Anyone remember Harbinn Inn
Many many years ago my first Chinese meal was at Harbinn at Broadway and 100th Street and it seems there were dishes there that to this day I just haven't been able to find elsewhere. One in particular: SHRIMP SOOCHOW Now my friend with whom I first had that first Chinese dinner is coming into NY after all these years and while Harbin is long gone can anyone recommend a restaurant ANYWHERE in the city with a menu closest to what was offered at Harbin?
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The menu can be found at http://menus.nypl.org/menu_pages/50234.
(New York Public Library) -
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On May 24, 1975, the man who is now my life partner of 35 years and I had our first date at the Harbin Inn. It was a magical evening. Harbin Inn is now a turkish restaurant, Turquaz. Earlier this year, I was reading a novel written in 1940 set in New York. When I came to the line about the two main characters having dinner at the Harbin Inn on the Upper West Side, my heart stopped. Harbin was evidently around for at least 3 1/2 decades!
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I also remember that unique restaurant -- Harbin Inn. Perhaps you can call some Chinese restaurants that include Mandarin cuisine of Heilonjiang on their menus. The city of Harbin is located in the geographical region formerly known as Manchuria, in the Province of Heilonjiang that borders Siberia.
I believe the owner/chef has retired long ago. -
The Harbin Inn made American-style stuff, but also made many authentic dishes in a way that other Chinese places didn't (at least for non-Chinese customers). I loved their Twice-Cooked Pork, which they would make the "real" way with fatty pork belly if you insisted. They would also make dishes that "you won't like" such as those with seaweed. Several of us convinced the waiters that we really wanted things the "Chinese way," and we got some great things that I've never seen elsewhere else in NYC. The chef left some time before they closed, and I could never find out where he went.
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