Phoenix Garden Restaurant

In Short – For nearly 20 years this family-run restaurant has been renowned for its salt and pepper shrimp, an exquisitely simple dish in which the shrimp are liberally seasoned and flash fried. The rest of the menu includes 202 made-to-order items, like countless dumplings--both steamed and fried--and Cantonese specialties, like crispy roasted duck and fragrant soup. Regulars eat in the casual dining room, or take their dinner to go. –

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:: The restaurant has no liquor license, so you can bring your own wine or beer (liquor store located nearby). Crisp, acidic wines go best with Chinese food: Alsace pinot gris, dry German Riesling and, best of all, Gewurztraminer.
The Extras:: A private room upstairs accommodates up to 40.

Write a Review

User Reviews (36)

ambiance	50.0% positive	“Despite the small portions and awful decor, I have been going to Phoenix Garden for the past 2 years because it is cheap and a BYOB.” “Phoenix Garden's gaudy green awninged entrance belies a nice little cozy brick-exposed interior.”
drinks	60.0% positive	“The service wasn't good -- dumplings were served after we had almost finished the main courses, drinks had to be asked for three times, etc.” “Even the tea was lousy.” “You can also bring your own wine and beer which is wonderful in these tough times.” “The menu is HUGE, so we were casually flipping thru the pages while sipping our wine.” “After dinner we continued to enjoy our wine and conversation and in fact were the next to last table in the place.”
food quality	76.31999969482422% positive	“This mid-town Chinese restaurant offers outstanding overall value with its wide variety of menu selection, well executed food and reasonable.” “Well, the food was good, the spare ribs in a honey sauce especially, but the service was just kinda bad?” “The food quality is excellent very light on the stomach.” “Bottom Line : While it was disappointing not to have a story for the ages, we ended up with an above average meal at a reasonable price.” “This place serves among the best Cantonese food north of Chinatown.” “But, besides aesthetic & superficial concerns, the cuisine is fantastic.” “Wonderful, consistent food; try the salt and pepper shrimp and snow peas leaves w/crab and pork in lettuce leaves.” “The food is absolutely amazing, authentic and all items are freshly cooked.” “The food at Phoenix Garden had been decent but it had a long reputation of a poor service.” “They only recomend you the most expensive dish on each category.” “You get small portions of mediocre food, with unjustifiably high prices and extremely rude service.” “So, we order delivery from them often, and their food is good.” “Similar quality food would cost about $20-$25 at a good Chinatown place, and you wouldn't feel hungry afterwards, either, or have to pay extra for some white rice.” “don't write reviews but read them from time to time and thought I should let anyone who cares know that the food is great, the service is great and the owners (also a family) and wait staff are some of the nicest people around.” “The food is superb and the price is right.” “per/person. I agree with the last reviewer that the older couple that own and run the place can be abrupt (depending on who), but heck at these tabs and convenience a little abuse is a small price to pay : ) Highly recommend the honey glazed ribs and the ” “the food is great here.” “The food was good.” “Great food great friendly service” “went here with a few friends and we definately enjoyed the meal!” “Service was okay, but the food was awful.” “Wife and I, Chinese Food lovers, lived in the neighborhood for years, heard the food was good but the service was terrible.” “Worst food and service experience ever.” “After reading all the reviews on citysearch for Phoenix Garden, I was expecting good food, but I was waiting to either be thrown or cursed out by a waiter, or rushed through a meal.” “Try seasoned snow peas, or peking duck for an outstanding meal.” “The food is awful and when i went to the bathroom there were rodents running around.” “Food is great and authentic.” “Instead we enjoyed great food, from the soups to the dumpling and beef satay, through the main dishes.” “Beef in oyster sauce was just as bad, the meat was fatty, stringy, tasteless.” “Phoenix Garden is a gem for authentic Hong Kong Cantonese in NYC without having to go to Chinatown.” “Mediocre food, terrible service,” “Owner was extremely rude, and belittle OUR orders, only to recommend the most expensive dishes without disclosing cost.” “would definitely recommend the food, but only if it's takeout” “The salt and pepper shrimp, the peppersteak beef and the pan friend noodles with beef are awesome.” “Very good food, fair value, bad serivce” “Their menu is extensive and the dishes are always fresh and meticulously prepared.” “The food is good- esp for the price.” “Good food, service not NEARLY terrible enough”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“BYOB is the way to go for dining out in the city at a place with such an extensive menu!” “This mid-town Chinese restaurant offers outstanding overall value with its wide variety of menu selection, well executed food and reasonable.” “Their menu is extensive and the dishes are always fresh and meticulously prepared.” “The menu is HUGE, so we were casually flipping thru the pages while sipping our wine.”
overall	100.0% positive	“Similar quality food would cost about $20-$25 at a good Chinatown place, and you wouldn't feel hungry afterwards, either, or have to pay extra for some white rice.” “It is a nice and quiet place yet in a run down old building.” “Phoenix Garden is by far the best Cantonese restaurant in NYC.”
return potential	100.0% positive	“For first-timers, leaving your order up to the very knowledgeable owners and staff will undoubtedly having you come back for more!”
service	43.75% positive	“The service is attentive but not annoying.” “Wife and I, Chinese Food lovers, lived in the neighborhood for years, heard the food was good but the service was terrible.” “the waiters and waitresses are helpful and all friendly.” “Owner was extremely rude, and belittle OUR orders, only to recommend the most expensive dishes without disclosing cost.” “Mediocre food, terrible service,” “rude service” “Waiters and waitresses are helpful.” “Worst food and service experience ever.” “After reading all the reviews on citysearch for Phoenix Garden, I was expecting good food, but I was waiting to either be thrown or cursed out by a waiter, or rushed through a meal.” “The waitress said okay, right after we opened the bottle the incredibly rude manager stands at our table and tells us we have to leave.” “The people are rude, but you'll be to busy chewing to notice.” “The service wasn't good -- dumplings were served after we had almost finished the main courses, drinks had to be asked for three times, etc.” “Service is terrible and the owner is extremely rude.” “have never been treated badly, the staff has been very nice on the occasions I came.” “Many of my friends stopped going there but I still went because until today I didn't know the meaning of a truly bad service.” “You get small portions of mediocre food, with unjustifiably high prices and extremely rude service.” “For first-timers, leaving your order up to the very knowledgeable owners and staff will undoubtedly having you come back for more!” “Convenient place near Grand Central for garbage service” “have never ever seen such rude service at a restaurant.” “The most rude and arrogant manager of any restaurant we've ever been to.” “Well, the food was good, the spare ribs in a honey sauce especially, but the service was just kinda bad?” “Every time we ordered from them on the phone they were rude but we let it go and didn't start a fight.” “can't believe they can run a business with such bad customer service and rudeness.” “don't write reviews but read them from time to time and thought I should let anyone who cares know that the food is great, the service is great and the owners (also a family) and wait staff are some of the nicest people around.” “The food at Phoenix Garden had been decent but it had a long reputation of a poor service.” “Do not make the trip to the restaurant as the portions are small, the service is bad and the manager makes you feel bad for even coming.” “The woman owner is extremely rude and often makes us sit in the back when there are 2 empty tables in the front.” “Good food, service not NEARLY terrible enough” “Waiters and waitresses despite other reviews are good.” “Great food great friendly service” “He continued to tell us to finish quickly, he stood over us and as I told him that this was not very good customer service he proceeded to YELL at me and tell me that he knows who I am and will never be allowed back in.” “Great service!”
value	65.38000106811523% positive	“You get small portions of mediocre food, with unjustifiably high prices and extremely rude service.” “This mid-town Chinese restaurant offers outstanding overall value with its wide variety of menu selection, well executed food and reasonable.” “They only recomend you the most expensive dish on each category.” “Owner was extremely rude, and belittle OUR orders, only to recommend the most expensive dishes without disclosing cost.” “Bottom Line : While it was disappointing not to have a story for the ages, we ended up with an above average meal at a reasonable price.” “Despite the small portions and awful decor, I have been going to Phoenix Garden for the past 2 years because it is cheap and a BYOB.” “We didn't order the more expensive, Peking Duck, but rather, the regular duck.” “The food is good- esp for the price.” “Great price!” “The food is superb and the price is right.” “Very good food, fair value, bad serivce” “per/person. I agree with the last reviewer that the older couple that own and run the place can be abrupt (depending on who), but heck at these tabs and convenience a little abuse is a small price to pay : ) Highly recommend the honey glazed ribs and the ” “Do not make the trip to the restaurant as the portions are small, the service is bad and the manager makes you feel bad for even coming.”
wait time	75.0% positive	“as long as the nice brother (the thinner one) is there all is well.” “The food at Phoenix Garden had been decent but it had a long reputation of a poor service.”

08/02/10

What's Next Victor?

by MES0706

I've been a regular customer of this restaurant in all of its incarnations, Chinatown, New Jersey, East 40th Street, and was stunned when this BYO restaurant asked $3.00 for ice to keep the beer cold. What's next Victor, charging for the ice in the ice water, or how about charging for the glass itself? Oh, the food (?), it's still good but not as good as when mom and dad ran the place.

Pros: good food
Cons: silly rules

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

05/09/10

Convenient place near Grand Central for garbage service

by filet

Worst food and service experience ever. The most rude and arrogant manager of any restaurant we've ever been to. We were one of only three customers, yet they took forever to come to us and wouldn't let us use a chair to put our coat on since "people would need the chair" -- totally classless.

Pros: Near Grand Central
Cons: Worst service ever

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

02/14/10

Great food and a great time! Happy Chinese New Year

by Paul K NY

After reading all the reviews on citysearch for Phoenix Garden, I was expecting good food, but I was waiting to either be thrown or cursed out by a waiter, or rushed through a meal.

Instead we enjoyed great food, from the soups to the dumpling and beef satay, through the main dishes. The staff could not have been nicer. We were given a table close to the door and asked to be moved to a table further inside the restaurant. Even though they were busy, the accommodated us and moved us immediately. They brought water, hot tea, 2 wine glasses and a cork screw for us to open our wine, which they welcomed us bringing, as this is one of the few BYOB places I know in NYC.

It was also the eve of Chinese New year’s and while the place was crowded, the staff seemed to be in a celebratory mood and welcomed us and wished us all Happy new year.

We took our time, drank a bottle of wine before even opening the menus. Unlike the experience of several of the reviewers I read here, that was no problem. The waitress came over once and asked if we were ready, when we told her we needed a few more minutes, she obliged and returned as soon as we indicated we were ready to order. Each course came out with good timing.

After dinner we continued to enjoy our wine and conversation and in fact were the next to last table in the place. Finally one of the staff came over and said “ok good night” obviously indicating they wanted to stack the chairs and go home. That is nothing any other restaurant would not have done.

Looking forward to the next time we go to Phoenix Gardens. We tried Shredded Pork Lo Mein, Chicken with scallions and ginger and Shredded pork with black bean sauce. All were good with satisfying potions, without being gluttonous. Remember, they are BYOB and allow Beer, wine or Champagne, so come prepared.

Pros: Good Food and service and a rare BYOB in NYC
Cons: We only BYOB'd 2 bottles

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

01/06/10

Great food great friendly service

by searchcity

the food is great here. the waiters and waitresses are helpful and all friendly. cash only. no credit cards. as long as the nice brother (the thinner one) is there all is well. the fat brother is mean and unhappy, maybe because of his weight. the other reviewers are wrong about the food and service. i have been there four times in the last three weeks and everything has been teriffic.

Pros: food nice waiters/waitresses
Cons: the fat brother owner

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

11/16/09

Food 3 stars : welcome & service 0 stars

by Townley

Arrogant. Unfriendly. Unhelpful. Sad, isn't it. And worse, the staff don't seem to realise the impression they create.

I was so upset by the way my guests were treated, I paid the check but left no tip. A few minutes later, waving the check, an older lady followed me into the street , I expained briefly why I'd chosen to leave no tip. She scowled, and scurried back into the restaurant.

A few minutes later, a manager strormed out of the restaurant and yelled after me: "Arsehole".

A case history in customer releations?

Pros: The food
Cons: The service and attitude

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

Write a Review

See more Phoenix Garden Restaurant reviews

Phoenix Garden Restaurant

Hours:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Cuisine:

What People Are Saying About Phoenix Garden Restaurant

Contributor

Contributor

Editor's Tips

08/02/10

What's Next Victor?

by MES0706

05/09/10

Convenient place near Grand Central for garbage service

by filet

02/14/10

Great food and a great time! Happy Chinese New Year

by Paul K NY

01/06/10

Great food great friendly service

by searchcity

11/16/09

Food 3 stars : welcome & service 0 stars

by Townley

The Details on Phoenix Garden Restaurant

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby Phoenix Garden Restaurant

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: