Soup Dumplings for a Party of 16

[msuescun]

I'm looking for a place to take out-of-town guests (ranging in age from 9 to 80) for soup dumplings. This is for a 40th birthday celebration, and would need to comfortably seat a party of 14-16 for an early (5 or 6 pm) dinner. Ideally, it's also pretty easy to get to for both drivers and subway-riders. Thoughts?

[hungrycomposer]

The soup dumplings at Grand Sichuan on Saint Mark's are surprisingly good, esp. considering the fact that it's not a Shanghai restaurant. And there's plenty of other great stuff on the menu.

[thievery]

There a Grand Sichuan on 9th ave at 24th Street as well that also has tasty soup dumplings... if more convenient.

[msuescun]

Great, thanks everyone! I'll check out these places and let you know what we end up doing.

[ilny]

You might want to place a call to Joe's Ginger. I've known it to be the same operators as Joe's Shanghai and they pretty much have the same menu, more importantly -- the same soup dumplings. The upstairs is smaller than downstairs but could appropriately accommodate such a party. I've been going there ever since JS became a monster tourist destination, and when seated upstairs I have seen them arrange and rearrange tables to accomodate families or parties of that size on a fly. I'm sure if you arrange the dinner in advance it should suit your needs. Let us know what you decide on!

[idia]

If you are interested in an UWS venue, Shun Lee West (across from Lincoln Center) has an intimate room opposite the bar area that would seat your group perfectly and the room would likely be all yours.
If you decide to go there, request "Miami Rice" to be your server (an extra-added entertainment!)

[foodbaby]

I went to Joe ginger's by recommendation of a foodie friend and was disappointed. My boyfriend and I waited a long time, got the typical Chinatown service, and when we were finally seated upstairs, were witness to all the disgusting habits of the busboy and those entering/leaving the restroom. If the dumplings (which we were discouraged to order because they were going to take 30mins to make, but we got them anyway) were delicious, I could forgive how dirty the place was. Nothing compares to Din Tai Fung from Taiwan. Voted one of the best restaurants in the world by NY Times in the 90s..... so delicious.

[TipsyMcStagger]

Obviously, this is all subjective as if evidenced by the constant conflicting of opinions...but that said, I had XLB a week and a half ago at Din Tai Fung in Taipei. I then had them again two days later at Jia Jia Tang Bao in Shanghai. And I just had XLB again this week at Shanghai Cafe on Mott St.

While I think Din Tai Fung is an excellent restaurant and they no doubt serve fantastic XLB...as does Jia Jia Tang Bao...I have to admit, while it is fun to order them when I'm half-way around the world, the XLB at Shanghai Cafe are so similar in taste and quality that unless I had all three in front of me at once for comparison, I'd say Shanghai Cafe is about as good as it gets.

I don't find myself eating the XLB at Shanghai Cafe and wishing I were back in Taipei or Shanghai (well, except for that fact that they're about $1 at Jia Jia Tang Bao :). In my opinion, they are THAT good.

Tipsy

[msuescun]

Thanks for these reviews. Could Shanghai Cafe accommodate a party of about 15 for early dinner?

[TipsyMcStagger]

They have some large tables in the center of the room. I don't think they can seat 15 at one table, but they might be able to do it a two round tables side by side if that's acceptable.

Give them a call...you might get lucky.

212-966-3988

Tipsy

[bigjeff]

lucky you with the XLBs! I do like the shanghai cafe quite a bit, but I would've rec'd Moon House except the OP needs a group for 16 and that restaurant probably holds 16 total. both are pretty close I think but I like moon house just a bit better, mainly because they also have great shen-jian-bao (basically the fried version of soup dumplings) which are just as juicy inside and the broth is also very thick and fatty and rich and plain delicious.

[eatdrinknow]

there is a Joe's Shanghai in midtown -
24 W 56TH St
New York, NY 10019-3804
Phone: [phone]

not sure where everyone is coming from, but
there are parking spaces, but also parking lots in the area.
if it's sunday, free parking
if it's weekday - rush hour might want to be considered

[bobjbkln]

From a space and atmosphere (upscale) perspective, Joe's Shanghai on 56th St. would be perfect, but note that the soup dumplings are about twice the price (fewer dumplings per more expensive order) of anywhere else (including the other "Joe's").

[msuescun]

Good to know. I was wondering about that, given the location.

[DarthEater]

Yeah Shanghai deluxe should be able to do it.