Mandarin Court

06/20/07

Authentic Chinatown no frills

by stultus_juventus at Citysearch

The decor is horrid and the service leaves room for improvement, but this hidden gem serves some of the best dim sum out there. Originally, I came here quite unexpectedly while wandering Chinatown years ago, but I have since made this my number one destination. I'm certain to bring all my out of town friends down here. The crowd is always a good mix of Chinatown locals and laowai (that's gringo in Chinese).

Caveat emptor: If you're bringing a really picky eater who explodes at the mere mention of less than 5 star dining, this is not your place. Some of the food looks VERY foreign.. (More chicken's feet anyone?) Your girl-with-pearls will likely turn up her nose at this SO-far-from-Greenwich spot but it's worth convincing her otherwise!

• Pros: Excellent Dim sum, VERY cheap
• Cons: Total lack of Decor, not so friendly staff

03/05/07

The best dimsum i've had in the city

by parkslopeboy at Citysearch

I absolutely love this place! This has become the only place I go for dimsum these days. I've tried a lot of other places, but this place takes the cake. The decor is simple (there is one plasma screen on the wall...that's it) and there is usually a huge line to get in. The good news is that the food is worth the wait and the line moves rather quickly (if you don't mind sharing tables). Remember to get a number when you arrive (they call numbers to get you seated). The dimsum carts come along quickly with fresh, hot food and despite the fact that most of the servers speak limited english, they'll try to answer questions as best as possible. If you don't like dimsum being served on carts then this isn't the place for you. The carts come and go quickly, so it helps to be familiar with the items you like/dislike (not necessarily the best place to try dimsum for the first time). Overall, the food is just amazing and its really cheap. I highly recommend it!

• Pros: The best dimsum in town at a price that can't be beat
• Cons: Huge line when you get there and servers don't speak english

11/26/06

don't go too early

by mikthefish at Citysearch

We got there around 10:30am on a Saturday, and the place was pretty empty. Because of that, the dim sum carts did not come around frequently, and the variety was lacking. I ended up going to the front counter and asking for particular dishes. By the time we left at 11:30, the place was starting to bustle, and there were more carts coming around quicker.

But the dim sum we did eat was pretty darn good. I just wish we could have sampled more of it.

• Pros: yummy
• Cons: not good early

06/23/06

PERFECT 10 DIM SUM EXPERIENCE

by mekit8 at Citysearch

This is a perfect small spot to go for dim sum. If you want an experience a little less large and intense than Jing Fong than look no further than Mandarin Court Restaraunt. I found this to be a superior experience. The decor is a minimalist cool grey, white and green with sleek understated sculptures set in lit recesses in the walls. The staff is courteous greeting customers with a hello; promtly seating them with a teapot and dim sum ticket placed on the table. There's no muscak in the background which is nice and it's much more quiet than the larger Dim Sum Parlours. The food is exemplary in both quality and selection. I went on a weekday and there was a cart with nothing but made to order dishes. I chose the salt crusted shrimp from this cart. In just 5 minutes I had hot shrimp as fresh as ones I've eaten from Mississppi Gulf catch. Delicious and filling. I was also pleasently surprised to find that they had shark fin dumplings which you don't find everywhere and they also had several tofu dishes. The dessert cart included almond dofu, fruit and almond dofu, red bean sesame and lotus sesame pastriesl to name a few. The a la carte lunch menu was very inexpensive as well there were only 5 items over $7.00. I went in this restaurant with troubles on my mind and left feeling like my load was lightened. This is a good place to take children as well because it is small and the floors are tile instead of carpet so if something spills it's no big mess.

• Pros: Just about everything
• Cons: Wasn't offered water, but I didn't ask so . . .

12/28/05

Excellent dim sum

by smara at Citysearch

I am not a faithful gastronome (I like experimenting :) but this place has me hooked by my taste buds. I visit New York once every 2 weeks and I always dine at Mandarin Court. Its a great place to have some delicious food at really reasonable rates.

• Pros: great food, dim sum, great service
• Cons: noisy, cramped, a li'l dark inside

06/17/05

loved it!

by mdc10 at Citysearch

Nice restaurant in Chinatown right in the middle of everything. Walking distance to little shops and I felt like I belonged there all my life.

• Pros: food was tasty, fast service

07/01/04

Mandarin Court rocks

by clarebear9 at Citysearch

Used to be "Mon Bo" which was also a fave, many years ago. Live in Myrtle Beach now but every chance I get I go to Mandarin Court. Have been going there for YEARS and will not stop until they close (GASP!).

Excellent food, great atmo as far as getting the "dim sum" experience -- don't be picky, try everything!!!

• Pros: Great Dim Sum, Great a la carte, cozy tables
• Cons: , gets crowded fast

04/26/03

Great food, great price

by NYCEater at Citysearch

Are you hungry for real Chinese food? Then you should definitely stop by the Mandarin Court. There's always a friendly smile, and great food in this authentic Chinese restaurant.

You wont find the flashy Ruby-Foo decor here, but you will find one of the greatest spots for Chinese food.

• Pros: Excellent food

02/14/03

This one's a keeper!

by foodmandan at Citysearch

Great stuff, but really packed. The food is really tasty and not overpriced. You'll see a few dimsum dishes here that you won't find in many of the larger dimsum restaurants. Since the place is small, the carts come around pretty frequently. But that also means the wait is long and you'll be sharing a table. If you don't mind that, give this place a shot!

• Pros: good food
• Cons: crowded

09/09/02

Quacked Up To Be Great

by contempler at Citysearch

This is the place for Peiking Duck. Crispy duck skin on steamed bread, followed by the duck meat with vegtables. Many of the other dishes are good, but this is the place for Peiking Duck.