Mountain House - Times Square 川山甲 — Restaurant in New York

I want to start by saying that I truly appreciated the kindness of the front desk staff who let us in early to dine, especially since it was raining and we had a small child with us. That small gesture meant a lot and gave us a good first impression.

However, what followed completely ruined our experience.

We came here with our child for a family meal and ordered four dishes. To our shock, three out of the four dishes turned out to be extremely spicy, but there was absolutely no warning about the spice level. There were no chili symbols or spice indicators on the menu, and the staff didn’t say a single word when we ordered.

As parents — and as people from Sichuan(四川）, a region known for spicy food — of course we understand and expect heat in certain dishes. But we also know that not every dish is spicy. For example, we ordered 鱼香肉丝, which is not supposed to be spicy in our hometown. Naturally, we assumed it would be safe for our child. But the version served here was overwhelmingly spicy — completely different from what we know and expect from this dish.

Our child took just one bite and was immediately overwhelmed. He cried from the pain, couldn’t eat anything after that, and the whole experience left him — and us — upset and disappointed. I was not only angry, but also heartbroken.

We even told the waiter that the food was far too spicy, especially for a child, but he simply smiled and said nothing. That reaction was incredibly frustrating — no apology, no concern, just a dismissive smile, as if it didn’t matter at all.

This level of carelessness and indifference is unacceptable, especially for a restaurant that serves families. At the very least, they should clearly mark spicy dishes on the menu and train their staff to inform customers and show basic empathy, especially when children are obviously present.

We will not be coming back, and I sincerely hope the management takes this seriously. No other family should have to go through what we...

Ambiance (5/5): The interior is beautifully decorated. It was nice and bright, low volume that you could hear each other. The decorations felt immersive and welcoming. Service (5/5): You can tell it’s great service when the wait staff all have walkie talkies! We were seated for our reservation time immediately but right beside the entrance. We asked the hostess if we could move away from the cold draft and she said all the tables were accounted for. However, she offered 1 hand warmer for each of us!! Wow, never had that offered before. Cocktails took more time to arrive than our mains and were super strong! Food: Be warned that the Sichuan food here is extremely spicy, even the mild option! While I was okay, my other guests found it way too spicy for their palate. Swing Pork Belly (3/5): The cold slices were unmarinated and required the dipping sauce for flavor. This was a nice picturesque dish but nothing to write home about. For those that can’t handle spice, this was the only dish that wasn’t spicy that we ordered. Beef slices in hot and sour soup (3/5): This was a unique flavor that I was not expecting. The soup was sour but also reminded me of traditional Chinese medicine or something that my parents made for me when I was sick. Although the beef was tender, I found it a bit too sour for my taste. Mapo Tofu (5/5): The tofu had a nice film of chili oil and the minced beef gave the dish some more flavor. It went lovely when mixed with white rice. Pepper Chicken (4/5): The cubed chicken pieces were all tender. The mild flavor of the hot peppers caused a numbing effect. I thought it...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’ve been loyal customers of this incredible Sichuan restaurant for the past eight years and we visited all of their locations in Flushing, St Mark Place and Midtown and it never fails to impress! The food here is simply outstanding—authentic, flavorful, and always prepared to perfection. Every time we visit, we make sure to order our favorite dishes: the Lazi Chicken, Giang Stew Fish, and the legendary Mapo Tofu. These dishes are bursting with bold Sichuan flavors and that perfect balance of heat and spice. Truly, every bite is a taste of heaven!

But what really sets this place apart is not just the amazing food, but the top-notch service. I want to give a special shoutout to Steven, one of the standout staff members who consistently goes above and beyond to ensure we have an unforgettable dining experience. Whether it’s offering suggestions, remembering our preferences, or simply greeting us with the warmest smile, Steven’s dedication to his customers is second to none. His attention to detail and genuine care have made us feel like part of the restaurant’s family over the years.

If you're a fan of authentic Sichuan cuisine or looking to try something new, this is the place to go. The flavors, the ambiance, and the exceptional service—especially from Steven—make every visit a delight. Thank you for years of incredible meals and hospitality. We can’t wait to return...