NYC | Chinese Homestyle Bistro 🍽️ "West Lake" Beef Ribs?

The trendy Chinese bistro Lei has been buzzing for a while. I finally stopped by, and while it's a fun spot for drinks with some interesting wine selections 🍷, the food was... honestly more amusing than impressive. Think simple, homestyle Chinese cooking with straightforward ingredients and seasoning—nothing fancy, and honestly not my favorite. The most surprising dish was their “Sweet & Sour Ribs”—made with beef short ribs! The meat was full, tender, and slow-braised until the fat melted away without feeling heavy. But the sauce? Super tangy and almost slippery... which weirdly reminded me of West Lake Vinegar Fish 🐟. Not necessarily bad, just... unexpected! The Chinese Omelette was basically a fluffy baked egg cake with diced radish and ham, topped with scallion oil—light and subtle in flavor. One standout was the “Dali” Goat Cheese & Baked Five Spice 🧀, which tasted like grilled rushan (a Yunnan milk roll). Mild, milky, and pretty tasty—though the “baked five spice” really was just… five spice powder. The Fried Soft Shell Crab was lightly battered and served with a tangy tomato-chili sauce and fresh yellow pepper bits. It sat on a bed of vermicelli—simple, clean, and decent. But the real chuckle came from the Steamed Rice with Sweet Potato 🍠—literally just sweet potato rice! Nothing wrong with it, but let’s be real… none of the dishes here really call for a side of rice 😅. Verdict: A okay place to grab a drink and try something casual, but maybe don’t make a special trip just for the food. Fun for wine, funny for the eats—just don’t come too hungry! #NYCFood #NYCBistro #ChineseFood #HomestyleCooking #NYCEats #FoodReview #NYCDining #LeiNYC #EatDrinkNYC #NYCLife #Foodie #NotWhatIExpected #WineSpot