Chinatown

09/03/2008 Posted by Lisanourzad123

I called in for a take out order. I explained several times to the women on the phone that I was allergic to scallops and to make sure the dish she was suggesting to me did not have scallops. My husband picked up the food and brought it home. Much to my surprise and frustration, there were scallops and crab meat in my dinner. I was hungry and upset, so I called the restaurant and tried to explain my situation. I guess they were to busy to discuss this and told me they would just give me a credit. After one week I still have not recieved credit for a dinner that I could not eat. Becareful what you call in for, I don't believe they listen to your needs.

08/18/2008 Posted by LRLtx

We tried this place because I heard the dim sum was good so I figured the rest of the food would be tasty too. We ended up here during dinner service and were not impressed. I am more used to authentic Chinese food and this was not it. It was lacking in any flavor and it was pricey. The other diners around us were seniors sucking down bottles of wine so they didn't seem to interested in the actual food. Perhaps this is a good place to get tipsy, not to eat...I doubt I'll go back, even to try the dim sum.

Pros: edible

Cons: not tastey, pricey

06/07/2008 Posted by meredithentin

Superb is a correct rating for the dimsum! If one values really good food, you will have your desires satisfied here. The freshness and quality defy description. There are no fillers here. It is a mountain top experience. The attentive and enthusiastic service certainly made one feel a part of the whole experience.

Pros: Freshness, quality of food. Thumbs way up

Cons: It might be a little noisy at high peak times.

05/12/2008 Posted by dracoty

Have lived in the neighborhood for 7 years, although it's within walking distance, it never occurs to me that I should try to dine here. I did go to Musashino to have my japanese food craving fixed from time to time. And sometimes when I waited to be seated in Musashino, I had a glance of how chinatown looked like. Just felt like an stereotype americanized chinese restaurant. Well, if I need that, I'd recommend people go to PF Chang's. However, since chinatown started to serve dimsum recently, and being a huge dimsum-holic, I decided to give it a try. Even the now famous Shanghai didn't really match up with my standard for dimsum. Every dimsum place in Austin screams CHEAP quality. But, be surprised, not here. Not in Chinatown. The quality of every dish I ordered was superb. All waiters and waitress were nice and attentive (well, you don't see that often in a Chinese restaurant). For a dimsum place, they charged the tee, which is rare, and a bit ridiculous to me. But they do offer you the fresh pack of tea leaves and brew it in front of you (in a very nice glass teapot, not the usual one). Quality of the tea is ok, definitely beat a lot of places where they serve the tea over and over until it's SO blend. I was born and grew up in Taipei City, where the dimsum is very good, but not as oily as the original HK version. Chinatown's dimsum resembles a lot like what I've had in Asia. I'd highly recommend its dimsum to everyone. Noted, I have never tried their regular dishes. Every good thing I've said is for their dimsum only. But be prepared, for something this good, it doesn't come with cheap prices. I sensed that when they told me I have to pay (a lot) for the tea. The bill to some people might be overpriced. But I'm willing to pay that much to go back again. Think I'll just reduce the frequency that I go to other cheap dimsum places.

Pros: Dimsum is superb.

Cons: Expensive.

03/06/2008 Posted by loveisblind1

The first thing I noticed was the decor. It's obviously a clash of of everything stereotypically Chinese (paintings of past emperors, buddhas everywhere, etc) but the restaurant tables are nicely decorated. The restaurant DOES offer a very large menu as many Chinese restaurants do. The waiter was very nice and very attentive. I heard stuff from the Chef's Choices section(not sure if that's the name, but its a part of the menu that offers slightly more pricey dishes) tasted better. He said those tasted better. We ordered Cilantro Shrimp, Chinese style Calamari, and Beef with Aromatic Herbs. THe waiter said we chose the good dishes. The Calamari tasted like it was covered in cornstarch and then fried quickly. It tasted less greasy than most Calamari and preferred it. The Cilantro SHrimp was good and so was the Beef. but I could taste so much MSG in the beef and made me sleepy. Personally I thought the Shrimp tasted better. I love cilantro in my Chinese food and I don't find it very often in other Chinese restaurants. I seemed to be lucky with my choices. Don't order the cheap stuff or the same orange chicken you've always been eating. I have yet to try other stuff on the menu. I've glanced over it and saw typical AMericanized Chinese stuff. It does serve pretty small portions compared to other Chinese restaurants but its filled two people fine. It is more costly than other Chinese restaurants as well. Din H0 is a better Chinese restaurant in Austin and is more authentic Chinese. The food is a 3.5, but since the service was good i'd bump it up to a 4

Pros: good service, nice ambience, pretty good food, 3.5 stars

Cons: pricier than most chinese restaurants and less portions too.

11/05/2006 Posted by hungryfoodgirl

Another restaurant with undeserving hype. Food is not authentic Chinese, completely Americanized. It is salty and expensive. My lips hurt afterward from the saltiness. Service was good and the ambience very nice. Another place where you're paying for the ambience. I would never come back here.

Pros: service, ambience

Cons: food (too salty!!), price

08/21/2006 Posted by joshua1099

OK, the food isn't great, but so far, it is the most consistently average I can find within a decent drive of the city. Tokyo Steakhouse is much better food (both Chinese and sushi), but much farther. Service is spotty -- either really good or really surly. One time, in a nearly deserted restaurant, I was refused seating because I asked for a table for 4, even though I didn't know if 2 people would be able to make it. I mean I was rudely refused seating by a loudmouthed "hostess," in a virtually deserted restaurant. This place used to be great but within the last year or so both the food and employees have been pretty disappointing. If you really want good Chinese food, you won't get it in Austin. Good sushi? Downstairs from here at Musashino, or farther north at Tokyo Steakhouse. On the happier side, where else can you go to eat fried rice and Louis XIII cognac?

Pros: convenient, usually easy parking, fast

Cons: wait staff, hostess from hell, average food

03/23/2004 Posted by fofandlol

People tend to be polarized about Chinese food. I've tried over 30 places in Austin, and Chinatown is definitely my favorite. This place is near my office and I eat there at least once a week -- their sushi and chinese food are consistently VERY good. Ask for Jimmy for your waitperson; he is always very attentive. The bar is very well-stocked; someone there is a wine-master. The place is romantic (wouldn't bring the kids) or a good place for a business dinner. I've met the owner Cheng a couple of times and he seemed genuinely appreciative of our business. Great place.

Pros: Good Food, Great Bar, Great Atmosphere

04/24/2003 Posted by AN

I would say this place is one of the better Chinese restaurant in Austin. Their service was horrible, but dishes were decent. I ordered Hot & Sour Soup, Honey Sizzling Steak and Crispy Red Snapper. Soup was pretty bad, Sizzling Steak was too sweet for me but it is honey... I can't really complain. Red snapper was crispy, but not tasty enough. If I ever go back there again, I would try their famous Thai Chicken dish.

Cons: Service

12/26/2002 Posted by me_1

service is great...food is horrible...would not go back if I wanted to eat REAL chinese food