Order in some General Tso's chicken and beef with broccoli from that place on the corner for the kids and a babysitter, and treat yourself to a night out with some deluxe upscale Chinese at Shun Lee Palace. Since 1971, this lush, palatial eatery in Midtown has proven that the best Chinese isn't necessarily found in Chinatown, or in a signless dive, for that matter. The sizable menu borrows from multiple traditions in Chinese cooking and incorporates some contemporary American elements as well in dishes such as Szechwan rack of lamb, sweetbreads with black mushrooms or Cantonese baked lobster. Other standouts include Hunan-style whole sea bass, multiple duck preparations and the Ants Climb on Tree (minced filet stir-fried with cellophane noodles and a spicy garlic sauce). For more bang for your buck, try the prix fixe lunch. A sister location, Shun Lee West near Lincoln Center, has a similar menu with many dim sum offerings.
"Year after year, this classic reliably serves some of the best Chinese food in Manhattan. The Cantonese wonton soup has broth so rich with chicken flavor, shrimp, and chunks of pork that it may ruin you forever for take-out swill."
-
New York magazine
"Shun Lee is a New York institution, with a cool opulence ... [and] no one quite matches Shun Lee for its blend of showmanship and culinary quality. ... The carved fruits and vegetables are show stoppers."
-
The New York Times The New York Times: ** (very good); Critics' Pick
New York magazine: Critics' Pick
Zagat 2012: 25 food rating (very good to excellent)
Time Out New York: Critics' Pick
Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily.
Order in some General Tso's chicken and beef with broccoli from that place on the corner for the kids and a babysitter, and treat yourself to a night out with some deluxe upscale Chinese at Shun Lee Palace. Since 1971, this lush, palatial eatery in Midtown has proven that the best Chinese isn't necessarily found in Chinatown, or in a signless dive, for that matter. The sizable menu borrows from multiple traditions in Chinese cooking and incorporates some contemporary American elements as well in dishes such as Szechwan rack of lamb, sweetbreads with black mushrooms or Cantonese baked lobster. Other standouts include Hunan-style whole sea bass, multiple duck preparations and the Ants Climb on Tree (minced filet stir-fried with cellophane noodles and a spicy garlic sauce). For more bang for your buck, try the prix fixe lunch. A sister location, Shun Lee West near Lincoln Center, has a similar menu with many dim sum offerings.
"Year after year, this classic reliably serves some of the best Chinese food in Manhattan. The Cantonese wonton soup has broth so rich with chicken flavor, shrimp, and chunks of pork that it may ruin you forever for take-out swill."
-
New York magazine
"Shun Lee is a New York institution, with a cool opulence ... [and] no one quite matches Shun Lee for its blend of showmanship and culinary quality. ... The carved fruits and vegetables are show stoppers."
-
The New York Times The New York Times: ** (very good); Critics' Pick
New York magazine: Critics' Pick
Zagat 2012: 25 food rating (very good to excellent)
Time Out New York: Critics' Pick
Reservations suggested. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily.