3 Times — Restaurant in New York

Modernized Dim Sum

The interior of this place is absolutely stunning. Walking in for the first time during lunch we were blown away by the aesthetic of this place. The kitchen can be seen through a glass window with the wait staff entering and exiting through one of the doors. It’s also really spotless here and they pride in cleanliness based on the style of open kitchen and their staff always being on the watch for any cleaning.

Which leads me to the staff. At first we were seated and handed our menus. I felt a bit uncomfortable because it felt like they were staring us down. But, realizing that the staff here are trained to be as responsive as possible based on the way I was observing the other tables being waited.

Which means when the moment you put down your menus they immediately come over to take your order because that is what they were trained to do so. So if you catch them staring continuously that might be why.

Please keep in mind that there can be cultural difference between how some people are trained, but it doesn’t apply to everyone. Some Asian places aren’t trained to engage socially and are more trained to be responsive and turn around tables quick and this is one of them. If you are looking for a place where the staff is social, this is not the spot.

On to the food, I think the more traditional dishes not pictured here are much tastier. However, the more American Chinese styled food is simple. Nothing on the menu we had was amazing and different. But we enjoyed...

(Edited review; original below) I came back to update my rating from 3 to 4 stars. I first came to this restaurant in December 2021 and, as noted below, found the takeaway experience so-so. The response from the restaurant to my review left a good impression on me, so I felt more motivated to try this spot again. I have been back several times (I really like the bao) and tried a few more dishes. While not all of them fit my taste, I enjoy what I get, and my orders are ready when I arrive!

I tried this place for the first time with a pickup order and left feeling a little disappointed with both the service and the food. I placed an online order and headed to the restaurant when I received the notification that it was ready. Despite that, I (and a delivery-person) waited for 30 minutes to collect our orders. The restaurant is pleasant and there was seating up front, so waiting around wasn't uncomfortable, but there was no explanation about why there was such a long wait. It seemed like there was a huge disconnect between the front and back of the house.

In terms of the food, I really enjoyed my pork bun and was pleased by the generous portion of wanton soup. I also got fried rice with shrimp, which was a bit flavorless, though I figured from the picture and website that this wouldn't be the darling of the menu.

All in all, the pork bun was good enough that I would actually go back for a sit-down experience to try the range of dim...

What a deliciously serendipitous surprise! Okay, so…being freshly back in NYC full time, I decided to go for a jaunt, before a scheduled yoga class - stick with me here. As I’m making my way to a near by Target to browse and bide time, I’m suddenly inspired to detour from all plans made (Target included), go further downtown and walk 14th St from 8th Ave. You with me, still?

I’m walking and I stop at a favorite haunt and I pick up a new deck - follow me for more on that later. I continue on, figuring I’d walk over to St. Mark’s because it’s been forever since I’ve been in that area. I’m strolling down Broadway and what do I stumble upon? “3 Times.” Curious me, I’m intrigued, especially because 3 is my favorite number. I go in, I sit and I am ENAMORED.

Y’all! The service, the atmosphere, the FOOD! You have got to try their CHICKEN SOUP DUMPLINGS and the FRIED MINI BUNS - the latter comes with condensed milk. It. Was. SO GOOD! I washed it all down with a lot of their EIGHT TREASURES CHRYSANTHEMUM TEA - YUMMMMM! Mind you, I went to the grocery store this morning, but you know…life will lead you to pleasure when you let it. I will without a doubt be returning, and with an even larger appetite.

If you end up popping over to 3 Times (Broadway/Union Sq), tell them Donny sent you. If you happen to see me there at the same time as you,...