Taste — Restaurant in Palo Alto

Delicious! Try all the specialties; I've been impressed! Also, don't worry about the spice level as they have a lot of great non-spicy options and the spiciness of the spicy dishes varies (mapo tofu is hot of course, but the sizzling cumin lamb is not very spicy).

Caveat: I've only ordered delivery twice so I can't speak to the dining experience here. Also, am a bit surprised that people complained about portion sizes. Maybe it's related to the portions for the Shanghai dumplings and the regular dumplings? Admittedly it's a little sad to get only four Shanghai dumplings in an order, but they're good and it's Palo Alto (University Ave no less!) so I don't mind. The portion sizes for things like sizzling cumin lamb and other dishes were pretty standard or a bit on the generous side in my opinion.

I'm a bit shocked that I never noticed this place. I thought I'd tried all of the authentic Chinese restaurants in the Palo Alto/Mountain View area. With my second delivery order, they gave me an order of rice instead of one of my orders of scallion pancakes, but to be fair I ordered a lot of stuff (including another 2 orders of rice) so it's pretty understandable. Everything else was correct and more importantly delicious. My first order was not quite as large and was correct and also delicious.

Standouts: Sizzling Cumin Lamb: My dad and I both loved it; tender and flavorful and not too spicy. Beijing style Shredded Pork with Pea Sprouts: tender and flavorful. It's the rare restaurant that doesn't overcook pork at least a little. They do an impressive job here. Sautéed Pumpkin (with egg coating): I first had a similar dish in Tianjin but this version is excellent with savory egg surrounding tasty pumpkin. My toddler is a big fan too. Cucumber Salad: the right amount of saltiness with a generous amount of garlic. Tasty and refreshing! Shanghai dumplings: I’d say they edge out Dumpling Garden near San Antonio. A little pricy at 4/$8 but they deliver and they’re way closer than Din Tai Fung.

Good: Mapo Tofu - tasty with the numbing green Szechuan peppercorns. Next time I’ll stir fry some ground pork and mix it in because we like meat and it will tone down the spiciness a little. Dumplings: enjoyed the Chives and Shrimp - properly flavorful with the chives coming through. - Scallion pancakes: not quite as much scallion flavor or as salty as I would like, but am very impressed by the flaky texture they manage to achieve. (I still prefer the flavor of the scallion pancakes at Queen House in Mountain View but the chef there doesn't like cooking them when the restaurant is busy.) Woodear stir fried with Chinese Yam: I love Chinese yam and mountain yam but not that many restaurants serve it. This dish was good. Fresh lily bulb was tasty

For context, my favorite restaurants are R&G Lounge, Harborview Restaurant, and Dragon Beau in SF, and Dragon Taste and Baby Cafe in Oakland, plus Din Tai Fung. Locally I like Kirin and Dumpling Garden in Mountain View and Chef Zhao Kitchen in Palo Alto. My recent favorites are Taste in Palo Alto and Noodle King in downtown...

Update: in response to the owner response. Not changing my rating.

I'm not a cheap person nor am I a dishonest person to make up stuff. The original review came from my honest feeling towards the taste of food and tip practice. Nothing personal.

First, I'm 100% sure I didn't order sizzling cumin lamb because I was really speechless that the "雜菌肥羊" which translates to "mixed mushrooms with lamb" had broccoli in it and it tasted like water boiled lamb mixed with boiled tree ear mushroom, ?shitake? Mushroom, and broccoli.

I wish I took pictures of the food which I usually do but the food was so meeeh that I didn't even bother to get my phone out.

Second, regarding the tip "rule" printed on the menu. I don't recall seeing it tbh. Maybe I missed it because of the insignificant location and small font of such text.

The 18% mandatory tip practice regardless of number of party is a first for me post pandemic. Not in many high end restaurants, and almost never seen it at a Chinese restaurant. Maybe I don't come to Palo Alto downtown enough? But I dovremeber Ramen Nagi at PADT didn't do the 18% tip thing even during the pandemic. So I was surprised when the Chinese lady told me the whole PADT businesses do it. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

I don't recall saying food tasted good and had good business. Maybe my dinner partner said it out of the awkwardness when I asked to take off the tip.

Last, in terms of surviving pandemic comment. I've supported local small business before, during, and post pandemic by ordering at the restaurants' physical location so Uber/DoorDash won't take a huge chunk of profit. I did that as much as I could. Majority of the restaurants still open today survived the pandemic just like you did which is 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.

Original review:

Such mediocre Chinese food. Also pretty expensive. We ordered lamb with mixed mushrooms. Very bland taste and barely see any mushrooms but tons of broccoli. spicy fried fish. The fish weren't even crispy. It had a weird soggy dough texture which was not pleasant to chew.

Bill came in with 18% tips automatically added for only 2 people. When I complained, the lady claimed that all the other restaurants in Palo Alto downtown do the same thing. 🙄 Which is highly questionable!

Two dishes + two rice came out to be close to $85 which I rather eat hotpot vs such mediocre Chinese dishes.

Never coming...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Taste, a Sichuan restaurant that has quickly become one of my favorite spots in town. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for an exceptional dining experience.

The menu at Taste is a delightful journey through the vibrant and spicy flavors of Sichuan cuisine. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to authenticity and quality.

One of the standout dishes for me was the classic Mapo Tofu. The silky tofu combined with a rich, spicy sauce that had just the right amount of heat made for a truly satisfying dish. Another highlight was the Kung Pao Chicken, which featured tender chicken pieces stir-fried with crunchy peanuts, fresh vegetables, and a perfectly balanced sauce.

The Hot and Sour Soup was another must-try, offering a complex blend of flavors that were both comforting and invigorating. For those who love a good spice kick, the Dry-Fried Green Beans were an excellent choice, with a smoky, savory taste that left a lasting impression.

The service at Taste was impeccable. The staff were attentive and knowledgeable, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring that our dining experience was smooth and enjoyable. The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy yet modern, making it a great spot for both casual meals and special occasions.

Overall, Taste offers an authentic and memorable Sichuan dining experience. Whether you’re a fan of spicy food or simply looking to explore new culinary horizons, Taste is definitely worth a visit. I look forward to returning and trying more of their...