Sichuan Cottage — Restaurant in Marlboro Township

This used to be our go-to Chinese restaurant whenever we're in town; however, sometime during the Pandemic the ownership changed. We took out a few dishes from the new ownership and were utterly disgusted with the quality. It's been a few more years. I am not sure if ownership changed again, but we decided to give it another chance.

I didn't recognize the owner - not sure if it was because of the absence of mask. But first impression was she didn't care to be cordial or friendly, just doing the basic part as a wait staff. On the plus side, the chairs and tables have been upgraded from what I could remember. We ordered our usual dishes in order to gauge the current quality. 2 staple Sichuan dishes: Kung Pao Chicken ($14.95)and Shredded Beef with Hot Green Pepper ($17.95). We also added a noodle dish: Sauteed Noodle with Pork & Scallion ($11.95).

Kung Pao Chicken was rendered differently - sweeter and not as dark but tasty neve the less. The Shredded Beef was also slightly different, thicker and obviously tenderized with baking soda. It was good enough. The sauteed noodle was good but it's a generic dish so no authenticity to consider.

A number of deviations from before. The chicken and beef dishes each only 1 bowl of rice, instead of a big serving bowl for the table. We had to ask for one additional bowl of rice. Not sure if it was missed but we didn't get charged for it. The tea also wasn't complimentary any more. $1.50 for the pot.

Overall, we weren't disappointed because we came in with low expectation. We will be back again hoping to see that they can maintain the consistency in food quality.

———————— 2018 Review If you have 2 or more guests, I'd highly recommend ordering #712 Noodle w/ Meat Sauce Beijing Style as an appetizer to share. The texture of the noodle was out of this world! We also had Fish Fillet w/ Pickled Cabbage in Hot Pot (#949) which was A+++. It's more like a fancy soup dish, but it also had the clear noodles in the soup. We also tried #946a Short Ribs & Bitter Melon in Black Sauce, which also had the same clear noodles in it, so it was a bit of a clash with the hot pot. Personally, I didn't think the noodles belonged in the dish, but the short ribs were still exquisite. Finally, we had our usual staple, Kung Pao Chicken which I need to caution emphatically to watch out for the unground peppercorns. I chewed on one and that ruined my palate for next next 10 minutes.

We over ordered but that's the way we like it - get to sample more varieties and get to doggybag for the next day :) We...

Sichuan Cottage in Marlboro Township might look like a typical Chinese restaurant by appearance, but, little do some patrons know, the menu is slightly different and includes a full section and a bit with the Sichuan regional dishes you won't find just anywhere. That's what brought me here to give the place a try - there was something different. I enjoy Sichuan cuisine because they incorporate the spicy feel the people of the southwestern province of Sichuan in China have been enjoying. That, and this restaurant has more dishes from the motherland that most other restaurants can't offer because their local community isn't about the "old country" dishes.

My favourite dish served in certain restaurants, 京都排骨, was served here and was one of the reasons I came here. This place was spot-on with the sweet, succulent sauce that I love combined with the meaty pork chops I enjoy. I really enjoy that dish alongside with rice and they served it up well! Also, going out of order a bit, I recently ordered the Spicy Wonton in Hot Oil. Although it's not the devil's kick to your mouth, the spiciness is noticeable and somewhat pleasant along with the body of the sweeter-half sauce used. It was a great appetiser to prefix the meal!

The restaurant is often quiet in the late afternoon-early evening hours and is well kept inside. The service isn't extraordinary to note and, aside from the food, there's not much I'd come in to enjoy for. I'm satisfied that those who served me didn't serve up like "any other Chinese restaurant out there" where they expect that you know what to expect. It's also best to be noted that two or so menu items are not translated - I don't read Chinese and I didn't bother asking, but if you're interested, go for it.

Overall, if you're out to expand your experience on Chinese food locally, then explore the regional Sichuan dishes at Sichuan Cottage. Although the menu looks the same and the interior/exterior looks too similar, just check out the "Authentic Sichuan Dishes" section of the menu and pick something you'd...

Unfortunately I had to edit my original review and downgrade from 5 stars to 2.

I used to order here weekly. I couldn't get enough! I had a MAD addiction to their Kung Pao Chicken complete with those wonderful tingly Sichuan peppercorns and thick, deep, dark and rich sauce. It was so good I could cry. I actually deemed it the best thing I've ever eaten. Yes, it was THAT GOOD!

Over the last year or two, the food quality has been gradually declining.

I stopped coming weekly and would come every two weeks, sometimes three.

It just wasn't as good, but it was still slightly better than most.

Today it slipped down another notch I sadly must say, this may very well my last visit.

Today there was different staff. I asked for chicken noodle soup and got wonton soup. Okay, no problem, BUT, I tasted the soup and it had no flavor. I took a bite of the wonton and it tasted... old, almost rancid. NOT GOOD.

I had also asked for extra Sichuan peppercorns (I figured I could remedy the situation and fix what has been lacking). They thought I said extra peanuts so they fixed that. Great, but what used to be a luxurious, thick and sticky sauce was now oily water. I debated taking a video. I should have. I am so very disappointed.

It's the end of an era and I'm sad.

Great food! The wontons in the wonton soup are so delicate and the broth, delicious. I start off with that every time. My entree favorites are the Kung Pao Chicken Schezuan style and the Three Pepper Chicken. Even the General Tsos is delicious. Crispy on the outside and tender inside with a sweet...