Oriental Garden Restaurant
New York, NY 10013-4802
Phone: (212) 619-0085
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Between Canal Street and Bayard Street
- Directions:
- 4, 5, 6; N, R; J, M, Z at Canal St
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun 8:30am-2am
Editorial Review for Oriental Garden Restaurant – by Justin Hartung
The Scene
Set in what looks like an annexed hotel ballroom, Oriental Garden embraces the Chinatown restaurant mold. The interior seems straight out of a 1940s noir film--foggy fish tanks, a deafening din, and an alternately sweet and surly staff. Only the too-bright lighting breaks the mood. The crowd is the usual mix of Chinatown regulars and the occasional office party.
The Food
The stock players of Chinese cuisine dominate the menu, but order from the higher priced chef's specialty section. While some of the seafood dishes may intimidate the squeamish--the gooey inside of giant crispy fried oysters, for example--it's a good place for adventurous eaters. Jumbo shrimp get lined with tender eggplant and dunked in black bean sauce, while ultra-fresh dim sum pastry cushions bundles of fresh scallops. Don't miss the delectable barbecued eel on a stick, which puts a new spin on state-fair snack food.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkTry the surprisingly supple sake, a surprise in Chinatown.
Know Before You GoThe type of whole fish isn't specified in the menu, so ask your waiter--and then be on the lookout for substitutions.
User Reviews for Oriental Garden Restaurant
08/19/2008 Posted by richakn
It may be know for it's seafood but it's standards in other areas are less than impressive. Scallops in black bean were lacking in flavour, beef fried rice was ok but nothing special. Appetisers were so so, the dumpling pretty good but the spring rolls were greasy and over fried. $75 for two with only one beer per person, doesn't represent good value - I've eat a lot better Chinese food for a lot less. The service was also poor, the rice arrived before the last of the appetisers and I was almost finished with my main before by friend got his, so he was eating rice by itself until his arrived.......
08/09/2008 Posted by mmilikefood
The dim sum was hot, fresh, and delicious. My hunt for good dim sum in NY is over. The Shumai was very good, they also pictures of all the dumplings that you could order from the kitchen. The sticky rice was amazing, same with the shrimp wrapped in rice noodles, the slimy ones with the sauce that tastes so good. A+
Pros: Best Dim Sum, doesn't compare to the fishy gross frozen places around
Cons: it took a little while because there was only 2 carts. But it was still fast since it is a smaller place
