pork ham, beef and chicken. House of Vegetarian may hold back on the meat, but there is not much of a distinction except for the wonderful health benefits and the lack of salt that other Chinese restaurants may use to mask their meals.
Price range: $10- $20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Open, New Years Eve-Open
Mr. Chow
324 E. 57th St., New York, NY 10022
212-751-9030
Mr. Chow is a New York staple within Chinese food. The trendy, pricey restaurant is for the fabulous and the hungry. The sunken dining area, mirrors and black tones are all made to please, and the food does the same. Upon entering a few things may not register this fine dining restaurant as being Chinese, or at the very least being unusual. Unusually so, Mr. Chow does not have a menu. Instead, waiters listen to your needs and recite their menu suggestions and choices, so tat you may indulge freely and receive exactly it is that you want. Appetizers, main courses and every morsel that comes onto the tables at Chow are special. Everything on the menu can be considered a favorite and the atmosphere definitely makes a great date night. Although your date may be an expensive on e at Tao, a lasting impression will definitely be made. Try the crispy seaweed with candied walnuts and thin chicken morsels, or the steamed miniature vegetable dumplings. On the entrée side, Mr. Chow carries several great favorites: Beijing chicken, nuggets of tender breast meat with those candied walnuts in a yellow bean sauce, sea bass with asparagus, red peppers, and mushrooms, in a simple white sauce
Extra
Price Range: $35-40
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Noho Star
330 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012
212-925-0070
Noho star is Chinese/American eatery on Lafayette Street in of course, NOHO. A menu consisting of Chinese and classic American meals are listed on the menu, and although one would think that one culture’s dish would be better than the other, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Both the Chinese and American food or made to perfection, and the popular spot proves it. Noho Star may be ideal for a date considering the range of food offered. The mo pox tofu comes highly recommended along with the potato pancakes smothered in tuna or salmon. Home to a nice wine list, Noho Star can be a great place to relax, have a meal, and kick it. Clientele are as diverse as the menu with business lunches and dinners, dates, friends, and the artsy types hitting up the Chinese/American restaurant. Prices aren’t outrageous at Noho and the staff is as laid back as it can get, making for an undisturbed evening.
Price Range: $15-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Republic
37 Union Sq. West, New York, NY 10003
212-627-7172
Republic is a Union Square hotspot that many frequent. Most people passing through Union Square have been there once, or continuously. The menu is predominantly Thai but there are some Chinese fusion dishes that please just as much as the rest of the menu. Home to many collegiate's, Republic offers reasonable meal prices and its signature taste to each plate. Along with being fresh, Republic is fast, friendly and an easy meal to have without any complaints. The lunch specials are even better, and for about eight dollars, a spring roll and ample portioned meal arrives fairly quickly (although be clear when calling to make an order). Favorite dishes across those who indulge or have indulged in Republic are the Pad Thai, which comes with your choice of Tofu, Chicken, or Shrimp. The spicy coconut chicken, and the fried wontons with pimiento-plum sauce are fun eats, but the shrimp and dumplings are an addiction. Vegetarians are also welcome at Republic.
Price Range: $10-15
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
Ruby Foo's
2182 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
212-724-6700
Ruby Foo’s may be a perfect spot to dine at on the way to the theater. Located in Times Square this Asian eatery boasts innovative plates in a theater themed atmosphere, appropriately so. The Pan-Asian food includes spare ribs done to perfection, sushi and even a Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll. A must have is the steamed lobster that may take a while as its being prepared, but will leave you and your palette impressed. Ruby Foo’s caters to families with its large seating areas and sets a theatrical mood and provides the fun ambiance for the night. The food is not to be undermined at Ruby Foo’s, although Asian fusion, the Chinese basis for the menu is overwhelmingly delicious and creates regulars out of first time diners.
Price Range: $16-35
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory
65 Bayard St., New York, NY 10013
212-608-4170
So you may not think ice cream when thinking Chinese, but in New York it’s a must! Think Chinese ice cream and you’ll find yourself on the way to the Original Chinatown Ice cream factory. Catering to tourists and city dwellers in its Chinatown location, The Original Chinatown Ice Cream Factory carries 31 flavors of ice cream that cannot be found elsewhere, and are prepared unlike any other ice cream joint. There is no place to sit and it’s not the biggest of venues, but the scoop shop has a strong following. Since 1978 the Ice cream Factory has been serving New York with flavors such as Green Tea Ice Cream, Lychee Sorbet, Black Sesame, and Fresh Green Avocado Ice Cream. No fears, there are also the traditional Vanilla, Chocolate, and Strawberry choices to be had. Simply make a choice from the board and have your ice cream moment. For special occasions 3 layer ice cream cakes can also be purchased for fewer than twenty dollars. Custom cakes are also available upon request.
Price Range: $4-20
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Open, New Years Eve-Open
Vegetarian Dim Sum House
24 Pell St., New York, NY 10013
212-577-7176
Another Vegetarian spot that may not be common to most New Yorkers is Vegetarian Dim Sum House. The crowd is filled with hipsters, vegans, vegetarians, even carnivores frequent Pell, that’s is, once they find it. Sesame chicken and dishes like barbeque spare ribs can be found made to taste like the real thing. Everything from shark soup to the shakes can be found, animal free of course. Best of all, this Chinese hidden gem in New York is extremely easy on the pockets. A full meal to crave that Chinese itch will be well satisfied at Vegetarian Dim Sum House.
Price: $8- 10
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
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