Sichuan Impression — Restaurant in Alhambra

It’s a pity to report that Sichuan Impression is no longer recommended. I have dined at the Alhambra branch more than a dozen times and written both English and Chinese reviews for the restaurant, always giving it high scores. Recently, I had dinner there twice, and the quality dropped significantly on my second visit.

Normally, I would order two plates of Wok-Fried Kidney with Rattan Pepper, but I would place the orders one by one to avoid the kidneys becoming overcooked. Also, Mao Cai and Intestine Tofu were two dishes I would always order. I’ve tried almost every dish at Sichuan Impression, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, I even drove half an hour to pick up takeout. You can see how much I love this restaurant.

I hadn’t had the chance to dine there since they moved to the new location, further east from the original one, but recently, I had two dinners within twenty days. I always used to complain that they didn’t serve beer or wine at the old location. The good news is that they now serve alcohol at the new spot, which was formerly a Mao Cai restaurant. I had reviewed that restaurant too and criticized its flavor, portion size, and price. The boss responded to my review, arguing that the Valley Blvd. style was different from the one on Main St., in a rather rude tone. I suspected it would close soon, and sure enough, a few months later, it did. I still remember that restaurant had the word “Earth” in its name.

At the old location, the restaurant changed its name from Szechuan Impression to Sichuan Impression in 2020, though I don’t know why. After the pandemic, they moved from Valley Blvd. to Main St. The décor is completely different from the old location; the new place feels cold and cheap. The old restaurant had several sets of framed artwork on the walls, but the new one seems to have purposely removed all Chinese elements. Not that I mind—I’m more concerned about the taste.

I’ll focus on the most recent two visits. The first time, we sat in the lobby on a Saturday afternoon, and we were the only table there. The dishes were just as good as before—the pork kidney tasted the same, hot and spicy. The Mao Cai was well-arranged and visually appealing, just like it used to be. The familiar flavors brought back the fond memories I had of this place.

For the second visit, we had more people, so I reserved a private room in advance. The owner sent me a message detailing the reservation rules, including a minimum order cost for the room and a $100 deposit required upfront for reserving Boston lobster or turbot fish. I’ve never encountered a restaurant in the U.S. that requires a deposit.

Anyway, when it comes to a restaurant, it’s all about the taste. I don’t know what happened in the kitchen that day, but every dish seemed off compared to how it used to be. The signature Tea Smoked Duck, which used to be a highlight, was tasteless—under-seasoned with barely any smoky flavor. The duck meat was dry and tough. How could a dish ranked number one on the menu be presented so poorly? The Mao Cai looked like leftovers, all mixed together without the usual care.

The Spicy Frog Dry Pot was watery and oily, lacking flavor aside from the heat, and tasted like the frog had been frozen for a long time. The Pork Kidney was severely overcooked, with a texture resembling dried tofu. The BBQ pork short rib was overdone as well—you can see it in the photos I took. Nothing was right that night. The only decent dishes were the Sichuan Sausage and the stir-fried green beans.

It was so embarrassing to have arranged such a disappointing dinner, especially as a professional culinary writer who brought friends for what turned out to be a failed experience. One of my friends even drove all the way from San Diego just for the meal. To make matters worse, he brought four bottles of wine, and we ended up paying $80 for corkage fees.

I guess I won’t be going back anytime soon, especially not in the...

Sichuan Impression, the newest addition to Alhambra’s vibrant culinary scene, has swiftly become a local favorite in the San Gabriel Valley, renowned for its tantalizingly spicy Sichuan cuisine. This sister branch of the famed Century City restaurant has elegantly carved its niche amidst the spicy food landscape dominated by Chengdu Taste and Chengdu Impression. For those previously daunted by endless waits at other establishments, Sichuan Impression proves to be a revelation, a beacon of culinary brilliance.

My visit on a leisurely Sunday afternoon revealed an establishment that effortlessly balances demand and service. Securing a table through Yelp's waiting list was a breeze, and once seated, the convenience of ordering via QR code streamlined the process. The gastronomic journey commenced with the "Impressive" cold noodles—a dish that impeccably marries texture with a subtle yet engaging heat, setting the stage for what was to follow.

The temptation continued with the red chili oil wontons and the enticingly peppery "Impressive" dumplings, setting a high standard for flavor and spice. Even the classic Kungpao chicken, though not notably spicy, left an indelible mark with its perfectly crisped chicken, melded with peanuts, scallions, and dry chilies—a rendition that redefines this timeless dish.

However, the true star of the evening was the toothpick mutton with cumin—a poetic indulgence, delivering a delightful two-pepper sensation that entices the taste buds and keeps you coming back for more, despite the gradually numbing ma la effect.

The unanimous choice of every table, the fish in pepper corn soup, did not disappoint. Its tender, numbingly spicy essence offered a symphony of flavors—a perfect amalgamation of taste and sensation.

Not only did Sichuan Impression excel in its culinary offerings, but the service was also efficient and prompt. The parking convenience, tucked away in an enclosed garage, added to the overall experience. The restaurant's interior is a fusion of modern elegance and subtle Asian touches, contributing to a comfortable and inviting ambiance.

In conclusion, Sichuan Impression isn't just a restaurant; it's a gastronomic voyage through the numbingly spicy yet remarkably flavorful world of Sichuan cuisine. With its impressive array of dishes, efficient service, and inviting ambiance, it stands tall among the valley's culinary gems, beckoning both connoisseurs and novices alike to savor its...

If you have any dietary restrictions of any kind DO NOT GO HERE. (no need to read if this doesn't apply to you) My girlfriend is allergic to peanuts. Yes, I know this isn't a good choice given that restriction. That's why, we had a backup restaurant and I was simply going to ask if they could accommodate a SEVERE peanut allergy, if they said no, no harm done, and in the off chance they could, she'd get to try something new. I asked and they said they could, no problem. I told them it would be no issue if they turned us away, plus they were over-full. Absolutely no need for our business, but they insisted.

We sat and ordered and I checked again with the waiter that they could do anything we ordered without nuts and that it was a SERIOUS allergy. Again, no problem, we do it all the time. Our first dish comes out, and it is COVERED in peanuts. It's in the dish, on top, everywhere. Starting out not so strong. I flag down the waiter and they bring the manager over (I didn't ask, they just brought them with). They apologized and told us they'd make a new one, it must have been confusion in the kitchen.

Only ~3-4 minutes later the dish comes out. Immediately i am suspicious as that seems too quick to refire the order from scratch. They bring it as a new dish and says it absolutely has no peanuts, and even no cross contamination. I take 1 bite as my girlfriend is still apprehensive. Low and behold A HALF PEANUT IMMEDIATELY UNDER THE FIRST PIECE I PICK UP.

I seriously cannot fathom what their plan was. How would it have been worth it for my girlfriend to go into anaphylactic shock for a few items in sales. They said they understand the severity, have done it before, and had so many opportunities to just have us leave and be replaced by the 20 people waiting. I SIMPLY CANNOT COMPREHEND THE THOUGH PROCESS HERE.

anyway, ya, we had to leave without eating anything. I'm sure if you have no restrictions, this place is fantastic, but if you do ITS...