575667 Wed Nov 26 23:51:09 -0800 2008 54 13 New England 0 4205147 I have been upscale and downscale and in between and have still yet to find a Chinese restaurant in CT that makes fresh tasty food. emphasis on FRESH (i have never seen it or tasted it) any suggestions welcome but I have probably been there (maybe I am too fussy? i dont think so) thanks Wed Nov 26 23:51:09 -0800 2008 177237 sugarsnapp 1 4205192 Village Gourmet, in the Cranberry section of Norwalk, I know of others who are equally "fussy" and they recomend it highly. I too enjoy their food, I just cannot say I am all that fussy when it comes to Chinese. Thu Nov 27 02:01:52 -0800 2008 4205147 243716 jillcooks 2 4205270 It's not much more than a snack, but the Hong Kong Cafe, in Stratford, makes a fairly good peking duck "thing" (can't remember if they call it a puff, a roll, a pie or whatever, but it's the one on the appetizer section) what you get is basically a peking duck version of a small turnover (looks a bit like those mini spanakopita you can buy frozen) really good filling (just dont try and eat them cold, the pastry get tough then) Thu Nov 27 05:10:10 -0800 2008 4205192 24492 jumpingmonk 1 4205465 lao sze chuan in milford has great food not the best atmosphere, but the food makes you forget http://www.laoszechuan.com/ Thu Nov 27 08:16:30 -0800 2008 4205147 17757 goodbyeohio 2 4205511 I would secon laoszechuan, and add Royal Palace in and House of Choa both in New Haven Thu Nov 27 08:42:50 -0800 2008 4205465 32853 mmalmad 2 4212308 goodbyeohio: Your link takes you to the home page of a restaurant in Chicago. Mon Dec 01 12:53:38 -0800 2008 4205465 13225 FoodieJim 3 4216329 click 'location and map', you'll see the address of the milford, ct location Tue Dec 02 20:13:57 -0800 2008 4212308 17757 goodbyeohio 4 4217229 How odd. There is no mention of the CT location anywhere in their site other than the "Location and Map" page. The Home page mentions two other branches (Downer's Grove and Palantine), and the News page mentions even more locations and openings. The Photos pop up has pictures of several different restaurants. But not Milford. I hope it isn't being treated like a poor step-child because the menu looks promising. Wed Dec 03 08:50:09 -0800 2008 4216329 13225 FoodieJim 5 4219752 i went a year or so ago and the menu was pretty adventurous, with standard options for the less-daring as well. everything was excellent. i just wish they had a little more attention to decor. Thu Dec 04 07:04:22 -0800 2008 4217229 17757 goodbyeohio 2 4212514 Wow, I've got to get to this place for something different. Rabbit, jellyfish, beef tendon, & grass carp listed on their menu. Hope they have all those wonderfully strange dishes at the Milford location. Mon Dec 01 13:56:07 -0800 2008 4205465 79340 anthonybri 2 4464143 Went to Lao Sze Chuan tonight on this board's recommendations. Really fabulous. Authentic and unusual dishes. For two Californians who know good Chinese, one of whom lived in China, this is the real deal. Tonight we ordered stuffed tofu crepe with black mushrooms and bamboo shoots, shrimp stuffed eggplant in oyster sauce, cumin flavored sliced beef, and stir fried spinach with garlic. All was excellent. We've tried Royal Palace in New Haven, Shangri-Lee in Cheshire, and others in the area, but Lao Sze Chuan was far and above these others. Our long hard search for good Chinese in CT is finally over. Thanks ! Sun Mar 01 17:49:22 -0800 2009 4205465 270951 riled 1 4205813 Haven't been there in awhile, but Taste of China in Clinton used to be pretty good. Thu Nov 27 13:40:17 -0800 2008 4205147 11791 DonShirer 1 4206218 thanks for the suggestions! I used to live in the Cranberry section of norwalk-no longer tho (nice neighborhood) I will look out for these restaurants tyvm Thu Nov 27 21:54:41 -0800 2008 4205147 177237 sugarsnapp 1 4207641 I got takeout from Hong Kong Cafe in Stratford - everything was very good. A place that has a killer atmosphere and decent food is: Jani 187 Cherry St, Milford, CT (203) 874-1199 Fri Nov 28 20:39:28 -0800 2008 4205147 101345 Whitemarshjohn 1 4212321 How about Ching's Table in New Canaan. Mon Dec 01 12:57:31 -0800 2008 4205147 11290 jfood 2 4217604 I wouldn't call Ching's Table a Chinese restaurant. It's "pan-Asian" with a Thai emphasis. It's a good restaurant though! Wed Dec 03 10:39:25 -0800 2008 4212321 16013 Uncledave 1 4212448 Forbidden City in Middletown is very good, but a tad pricy. Not sure what you've seen or tasted, but it's good Chinese Fusion that you probably haven't seen elsewhere in the state. Mon Dec 01 13:33:40 -0800 2008 4205147 66287 politico 2 4218636 Just ate at Forbidden City for lunch today. Food was really good and a little out of the ordinary, service was excellent, atmosphere way above the usual Chinese restaurant. Interesting desserts, too. A welcome surprise! If we lived closer we'd be there more often --- Wed Dec 03 16:26:16 -0800 2008 4212448 137881 BerkshireTsarina 1 4214113 My two suggestions would be: Royal Palace in New Haven http://www.ctmenusonline.com/royalpalace.htm Butterfly Chinese 831 Farmington Ave West Hartford, CT 06119 Tue Dec 02 07:18:51 -0800 2008 4205147 149369 EastRocker 2 4215204 I second Butterfly. Also, China Pan in West Hartford - near the mall. Tue Dec 02 13:19:27 -0800 2008 4214113 82082 hypertomatoes 3 4219878 Definitely Butterfly. They have good lunch specials and the service is always fantastic. Thu Dec 04 07:54:24 -0800 2008 4215204 219629 jquest619 1 4216046 Green Tea in Farmington was very good. Tue Dec 02 18:15:05 -0800 2008 4205147 220914 krisrishere 1 4216561 there is a dim sum place next to A dong market(a huge asian supermarket) in west hartford that was really good last time i was there. they had lot's of dumplings fried chicken feet, cuttlefish,stuff like that. after you eat go check out the market it's pretty cool Tue Dec 02 23:18:52 -0800 2008 4205147 244517 mrporkbelly 2 4216816 im pretty sure the place you're talking about has changed hands and is now a thai restaurant... still good IIRC but no dim sum. Wed Dec 03 05:50:37 -0800 2008 4216561 17757 goodbyeohio 3 4217612 The Thai joint that opened in its place is terrible. (East West Grille is my favorite Thai in the area) Wed Dec 03 10:40:28 -0800 2008 4216816 16013 Uncledave 4 4219312 good to know i was thinking about heading up there for dim sum. Wed Dec 03 21:57:27 -0800 2008 4217612 244517 mrporkbelly 1 4216697 I like Great Taste in New Britain. Great food, atmosphere and sevice. Wed Dec 03 04:02:52 -0800 2008 4205147 242165 hotwing 2 4237329 I second Great Taste! Wed Dec 10 18:29:04 -0800 2008 4216697 91237 hollerhither 1 4221134 There is an excellent place in Derby. Fortune Pavilion. It's dine in and takeout, is on 34 and is in the congested area of all of the shopping marts. Thu Dec 04 15:06:19 -0800 2008 4205147 21514 Bette 1 4226875 Someone in another thread recommended this place in Milford : http://www.laoszechuan.com/index.htm Apparently it's quite authentic, right down to the kidneys, ears, stomachs, etc. Sun Dec 07 07:47:45 -0800 2008 4205147 21514 Bette 1 4227040 I used to like East Cafe in Georgetown (Wilton/Redding area) on Route 7, but not lately. A recent order of Chicken with Cashew Nuts contained a ton of zucchini, in fact there was much more zucchini than either the chicken or the cashews. In these economic times, is anyone else noticing much more filler in Connecticut Chinese food? I'm not going to buy it much anymore. Not worth it. Zucchini is Italian anyway. For the record, unless the dish has "mixed vegetables" or a specific vegetable in its name, I don't think these vegetables should be the main ingredient. Yes, I am talking to you broccoli, green peppers, and tomatoes. Sun Dec 07 09:33:21 -0800 2008 4205147 10726 TrishUntrapped 2 4232477 Wow, zucchini in Chinese food, that is BIZARRE!!! I would have sent it back. Tue Dec 09 09:55:52 -0800 2008 4227040 21514 Bette 3 4232602 That's as may be --- if you live in China. One of my favorite recipes, however, in my treasured tattered old Jim Lee cookbook if for Tender-Fried Zucchini. Jim Lee' Cookbook dates to 1968; we are talking about one of the pioneers of teachering Chinese cookery to Americans. (And a charming man he was, too.) There was a lot less fuss about authenticity then, and more emphasis on food that takes good, cooked according to Chinese techniques. In his interesting discussion of the recipe, he poses this question: "Is zucchini a squash, or is it a gourd?" He then concludes that it is actually a squash, and continues: "It's strange to note that the Chinese do not make distinctions between a gourd and a squash. The Chinese language is so exact... for the English word "uncle" there are three different words which must be used properly" and he goes on: "This complexity also goes for aunts, cousins, and a myriad of other things. Yet the Chinese call melons, squashes, and gourds by one name only." He concludes: "If you ask the question, 'What is a zucchini?' and find no answer among your literate guests, tell them smugly that it is a 'kwa'." And so he calls his recipe Chow Kwa. It is, by the way, a vegetarian dish, complete on his own. (It involves black beans, which puts it automatically on my DO's hit parade.) As for more or less "filler" in Chinese food in these hard times, that's pretty much of a non-question, isn't it? I have a different perspective from you Nutmeggers, who have the luxury of lots of good Chinese restaurants to debate about and choose among. We in the wilds of western MA have little to choose among, and the bar is set pretty low. We either do without, or I cook it myself. Thanks to the ghost of Jim Lee, that's okay. Including my Chow Kwa. Tue Dec 09 10:27:27 -0800 2008 4232477 137881 BerkshireTsarina 4 4233236 I was being a wee bit tongue in cheek about the veggies that are on my bad boy list...and yes Mr. Broccoli you lead the pack. That said, I have no argument with the veggies per se. But I strongly object to dishes that call themselves "Chicken with Cashew Nuts," when the predominant ingredient is zucchini. Yuck. It's my money and I want chicken, cashew nuts, sauce and maybe a little pepper, onions, and celery... Tue Dec 09 13:12:22 -0800 2008 4232602 10726 TrishUntrapped 4 4233478 actually now that it think about it so called "hairy gourd" (mao gwa or something like that) has a texture and flavor eerily similar to zucchini, especially when cooked. The same goes for green luffa, smooth or angled (at least the same goes for angled if you remembered to peel it first!) I always just assumed that all of the zucchini was just an inexpesive substitute especially in areas that would not have access to the real vegetables (I dont think I've seen either outside of Chinatown, or at least outside of an asian supermarket.) It a bit like using proscuitto when I'm making basic stock (more or less a quick and dirty version of Superior Broth) since real Yunnan ham (or better, Chin Hwa ham) is hard to impossible to obtain. Tue Dec 09 14:15:06 -0800 2008 4232602 24492 jumpingmonk 4 4237334 Speaking of the low bar in these parts, I once ordered zucchini as part of a build your own veggie stirfry from a Northampton Chinese restaurant that will go unnamed -- except they DID deliver which was nice. Anyway, the first bite seemed a little strange, and I realized that someone had put *sliced cucumber* in the stirfry instead of zucchini. NOT a pleasant taste or texture. That was the last time I asked for zucchini. :) Wed Dec 10 18:31:46 -0800 2008 4232602 91237 hollerhither 1 4227147 Do not miss Taste Of China in Clinton. Clearly one of the best Chinese restos that I have been to. Absolutely GREAT Szechuan food. Sun Dec 07 10:33:10 -0800 2008 4205147 119807 Alfred G 2 4227540 Ditto Taste of China! What a revelation on the Shoreline! We had no idea what to expect and were blown away. The appetizers are more inventive than the entree we ordered, but the entire menu was dramatically different than your run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant (note: this applies to the dining room menu only, not the take-out menu). Great beer and wine list focusing on Belgian beers and a wide range of varietals. Elegant dining room. Can't wait to go back. We are also fans of Royal Palace in New Haven. Order from their "authentic" menu; get the Water Beef or Water Fish and the sauteed snow pea leaves. Lovely. Sun Dec 07 14:12:47 -0800 2008 4227147 88914 elltea 2 4280694 +1 for Taste of China. Our favorite in the area. Mon Dec 29 13:25:29 -0800 2008 4227147 252274 jdemers 1 4258132 I agree with the other posters about Great Taste in New Britain. I didn't see anyone mention Char Koon in South Glastonbury. It's tiny, but the food is fresh and delicious. I'm particularly fond of their hot and sour soup and their spicy dumplings in peanut sauce. They're related to the Forbidden City folks in Middletown. Thu Dec 18 17:20:46 -0800 2008 4205147 249664 kattyeyes 2 4280797 Char Koon is excellent. The restaurant is small inside, but the food is worth the cramped seating. Mon Dec 29 13:51:45 -0800 2008 4258132 48401 Dana1949 1 4294923 Went to Lao Sze Chuan in Milford yesterday for lunch, and found it fabulous! Specially recommend the stuffed tofu with black mushroom and bamboo shoots (cold appetizer), and prawns with bok choy and mushrooms in oyster sauce. Dan Dan noodles, mild!, were plenty spicy for us. For people who are more adventurous and iron-palated, this is your opportunity. Ox tongue, beef tendon, mushrooms with frogs, lots and lots of spiciness. Mostly Asian clientele as well. New York Times gave an extensive and good review to them. BTW, any confusion here about websites is becuz they are third (or fourth?0) addition to a "family" of Lao Sze Chuan, the other members of which are in ----- Chicago! Where there is also phenomenal Mexican. For us, in the otherwise wonderful Berkshires, the lack of decent Chinese food contributed to our feeling of dining in Seventh Heaven. (People who quibble about atmosphere ---hey, it's clean and it's bright, and the welcome is warm. That's pretty good atmosphere for the category!) Sun Jan 04 11:29:33 -0800 2009 4205147 137881 BerkshireTsarina 2 4295435 My vote goes to Great Taste in New Britain. Excellent food. Excellent Service. Fair prices. Sun Jan 04 14:45:33 -0800 2009 4294923 193582 germay 2 4295508 All of us at the Never Miss a Meal Club give Lao Sze Chuan 10 big thumbs up. Maybe the best Chinese place in Ct. Sun Jan 04 15:18:16 -0800 2009 4294923 19545 chefstu 3 4295516 chefstu, could you recommend a couple of dishes for our next time? (We're already planning a return visit southward ;-) We are a little adventurous, but not immensely so ---and it sounds like you really know the menu. Sun Jan 04 15:22:08 -0800 2009 4295508 137881 BerkshireTsarina 4 4300722 Hi, Tsarina We had lunch there yesterday, food was great as always. Here are some of the dishes that I would recommend: Hot and sour seafood soup, not spicy but very tasty, Ox tongue and Tripe with hot pepper sauce, spicy and my fav. Sliced beef tendon in wild pepper sauce, spicy also great Dan dan noodles, very good Steam buns Cumin Lamb with onion, spicy, another fav. Fried tofu with General Tso sauce, tofu was crunchy, really great wok roasted prawns, order them spicy shell on, wonderful Hot Pot These are a few of my favorite things. Tue Jan 06 09:57:33 -0800 2009 4295516 19545 chefstu 5 4301725 Thanks much, chef stu --- items now a stickie on my desktop, and another trip south a gleam in my eye. Hungrily, the Tsarina. Tue Jan 06 14:23:55 -0800 2009 4300722 137881 BerkshireTsarina 1 4300123 Beijing in Southington has the best Chinese food!!! Their General Tso's chicken is top notch Tue Jan 06 06:53:26 -0800 2009 4205147 254611 Foodgirl29 2 4300968 I recently tried "iron Chef" a small, mainly takeout place in West Haven, Campbell Ave near the Post Rd. The twice cooked pork was amongst the best I have had, very clean. I also like Lao Sze Chuan and Royal Palace Tue Jan 06 11:01:00 -0800 2009 4300123 32853 mmalmad 1 4380452 I nominate Bamboo Garden in Windsor on Day Hill Road. It's only a mile or so off I-91. I've been to Great Taste and Butterfly and I like this place better. It's kind of a weird location as Day Hill Road is an industrial park. But it's open everyday, a hidden treasure. Mon Feb 02 10:49:58 -0800 2009 4205147 48085 Waquoit 1 4380581 Based on tips here, we recently tried Lao Sze Chuan in Milford and loved it (thanks!). Also enjoyed Clinton's Taste of China, but some dishes are more outstanding than others (their Chengdu dumplings come to mind as does a specialty duck dish we ate). We tried to get there on Saturday night, which was a big mistake. Couldn't even park and had already driven 35 minutes to get there. So, in desperation, we tried a new place--Samurai in Old Saybrook (formerly a sushi/hibachi place that changed hands twice -?- since summer '08). Samurai bills itself as "Asian fusion" which I'll interpret as your ability to choose from Japanese/sushi/hibachi, Thai and Chinese dishes under one roof. Not bad! Hot and sour soup was as good as I recall it being in some of my favorite spots. I finally got to try chicken in black bean sauce and liked it a lot. The only funny thing here was I had specifically asked what vegetables were in the dish and was pleased to hear there were "lots of mixed vegetables" including "red and green bell peppers." Great! Just what I like. The dish arrived with "lots of mixed vegetables" as promised, including zucchini, marinated broccoli stem (mmmm!), water chestnuts, broccoli, shoot, a whole garden was in there, but no green or red peppers. Regardless, the dish was quite flavorful and I really enjoyed the saltiness the black beans added. Also, the one roll we ordered was also not as the menu described (spicy tuna inside and outside, said the menu)...but tasty just the same. It had tempura crab on the inside. The warm inside/cold outside was a nice touch. Very friendly service and nice not to have to stalk spaces in the parking lot...it wasn't crowded and there was plenty of room to park and to dine. We'll try Samurai again soon. Mon Feb 02 11:19:13 -0800 2009 4205147 249664 kattyeyes 2 4464516 my favorite is schezuan tokyo in west hartford on new britain avenue..small bar, excellent niblets and a bartender that will be more than happy to drink jameson shots with you all night! Sun Mar 01 20:25:27 -0800 2009 4380581 266123 christiane314 1 5158026 Taste of China in Clinton is very good. Interesting menu and a fabulous selection of BEER!! Thu Nov 05 08:45:59 -0800 2009 4205147 1121786 Julie B 1 5158810 Just had an amazing experience at Great Wall in New Haven (67 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06510 203) 777-8886). 8 of us went and had dim sum and szechuan hot pot. They have special tables with built in heaters for the hot pot and a buffet of raw items to choose from ($20). They also have an interesting selection of dim sum. They also have a full menu with a lot of unusual items, but i have not delved into that yet. Thu Nov 05 12:34:39 -0800 2009 4205147 149369 EastRocker 1 5205634 Hao Si Chuan 1049 Boston Post Road, West Haven, 203-934-8800. didn't go myself, but tried some dishes that a friend brought back. definitely not standard american-chinese fair. the soup dumplings were amazing, the smoked tea duck was good and some of the other szechuan items were insanely hot but delicious. unfortunately i don't know the names of most of the things i tried but they were all new and interesting flavors. Tue Nov 24 12:54:58 -0800 2009 4205147 149369 EastRocker