Canton Manor 新東湖 is one of those Chinatown dim sum houses that really reminds you why this tradition has lasted for centuries. Dim sum began in Guangdong teahouses along the Silk Road, where small snacks were paired with tea for travelers. Over time, it evolved into the weekend ritual we know today families gathering around steaming baskets, sharing bite-sized plates that show off both skill and comfort.
The har gow here set the tone: the wrappers were thin and translucent yet sturdy enough to hold plump, juicy shrimp. Biting into them gave that satisfying snap that only comes from fresh seafood. The siu mai, a benchmark of any dim sum restaurant, were equally well done meaty pork with shrimp folded in, juicy without being greasy, with a clean umami that lingers. The shrimp rice noodle rolls were silky and soft, the rice sheets gliding across the palate, wrapping shrimp that still had bounce. A drizzle of sweet soy tied everything together. This dish has its roots in Guangdong street food, but in the dim sum setting it becomes something elegant and comforting.
The savory small plates brought balance and heartiness. The steamed pork spare ribs were simple but flavorful, tender pieces that showcased the pork itself rather than hiding behind sauce. Braised chicken feet ,a true test of dim sum technique, were glossy and tender, the skin and tendons melting into a sticky, flavorful bite. 黑椒牛仔骨 stood out for their boldness the meat was tender yet still had chew, coated in a peppery sauce that carried both spice and fragrance. It’s a dish that reflects Hong Kong’s adaptation of Western seasonings, with black pepper becoming a Cantonese kitchen staple in the 20th century.
The Century egg and pork congee was one of the meal’s comforting highlights. The porridge had been simmered down until silky, almost creamy, with the earthy depth of preserved egg balanced by the light savoriness of lean pork. Cantonese congee has always been prized for its soothing qualities, often served to the young and elderly alike, and this version captured exactly that warmth. 牛杂 beef offal stew brought another layer of tradition: tripe, tendon, and brisket cooked slowly in a seasoned broth until tender. This dish traces back to Hong Kong’s dai pai dong food stalls, where nothing was wasted and every part of the animal was transformed into something flavorful. Here, it carried spice, richness, and texture in every bite.
For sweets, the Pineapple bun was nostalgic fluffy bread topped with a golden, crackly crust that gave way to soft, warm dough inside. Despite the name, there’s no pineapple; the crisscross crust just resembles the fruit’s pattern. This iconic Hong Kong bakery item became popular in the 20th century and remains a staple for a reason. The 椰汁糕 was the perfect closer refreshing and delicate, with the fragrance of coconut milk and just enough sweetness to cleanse the palate.
What makes Canton Manor special isn’t just the range of dishes, but the consistency: nothing felt greasy, rushed, or carelessly put together. Each plate highlighted its own textures and flavors while still fitting into the bigger rhythm of a dim sum meal tea, conversation, sharing, and balance. In a neighborhood filled with options, Canton Manor manages to stand out by honouring both the history of dim sum and the taste expectations of...
Read moreI had high hopes for this restaurant but was ultimately left disappointed and shocked by the overall experience. Unfortunately, I can only give it a one-star rating due to the combination of mediocre service, average food, and exorbitant prices.
Let me start by addressing the service. While it was not terrible, it fell short of what one would expect from a dining establishment. The staff seemed disinterested and inattentive, resulting in a lackluster dining experience. Empty glasses were left unfilled for extended periods, and requests for additional condiments or information were met with delayed responses. It's safe to say that the service did not enhance the dining experience in any way.
The food, while not terrible, failed to live up to my expectations. It was decent but certainly nothing special. The flavors were ordinary, lacking the depth and authenticity I was hoping for. Considering the restaurant's reputation and the prices they charged, I expected a memorable culinary experience. Unfortunately, the dishes served were forgettable and failed to leave a lasting impression.
However, the most significant disappointment was the exorbitant pricing. I was astounded by the absurdly high prices on the menu. As an example, I ordered a plate of ten shrimp for a staggering $68. The dish was tasty, but the cost was completely disproportionate. The prices across the menu were similarly inflated, leading to a jaw-dropping bill at the end of the meal. In total, I ended up spending over $300 for just a couple of dishes. Such pricing is unjustifiable and borders on exploitative.
In conclusion, my visit to this Chinese restaurant left much to be desired. While the service was mediocre, the food was average at best. The most disheartening aspect, however, was the astronomical prices. Paying exorbitant amounts for ordinary food is simply unacceptable. Regrettably, I cannot recommend this restaurant to others, as there are far better options available in terms of both taste and...
Read moreLast night, my family and I dined at Canton Manor, located at 220-15 Northern Blvd, Queens, NY 11361. We ordered several dishes, but to our disgust, my sister found a bunch of white threads in her rice, which looked like hair, but not just one strand – it was a bunch. We immediately reported this to the server, who responded with indifference, merely suggesting we get a new bowl of rice.
We pointed out that this is not just a minor issue but a serious hygiene problem. We asked for the manager, but the manager did not address our concerns properly. Instead, a group of staff members gathered and began pointing at us, ignoring our complaint. Later, a staff member explained that the threads might be pieces of plastic from the rice packaging that accidentally got cooked into the rice. This explanation was quite laughable; if the restaurant is cooking rice with plastic, that’s an even more serious issue than hair.
We frequent this restaurant almost every week, usually with 3 adults and a baby, spending between $200 and $300 per visit, and always leaving a tip of at least 20%. However, the restaurant's response was extremely poor. Eventually, an elderly floor manager came over and offered to waive the cost of three bowls of rice, which amounted to $6. We barely ate any rice, and this compensation clearly did not address the issue we encountered. To make matters worse, his attitude was confrontational. My sister, who is pregnant, was already having a hard time eating, and this situation made her even more uncomfortable. We decided to avoid further argument, paid our bill, and left. When we checked the bill, the $6 for rice was still charged. We ultimately decided not to leave a tip and made it clear that we would not be returning to this restaurant in the future.
I hope this review helps others be aware of the restaurant’s hygiene and customer...
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