Mandarin Restaurant — Restaurant in Barrie

Mandarin Reimagined: A Culinary Delight Under New Management & Ownership

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the revamped Mandarin restaurant in Barrie, now under new management & ownership, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional.

The first thing that caught my attention was the warm and inviting atmosphere. The subtle yet elegant Chinese New Year decor set the tone for an enjoyable dining experience. The staff, under the new ownership, provided impeccable service – attentive without being intrusive, making us feel truly welcomed.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show – the food. The menu boasted a fantastic array of fresh and flavorful Asian dishes. From the first bite to the last, each dish was a delightful symphony of tastes and textures. The attention to detail in the preparation was evident, showcasing the commitment to quality ingredients and culinary expertise.

The sushi, a personal favorite of mine, was a standout. The rolls were expertly crafted, and the freshness of the ingredients was undeniable. The balance of flavors in each piece was a testament to the chef's skill.

One dish that left a lasting impression was the aromatic stir-fried noodles. The perfect blend of spices and fresh vegetables made it a memorable and satisfying choice. The menu seemed to cater to a variety of palates, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Overall, the Mandarin's transformation under new ownership has elevated it to a must-visit culinary destination. The combination of excellent service and a menu filled with delectable, fresh Asian cuisine makes it a top contender in the dining scene. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to savor more of their...

Great Unplanned Buffet at Mandarin Barrie Stopped by Mandarin in Barrie for an unplanned dinner—was craving a variety of Asian-inspired dishes. It took about 10 minutes to be seated since I didn’t have a reservation, but everyone was super polite and welcoming.

Started with the seafood variety— The clam showder soup was a good start, but the salt & pepper shrimp were the star, perfectly cooked and seasoned. Garlic shrimp, steamed and deep-fried options were also solid. The teriyaki salmon was surprisingly great—meaty, well-cooked, and full of flavour. That whole seafood plate was a hit.

Moved on to the proteins—roast beef was tender and flavorful, grilled steak was good but took a bit of patience, and grilled chicken was dry but well seasoned.

I constructed a sushi platter, but it was a bit of a letdown. The rice was dry and undercooked, and the quality just didn’t reflect what you'd expect from an Asian-themed buffet.

Dessert was a win—the crème caramel was exactly how I like it, smooth and rich. I skipped the ice cream bar—already too full! The buffet was $35.99 for weekend dinner, which felt fair for the variety. O even grabbed a candy cane on my way out, nostalgia!!

Special mention to our server, who I totally forgot her name, she was bubbly and happy, not only with guests on the floor but also smiling and laughing with her colleagues in the galley, which really added to the vibe. It's great to see someone who enjoys their job—it always shows, and it definitely reflects in the tip. Definitely planning to return next time...

We drove 50 minutes to have a meal at the Mandarin Restaurant in Barrie, Ontario. We were the first ones seated. We were excited to have our meal. When we started eating we realized that all the fried foods were stone cold. We told the waitress who told her manager. Nothing was done. I mentioned it again, politely, ....nothing was done. When we were having our desserts the manager came to our table and asked if everything was alright. We explained that all the egg rolls, spring rolls, chicken balls, basically all the food in the first bunker was cold. She said that was too bad. I asked her if she bothered to check the food and she said no, she didn't. She said she talked to the chef. We asked her how she tried to make our meal better and she said she didn't but the people coming after us will have a hot meal. We asked her why she didn't have the chef bring us food that was hot? She then got sarcastic and said " well, you have really taught me a lesson today". She could not have cared less. We are seniors who tried to have a good meal. At $21 per plate you would think that the manager would at least try to get us warm food from the kitchen. She honestly did not care. She sarcastically asked if she could give us 10% off. That really did not fix the problem. We had a very bad experience. We have been coming to this restaurant since it opened. We wondered why it wasn't busy. Now we know. We won't...