The Lingnan — Restaurant in Edmonton

My brother (from out of town) recommend we try this place because he had seen their TV show. I'd never heard of it, but went anyway. Luckily we went on a nonevent night at Roger's Place (arena) so parking wasn't an issue.

This is by far the best best North America Chinese food I've had in Edmonton. Of the three of us dining, two had egg rolls which were like a blast from my childhood-perfectly old school with the right filling to batter ratio and the filling being spiced just right. The other diner had the hot and sour soup (which, oddly can only be ordered in two portions) and it was so good that between the three of us ate it all.

We also ordered chicken fried rice, egg foo young, beef and broccoli, and Amy's crack chicken. We were going to order chow mein, but the waiter kind of cut us off--we soon found out why. The portions of the four items we ordered were so large they filled the entire table.

I should also mention, before they brought out the food, they placed hot metal platters on the table to keep the food warm, and also brought our plates using pot holders because they were also heated-very nice touch.

Okay, on to the main dishes. They were all so good, that as we were eating, we were trying to decide our favourites and it became like Sophie's Choice. All of them had outstanding qualities and were loved for many reasons. On a side note, my brother told me that when I ordered the egg foo young he decided he wouldn't have any because he thinks it's disgusting--guess who had three helpings? It was incredible and better than any I've ever had. It was about three layers thick instead of the usual flat pancake you normally get. We thought they screwed up our order when they brought it out and were giving us some kind of cake.

As for the atmosphere of the restaurant, supposedly the owner's son wants to renovate and modernize it, and supposedly his Mom (Amy) says no. Amy, stick to you guns! This retro riot is something to behold. At first glance it appears decorated in the finest of everything, but closer examination shows you're sitting in a set from a small town play. What appeared to be marble on the walls was actually Formica (used in the 70s for kitchen counter tops) and the elegant red pillars are just painted cardboard tubes. The elaborate wall hangings are made of paper and there's a feature wall of smoked mirror tiles--and it is all forgivable--especially when you see the 'before' picture of the restaurant, and see how much care and passion has gone into this place over the years.

My only regret is having not discovered this place before the new arena went up. I can't imagine what a zoo it is around there on event nights.

I know a lot of people are dissing on this place for not being real Chinese food, but I don't care. It was a blast from the past and I can't...

So i hadnt realized or remembered that id posted a bad review years ago. Its still at the bottom as i stand by it. As i recall we were both very unhappy that day. With that said i have ordered from lingnan a few times in recent years and it is entirely possible we had a bad one off experience. The food ive eaten since then has been consistently good and flavorful. Honestly the way i look at lingnan is that they are a superior quality chinese (that u do pay a bit more for) i felt it necessary to state this. Whenever im feeling a bit richer i will order from lingnan and its worth it. I do hope my new positive review makes up for the previous. In both cases just being honest.

Previouse review was probably 8 years ago now.

MEDIOCRE IS POLITE....WHAT A WASTE OF 60 BUCKS . HOW UNHAPPY ARE WE WITH OUR DINNER, ,,,,,WELL LETS PUT IT THIS WAY, WE JUST ATE AND IM ONLINE WRITING THIS....think about that , ...when you order out arent you usually satisfied and relaxed watching a movie or something after....I am,,,,but not tonight. im sorry but we did NOT enjoy our dinner tonight at all. the deepfried shrimp were nasty not to mention CHEAPLY made...they actually just cut small shrimp and spread them out so theyd be longer inside the pastry, this cutting them and stretching them just made them tough and tasteless ,,,,the chicken balls were ok, nothing to write home about, the chicken fried rice was a huge dissapointment, had a bad taste and a funny smell,,,,the beef and brocolli again ok,,,the vegetables smelled and looked fresh but other than that it really had very little flavour and the meat was very hard and chewy not tender at all,,,my partner and i usually eat at blue willow, we thought wed try somewhere new,,,never ever again,,,he said the food sucked !!!! i agree, except im the one that payed for it, so im even less happy,,,,,4 stars .....why on earth....and after 60 bucks id expect a little more than flavourless mediocre and downright skimpy food...OMG, JUST READ OTHER REVIEWS....5 STARS...ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY, IM GUESSING THEYVE NEVER HAD GOOD CHINESE FOOD BEFORE, HONESTLY TRY BLUE WILLOW AND COMPARE AND NO I DONT WORK THERE, WE JUST EAT THERE ALL THE TIME,,,,TRY THEIR CHICKEN FRIED RICE FOR EXAMPLE AND COMPARE...LINGANS IS VERY MEDIOCRE, AND HONESTLY THE EXACT SAME OREDER OF FOOD COST 4 DOLLARS MORE AT THIS...

I am REALLY IMPRESSED with this restaurant. My wife and I went here not knowing what we were in for. It does not have any fancy outdoor decor but when we stepped inside, it had that grandiose fine-dining environment.

My review will focus on three things: FOOD. Compared to other Chinese restaurants in the city, the prices here are little above the usual price than the rest. We were looking at the menu and we were advised that we can go for the buffet. We took a look at the buffet menu and the regular menu and we decided to take a chance at the buffet for $29. I told my wife, let's try it just for the experience. We did and the food NEVER FAILED! Not only was it very tasty (not salty) but the texture was just melt-in-your-mouth experience. I really enjoyed the beans, the shrimp, peppercorn beef, chow mein, vegetable rice, chicken balls, etc! We were treated with a teapot full of tea (with a tea bag in) and we savoured the flavor in its entirety. Further, we were given wonton soup on the side and it is the most delicious wonton soup I ever had. The wontons itself was large enough to fill a tummy and it is unlimited!!! When we finished, we were treated with desserts!

ENVIRONMENT. The restaurant is CLASSY A.F. What you will see in the most expensive high-end dine-in restaurants are all here in this restaurant. Tables are big enough for two people (but can actually fit in 4 people). The chafing utensils at the buffet station are constantly replaced which ensures cleanliness. The washrooms are very clean.

STAFF. The friendliest, most accommodating, and very attentive staff I have seen. They have the flair but the most sweetest smiles you will see showing how they like socializing with people (and not just for the purpose of getting a tip). One of the staff always checks on me to see if I am out of the wonton soup and she would always refill. Other staff would always remove my plate once I am done so I can use a new plate at the buffet station. It is not just one person who checks on us but different staff as well. They make you feel welcome, at home, and want to stay longer.

Comparing the amount that we spent here and the other Chinese restaurants, IT IS ALL WORTH IT! They deserve 5 stars for me. But do not take my word for it, just experience...