56 replies to this topic

[Sneakeater]

I think Shun Lee and Mr. K just stopped evolving. The Shock Of Sichuan (indeed, of anything non-Cantonese) is not enough anymore: we all know about it.

(Also, I have to believe that the quality of their food in their Golden Days was better than it's been recently [not that I've eaten in either in, oh, say 10 years].)

[Orik]

When did the first Sichuanese open in nyc?

[Suzanne F]

When did the first Sichuanese open in nyc?

Sometime in the early 1970s? Four Five Six?

What I remember as the first Hunan restaurant (called, iirc, with spectacular originality, Hunan), on Second Avenue near 45th Street,was supposed to be the site my first official date with Paul, so it was open by 1972.

[Sneakeater]

I remember very clearly the first Sichuan food I ever had. It was in 1973 or so. It wasn't in New York, but rather when I was doing the Berkshires College Tour with my father. There was some Sichuan restaurant near Amherst. Neither of us had ever had Sichuan food before.

My father, upon tasting it, said: "They shouldn't be allowed to serve food this spicy. You can't eat it."

I said: "If this is what it is, it's what it is. Whether or not you like it doesn't matter."

In retrospect, that was a very important night in my life.

[joethefoodie]

I remember very clearly the first Sichuan food I ever had. It was in 1973 or so. It wasn't in New York, but rather when I was doing the Berkshires College Tour with my father. There was some Sichuan restaurant near Amherst. Neither of us had ever had Sichuan food before.

My father, upon tasting it, said: "They shouldn't be allowed to serve food this spicy. You can't eat it."

I said: "If this is what it is, it's what it is. Whether or not you like it doesn't matter."

In retrospect, that was a very important night in my life.

Nice story. But I thought you were going to say that you told your father "you ordered wrong."

[Sneakeater]

I didn't know that one yet.

[Lex]

Adam Platt reviews Hakkasan. He is not kind.

Hakkasan Is Ruby Foo’s for Rich People

[oakapple]

Pete Wells, one star. It probably deserves zero, but it's one of his most entertaining reviews.

[Lex]

Pete Wells, one star. It probably deserves zero, but it's one of his most entertaining reviews.

RomeraLand. Big buildup. Luxe prices. Single star.

If this place was being judged on it's food alone I think the combo of the Platt and Wells reviews would be fatal. I'm hedging my bets though. This place is being packaged more as a party/scene place with it's music and dim lights. It may be review-proof in much the same way as Mr. Chow.

[oakapple]

I'm surprised Mr. Chow is still in business. I walk by the Tribeca branch with some regularity and have never seen it crowded.

[Sneakeater]

No, I think one star is right.

I think, for once, Wells's review got this place exactly right.

Hakkasan is Not Terrible. It's not even merely Satisfactory. There's some good food to be had there.

The problem is the prices, which have no relation at all to the quality.

[mitchells]

Cuozzo hated almost everything about it except the dumplings.

NY Post

[Orik]

I haven't been to the original, but it sounds pretty similar:

http://mouthfulsfood.../3624-hakkasan/

[yvonne johnson]

We went to the London one six/seven years ago. The food was very good.

[Sneakeater]

Of course, that was before Alan Yau cashed out.