Antidote: A Chinese Restaurant Without a Chinese Menu (2)š
š7:46pm, First Complimentary Drink, Booster Shot. This shot, named after the vaccine booster, was a gift from the owner. His hospitality continued as he sent over three shots in total. š„ 7:49pm, Third Main Course, Fatty Beef in Sour Soup. Iād rate this dish around 80 out of 100, based on my personal preference for the texture of tomato and fatty beef in sour soup. š² 7:55pm, Fourth Main Course, Fish with Spicy Bean Paste. A dish of fish in spicy bean paste that you can fall in love with from the first bite. The balance of saltiness, the amount of bean paste, the tenderness of the fish, and the proportion of the oily sauce were all exceptionally well done. š š 8:15pm, Fifth Main Course, Tea Smoked Duck. For someone who has tasted many versions of camphor tea duck, this dish is definitely in the top tier. š¦ š In a chat with the owner, I learned that the restaurant has five partners from Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Fujian, and Guangdong. They chose not to label the menu in Chinese to avoid customers forming preconceived notions about the dishes based on their names, which might lead to comparisons with other restaurants or flavors. What they want to focus on and promote is a unique flavor profile that blends elements of Shanghainese and Sichuan cuisine. š Overall, the dining environment, service level, and taste of the dishes all exceeded my expectations and left me impressed. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone. #NewYork š