Phoenix Garden Restaurant

Disastrous meal. I am sorry I did not read the CitySearch reviews in advance. I did read Zagat, and they gave no warning to how bad this place would be. In fact, they raved about the food. The food was good. But the outright hostility of the service made a Sunday night low-key dinner into a nightmare. We sat down at 9, having called ahead to make sure they were still serving. They said yes, until 9:45. Within 90 SECONDS of sitting down, they wanted out order and hovered over the table waiting for it. We ordered fast, and the food came out totally randomly. One appetizer came first, then dinner, then another appetizer, then rice, after everything was done. It was BIZARRE. Then, when the bill came and I presented my credit card, they announced CASH ONLY. When I asked where that was stated, they showed me a postcard, lying on the bar, totally obscured and ridiculous in any case. It's SHADY at best, and just weird when every burrito place and chinese restaurant in NYC takes credit cards. The owner is pathologically rude. As a newcomer to this neighborhood, I am sorry this place is such a nightmare. But I will avoid even walking on the block so as not to come near these crazy, hostile people. Cons: The most upsetting meal I think I have ever had more

I work around the area near the restaurant, it's probably one of the better places for Cantonese food in mid-town east, but the food is a bit salty. I've been there many times. The woman owner is extremely rude and often makes us sit in the back when there are 2 empty tables in the front. The 2 tables were always empty and for the entire time we're there almost every time. One time, when I went in with friends, her son said in Chinese with a nasty look on his face, there goes those women with trouble again. I think he meant for me to hear it since he probably knows I understand Chinese. I can't believe they can run a business with such bad customer service and rudeness. It's mind boggling to say the least!! I vowed never to go back. more

My friend and I met on a weekday during a torrential downpour. It was our second time together at this cute, neighborhood restaurant. And even though they were rude the first time we went there together, we thought we would try again. When I arrived at the door to get a table for two and the owner/host made sure that my friend was on his way before she sat me. Oh, restaurant was empty. Strike One. We ordered the Hot and Sour soup (pretty good, but I've had better), the duck (pretty good), and the Sauteed Mustard Greens (not bad). We didn't order the more expensive, Peking Duck, but rather, the regular duck. As we were eating the duck, I thought to myself, wouldn't it be good with a bit of Hoisin sauce. We asked the owner for a side of Hoisin sauce but he said dismissingly, ""I'm sorry, we only serve hoisin sauce with the Peking Duck."" Strike 2. WHAT!!? My friend and I were perplexed. I had just bought a jar of Hoisin Sauce at the Chinese supermarket for less than $2.00 for a jar. It just seemed rude to us that they wouldn't bring the sauce. We were also not even given the option to pay extra. I read that this family owned restaurant has been in business for 20 years but Customer Service 101 class would help. Will never go back. Cons: Owners rude. more

I went here with a few friends and we definately enjoyed the meal! BYOB is the way to go for dining out in the city at a place with such an extensive menu! The waitor/owner was more than willing to give us descriptions of the dishes and how they were prepared and everything he recommended was delicious! Overall we had a great time, we drank as much as we wanted, and the price was just right! Pros: BYOB, MENU, SERVICE more

Worst experience for group dining so far. Owner was extremely rude, and belittle OUR orders, only to recommend the most expensive dishes without disclosing cost. Overcharged us, and charged $30 for ice buckets alone. Even after overbilling, and horrible service, tacked on a mandatory 20% tip. When I inquired about the charges, the owner told me to ""chill"". Will never go back. Food was unimpressive. Cons: Rude, Overcharged more

The food makes the trip well worth while. While the setting may not be the most spectacular, nor the service the most friendly, the restaurant feels nicely cozy, and the owners become more jovial the more one patronizes the restaurant. But, besides aesthetic & superficial concerns, the cuisine is fantastic. Try seasoned snow peas, or peking duck for an outstanding meal. Pros: great food, expansive menu more

Phoenix Garden is by far the best Cantonese restaurant in NYC. Their menu is extensive and the dishes are always fresh and meticulously prepared. They always give the patrons the best and freshest ingredients available in the market. Their seafood dishes are unparalled for the price. The decor is simple but pleasant. The service is attentive but not annoying. Order anything on the menu and you will not be disappointed. I have dined here for over 20 years and I know the management will NOT compromise the cuisine for any ""haute"" trendy fare. The roots of the menu for anyone who is versed in Cantonese cuisine is for foodie purists like myself. Food is culture and history. This place has both. more

BAD SERVICE!!! The owner is so RUDE!!!!!!! They only recomend you the most expensive dish on each category. And they will rush you like crazy! We were still eating but they started cleaning up the table!!!! I will never go back to that restaurant again!!!!! Cons: Rude service, expensive, rude!!! more

Phoenix Garden is a gem for authentic Hong Kong Cantonese in NYC without having to go to Chinatown. I have been a die-hard supporter of this restaurant since they were in Chinatown. The food is absolutely amazing, authentic and all items are freshly cooked. Pepper-salty shrimp, crustaceans, steamed fishes, casserole and squab dishes are just some of my must haves. Though the place can be loud and sometimes seem unruly, this family operated restaurant prides itself on providing a great eating experience for all diners. Anyone who has dined here knows that the family has a low tolerance for patrons who ask about white sauce or brown sauce, egg-foo young and egg-rolls. This is a place where patrons come to enjoy the renowned gastronomical Cantonese delights served efficiently. For first-timers, leaving your order up to the very knowledgeable owners and staff will undoubtedly having you come back for more! Pros: Great Value, Fresh, Authentic Cons: , Small, BYO more

The food quality is excellent very light on the stomach. It is a nice and quiet place yet in a run down old building. The service is ok. Waiters and waitresses are helpful. Parking is not easy to find. more

This place serves among the best Cantonese food north of Chinatown. However, the portions are small, the decor is as run-down as the average Chinatown joint, and the prices don't reflect this. We paid (plus tip) over $35 for a plate of fried rice, a simple chicken dish, 8 dumpling pieces and two sodas. Similar quality food would cost about $20-$25 at a good Chinatown place, and you wouldn't feel hungry afterwards, either, or have to pay extra for some white rice. The service wasn't good -- dumplings were served after we had almost finished the main courses, drinks had to be asked for three times, etc. As we left, the owner compared the restaurant to Shun Lee Palace. Was he kidding? I'm not sure. more

i ordered lunch special and asked for no soy sauce on my food as i wanted to put it on myself. when the appetizer came and i put soy sauce on it, the owner came over to me and denigated me for doing that out loud so that people could hear me. there was no reason for him to treat a customer that way. i decided to have leave out of humiliation and asked for the rest of my lunch to be wrapped up for take out. when i got back to my office as opened up my lunch, the portions were so small that they gave me less than normal portion out of spite. Cons: , noisy, dirty more

You get small portions of mediocre food, with unjustifiably high prices and *extremely* rude service. I don't recommend it. Cons: , High price, Mediocre food more

I have never ever seen such rude service at a restaurant. They give you attitude when you order--I have even seen them yelling at customers- and they try to rush you out of there. The food is just ok and is expensive considering the quantity of food they give you. It is located in a basement of a building and it looks like a health code violation. Its overall a nasty experience. Cons: rude owners, horrible service, dirty more

You get what you pay for. The digs are not fancy (i.e., no table cloths, small but clean). Located in an area that has few choices for dining so it is a God-send for locals. It is inexpensive, authentic, and a BYOB place (good for large groups trying to keep costs down. Dinner for 11 people ran about $20 per/person. I agree with the last reviewer that the older couple that own and run the place can be abrupt (depending on who), but heck at these tabs and convenience a little abuse is a small price to pay : ) Highly recommend the honey glazed ribs and the salt and peper shrimp. Stay away from the Mai Fun Noodle dishes as they are bland and not as authentic as they could be (the cook, probably a family member, tones down the taste for local palettes). Pros: BYOB, Authentic, Inexpensive Cons: Abrupt Service more

recommended to us by locals for the food and price, but we will not go back since the owner not only insulted us publicly, he preceeded to talk about us to the next table. Highly unprofessional and rude service!! more

Wonderful, consistent food; try the salt and pepper shrimp and snow peas leaves w/crab and pork in lettuce leaves. Pleasant atmosphere; the place to go for the food, not the service. Pros: interesting dishes, midtown location more

To eat: Salt and Pepper Shrim, Young Chow Fried Rice and Apricot Chicken. I've been going to this place for as long as I can remember. The people are rude, but you'll be to busy chewing to notice. Pros: the food Cons: the service, the space more