1. 1. Shun Lee West & Shun Lee Palace

   43 W. 65th St., nr. Columbus Ave.; 212-595-8895 and 155 E. 55th St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-371-8844

   Owner Michael Tong celebrates from February 17 to 25 with a special $69.95 six-course menu that includes Hunan bouillabaisse and “Amazing Braised Pork Ribs.”

2. 2. Congee Village

   100 Allen St., nr. Delancey St.; 212-941-1818

   Try the house-special chicken showered with fried garlic, the “flounder in two tastes,” and giant sautéed crab with ginger and scallion. If you’ve brought your posse, commandeer an upper-deck table with a lazy Susan and chair backs carved into eagle heads.

3. 3. Spicy & Tasty

   39-07 Prince St., nr. 39th Ave., Flushing; 718-359-1601

   The name says it all at this authentic Sichuan restaurant. From the first bite of “cold jelly Chengdu style,” gelatinous noodles infused with pungent heat, to classics like twice-cooked pork and “homestyle” bean curd, the complex layers of powerful flavors are a revelation.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Feb 19, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!