200530 Thu Apr 03 11:04:45 -0800 2003 7 18 Manhattan 0 1069547 What exactly is the difference between Shun Lee Palace and Shun Lee Cafe. I am looking for the cheaper of the 2, which I assume is the Cafe. Is it good? what are the menu and prices like? any recommendations? Thu Apr 03 11:04:45 -0800 2003 0 Brian 1 1069556 The cafe specializes in Dim Sum, via rolling carts, and has a limited regular menu. The main restaurant has very few dim sum appetizers on the menu, but a more extensive regular menu and special dishes. The cafe ususally ends up being a little less expensive, but not always. Those little dishes add up. The cafe is more casual for dress too. Thu Apr 03 11:45:11 -0800 2003 1069547 0 Jane 2 1069667 I went to the cafe a couple of months ago and had one of the worse Chinese meals I've had. An ersatz collection of highly colored overcooked unpleasant gloop. I went to the Palace about 2 years ago and remember it for the friendly service, high camp decor and very Americanized food (sorry, cannot remember the details of what I had). However the quality of food was pretty high given what seemed to be the target clientele (non-Chinese affluent theatre-goers and Upper West siders). I did not feel I ever wanted to go there again but it was nothing like the horrible experience of the cafe. Thu Apr 03 20:37:47 -0800 2003 1069556 0 Simon Gittins 3 1069765 OK, I though Shun Lee Palace was on 55th near 3rd that's east side as far as I'm concerned and while it was expensive the food was good and the service excellent. It's a Chinese restaurant with french service. Fri Apr 04 17:34:45 -0800 2003 1069667 0 Jerry 2 1069671 I haven't been there in a few years, but I used to go to the cafe for steamed dim sum, and always found it to be good. It was pricier than Chinatown and we always managed to spending more than we'd planned, but had a nice time. Very casual. I've never been to the main restaurant but did order in from there a few times, and thought it was good, but expensive. What I liked about it compared to other UWS Chinese was that their stuff wasn't covered in the thick, gooey, unpleasant batter that many other places use. When you get meat dishes delivered with that disgusting batter, it's inedible. It also makes you realize how fattening that food is. Shun Lee's food was, if I remember correctly, more delicate. Still, I'm no expert on authentic Chinese food. Thu Apr 03 21:30:21 -0800 2003 1069556 0 Clarissa 3 1069697 And you wouldn't be going to Shun Lee - their food is very dumbed down and designed for western palates... I have to say my SLP experience was a total let down...service was spotty, seating was ridiculous, the rec'd dishes I got (the can't lose ones) were terrible - gloopy is a word used in this thread to effective measure - don't rec it at all... Haven't been to the cafe, but no desire whatsoever... THM Fri Apr 04 09:49:30 -0800 2003 1069671 0 THM 2 1069680 The Cafe definitely benefits from being close to Lincoln Center and charges accordingly. If value for money is one of your yardsticks, it doesn't measure up at all well compared with what you can do in Chinatown, Flushing or other places. That said, if you've got tickets to something, you want dim sum, and you're not feeling very demanding, it's handy and you can be in and out pretty quickly. Fri Apr 04 00:31:33 -0800 2003 1069556 0 Nanaimo Bar 1 1069732 Just to dispel any confusion, there are three Shun Lee restaurants in Manhattan: Shun Lee Palace is on East 55th Street. Shun Lee West is on West 65th Street, and like Palace, is fairly formal and pricy. Shun Lee Cafe is adjacent to Shun Lee West, where Dim Sum is served and things are more casual. They are all under the same management. Fri Apr 04 13:42:36 -0800 2003 1069547 0 SG