Best Chinese Food in the Western Main Line
Fresh, excellent, inventive food in one of the several area restaurants commandeered by Philly's well-known Margaret Cho, and, in my opinion, the best. Menu has familiar favorites and house specialties, but everything seems a little fresher than at other restaurants, Chinese or otherwise, and more carefully prepared. The flavors are bright, the food arrives hot, portions are always a little more than enough, the waitstaff is courteous and professional. Alcohol is available, there's plenty of parking, reservations are recommended only on weekend evenings unless you're bringing a large crowd. The comfortable dining room is tastefully designed in quiet colors, and the noise level is subdued as well. (There's a small party room for maybe 16 guests around a big table.) Diners are mostly drawn from the region encompassing Paoli, West Chester and Phoenixville, and visitors to People's Light and Theater Company only a few minutes away. Business people from the Great Valley Corp. Center find it a great place for lunch. Prices are a bit higher than most other neighborhood Chinese places, but you'll never feel overcharged. (Note: The ratings choices given by this site are worded ridiculously, so I just give Mandarin an overall Outstandding.)    [25 Jun 2004 14:26:49]

Food: -   Service: -   Ambiance: -   Overall: 

     ­Harvey   

Really Great Chinese
Though the first review above was clearly was written by the owner, it is nevertheless, pretty much on the money. Parking sucks and the restaurant is in a run down strip center, but its unquestionably the best Chinese you’ll get outside of the city. The only really completion is market Kuos other places, Yang Ming in Bryn Mawr and now maybe the new place in Berwyn, Nectar. The menu is vast and diverse (never saw lamb at a Chinese place before and it is wonderful), the ingredients are fresh and the portions bountiful. They renovated recently and the interior is quite nice. So if on the main line and looking for Chinese, this place really can’t be beat.    [17 Sep 2004 21:03:05]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Lamb Homestule, Any duck dish

     ­Stephen, Paoli, PA   sendspcstuff at hotmail dot com