Seven Scents 七号小串 | Skewers · Beer · Chinese BBQ — Restaurant in New York

I came by with 3 friends recently to this newly-opened restaurant that specializes in skewers. We came on a Saturday evening around 6:30, and there were still a handful of tables available, but filled up while we were eating. (When we got there they asked us if we had reservations, but I don't see anywhere to make reservations online; so you might have to call to make one?)

They have a pretty big menu of various spicy dishes (many of which did seem yummy!), but we decided to only try the skewers :) Price point is a tad high - around $2 per skewer on average (before tax/tip), but overall they were quite yummy. Our favourites were the grilled beef (fat & lean) 牛肉小串(肥瘦) and the grilled black pepper beef skewers 黑椒牛肉串. Both were quite nicely seasoned with cumin, pepper, etc. and the beef was well cooked to a tender softness.

We also tried a few other options - beef tendons were fine but tended to taste a bit too oily, and the chicken cartilage had a nice flavour but texture was hard to chew. When we ordered, we were told that they didn't have any of the pork options available that evening (maybe growing pains with supply chain and what not).

It's pretty interesting that they bring the skewers to you without a plate or anything (once you have a tray/plate on your table).

Also, I think the ventilation in the restaurant is pretty lacking. Especially further away from the exit, you could smell and even see there was a lot of smokiness in the air (from the skewer grills).

All in all, a pretty decent meal at a good price. I'm keen to come back to try some of their non-skewer dishes in...

As a Chinese customer, I’d give this restaurant a 4/10. It was our first visit, and honestly, the dishes were disappointing. Let’s start with the good: the service was great the staff was attentive and caring. The eggplant dish we ordered was delicious and full of flavor. Now the bad: the restaurant’s specialty is supposed to be skewers, but they were incredibly mid. There was no flavor at all it felt like the chef forgot to add salt. On top of that, the meat wasn’t juicy just dry. Dry is still okay if it’s tasty, but in this case, it was bland, really hard to enjoy. The beef skewers were overly fatty, which wasn’t pleasant either. Honestly, I’d rather spend less money on skewers from a BBQ cart in LIC those taste better.We also ordered a Sichuan style pork blood dish. While it did have some flavor, it was overwhelmingly salty. This is a classic dish that any authentic Chinese restaurant should be able to get right but here, it was a miss. Overall, I won’t be coming back. It’s frustrating that no matter how bad a Chinese restaurant tastes, as long as it’s located in LIC, it still gets customers because it’s new style Chinese restaurant. Please prioritize the quality and flavor of the food location alone shouldn’t carry...

I just had an incredible dining experience at Seven Scents in Long Island City, and I can't recommend it highly enough. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the warm, inviting atmosphere. The space strikes the perfect balance between modern and cozy, making it ideal for a relaxed meal or a night out with friends.

Now let’s talk about the food — the skewers are absolutely phenomenal. Each one was grilled to perfection, juicy, flavorful, and beautifully seasoned. You can really taste the care and quality in every bite. Whether you're into meats, seafood, or vegetarian options, there's something for everyone — and it’s all delicious.

The service was equally impressive. The staff were attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about what they do. They made excellent recommendations and ensured everything came out promptly and perfectly.

Seven Scents delivers a dining experience that feels both elevated and approachable. If you're anywhere near LIC and looking for a spot that combines flavor, ambiance, and outstanding service, this is the place. I’ll absolutely be coming back — and...