Peking Pavilion — Restaurant in Manalapan Township

Prejudice, and Clear bias in treatment towards Asian patrons.

My family and I have been residents of the Monroe/Manalapan area for a significant number of years, and have throughout that time dined at Peking Pavilion with guests, and for family gatherings.

The repeated instances of bias and differences in behavior towards customers who are ethnically Asian cannot be ignored. The large sample size built over years, along with similar testimonies from friends in the area show clear intent. The intent, while not flat out discrimination which would threaten their business, is to make you as an Asian patron unwelcome. The motivations will be speculated upon below.

The best way I can honestly communicate to you the experience of my Asian friends/ family (ranging from early 30's to early 60's) is to show you instances which took place throughout past visits and today. You can decide for yourself.

In cases when small gifts or gestures are given to guests, the restaurant and its staff will systematically neglect to provide one if you are Asian.

Today was Mother's Day (2023). Ladies at All other tables were provided a small pink flower after the check arrives. My mother was not provided one. When asked about this, the manager stated that they are completely out of flowers for the night, despite patrons at other tables continuing to receive them. From the parking lot, we see guests continue to leave as we depart with their own flowers. This would be incredible insulting to any family.

Patrons at other tables are provided a freshly baked good (this was gratis for certain due to the holiday, as it was being provided at all other tables as the check came in). You receive only fortune cookies.

In a previous instance, patrons at all other tables are provided a paper Calendar as a small gift as their checks arrive (A holiday was that week). You as an Asian will not receive one.

At the end of the meal, if you have a left over entrée you wish to take home, patrons at other tables will receive a white paper bag but also a larger tougher plastic bag with handles. You will receive only the white paper bag that is difficult to grasp.

If you confront the manager regarding any of the above, you will be provide a half-baked excuse about "poor training" and offer the item. But you don't want the item, because you don't care about a calendar or a bag, you care about self respect.

The long time manager (Tall, ever present, won't mention him here by name) has a Jekyll and Hyde like difference in treatment with Caucasian customers and Asian customers. Extremely warm to older Caucasian demographics with unsolicited comments about how beautiful their clothing are while passing by, and literally the next moment drop his face a mile wide when speaking to you. It is absolutely cold, and it is as if you are an inconvenience to him.

Staff will sometime follow suit. This is apparent in how soon they take your orders or tend to your needs (seemingly deliberate delays, and definitely not a priority). They will ask you to wait outside after asking for a table, despite multiple Caucasian guests basically loitering inside the front red door.

There are too many scenarios to describe in one review, but the intent has been clear. Regardless of their personal prejudice, the goal is to make Asian customers unwelcome. In my view, the owner/manager feels this is good for business. By far the largest patron base for Peking are the sizable senior age groups that live in the nearby communities (Four Seasons for example). The restaurant also has a goal of appearing upscale, and distancing itself any way possible from your standard cooking cutter, mall strip Chinese restaurants.

Prejudice, even if it's good for business, is unacceptable. If you have self respect as an Asian American in this country, you know not to...

This is a somewhat upscale Chinese restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing lots of natural light - perfect for lunch in the afternoon. I ordered the roast barbequed pork and pork soup dumpling appetizers. Both were quite large for appetizers, which is not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind. Some places give very small appetizers so you can try multiple of them - this is not that place. Here, the appetizers are definitely sharing portions, and I think the roast pork on its own could be an entree.

I really liked the roast pork. It came with some sort of sweet white sauce on it, as well as a soy sauce-based marinade that you can pour on top. While the pork pieces were slightly dry in some areas, if you dunk them in the marinade, you don't notice, and the sauces were lovely.

The five xiao long bao / pork soup dumplings I received were massive, much bigger than I expected. Do note that if you eat these wrong, all the soup will spill out the other side. Eating these is an art, but it's made easier by the fact that the soup dumplings had very thick skin, nothing like the ones you get in the freezer section at grocery stores. These dumplings had thick skin that made them much less fragile and meant that they didn't fall apart, which I really liked.

For my entree, I had vegetable lo mein. Sadly, I didn't find this very flavorful. I ended up pouring the remainder of the soy sauce marinade from the pork onto the lo mein for more flavor. The texture of the noodles was really nice. This was also a very large plate - I think all the portions here are very large, and it's amazing if you're coming hungry like I was - and I frankly didn't have room for dessert.

I think the best thing about the restaurant was the atmosphere. All that natural light was truly beautiful, and the decor itself was also really nice. I've rarely seen such nice restrooms inside a restaurant, as odd as that may sound. I think the service was rather standard - nothing wrong with it, certainly; everyone was professional and courteous, and I usually didn't have to wait long for my water glass to be filled up. There just wasn't anything exceptional about the service.

This restaurant is good for a semicasual to semiformal outing, especially for brunch or lunch with all the natural light. I don't think I'd have an engagement party here, but it's certainly more upscale than most Chinese restaurants nearby. Personally, I'd recommend coming for...

If you're in the mood for an exceptional dining experience, look no further than Peking Pavilion. This gem of a Chinese restaurant truly impresses on every front—from the exquisite food to the welcoming atmosphere.

Let's start with the food: it's nothing short of amazing! Each dish bursts with flavor, showcasing the perfect balance of traditional Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Whether you're a fan of dim sum, stir-fried delicacies, or savory noodles, every bite is a testament to the chef's skill and dedication.

The drinks are equally impressive. The cocktail menu features a fantastic selection, and they certainly don’t skimp on the alcohol! Whether you prefer a classic beer or a more adventurous cocktail, you’ll find something to complement your meal perfectly. They have an amazing bar.. if you’re lucky enough to get a seat.. I recommend coming a little earlier for your reservation to experience it!

The staff at Peking Pavilion are top-notch—friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They go above and beyond to ensure your dining experience is seamless and enjoyable, making you feel like a valued guest from the moment you walk in.

Portion sizes are generous, making it a great choice for sharing with family or friends. This restaurant is ideal for a nice night out with your significant other, as well as for family gatherings or work functions. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between casual and elegant, making it suitable for any occasion.

In summary, Peking Pavilion is a must-visit for anyone craving outstanding Chinese cuisine in a welcoming environment. With amazing food, great drinks, attentive staff, and ample portion sizes, it’s a place you won’t want to miss!

Pictures below do no justice ! Come see it...