Greatest Chinese Food in New York

I ain't kidding!

Now, I might be crazy to post my rave on the internet, because, who knows, maybe ten thousand people will say, "Gee, we oughta check this place OUT!"

Fortunately, with this blog's readership somewhere near the population of Anvil Canyon, Death Valley, I should still be able to get a window seat there anytime, without prior reservation. I DARE someone with connections to read this blog and tell a thousand friends about the food at THE COTTAGE.

The menu is a array of Cantonese, Szechuan, and Peking styles. Most are rich and savory dishes, and some are fused with Malaysian and even Continental cooking styles. There is, for example, a scallop appetizer that comes with a slightly spicy peanut sauce which will blow your mind.

My favorite thing to do is take advantage of their fixed price, two course dinner that comes with two glasses of wine. The "choose one from column A" format is the only similarity this food has with the old greasy spoon New York chop suey brand of Chinese food. For you not only choose from a great selection of appetizers and entrees, but you also get to pick your wines from an impressive list. Two courses, two wines: $16.99 per person! Really!

When I am in San Francisco, I always try to make a stop at Brandy Ho's Hunan on Columbus. Good Szechuan and Cantonese and Peking classics there, too, but you will NEVER be able to just order a plate of chau bok choi with garlic. The waitress just stabs her pencil at the menu where "mixed vegetables" can be found. Not so at The Cottage. Young Cantonese speaking wait staff may LOOK like they could decapitate you with one Oddjob-style flick of the wrist, but they are always most accomodating. There's even a "build your own" stirfry section that offers tons of great choices for the mix.

The Cottage
33 Irving Place
(corner of 16th Street)
Union Square-Gramercy
212 505 8600

The Cottage is located