Spicy Sichuan Is The Best For Rainy Night
EATERY:
Grand Sichuan International
LOCATION:
229 9th Ave., New York, NY 10001 (@ 24st)
REVIEWS:
Grand Sichuan International (GSI) does not really fall into the category of Cheap Ass. The price is moderately ranged from $8.25-$20 compared to the average $6-$17 in Chinatown. But think about it this way, if you take the subway from Mid-Town to C-Town that already cost you $2 extra bucks, plus you might not get authentic Sichuan cuisine as good as GSI. For appetizer we got the Crab Meat & Pork Soup Dumpling (8 pcs for $6.25). It is not as big, juicy and soupy as Joe’s Shanghai since some dumplings was leaking already when it came out but it is 40 cents cheaper than Joe’s. Anyhow, Soup Dumpling is a Shanghainese dish and we are in a Sichuan restaurant. For main entrée’s we got Beef W. Spicy Green Pepper ($9.50) and Sour String Beans W. Minced Pork ($9.25). Both portions are pretty big. The Beef W. Spicy Green Pepper is not oily and the sauce is not as corn-starchy thick like lots of other Chinese restaurants, which maintain the flavors of the ingredients very well. The Sour String Beans W. Minced Pork is originated from Chairman Mao’s Home Cooking and it is quite a surprise. The sour pickled string beans are chopped in small 3/8 inch pieces stirred fry with minced pork and pepper. The dish is sour and spicy and go very well with white rice.
RANTS & RAVES:
Tips: 1. I like that their menu is divided into sections of “American Chinese Food” and “Sichuan Cooking” Stick with all the Sichuan cooking. It is quite authentic and the taste is strong, spicy and very flavorful. 2. Go for the lunch specials (all $5.75 with your choice of entrees over rice plus your choice of side) from 11:30am to 4:00pm 3. There’s not much selection (probably 10 items?) for vegetarian in the Sichuan Cooking section. 4. On weekend this place is superpacked. Go early and secure your seat. They also have 3 others restaurant around Manhattan but people says this one is the best.
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