06/15/07

EXCELLENT!!!

by fisherrc2

My friends and I were trying to decide which restaurant to go to ... and flipped a coin. OG lost and we were about to go to the other place when we were faced with a 20 minute wait. So we turned around and walked into OG. No wait and the staff was extremely wonderful. The gentleman who was our waiter knew everything about the dishes and explained complimenting wine and appetizers. They had a shrimp app that was by far the best shrimp I had ever had. All of the dishes had a wonderful flavor with sauces that matched perfectly and did not overdo the course. I would go there any day and it is also a great place to bring guests and friends to. Go and enjoy!!

• Pros: Helpful and Knowledgeable staff, amazing food, great atmosphere
• Cons: Some of the wine was a little pricey

12/22/06

my favorite restaurant...EVER

by gardenmartha

I adore OG! I try and go whenever I can, and have even brought my parents (the most disciminating food critics I know) The place can get packed, so I recommend going early, because the food can sometimes suffer if they are very busy. My favorites are... pork & apple dumplings, crab cakes when available, chicken peanut spring rolls, thai beef salad, szechuan beef, five spice chicken, steamed veggies with amazing ginger miso dipping sauce, and although the five spice chocolate souffle with 3 different sorbets in fried wonton cups is delicious (one is plenty for 2 people to share) my favorite dessert is the creme brulee, a different flavor every day. They have had some crazy flavors, like lichee or cracked black pepper, but they are all creamy delicious (and not too eggy). My best friend was living in Puerto Rico, and when I went to visit and asked could I bring her anything, she said, "Bring me the duck entree from OG!" The service is friendly, if not speedy, and the atmosphere calm and relaxing. The prices are quite reasonable, and the servings large (though not huge). I cannot reccomend this place more highly!!!

• Pros: food is amazingly delicious
• Cons: food suffers if the place is too busy

07/17/06

decent asian fusion

by sortmon

our group of eight came here on friday night for dinner. we had a 9pm reservation and we were seated right away. the place had open doors and windows and a very relaxed, candle-lit type of atmosphere. the staff were pleasant and easy-going and took time to explain the specials to us as well as answer any questions we might have had. we all ordered water, and received no snootiness which often accompanies orders with no bar tab.

i started out with 2 orders of dumplings pork & apple and shrimp & chive ($6.50 each). the pork & apple ones were more novel and the better of the two thin pan-fried crispy dumplings stuffed with a small meatball of minced meat and finely chopped apple. it came with a sweet soy sauce for dipping. the shrimp ones were also good - petite & steamed.

after such a strong start, i was disappointed with my main course. i opted for their famous five-spiced roast chicken ($13). i expected it to be juicy and flavourful instead it was pretty dry. to be fair, it was more moist than most white meat that ive had, but it was still quite bland. it would be better if it had come drowned in some five-spiced gravy. it came with some scallion pancakes which werent thin & fried like what im accustomed to, but rather dense and potato-ey. judging from my plate and my friends plates, portions were very large. i didnt really hear praise for the main courses, but no one had any major complaints either. two of my friends got the grilled halibut (one of their daily specials) and they both thought that it was too dry i guess that was the theme with the meat.

i was really full from eating my chicken so i opted out of dessert. some of my friends split the five-spiced chocolate cake with some exotic flavoured ice creams, and they said it was good. overall, i had a good experience, but would probably not come again.

• Pros: nice staff, good dumplings, cheap prices
• Cons: dry chicken, unimpressive entrees

11/21/05

EH

by mreiffe

I thought this place was totally overrated. Everything we had was good or ok....but definitely nothing great. The ambience was nice, but service wasn't so great. When you add it all together, it just doesn't seem worth it to me...especially considering the prices.

• Pros: nice ambience
• Cons: slow service, food was just ok

04/26/05

LOVE THIS PLACE!

by hellhella

I loving bringing friends here - and I do so every chance I get. I have had so many dinners here and it's always been perfect - on a date with my husband, with my mom, with girlfriends and larger groups. The food is wonderful (especially the goat cheese and spinach dumplings!!!), the service friendly and on it, and the atmosphere is perfect for chit chatting and having fun. And all of that won't break your bank! I cannot recommend OG more highly if I tried - check it out for yourself.

• Pros: dumpling menu, atmosphere, friendly peeps

02/02/05

A poor man's China Grill in the East Village.

by Contributor

The Scene
Since 1995, O.G. (Oriental Grill) has been a local favorite for its tasty Pan-Asian fare and low-key ambience. What the sparse space lacks in decor it makes up for in atmosphere. Votive candles and closely packed tables create a romantic, special-occasion feel, although affordable prices make it an every-night option.

The Food
The kitchen doesn't hold back when it comes to portions or flavors. The generous pupa platter--a sampling of four of the starters--includes steamed shrimp dumplings, crackling calamari salad, duck spring rolls and Thai beef salad. If chicken is a true test of a chef's abilities, then O.G.'s juicy version with five-spice and plum barbecue sauce passes with flying colors. The Szechuan beef with sake soy glaze comes with taro root chips, a Chinese spin on steak frites. Although you may be tempted by the flambeed truffled banana wontons, the Chinese five-spice chocolate souffle is a worthier expenditure of dessert calories.

10/30/04

A total rip off!

by acrobat

O.G. was horrible! I went for a birthday party and we were charged a "group rate" which amounted to about $30 for a HORRIBLE plate of greasy noodles and lousy vegetables. This place is a bunch of HYPE! To be fair, I'm a vegetarian, but the place is a dump. I've had better food for much cheaper than this. I didn't even finish my meal because the horrible taste wasn't worth all those greasy calories. Who knew fried noodles could taste so bad! How is that possible? What a nighmare! Horrible location. Bad food. Overpriced group rates. This place stinks.

• Pros: Decent atmosphere
• Cons: , Horrible location, Horrible for groups

06/20/04

we love it here

by littlebrook

My girlfiends and I ate at O.G. again last night. I have to say I have never had a disapointing meal here. We could have made a meal of the yummy dumplings from the dumpling menu. Luckily we saved room for the BBQ Salmon, Sea Bass and Crispy Duck. We got a little tipsy from the sake but isn't that what Saturday nights with the girlfriends are all about?

• Pros: Affordable, Tasty, Consistant

02/16/04

Worth the trip to Ave A

by djgardner

This quiet dark asian bistro is well worth the trip. We a menu that rearely changes,e xcept for one or two specials, the quality and care they put in thier food in evident. The crackling calamari salad, which is usually a cheap disaster at many restaurants, is crispy and lightly dressed. The barebecued salmon is elegantly spiced and not at all dry. BUt their best dish is thh Thai spiced curry noodles with shrimp - a dish that would cost $23.95 is most places, but it is $16 here.

Only wine and beer are served, but the house varities are actually quite good.

• Pros: Inexpensive, Well Prepared
• Cons: , Very Dark

04/09/03

Me Love Duck

by cscordo

OG is a great, cozy east village hideaway. And if you love some sweetly smothered duck, man, you just can't go wrong here!