China Cafe (Iliff) — Restaurant in Aurora

love, Love, LOVE this Place! Genuine Foodie, married to Harbin lady, frequent family visits, Mandarin speaking ability, lived in China for 11 years,... I got this. Helen Cai (proprieter) and her charming daughter manage the front exceptionally well in perfect English language. Walls are cozily adorned with Harbin Home Style murals depicting warm- hearted North Chinese country life. It's Chinese, 'ALL IN', from there, serving up Hearty Meat Dishes characteristic of wicked freezing part of far North China (bordering Russia), renown for Ice Sculpture Festivals. Harbin Specialties: Jen Jiao (Only spot in Denver serving this 'delicate thin wrapped dumping stuffed with assorted genuine 'Chinese' fillings, placed together in a wok, dusted with potatoe flour, turning out a plate of interconnected 'delightfully light' tastebud tantilizers). Chicken Wild Mushroom Clay Pot (Savory). Guo Bao Rou (Sweet & Sour Pork. Blows Away other US versions). Braised Pork Ribs (Super cooked to point of softening bones to point of easy cruchability for full marrow release, cartilage softened to easily consume. Bone Medicine Lunch). Beef Noodle Soups (Delicious Noodles, braised beef, vegs, in a hearty broth. The Spicy version is my fave!).

• A Real 'Word of Mouth' Chinese Gem. The only Lao Wai (Gringos) I have seen here are being treated by Chinese Hosts. Hao Chi! (Good Food!) Chi Hao! (Eat Well!) Man Man Chi! (Eat Slowly!) Dr Brenton Harvey Acupuncture & Herbal...

Let me just say this. I never leave a review at the restrauant and most of my reviews are to warn people about a failing or struggling experience.

This how ever deserves great notice. I have spent years eating at different Chinese restaurants and struggle to find one that is above average. This place is just that.

Small, hole in the wall from the outside, once inside it looks modern and well taken care of. Normally when I eat at a new Chinese restaurant I always try the egg drop soup to get a good judgement of the over place. Most Chinese restrauants cut corners and water down there soup. Today, I had the best egg drop soup to date. The kind were the yolk sticks to the spoon coats your tongue completely and man it was good. The steam dumpling were at par and the wontons could use more filling but good all the same.

Finally, the sesame chicken was we cooked good crisp texture and not over sauced. All in all I had to stop in the middle of my meal to write this be I was truly impressed. I did dine in and cannot speak on the quality of take out, but in person...

WARNING!!! THIS FOOD IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE!!! I ordered for delivery, it was $60 for 4 entrées!!! I thought it must be good for that price! DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE! I got teriyaki beef and chicken which was so dry and bland, there wasn't even any teriyaki sauce! Our fried pork wontons were so hard we couldn't even take a bite and there was hardly any pork in them! The sesame shrimp's batter was barely cooked and inedible. Even the white rice was terrible!!! How does a Chinese restaurant mess up rice!? The general tao's chicken tasted like it was old! The best thing was the fortune cookie because they didn't make it!! We called in and complained to the restaurant, which I usually just let stuff like this go but it was $60!!! The man I talked to was completely rude saying since we took a bite he won't take it back. I said how would we know if we don't try it. I said trust me one bite was enough to know I didn't want another one, even told him he could come get all the food! Lesson learned, please take my advice and don't eat China...