I'm not usually a fan of Chinese food, but a friend insisted we try Panda Inn after its recent renovation. I reluctantly agreed--and I'm so glad I did. I enjoyed it so much that I went back again with my family. First, the restaurant itself is beautiful--modern, inviting, and thoughtfully redesigned. More importantly, the food was outstanding. I typically shy away from the sweet, heavy sauces common in Chinese cuisine, but every dish we tried was balanced, flavorful, and genuinely delicious. Across two visits, we ordered the Panda Beef, Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, shrimp and lobster dumplings, chow fun, shrimp lo mein, honey walnut shrimp, and the mango and duck salad. My favorite dish by far was the dumplings--so flavorful and perfectly prepared that I honestly liked them better than Din Tai Fung. I truly have nothing negative to say about a single dish. The cocktails were also excellent and thoughtfully crafted. Service was attentive and friendly throughout. Be sure to make a reservation, as the restaurant gets busy and the wait without one can be frustrating. Parking is available with three-hour validation, which is a plus. I will definitely be returning. read more

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Ribs and drinks were awesome. A top tier restaurant Great service and everything was perfect

The service here is horrible. It was my first time at Panda Inn and I was pretty disappointed. We made a reservation for last Saturday and requested booth seating. We came here to celebrate a birthday which is why we prepared by making a reservation. When we checked in they had us wait for a few minutes and then they led us to a table. I confronted the hostess about the seating request. We were told to wait another 10 minutes and once again led to a table. The hostess were super rude. What's the purpose of making a reservation/ seating request when you don't even look at the information or take it into consideration. After being lied to about making our accommodation which again was requested way ahead of time we sat at table. Once we were seated I noticed one of the booths open up. It was clear to me that these hostess could care less about their customers. They gave the booth to another party. The only person who even gave us a smile was the man who served our drinks. Our waiter seemed annoyed to be there with the kitchen and bar running extra slow and I don't blame him. It took forever to get our drinks. It took forever to get our food. Panda Inn isn't new so I'm not sure why they haven't figured out a good system to not over book or at least hire more staff. The food itself was ok. Yes it's better than the fast food Panda Express but I wasn't blown away. The braised pork was rushed. It wasn't tender at all. It's pretty irritating trying to bite tough meat when you're only provide chopsticks and a fork, no knife. The orange chicken has a good sauce but the texture on some of the pieces was off putting. The green beans were tasty but a little over cooked. The best dish we had was the walnut shrimp. No complaints there. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. My local Chinese fast food restaurant makes food just as good or even better actually. And at least they treat me with kindness. read more

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First impression was amazing! Tony was friendly and welcoming for our first visit and explained the menu to us. The newly renovated interior was festive and beautiful. The miso cod was pretty good, very mildly seasoned and healthy. The noodles were perfect, not oily or too salty. Free validated parking and clean restrooms as wel read more

Panda Inn - Filet Mignon Chow Fun - Chinese Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Being at the original location really does make a difference. If you already like Panda Express, this is that but way more dialed in. The orange chicken somehow slaps even harder here. The beef and broccoli surprised me too. The broccoli was actually cooked so well and the beef was super tender. The sweet and sour pork was another standout with juicy pieces, pineapple, peppers, and onions all working together. We also tried the Taiwanese chicken, which came out crispy with a lemon pepper kind of zest, and the cream cheese rangoons were stuffed way more than you'd expect. Everything just felt a level up. Service was fast and accurate the whole time. He kept the Sapporos coming and stayed on top of the table without missing a beat. The atmosphere feels much classier than what people might expect. Great Pasadena location, parking right on the side, and a setting that feels more like a real sit down experience than a quick chain stop. read more

This was our first visit since Panda Inn's remodel, so it's definitely been a while! It was a busy Sunday night, but we only waited about 20 minutes for a table for two. Panda Inn has a modern, upscale vibe that caters more to American diner. Forks are the default setting, and you have to request chopsticks, which is the opposite from traditional Chinese restaurants. Our server was friendly and accommodating; when we mentioned that our table was uneven, he quickly moved us to a more spacious one, which we really appreciated. We share the Lobster Crispy Noodles, Steamed Chilean Sea Bass and Seaweed with Oyster Mushroom as an appetizer. We also ordered a pot of jasmine hot tea to warm up since it was a chilly evening. The appetizer came out quickly, though the entrées took a bit longer--but the sea bass was absolutely worth the wait. It was perfectly steamed, tender, and easily the best one we've ever had. The lobster crispy noodles were decent, though the lobster meat wasn't as bouncy or fresh as we're used to at traditional Chinese spots, seems likely from frozen. Overall, it was a lovely dinner date. I still like their signature chocolate-covered fortune cookies at the end of the meal. Though if my memory serves me right, they used to be fully coated in chocolate when I was a kid, not just dipped at the tip. read more

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It may be tough to get a reservation on a weekend, but it's well worth a try at least once. Parking is easy in the parking garage. The interior is quite nice, although it was a bit toasty. The service here is good, and they were gracious enough to comp us 3 desserts during our visit. If you're wondering, they do offer high chairs. Here's what I tried: Salt & Pepper Crispy Calamari - Well seasoned and crispy. I'd say above average Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken - On par with what you can get from any kind of boba shop. Nothing more, nothing less, which could be an issue for some people. Beef Short Rib with Brussel Sprouts - Very tender and tasty. It comes with a variety of sauces and is really great to share. Orange Chicken - I was a little surprised with this one. At the minimum you'd expect it to be just like from a Panda Express. But it wasn't, it was worse. Excessive breading. Honey Walnut Shrimp - Standard from what you'd get from your average Chinese spot. Quite delicious! Chocolate Lava Cake - A really well-rounded dessert. Creamy and not too sweet. read more

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We had such a wonderful Mother's Day dinner at Panda Inn thanks to our waitress Elaine! She was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made sure our moms felt so special throughout the evening. She also took the time to chat with my 4 yr old nephew and made him feel included, which meant a lot to our family. Her kindness and warm personality truly made our dinner extra memorable. Thank you, Elaine, for the amazing service! read more

Panda Inn - Smoked duck - Chinese Near Me - Pasadena, California

The Pasadena Panda Inn recently went through a major glow up and my family and I went to visit for lunch. The food served here is not all authentic Chinese, but is mainly inspired by Taiwanese, Japanese and Chinese cuisine. They even serve sushi here. They did a great job of renovating the new space, it's absolutely beautiful and I love the bar area and how spacious the whole restaurant feels. There is a big multi story parking lot in the back so parking isn't an issue. I heard they plan on building an apartment building in the back, so we shall see how that affects the parking in the future. Service was friendly and my family thought the food was good. We ordered: Chicken Mu Shu wraps Taiwanese Popcorn chicken Wonton Crisps Spicy Nachos Hot & Sour Soup Panda Beef Honey Walnut Shrimp Sweet & Pungent Chicken Braised String Beans Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice Because my kids are allergic to nuts, they were nice enough to put the walnuts of the Honey Walnut shrimp on the side. The mu shu wraps were so good, and the hot & sour soup just brought back so many nostalgic vibes. The family thought the pork rice was only ok. My only complaint is the Sweet & Pungent Chicken dish. It looks great when it arrives to the table like you're getting a lot of chicken, but is disappointing once you eat it. It was made of thinly sliced chicken (think hot pot thin slices) covered in batter and fried, then tossed in a sweet & sour sauce. I could barely taste any chicken, so I basically ordered a big pile of fried batter. I didn't enjoy this dish at all. I love tea but wasn't willing to pay $8 a cup. Fun desserts like chocolate lava cake and rice pudding are available to end your dining experience. read more

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I was so excited to try this place, after all it's hype on social media as well as a podcast I listened to on the history of Panda Express. I had been to the Glendale location as a small child, so I had fond memories of their white chocolate-coated fortune cookies. The servers were patient with my large party. We started by ordering our drinks. The Sour w Absinthe was a small serving but refreshing. As for the Mai Tai, it was well endowed with alcohol and syrupy in the best way a rum drink can be. My parents are regulars, so they took the reins on placing our order. We ordered the Honey Walnut Shrimp, Mongolian Beef, Sweet & Pungent Chicken, and Lo Mein. The Honey Walnut Shrimp was everything you love about the original, with an extra oomph through the chunks of melon. The Mongolian Beef was melt-in-your-mouth soft in its savory, brown gravy. The Sweet & Pungent Chicken was a much better option to trade for an orange chicken. It was lighter and more sour rather than oppressively sticky and sweet. As for the Lo Mein: dare i say it was better than Din Tai Fung? The chicken pieces were incredibly tender and the sauce soaked up by the thick noodles was flavorful. With such a well-designed ambiance to go along with all this, I would recommend coming here to everyone I know. read more

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Front staff will ignore you, I stood up at the front and they just walk right past you, I sat down and they still walked past, until 20 mins I ask the girl at the front for help. Doesn't take 45 mins for a takeout soup tbh on a Monday afternoon. read more

Panda Inn is the original and they curated the first Panda Express for the Galleria. I'm a big fan of Panda Express and we tried the original. The space is very elegant - apparently they went through a renovation. The food was worth a try but didn't knock our socks off. The atmosphere was very nice. Good service. Please come and create your own adventure. read more

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Had an amazing experience at Panda Inn easily a 10/10! The food was absolutely on point. I tried the Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Honey Walnut Shrimp, and Chicken Lo Mein... Just a few of what I had, and everything was delicious. Each dish was packed with flavor, cooked perfectly, and super satisfying. The location itself is awesome and stunning great atmosphere that makes the whole dining experience even better. Whether you're going for a casual meal or something a little nicer, this spot delivers. Definitely coming back! read more

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This is my first time dining in after the major remodel/rebuild project. 3-hour free parking for Panda Inn customers. Very comfortable outdoor space and now there's even a shaded entry with benches; definitely a very thoughtful design! Making a reservation on Open Table was super convenient, even for a Sunday lunch. Host was quick to acknowledge our arrival, led us to one of the outdoor patios, it would have been nice had she care to hold the door open behind her. Sat down at a round table, one of the chairs was sticky from dried soy sauce, a little disappointed with the carelessness. For the serving size and the price point, food was average. Shrimp fried rice and salt & pepper calamari were nicely done, not greasy and the rice grains were noticeably separated and firm with just enough scrambled egg strands mixed in. Though a bit more green onion would be a nice touch. We also got the braised pork belly that was accompanied by a tangy brown sauce that balanced out the somewhat fatty pork belly. The string beans was more saucy than expected; at least it wasn't oily from staying in the fryer too long. Finally, we tried the 6 pieces nigiri with a spicy salmon roll. It was average, the rice was too firm, not enough vinegar, fish was surely dead, the saving grace was the spicy ginger. Overall, the experience was meh and may be more suitable for a large group gathering given the new outdoor space. 2 adults and a teenager, $150 later it was just average Asian dishes like fried rice and string beans. read more

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Great spot to come visit and try. Got food to go, Guy name TAN is very polite, friendly and kind. And food is quality and delicious and place is extremely clean and staff are very friendly and hospitality of this place amazing. food is excell my expectations. would def recommend it to anyone !! Would definitely bring my family here and place excellent for date nights too ambiance is a vibe very nice interior designs read more

We had dinner here for my husband's birthday, service was amazing from the initial phone call to book a reservation! We were greeted and seated right away, our server was super sweet and on top of it! The restaurant is beautiful and the vibe is nice and calm! The food was incredible!!!!! Kung pao shrimp hands down is the best thing I tried, but everything was so good! They stored my husband's cake, and cut and served for us! So sweet and amazing of our server! We def will be back! read more

Panda Inn - Chinese Near Me - Pasadena, California

The place has been re decorated and is beautiful! We had two parties here. There are separate rooms that are perfect for an event up to 36 people. We had one as a surprise. The rooms were perfect and kept the surprise going. The food was amazing! Everyone and everything was delicious and so flavorful! Some of our guests also went back to celebrate smaller parties. There really isn't anything you can order here which isn't spot on delicious. The service is awesome. They are attentive, friendly and helpful. I will definitely be back for dinner and probably another celebration! read more

I miss the old place. Nice environment here and I think I need to make another visit to give it another chance. For now? Pricey for what it is. At least there's parking. And if you want to have a party, this is a nice setting for sure! read more

Delicious and the atmosphere was great here! I've had this spot on my "to try" list and I was not let down read more

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The food was absolutely delicious! The service was even better. We had Lincoln as our server and he was wonderful, so friendly, attentive, and welcoming. He made sure we had everything we needed and checked in at just the right times. He was even accommodating when I didn't like the drink I ordered and kindly helped me switch it out. Everything was very flavorful. My favorite dishes were the Filet Mignon Chow fun noodles and Orange Chicken (Mild). You can really tell they put effort into both the quality of the ingredients and the presentation. The whole experience was wonderful, and I would definitely come back again. Highly recommend! read more

Panda Inn - Mai Tai cocktail. - Chinese Near Me - Pasadena, California

I haven't been here since they closed for their new face lift. First thought entering their driveway which used to be a very small parking lot, was whoa, a private parking structure. The restaurant will validate the parking which ends up being free parking. Plenty of parking spaces. The front had a u-shaped driveway which allowed for easier drop off and pick up for guests who need the assistance. The main entrance is now off to the side instead of on Foothill Blvd. They have an outdoor patio area which had a lot of shade. The interior had changed so much that it looks amazing. We were seated immediately, but it took a while for our server to come and take our order. It seemed like the floor manager went to get our server for us. I asked if they still had their Asian Spiced Beef Short Ribs dish, which is my favorite, but they no longer carried that dish. We ended up ordering: mushu pork, crab wontons, honey walnut shrimp without the nuts, shrimp fried rice and what they called phoenix chicken (orange chicken, white meat only and not spicy). My friend ordered tea and I got a coke. I also did mention to bring the food out as they come because we didnt want the food to be cold and we were hungry. We got the main dishes before the appetizers came. The honey walnut shrimp contained honey dew melons. It didnt state that on the menu, I am allergic. If I would have known, I would have ordered it without the melons. Side note, my friend was the unlucky one, she opened up her table setting and found a dead fly inside it. I was expecting the same kind of service like I had at their glendale location. It was nothing close to that. It was disappointing. Our server didnt seem like she wanted to be there and was very quiet and had no expressions. It took a while for us to get a table setting replacement, our drink order to come, and im not sure if this location is meant for a fine dining experience. The womens restroom was clean and was a little dark. It was hard to see where the doors were, but it had 4 stalls and a baby changing station. One the stalls is big enough for wheel chairs. When the check came, we noticed $8 for a tea bag... it didnt even taste like it was a high quality tea. That was bizarre. The remodeling looks beautiful and loved what they have done with the space, but they missed the mark on service today. I think I will drive further to glendale for better service and they have my favorite dish there. read more

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Every thing was amazing! The sushi was fresh and tasty. The drinks were amazing and the service was awesome. Jacob was attentive and made sure we were well taken care of! read more

Our first visit to Panda Inn made us want to be regulars on the spot! We started with the Crab Rangoon, which had REAL crab with a garlicky punch that hit just right. The Shrimp, Chicken & Pork Spring Rolls were loaded with perfectly cooked, tender shrimp, and that dipping sauce?! We had to ask for another one! The Egg Drop Soup had this beautiful, rich chicken broth that felt like a warm hug, and the Hot & Sour Soup was velvety and had just the right amount of acidic heat. We sipped on the Yuzu Lemon Drop (so refreshing!) and the Ginger Mule, which had a great tang and a satisfying kick. For entrees, the Orange Chicken completely blew our minds. We love the Panda Express version (no shame!), but this was on a whole other level. Crispy, juicy and tender, boasting an elevated depth of flavor with citrus zest and savory richness. The Honey Walnut Shrimp was cooked to absolute perfection and it was such a large serving for the price. We skipped the white rice and went with the plain Lo Mein instead, which was the perfect complement to everything on the table. And dessert! Their cheesecake was a fluffy, light twist on the classic that was the ideal sweet ending to the meal. Now let's talk about the vibe. The interior is open and modern, but it never gets uncomfortably loud. Aside from the main dining room, there are nice private dining rooms along the perimeter. Our server was fantastic, and extremely attentive, warm, and genuinely helpful when it came to navigating the menu. We are already planning our next visit. If you haven't been to Panda Inn yet, close this app and go make a reservation. read more

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Always happy to return with an excellent services! Great customer service all around. read more

Came here for dine LA for my cousin bday and it was good!! I tried the hamachi tacos, walnut shrimp, crispy rice soup, three cup kitchen, and cheesecake for my desert! The food was a 4/5 for me and fresh and hot! The desert was 2/5 I felt that it was really no taste and unsweetened for a cheesecake. For my drink I got the Panda Mai tai w/o the almonds and it was good!! The service was 3/5 it took a while for most of our drinks and food but Jacob our server handled our big party well. The Ambiance was very nice and Modern since it had been fully remodeled from the ground up! They have their own parking and it seems very upscale! Though I lived in Pasadena for many years I never tried Panda Inn and today was my first time!!! I will come back! -Marshay read more

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Panda is the originators of orange chicken so I had to try the OG. There's a parking structure behind Panda that is free with validation. I also recommend making a reservation as it can get pretty busy during peak times. The food was upscaled Chinese American food and done pretty well. Given the location in 626 and the many other options that are out there, I would give Panda Inn a 3.5 considering there's cheaper but similar quality food options out there. read more

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I've always loved Panda Inn. Now that it has been remodeled, I really enjoy the upgraded venue. The new parking structure is easy to access and parking is validated. The restaurant feels so much larger than before. Although there are more tables, it doesn't feel crowded. The restaurant is extremely clean, including the restrooms. The service is always top notch. My fave appetizers are the crab wontons, pork potstickers, and Taiwanese popcorn chicken. So good, we inhaled them before I could take pics! These never disappoint. The chili oil on the side delivers the heat! We recently ordered: -chicken corn egg drop soup (the corn gave it a light, sweet crunch!) -beef broccoli -beef lo mein -chicken lo mein -orange chicken -spicy tofu eggplant -mapo eggplant -steamed Chilean sea bass (Mmm) The food was good, as expected. However, on this occasion the orange chicken was so dry and rubbery instead of crispy, I couldn't recognize the chicken underneath the seasoning. The spicy tofu eggplant, which is my go-to item, was on the salty side and heavy on the basil. A few scoops of rice helped neutralize the over-seasoned dish. Although I was disappointed today by some of the standard dishes, I'll keep coming back. The majority of what we ordered was delicious and it's a beautiful restaurant to visit. And who can resist their signature white-chocolate dipped fortune cookies?! read more

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The service was attentive and quick. The interior design and furniture was beautifully done. The food was great. All the flavors tasted authentically Chinese. The three cup chicken is a must try. The calamari was seasoned well and the breading was crispy. The duck salad was delicious as well. read more

The ambiance is beautiful, service is excellent and food is delicious! Your meal ends with a complimentary extra large fortune cookie dipped in white chocolate. read more

Panda Inn - Great service, excellent food and yummy fortune cookies! - Chinese Near Me - Pasadena, California

Don't come here if you value service or attentive waitstaff! Nobody checked on our party of 8 once our food was delivered to the table. Also, two dishes we ordered just never arrived. Had to flag someone down to refill our drinks (wasn't even our waiter). That was the only refill we received. The food we did receive was tasty. Our waiter disappeared but I can't blame him too much since he was the only waiter for the entire filled outdoor area we sat in (multiple large parties). We thought maybe it was just a bad day (I always try to give the benefit of the doubt), but now I see here on Yelp there are multiple reviews mentioning poor service. Won't be returning. I'd rather spend $300 where they prioritize service. Hire more wait staff or reduce the number of reservations you take! read more

lots of great selection, different types of poultry, such as chicken, beef and seafood. The service was fantastic and the ambience was beautiful. read more

I am upgrading my review to 5 stars! I came in last night with a group of friends. All the dishes we ordered (Kung Pao Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Walnut Shrimp, Mapo Tofu, etc.) were all sooo delicious! Most of all, the service was on point! We had two servers waiting on our group of 7, and they were so nice, attentive, and fast! Like I said in my original review, the atmosphere is incredible and you don't feel like you're in Pasadena at all -- it feels like you're in a different country. I can't wait to come back! read more

Panda Inn - Chinese Near Me - Pasadena, California

It's the middle of a long weekend and we decided to take some of our out of town friends to eat. This panda inn was newly remodeled and hyped up in the group. The inside decor is great, there are some out door seating as well. A nicely full stocked bar. The food overall was pretty good. The service was great when it came by but it took a while for them to notice we needed water, or our dishes to come. I feel like this is a one off and they are short on waiting staff read more

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Excellent service! Our server is friendly and attentive. Inside is spacious. My impression is that this is a chinese restaurant but interestingly, it also has a side menu of sushi and other Japanese cuisines. Dessert like chocolate lava cake is also available. The dishes we tried are average. - steamed chilean seabass - bok choy with mushrooms - sweet and sour pork - egg drop soup We got a bowl of egg drop soup which is shareable. That can be split into 4 small bowls. To me, taste of oil in the soup is too overpowering. I do like the sweet and sour pork. It is all meat and no bones. A big plus for me. The pineapple though is tiny which is disappointing. The other two dishes taste all right. Pretty plating though. The rice container was put on the table without cover. I see other tables' rice has cover. A cover is important because air conditioning is strong indoor and rice would get hardened and cold quick. Parking is convenient. There is a covered parking structure in the same plaza. read more

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The food was okay. Service was super slow and no one ever checked on us. It was difficult getting a refill on our drinks and flagging someone down to get chopsticks. The portions are small but decent taste. I like that they have the option to order the orange chicken extra spicy. It's a beautiful place that's date worthy. For 6 of us the total came out to be $230. I enjoyed the white chocolate covered fortune cookie. read more

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Panda Inn... the fancy side of Panda Express. But tonight, wife and I were guests #1 and #2 as they debuted their "Panda Inn Omakase Sushi" experience. And I will say, it was really impressive, and not "for a Chinese restaurant". Every course was delicate and well thought out. Very traditional, classic sushi... no gimmicks. $88 for standard, $158 for premium... and l recommend the premium. Fantastic service too from everyone there. Definitely recommend. read more

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Review is post-Renovation, in 2025 Parking is easy in their own structure, free. The new building is beautiful with a very upscale ambiance. The seating area is spacious and large booths adorn the edges. The outdoor patio is special and great for an evening. Service was good. Relatively quick and waiters were knowledgeable. Reservations are easy through Yelp and Open Table. Weekdays aren't too bad but weekends often require them. I love the food here in general. My favorites is the Panda Beef (nicely crispy beef pieces, well flavored) and their Phoenix Chicken (variation of their famous orange chicken). There are must get options. The only reason for 4/5 stars is the cleanliness is not always on par. The booths can have residual food on it and flies get inside (understandable) however takes away from the upscale experience especially at "upscale" prices. read more

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I always wanted to give this place a try and glad I did. You can get the same food from Panda Express but puts a different spin to it. Well I lied you can't get the sea bass. It's a nice ambiance and probably a nice first date spot if you want to impress your date with Chinese food that is common and familiar. Unless your date is one of those that will say why spend more money when you can get the same thing at Panda Express. Service is nice especially since this type of food is linked to fast food and self service. Out waitress was very polite and accommodating to us since we had our kids with us. She made sure we had all the kids drinks had kids and brought out utensils for them. Overall it's not a bad place to go just can get on the pricy side. If you order Togo make sure you join their rewards club. Did not see an option to add your dine in visit to the rewards club unless you need to notify your server that you're a member. read more

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This restaurant exceeded all my expectations. The ambience is cozy and inviting. The food was amazing! The cod fish with brown rice and bok choy was cooked to perfection, I want to know exactly what kind of sauce they use because it was simple but delicious. And the hand rolls are perfect as well, the fish is top quality and they make them for you on the spot so the rolls don't sit on the counter for more than a few seconds. Extra kudos for the staff, specially for our kind server Henry who treated us as if we were family. We will definitely be back, there are a lot of things in the menu that we have to try :) read more

The place is beautiful! I loved the food. Usually Chinese food tastes too greasy or s and my tummy will hurt afterwards. But all the dishes were flavorful and service and drinks were outstanding. Can't wait to take friends here for group dates! read more