The Imperial Palace is nestled in a small shopping plaza off Princess Anne Rd in Virginia Beach. We stopped by to have lunch on a Sunday and it was fairly busy. The older lady welcomed and greeted us, and walked us to our table. She was a very enthusiastic lady and was very happy to have us dine at her restaurant. I loved her energy! The food we ordered were mostly her recommendations, and they were delicious! I also liked that they had the Churchill China Blue Willow plates. As I looked around the restaurant, every guest seemed to enjoy their food. Overall, we had a great dining experience and I think most of it was because of the lady's energy. The food was delicious. Definitely would love to dine here again the next time I'm in Virginia. read more

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Overall I would say not the best experience. First, the food was more of a take out Chinese style, but then was very pricey for what it is worth. We wanted to get the egg rolls as I was craving it, but they said they do not have it despite being on the menu. That was a little disappointing. I got the 6 steamed dumpling, and when my husband chewed down there was bone chunks in the dumpling. We got the sesame chicken which mostly tasted like orange chicken with a little more soy sauce and a little less orange. It was tasty, but again the price for what it was did not match. The honey roasted duck was tasty with a savory thick sauce to dip. We got white rice with our dishes. My husband asked for chopsticks, and there were none which was surprising. The fortune cookie at the end was stale, and my fortune was kind of a hilarious demand to be vegetarian/vegan. The service was decent. The ambiance lighting was very red in color, making it feel dark on the inside. It is awkwardly quiet with loud clinking. One of the light fixtures was broken. Overall, food was just okay, and the pricing did not feel appropriate for what was served. read more

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Disappointment is the theme of this review. I expected minimal but was more disappointed after I left. The only saving grace is that the duck itself was good. Ambiance- red lights make it hard to see your friends and loved ones. Hard to take a picture. All the regulars just stare at us while we were eating? There was also a broken lamp. Like shards were gone from the bottom so if you stand up it's a recipe for disaster. There was also no Asian people eating there? Service- less than great. No chopsticks at a Chinese restaurant. They want us to get our food pay our check and go Food- expensive. 88 dollars for three takeout dishes. I found myself yelling when I saw the price for crab rangoons was 13 dollars. Dumplings- 14 dollars for 6 small dumplings. I ate bone shards as well. Meat didn't really taste anything as well as the sauce. Sesame Chicken- served with a small cup of rice. Actually tasted more like orange chicken... felt like less than a normal serving in a takeout restaurant. 24 dollars??? Honey roasted duck- best dish. Juicy. Salty. Crispy. Sauce could use some work. Didnt really taste honey sweet. They didn't even have egg rolls even though they were in the menu. The more I think about this place the sadder my day gets. Finally , the fortune cookie was stale.... read more

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Everyone in VB knows about this place cause they send coupons in the mail constantly. The wife and I decided to finally give it a shot. The staff there is very polite and nice, even though they forgot about our drinks we had ordered. The ambiance is nice they had a gentleman playing the piano all night and was a nice touch. So now comes the food. We ordered a few appetizers, the crab rangoons were pretty bad and the sweet and sour sauce that comes with it was terrible. Then for entrees, the general tan chicken was one of the worst Asian dishes I had ever had. The shrimp fried rice was okay, shrimp were cooked to perfection but the rest of the dish lacked any flavor. Not to mention the prices are expensive for what you get. We had a good experience there due to the staff but the food is pretty bad. I might try to order takeout from them to see if maybe it was just the one meal. But other than that I will not be returning. I hope this helps anyone who's debating going there cause of the coupons! read more

We ate at imperial palace recently and it was not what I had expected...it was worse. The food was far more expensive than its quality warranted. We ordered sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, chicken fried rice, and beef lo mein. The beef lo mein noodles were broken into small pieces instead leaving them as long noodles and there were more vegetables than there were noodles. The beef in the beef broccoli had an unusual taste like it had been sitting out for too long and the broccoli and bamboo shoots had a really weird taste that I can't even explain; we didn't finish it. The sweet and sour sauce had a slight flavor akin to some kind of cleaning agent; we just ate the chicken without the sauce. The chicken fried rice was the best out of all of it. They should get rid of the piano player and just play music, even traditional Chinese music, over the speakers. The internal appearance of the place made us think the food and ambience would be somewhat traditional, but it wasn't even close. China Ocean off of Holland has far better Chinese food than Imperial Palace. I will not recommend imperial palace nor returning to eat there. The staff/service was great, especially our waitress Sue. read more

Haven't been here in a couple of years. We had the hot and sour soup. And the egg drop soup and they were delicious however five dollars for one small bowl is a bit expensive. We had their governors chicken and though it was plentiful, the pieces were rather large and over breaded and instead of tasting like general Tao, it tasted more like an orange chicken and very little sauce.The other entrée we had was the Hunan lamb and though the vegetables and sauce were very good, the lamb was a bit tough and chewy and not tender like I've had in the past. This is not the Imperial Palace that I recall from two years ago. And after last night's dinner, I probably will not be coming back for a good while. Lastly, it is overly pricey and there are smaller takeout places with the same or better quality. I think you're paying for the elegant ambience and fine plates, glasses, etc. Service still remains top notch. read more

My friends and I went there on Saturday and they had the dragon dance and collect envelopes for the Lunar New Year celebration. Little did we know we would be charged a fee per person and 20% tip mandatory tip. I order ribs that were mainly bones, a lo main plate and crab Rangoon's and my bill was $84.50. Most expensive Chinese food I have ever had. I felt bad for my friend who brought her whole family and had to pay a fee per person. Ouch! Never coming back! It would nice if you could let everyone know before serving us, so we could have walked out and gone somewhere else. read more

Our visit turned out so great. I can't wait to return to try more food. This location is very cute and is decorated very nicely. I loved their plates. The service was very friendly, attentive, and helpful. The waitress helped with our choice in sides and it was delicious. As sides we ordered spring rolls and they were very good and crisp. The fried rice was so seasoned and so tasty. Normally I feel like I have to add an additional amount of soy sauce but this was perfect. read more

The Imperial Palace - Beef Fried Rice - Chinese Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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By far the worst Chinese food that I've ever had in my life... The Mongolian Beef was chewy and stringy... The chicken was rubbery... Not only was the food less than edible. I woke up at 3am sick and throwing up... If I was homeless and starving and someone offered me Imperial Palace food I would turn it down... The name is "The Imperial Palace" should be renamed "The Peasant Village" I've seen Indian Street Food that was presented better... Never again... Literally go to any other Chinese restaurant and it will be better... read more

Came here for Mother's Day lunch. Not the first time my family have been here. For me I tend to always order the sweet and sour pork combination dinner. But today I decided to try the Mongolian Lamb. I was absolutely impressed with its flavor. Very juicy, sweet. The sautéed green onions that are part of the dish did not overpower the lamb or the ginger sauce. If anything it contributed to the blend of flavors and was so subtle that I enjoyed eating the green onions by themselves as well. The other members of my family ordered the Shrimp Hunan Style, Tofu Vegetable Woba, and Roasted Pork with Chinese Vegetables. read more

Great traditional American Chinese restaurant experience. Pricier than it should be, though.

The Best Chinese restaurant in the area. They put on a fantastic Chinese New Years Party. The entire staff here are so amazingly kind and helpful. They answered all questions about the menu and are very patient.. Even the lunch menu is a few pages. I like to really go over all my options. So it took a few minutes to read and then we were all discussing what to eat. We all love sharing food so we all try to get something different from each other. That way we can try lots of different foods at one dinner or lunch. *The shrimp fried rice is perfect and a great portion. *The hot and sour soup is very good too. The mushrooms are fresh and the soup is very flavorful. Spicy goodness. *the fried wontons are so tasty and they are the best I have ever had. Not greasy at all. My whole table thought the same thing I did. *The Beef and Broccoli is always like eating comfort food. *Crab Rangoons are so good I could eat them every day. For dinner they have a sampler that is our favorite to get. It is Called Seven Stars Around the Moon for 2. It is my favorite shrimp fried rice, lumpia, imperial shrimp, governor's chicken, spare ribs, and triple delight. and we like to add egg drop soup. I honestly think if you really look at the menu and decide what you like before you order. The meal is going to be fantastic. Every single dish comes HOT HOT HOT and delicious. read more

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I was in a group of five that came for Chinese New Year. It's crazy because I have been in this strip mall at least two dozen times but never stepped inside this restaurant. Well on this night, every seat was packed as the diners were anticipating the dragon and lion dances. With the food, I ordered a sizzling plate with beef, scallops, and chinese vegetables. It was a decent dish, but I would've preferred the proteins have a little more sear on them. I did try a few dishes that my friends got and the spareribs were the highlight for me. Also the staff was really accommodating, the owner really get involved by clearing tables, running drinks, and doing whatever it takes to keep the restaurant running smoothly. I would definitely come back to have some General's chicken, beef and broccoli, and more of those ribs! read more

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Great Chinese food spot in Virginia Beach! We came for lunch during the week and it was surprisingly busy, which immediately made us think that we had come to the right place. The atmosphere is very old school, traditional restaurant, much like our favorites in the Northeast. We started with the crab rangoons, after hearing that they are the best in the 757. The recommendation was correct. They are made with real crab, not imitation like usual. The crab was sweet and salty and the outside wonton was perfectly cooked. I didn't love the dipping sauce, but the rangoons honestly didn't need any sauce. Would definitely get these again. For entrees, my husband got one of the lunch combos with comes with the entree, rice and soup. He got the Kung Pao Chicken with fried rice and hot and sour soup. I got the shrimp egg foo yung. The hot and sour soup was the best thing that hit our table. By far. Best hot and sour soup I've ever had (and I order it at every Chinese restaurant I go to). I will absolutely get it every time I come here! The Shrimp Egg Foo Yung was also delicious. We weren't thrilled with the Kung Pao Chicken or Fried Rice, but they weren't bad! We will definitely be back! read more

The Imperial Palace - Crab Rangoons were AMAZING - Chinese Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Food, drink, service food was perfectly presented, and the drinks were a variety of types and taste. The food is plentiful and the staff is very helpful with suggestions. I always think of it as the best place on the Southside to go for Chinese food. read more

Imperial Palace wins "The Best of" almost every year. Once you try stop by you will see why. Imperial Palace is my go to spot even though I no longer live in VB. Imperial Palace is the real deal. The food is flavorful and is not greasy. Their EGG Drop Soup is the best I've ever tasted. It is well seasoned and always served hot. Their lunch menu is plentiful with lots of choices. To dine in, is a classy experience. You may catch the pianist while you're there. read more

Food is always wonderful. Service is the best. It never disappoints. Great atmosphere and menu selection.

I was part of a party of 16 on New Year's Eve. First I compliment the restaurant for allowing a group this large at 8 pm when they were closing at 9 pm. We had no wait whatsoever. Our server was Sara. She did a fantastic job. She announced the long specials list without notes. That impressed us. Then she took the drink orders for each of us. Once again, impressive, no notes. She brought the drinks out then took our food orders. She brought the soup and meals out as soon as they were ready. She did a fabulous job there too. The food was all delicious and I didn't hear one complaint, out of 16. Stellar! We had all eaten and paid and walking out the door by 915. Amazing job by Sara and the rest of the staff plus the owner who is always there. read more

Great service! Lots of options and good tasting food! The wings were not my favorite, but they are huge! read more

A friend and I stumbled across this restaurant accidentally and I'm so happy that we did. The ambiance is phenomenal and peaceful. The food was amazing-- literally the best Chinese food I've had here. So fresh. I loved everything about this restaurant. The staff are pleasant and very welcoming. I will definitely be back. read more

The Imperial Palace - Chicken with Broccoli with a side of shrimp fried rice - Chinese Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Imperial Palace in Virginia Beach is a must-visit restaurant for anyone who loves Chinese cuisine. The restaurant is located beside E Mart and boasts an upscale and classy interior that sets it apart from other Chinese restaurants in the area. The atmosphere is intimate, making it the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. But what really sets Imperial Palace apart is the amazing service provided by the staff, especially our friendly waitress Mama Sue. She has a grandmother-like demeanor that makes you feel right at home. She is attentive, knowledgeable, and always ready to offer recommendations on the menu. Thanks to Mama Su for recommending we order the Hong kong wonton soup. I've never tasted anything like it. They sure didn't skimp on the crispy wontons to pair with our soup. I loved the vegetables including the water chest nuts, bok choy and the carrots. The wontons highlighted the flavors of the dish along with the crispy rice toppings. It will be my new mandatory everytime I visit. The owner, Mira was so nice to ask how we liked everything. She checked up on us with having nice conversations and made sure we enjoyed every bit of our food and service. Speaking of the menu, the seafood pan-fried noodle is a must-try dish. It is cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The crunch was just the way I like it and the scallops and shrimp melted in my mouth with the sauce. The chef special menu is also worth exploring, as it features a variety of unique and delicious dishes that you won't find anywhere else. Surprisingly, I was amazed that all this time I've lived in Va Beach...I've skimmed past this place even though my parents have gone to this restaurant on numerous events. From now on I got to make Imperial Palace a place I would go to often for celebratory occasion or on my romantic date nights. The food and service is exceptional, the atmosphere is elegant, yet still keeps its authenticity with the traditional chinese decor. The chinese food is simply amazing. read more

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Really great service with a pretty extensive menu! A nice sit down Chinese restaurant instead of a fast food feel. When we left, a family of about 15 people were there to celebrate a birthday! That really speaks to the ambiance for me. No orange chicken or pork egg rolls on the menu; their default is a shrimp egg roll. However, the vegetable egg rolls were SO GOOD that I ordered a second one. I ordered the sesame chicken and my only complaint is that the pieces were bigger than I usually prefer, so that's more of a personal preference. The chicken itself was nice and crispy, and flavored very well. The won ton soup was excellent and everyone at the table loved the crab rangoon. *The crab soup also had rave reviews from a friend that had it! I'll 100% be going back. read more

The Imperial Palace - Sesame Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

The older lady was our server and her attentiveness and hospitality was out of this world. Would definitely come here again!

Quality is excellent. we eat here regularly and never disappointed. Service is great and the staff is very accommodating for food sensitivities. Frequently live piano music adds wonderful ambience. read more

Food was good and service was great. Restaurant is old and dated and definitely not very clean. Will not be eating in again.

From the outside it doesn't look like much, but when you walk in you see why it's called Imperial Palace. The dining room is beautiful. The booths are spacious and comfortable. Our server Misa was absolutely fantastic! Friendly and energetic she brought an energy to our table that was amazing. We enjoyed the dragon and lion dance so much. All of my friends had not seen it before and loved it. I was thrilled to be able to introduce them to it. Happy year of the rabbit!!! The food arrived, and was hot and so tasty. Such wonderful quality and the flavor is spot on. I enjoy eating here so very much. I always come back. The owner Mira checked in after the festivities as well. A magical night to be sure. read more

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This is an authentic, Dine-in, Chinese restaurant. All the appointments of what chinese restaurants used to look like and be. The prices with definitely let you know, this is NOT a "take out joint." Succinctly, my LUNCH meal, came to $60.00 with a very good tip; my waitress was exceptional. My meal started when wonton soup; delicious (this came with my meal). It was followed by freshly made Sesame/Scallion pancakes. They weren't my NYC "scallion pancakes," but far better than others I've had in this region. From there I had the very lightly sauced "BBQ Spare ribs." Tender and delicious. They were definitely not the ones you get from "take out" joints. My main course (again, this was lunch), what I called "General Taos" was set before me. Delicious also. Bottom line, if you want GOOD, fresh, delicious, dine in Chinese food, this is definitely a place to check out. Prepare yourself for the bill though!! read more

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Great food and service! Crispy beef and salt and pepper calamari are delicious ! Oh and crab ragoons

Everything here is perfect; the food, the service and the ambiance. The food is high calibre. Try it; you'll be back for more.

I came here on a Friday evening with some friends. We did have a reservation so we were able to get right in. I must admit, I don't go to dine in Chinese restaurants as much, and to be honest I really don't eat much Chinese food anymore, so this was a great change of pace. Inside was a little outdated, but still very nice. It was dim lighting but perfect to create that ambiance. There was a man playing soothing music on the keyboard. They were pretty busy, and our server, though very sweet and patient, seemed pretty anxious. It's pretty much family style here, and a couple of the ladies ordered some appetizers such as wonton soup and sesame cucumber. I did have a taste of the cucumbers and it was delicious. Everyone who tasted the wonton soup said it was very good. I ordered the pan roasted salmon filet for my meal. It was beautifully presented and perfectly seasoned. I would have liked to have had a larger portion of salmon seeing that I paid $39 for this entree. It came with vegetables and rice, but I asked for them to omit the rice and was hoping to get extra veggies, but that was not an option. Service was wonderful. Our server was very attentive and patient with us. I found it very cute that instead of to go cups for children, they used makeshift cups using plastic soup containers. Very creative. Our food was delicious. Service was great. I would definitely come back when in the mood for sit down Chinese! read more

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Imperial palace has always been one of my favorite places to go. I've never experienced take out with them until recently. I've always sat and ate. Now please dont think this is your ordinary chinese take out. This is a step above that. Being that we were in the middle of covid-19 at the time of me visiting the restaurant due to all the other Asian cuisines were closed. I was in dire need of some good ol' fried rice. The rice was amazing but the amount and the price was not. I think that they should come down a few dollars or increase their portions. Overall the food was amazing read more

The Imperial Palace - Chicken fried rice - Chinese Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Finally getting a chance to review my 5-star experience at Imperial Palace. I've been coming here for several years and can't believe this is my first review. Our family had gotten together during the holidays and decided to have dinner here. Mira (the owner) has always been so gracious and friendly with every visit and had our table ready for us. We started off with some soup, sesame pancakes and lumpia. We ordered a variety of dishes for our entrees that included some of their signature dishes as well as the basic "american chinese" dishes for the kids like sweet and sour chicken and beef and broccoli. We enjoyed everything. Keep in mind that Imperial Palace is not your typical Chinese restaurant that serves dishes in plastic containers, it does not offer dim sum as the other authentic Chinese restaurants do. Also, expect silverware on the table setting vs chopsticks (available if you ask though). This is a fine dining establishment so be mindful of the dress code. read more

Family style restaurant drinks are amazing. Service was tops tier ! Can't wait to go back we are regulars now after just going once !

Food was very good, however our server, Ruth, leaves a lot to be desired. We will give this place one more chance to redeem & will ask for different server next time. At first I thought I was imaging the situation, but as we were leaving our hidden table, my husband and I were given the opportunity to watch her interact with other customers in a very different way. When we left, my husband agreed with my initial impression when we first ordered tea. I felt like I was being merely tolerated and mentioned this to my husband, as Ruth was Asian, as is my husband, and I am Caucasian. He was on watchful lookout during the dinner to see if he noticed the same thing or if I was just not connecting with Ruth. Every interaction was very brief, and it seemed she wanted to get as far away from us as possible, as soon as possible. Ruth never stopped by the table to check how we were enjoying the meal. I minded my manners, always said please and thank you to Ruth, but it didn't change the quality of service, nor her lack of friendliness or cold attitude. One response I did get from Ruth in the form of acknowledgment to my "thank you" while ordering, was a "hmmm" reply. The server of the next table was completely opposite, and it was a shame we didn't have the other young gal as our server! That server was joking and laughing with the customers and all smiles and friendliness. Now I also realize everyone has not so great days, gets tired at the end of their day, & I was thinking she just had a long day, and that is why we were being treated this way. Until we watched her interact with others, which we could not see from our hidden curtained booth... then the scene unfolding in front of us confirmed my initial gut feeling of Ruth's treatment of us was not normal Or fair. I feel that as I am Caucasian and my husband is also Asian, like Ruth, that I was initially put in the dismissive category while my husband was only slightly better tolerated and treated cold. We will give this restaurant one more try and see if things are better. In closing , the fortune cookies were stale. The cute part of that was my fortune inside my cookie: your next Chinese meal with come with Lots Of Cookies! lol. read more

I've come to this place time and time again with my colleague and always order Shrimp Fried Rice. It's never disappointed. ever. The hot and sour soup that comes with the Lunch special is fire! Besides the last visit (I acknowledge they had are in dire need of help during these hard times). Some of the clientele who visit crack me up sometimes because they tend to be mature snooty people who look at a few people like "why are you here" and at the end of the day the food is affordable and service has been good so chill out! This isn't some fine dining restaurant... Anyways, I would come back, it's been great read more

This place NEVER lets you down. Consistent and the food is flavorful and delicious. The fried rice is superior over every restaurant I have tried in two years. Only complaint is that ribs need more sauce. read more

We absolutely love coming here. I always get the hot and soup soup and the salt and pepper shrimp for my entree. The soup is some of the best I've had. It's a little spicy, but has all the right flavors. It has some tofu, mushrooms and a few pieces of beef. I love that they serve the soup with a bowl of crunch wontons to add to your soup. They're also delicious to eat by themselves. The salt and pepper shrimp is the best I've found in the area. It's actually super hard to find in this area anyways. They're lightly battered, but the shrimp are huge too. They come with this nice salty peppery mix of white onions and green onions. Next time I should ask for more of that. It also comes with veggies and a heaping portion of their sesame noodles. It also comes with a small bowl of white rice, which I find unnecessary since I have the noodles. My bf always gets the Szechuan beef and he says it's his favorite. The mixed drinks are good too. Everyone is always so friendly here. Definitely recommend. read more

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Best Chinese Food ever! Delicious food, great service, nice atmosphere. Mira treats everyone like family. Nice vegan menu. Highly recommend. read more

The Imperial Palace - Dry cooked tofu - Chinese Near Me - Virginia Beach, Virginia

My son wanted to go Christmas Eve, so I made reservations for 8 in late November. Upon arriving a 4 top {table large enough for 4 people} had 8 mismatched chairs around the 4 top table, but unable to fit the seats under the table. After complaining to management, they split our group over 2 tables, enough room, but son and wife and 4 kids were split up! (no one was happy, especially the 5 year old girls.) food quality has gone way down. Most dishes. Have the protein heavily breaded and deep fried, with a sauce on top. I ordered orange beef one of my usual dishes, it used to be thick Sliced steak stir-fried with an orange sauce. Not this time, thin slices heavy breading deep fried to toughness with an orange sauce. $300.00 later and their credit card machine almost working! (only 1 drink, 3 cokes, 3 punches, rest water) we left, no one happy! But service was good, so a decent cash tip. read more

The Imperial Palace was founded by owners Mira and David Browning in 1998 and is located in the Kempsville Marketplace at the intersection of Princess Anne Road and Baxter Road. Sadly, David passed away in January of last year, leaving Mira as the sole owner. Before the Imperial Palace, they both operated the Szechuan Garden that was located by Lynnhaven Mall. This was a local chain whose locations closed years ago. The Imperial Palace has legions of loyal fans who swear it is the best Chinese restaurant in all of Hampton Roads. For whatever it's worth, it has also been winning the Best Of The Beach and various other awards for years. The cuisine at the Imperial Palace falls more into the category of American Chinese than authentic Chinese. Yet the distinction between the two can often be blurred. For example, the red chili peppers we associate with Szechuan cuisine did not originate from China. Instead, they originated from Mesoamerica, a historical region that extended from what is now Central Mexico to Northern Costa Rica and date back more than 7,000 years. The red chili pepper did not arrive in China until the 16th century through various Portuguese trade routes. They didn't enter the kitchens of China until a century or two later. Therefore, what we now call authentic Szechuan cuisine today has solid roots in the Americas of the New World. The words "Elegant Chinese Dining" are etched on their front door. As you enter, you see two large dining rooms with one at the left and the other at the right. The decor delivers a feel of antique style elegance. Private booths with curtains are available. Their plates and bowls are etched with a classic blue willow pattern. The lighting strikes my eyes as overly dim. Red spotlights on the ceiling cast a reddish tint I find unappealing. I prefer a brighter look. One sign of an American style Chinese restaurant are the utensils. Each place setting here consists of a metal knife, fork, and spoon. You have to ask for chopsticks. I saw no Chinese soup spoons. Another sign are the table condiments, which consist here of soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Many authentic Chinese restaurants display black vinegar and chili oil instead. Their lunch menus are limited and merely list their dishes without descriptions. I tried the following during three lunch visits: KUNG PAO CHICKEN: This is a basic Americanized style Kung Pao Chicken, a dish of diced chicken and peanuts that originated from the Sichuan province in China. The distinctive ingredient of the authentic version is the Sichuan peppercorn. When I asked my server if their version was prepared with the Sichuan peppercorn, she didn't seem to know. I ordered it anyway. The numbing tingling sensation of the Sichuan peppercorn was absent, which answered my question. It was only slightly spicy and a bit saucy for my tastes. The taste of the chicken and peanuts came through fine. My Rating: 3.5 Stars. MA PO TOFU: I ordered this for lunch on New Year's Day, when they presented their much larger dinner menu with an actual description: "Fresh Chunks Of Chinese Bean Curd in a Hot, Spicy, Garlic, and Ginger Sauce." The lighting was especially dark and red on this day, so much so that I could not tell what I was looking at when it arrived. I had to edit my photo to see the tofu. Authentic versions of this dish come with a reddish brown sauce. This one was mostly a mud brown. The hot, spicy, garlic, and ginger flavors as described did not come through for me. The tofu was well formed with a firm, and spongy texture without breaking apart. Overall, this dish was still a disappointment. My Rating: 2 Stars. SHREDDED BEEF SZECHUAN STYLE: This one was composed of stir fried beef slices with assorted julienned vegetables and some type of mild hot sauce. Although labeled as a Szechuan dish, authentic versions include actual red chili peppers, and this one did not. Its overall flavor was satisfactory enough, but with a slightly oily aftertaste. My Rating: 3.5 Stars. HONG STYLE WONTON SOUP: This was a small serving, topped with crispy rice and with more veggies than actual dumplings. The bok choy was crispy and colorful. It came with a bowl of fried wonton chips, which I used to enjoy at American Chinese restaurants growing up with duck sauce and hot mustard included. Neither one was provided. The broth imparted a weak and shallow depth of flavor. Consuming it with a metal spoon instead of a Chinese soup spoon was a turn-off. My Rating: 3 Stars. The service was generally friendly and satisfactory, but also a bit slow and lethargic at times. The Imperial Palace remains as a popular choice for those who favor American Chinese cuisine over authentic Chinese cuisine. As for myself, I do not feel inspired to return. I am drawn to a more authentic style of Chinese cuisine. In all fairness, and with a spirit of consolation, my 3-star rating is still a passing grade. read more

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