212.228.2800
Went there after a very long walk across town because of its acclaim. I mean, a cheap Michelin star? Why the fuck not? And like every other sucker that walked in expecting a culinary epiphany, I got so caught up in the idea of something, it blinded me to common sense.
When we arrived we noticed right of the bat that this is a legitimate dumpling place, in that is was packed with Asians, slurping down dumplings with their chopsticks only they way they can. I've got nothing against Asians, but will say their adeptness with chopstick is a sight to behold. They almost use them like a spoon.
Iconman, who cares about how Asian eating implements? How was the food? Well, we waited a while and eventually sat down at the bar. Having walked as far as we did, we were quick to order beer first which annoyed the shit out of the dumpling man as he's there to serve dumplings not beer for the white man. Still intoxicated by the buzz, and the seemingly authentic legitimacy, I'm still patient with what looks to be a total shit hole.
The menu is very seafood heavy, and my companion doesn't eat fish or shellfish. So our specialized order dodged more than half the menu. The food? Slimy in a word. Tasty, but there was a wet noodleness to these suckers that I'd never experienced before. It's sort of the difference from eating Americanized Shun Lee dumplings your whole life, and then getting the real deal. Or, perhaps eating Olive Garden and then eating true Italian. Maybe I need to acquire the taste, I don't know. In the end though, I thought it was gross. And the shitty service, lackluster decor, and brisk hurried nature didn't help its cause.
22 hours ago
