Good sit-down Chinese restaurant in greater Newark region?

[Aliki]

I have an uncle visiting from Asia and he'd like to meet up for some good authentic Chinese cuisine. He'll be staying at a Newark airport hotel.

I know of a couple of good Chinese restaurants near Edison such as Shanghai Park in Highland Park or Wonder Seafood in Edison. (That's a 40-minute drive). I also know of one in Middletown, near where I live. (Which would be a 60-minute drive.)

Can anybody recommend a good sit-down authentic Chinese cuisine (Cantonese or Shanghainese style preferred) that is under 30 minutes from Newark? I am NOT looking for Americanized versions or take-out places. Thank you for any suggestions you may have.

[cantkick]

What's the one in Middletown?

[yCf]

I hope it's not Crown Palace...

[fourunder]

Chengdu 1 in Verona is probably the closest to Newark that I can think of. Noodle Chu and Chef 81 in Parsippany are also very good and within 30 minutes of Newark.

http://www.chengdu1nj.com/

http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2009/04/26/otb-economic-stimulus-dinner-i-chengdu-1/#more-2547

http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2009/04/04/nj-dining-chengdu-1-updated/#comments

http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/2006/05/16/nj-dining-noodle-chu/

http://events.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/nyregion/new-jersey/10dinenj.html

http://www.nj.com/entertainment/dining/index.ssf/2008/07/best_of_real_chinese_update.html

There's also Chengdu 23 in Wayne near the Willowbrook Mall which I have heard good things about, but I have not yet been. Hunan Cottage in Fairfield is popular for weekends and the Chinese community, but the atmosphere is bare bones.

http://www.tommyeats.com/tommyeats/2008/04/chengdu-23-wayn.html

Petite Soo Chow in Cliffside Park has good Xiao Long Boa

http://offthebroiler.wordpress.com/20...

[piney]

manhattan's chinattown meets your 30 minute spec on weekdays if you can leave newark at 6:45p. you'll hit the holland tunnel at 7p. head downtown. then, make a left on worth street (STAY OFF CANAL !!!!). make a left onto bowery. cross over canal. when you pass grand street, street parking starts opening up around 7:15p, as the small shops start closing. parking in this area is free after 7p, so you can have a leisurely meal, nosh walk, or both. The parking spaces will start filing up again, so the timing is important.

[fourunder]

If you come out of the Holland, you can also take Walker Street , which is one block parallel to Canal.....street parking is also free after 7PM.....and I agree with you on the timing aspect.

[Curlz]

3 recs, 2 in NJ, one in NYC:

-Chengdu1 in Cedar Grove (mentioned above as Verona--right near it--also close to Montclair

-Noodle Chu in Parsippany

-Grand Sichuan on St. Mark's Place in the E. Village

Any of those will get you what you're looking for!

[goaterie]

I heard such great things about Noodle Chu in Parsippany, and was really eager to eat there after making the 30-min trek from work. Imagine my dismay when I walked in the door and was overpowered by the smell of cigarette smoke! The place was nearly empty, and nobody at any of the tables was smoking. I asked the waiter whether anybody had been smoking in here earlier, and he said no. Then I looked toward the back of the restaurant. There's a window into the kitchen, and I see some middle-aged cook with a smoldering cigarette dangling from his lips as he is cooking at the stove! I told the rather annoyed-looking waiter that I couldn't stay because of the smoke, and he just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head as if I were crazy.

Was this a fluke, or have others had the same problem here? I don't know whether to give it another try...

[Aliki]

Thank you for all the suggestions!!!!