What do you HATE about NYC?

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Taualumna
Have you been to Toronto's Chinese restaurants? They're just as authentic as those in Hong Kong. I'd say that NYC ones are about 20 years behind.

Yes I have. Hong Kong does not represent all Chinese cuisine, but it sounds like the upscale restaurant, designed and operated by the Chinese government to represent the absolute best of China, won't meet your standards as "authentic" because it is not exclusively Cantonese.

In how many chinese restaurants in NYC have you dined? Be honest.

And how can "authentic" ethnic cuisine get dated in 20 years? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

[aephi alum]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
Hong Kong does not represent all Chinese cuisine, but it sounds like the upscale restaurant, designed and operated by the Chinese government to represent the absolute best of China, won't meet your standards as "authentic" because it is not exclusively Cantonese.

I must point out that a lot of the restaurants in Hong Kong were there long before HK was transferred to China. I'm sure the Chinese government is more than happy to have so many world-class restaurants in HK, but that's not to say the Chinese government established them all. Look at Man Wah, the Peninsula Hotel dining room, heck, even the floating restaurants in Aberdeen - all established well before the handover.

But this thread is about New York, not Hong Kong. If you want world-class Chinese in NYC, try Shun Lee. Excellent food, and convenient to Lincoln Center to boot. Can Toronto top that?

Oh... this thread was supposed to be about what you hate about NYC... oops, wrong thread

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
Yes I have. Hong Kong does not represent all Chinese cuisine, but it sounds like the upscale restaurant, designed and operated by the Chinese government to represent the absolute best of China, won't meet your standards as "authentic" because it is not exclusively Cantonese.

In how many chinese restaurants in NYC have you dined? Be honest.

And how can "authentic" ethnic cuisine get dated in 20 years? That makes absolutely no sense at all.

At least five. I don't live in NYC, remember. Only one of them came close to what I eat here. What do you think of Tdot's restaurants? Did you go to those in Hwy 7/404 (Markham) and those in Agincourt? What about Dynasty on Bloor (within walkable distance to U of T's Fratland)? Lai Wah Heen? I am also ethnic Chinese so maybe there is a bias. I also enjoy Shanghainese dumplings, especially in places that specialize in regional cuisine as well as the casserole dishes in Hong Kong style diners (I don't, however, enjoy Hong Kong tea (very strong black tea with condensed milk) or Yeen Yeung (half Hong Kong tea, half coffee) all that much. Shun Lee isn't all that great compared to Lai Wah Heen or Markham. I know that my dad, who is in NYC very, very frequently, definitely does not enjoy the Chinese food there.

ETA: Toronto's Chinese population is approximately 350,000 or about 1/10 of the total population. Also LA and San Francisco Chinese food is probably closer to what we get here. Don't forget that there is a larger population out there, percentage-wise, anyway.

[GeekyPenguin]

There's Chinese food between chow mein, chop suey, sesame chicken, and pepper steak?

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
There's Chinese food between chow mein, chop suey, sesame chicken, and pepper steak?

Don't forget fried rice! (Pork fried, chicken fried, combination fried... etc.)
Chop suey, like the ubiquitous fortune cookies and egg foo young, are actually an American invention and not native to China.

Ditto with the California roll - strictly an American adaptation of roll sushi.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Taualumna
At least five.

You should withhold comment because you really don't know what you are talking about. The best Chinese food in NYC is often in side streets.

And don't judge non-Cantonese by a Cantonese standard. There is a lot more to China than Hong Kong.

Which brings me to another thing that I hate about New York. People who know nothing about the city, but think that they can write their own Zagat's.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
You should withhold comment because you really don't know what you are talking about. The best Chinese food in NYC is often in side streets.

And don't judge non-Cantonese by a Cantonese standard. There is a lot more to China than Hong Kong.

Did you read my entire post?

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Taualumna
Did you read my entire post?

Yes. This thread is about New York. If you wan't to discuss Toronto, start another thread. I probably won't post in it because I don't live there and won't pretend to be an expert on it.

[Taualumna]

You know, Russ, my dad DOES live there, and no, he doesn't like the Chinese restaurants there as much as he does here. Of course, he enjoys the REAL REAL thing much, much more

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Taualumna
You know, Russ, my dad DOES live there, and no, he doesn't like the Chinese restaurants there as much as he does here. Of course, he enjoys the REAL REAL thing much, much more

First your dad is in the city often. A few posts later he lives here. How did he move so fast?

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by Taualumna
You know, Russ, my dad DOES live there, and no, he doesn't like the Chinese restaurants there as much as he does here. Of course, he enjoys the REAL REAL thing much, much more

Wait a minute here! You just said that your dad "is in NYC very, very frequently."

I see you're digging yourself into a hole here. Quit while you're ahead, okay?

This has nothing to do with my love or hatred for NYC. This has to do with your inconsistency.

[Taualumna]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
Wait a minute here! You just said that your dad "is in NYC very, very frequently."

I see you're digging yourself into a hole here. Quit while you're ahead, okay?

This has nothing to do with my love or hatred for NYC. This has to do with your inconsistency.

Very, very frequenty, yes, because he goes on business in Europe and Asia. He spends about 70% of his time in New York, maybe 15% in Toronto and the other 15% abroad.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by Taualumna
Very, very frequenty, yes, because he goes on business in Europe and Asia. He spends about 70% of his time in New York, maybe 15% in Toronto and the other 15% abroad.

But then you said he "lives" in NYC. Inconsistency.

Like Kenny says, "...know when fold 'em...know when to walk away."

Just fold...and walk away.

[Taualumna]

He does because the head office is there and that's where he spends most of his work time. But because he travels, he could also be seen as being there "very, very frequently".

ETA: Anyway, it is just my opinion and my dad's opinion that NYC Chinese food (or rather, Shanghainese and Cantonese food) isn't as great. Maybe the Taiwanese stuff's better, since there is a larger population there than in Tdot.

[swissmiss04]

What do I hate about NYC? That it's so far away!