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All Reader Reviews of...

Chin Chin

216 E. 49th St., New York, NY, 10017
nr. Third Ave.
212-888-4555

Avg. Rating

5
Food: 6
Service: 5
Décor: 5
"Mixed Reviews"

Average Reader Rating on a Scale of 10.

50% would go back.

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DISAPPOINTED

By ymiser24 on 11/3/2011

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

I really expected more from this place since it was on NY Magazine's website. Truly a traditional dish for most Chinese restaurants and they got it wrong. The chicken does not look like chicken. It has a smokey taste and not sweet. It looks over cooked and tastes over cooked. I am trying to eat this dish since it was so much money. But I am done. I should have gotten the slice of pizza I wanted. ;(

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19 out of 44 people found this review helpful.

Lovely

By cynara on 3/28/2011

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 7
  • Yes, I would go back!

Sam Sifton is right--elegant setting and service, but the best part was the food. This is not a tourist place (hence, no fortune cookies), but it is very accessible to most American palates. We've eaten at many Chinese restaurants in the City over the years, and this is, honestly, the loveliest. My food-blogging friend from Paris wants to go back.

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23 out of 49 people found this review helpful.

Ordered once and will NEVER AGAIN

By nycbpm on 5/16/2010

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

Ordered significant amount of food and they don't send utensils, fried soup chips (despite 2 wonton soups), and no fortune cookies. Called back and they say that those items are an extra charge (yet they don't even ask you if you want them nor have a listing on the menu - you're just told your supposed to ask). The food is over-seasoned, shrimp were over-cooked, and wonton soup was terrible. They can't get basics right so why pay these prices - go to shun lee palace. No wonder NY Times gave them a bad rating.

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40 out of 75 people found this review helpful.

MOUSE CRAWLED OUT FROM UNDER MY TABLE

By amandaracheltinsley on 12/24/2009

  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Food: 1
  • Service: 1
  • Décor: 1
  • No, I would not go back!

MOUSE CRAWLED OUT FROM UNDER MY TABLE. Now that I have your attention I would like to to explain my Christmas Eve dining experience at this horrifying and overpriced restaurant. In the mere hour that my boyfriend and I spent at Chin Chin we were subject to the following: (1) MOUSE RUNNING UNDER OUR TABLE (2) 20 minute wait for table (3) MOUSE RUNNING UNDER OUR TABLE (4) 10 minute wait for requesting salt (5) MOUSE RUNNING UNDER OUR TABLE (6) mediocre food at best (7) MOUSE RUNNING UNDER OUR TABLE Finally, and perhaps this is the most important. After the mouse came out from under our table and ran across the room we obviously alerted management. The manager was vaguely concerned, if at all and presented us with OUR BILL!!!

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67 out of 126 people found this review helpful.

Disappointed

By ellen5181 on 7/17/2008

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 7
  • No, I would not go back!

After reading Zagats I really expected more. I went for lunch and the food was "fine" but for the price, I'm not sure it was worth it. It didn't seem like much more than what you could get at an inexpensive Chinese restaurant. We had 2 dishes, the chicken one (Chicken Tun???) was better than the pork one (Mongolian pork) which seemed a bit tough and bland. i actually added mustard to give it some flavor. The portions seemed large, but again, for the price, not sure it was worth it. The service wasn't great. We weren't even served water, and then when I asked, they brought just one glass for me. I had to ask again for them to bring a glass for the other person at the table. For a restaurant of this caliber, you would certainly expect more. In this price category, doens't hold a candle to Shun Lee

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67 out of 125 people found this review helpful.

chin chin is the best!

By idreamoftbs on 8/30/2007

  • Overall Rating: 10
  • Food: 10
  • Service: 10
  • Décor: 10
  • Yes, I would go back!

nothing beats chin chin if you are looking for great chinese food! the service is amazing...owner jimmy chin is hysterical and charismatic. the food is even better...my absolute favorites are the crisped orange beef, dry sauteed string beans and crispy fried squid. thye have the best scallion pancakes i have ever tasted! i always leave absolutely satisfied after eating at chin chin. its a place to be seen (chin chin is a favorite of locals like derek jeter and mariah carey)!

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141 out of 237 people found this review helpful.

If Only They Would Make an Effort!

By Durga on 1/26/2006

  • Overall Rating: 6
  • Food: 6
  • Service: 5
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

I have been to this restaurant a number of times. The food is never consistent. On my last visit, the Ginger soup tasted like Chicken soup. The shrimp was great as was the string beans and veggie rolls. Although I complained to the waiter about the soup, no apology was made and it remained on the bill. Service is slow, and the waiters are not professional. They have no clue about service. At other times I have ordered the lobster with scallions and ginger, It is always cold when I get it. I have tasted better especially when considering the price.

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251 out of 503 people found this review helpful.

Consistently excellent Chinese cuisine

By shellyf on 10/21/2005

  • Overall Rating: 9
  • Food: 9
  • Service: 9
  • Décor: 8
  • Yes, I would go back!

This is a handsome place with a small bar at the entrance & several serving rooms within. Superbly delicious spare ribs and 13 ingredient fried rice are great starters as is the tasty lobster roll. Several duck dishes are favorites as is the Grand Marinier shrimp. The capable staff will portion the dishes out for all the people at your table. For first timers, ask the always affable owner, Jimmy, for ideas. Now, if you can find a parking space it would be perfect.

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240 out of 498 people found this review helpful.

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