VIBE

This Garment District classic doles out authentic Szechuan dishes to both tame and adventurous eaters. Choices like pork dumpling and honey-glazed spare ribs contrast with wild, tongue-numbing Sichuan peppercorn and chili laden dishes like ma-po tofu and dan-dan noodles. Perhaps to balance out the fiery cuisine, the décor of the roomy interior amounts to little more than red paper lanterns.

CROWD

Chinese expats, Sichuan food lovers, culinary daredevils, and the occasional casual date.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Go smart casual in a dark colored top (those chili and soy sauce stains can be devilishly hard to get out), jeans, and comfortable flats.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; foodies; significant other; date

WHY WE LIKE IT

This restaurant scores on quantity: the portions are huge, the amount of spice is more than generous, and the space is gigantic. We appreciate the more-is-better attitude (although our flaming taste buds occasionally disagree!)

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The menu is a little too encyclopedic–unless you have a specific craving or you know what you want, you’ll be hard put to make any quick decisions about what to order. (Don’t be afraid to ask the waitstaff for recommendations.)

GOOD TO KNOW

Most come for the unique numbing burn of the Sichuan peppercorn, which is different from the heat of a chili pepper. If you are game, this is the taste to try.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Queens (New York); Midtown West (New York)

CLOSEST COMPS

Grand Sichuan (New York); Yu Xiang Ren Jia (Beijing)

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