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  • Shun Lee West

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Shun Lee West
Shun Lee West

Shun Lee West Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.shunleewest.com
  • Phone: (212) 595-8895
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday - Friday: 12:00pm - 3:00pm, Saturday: 11:30am - 3:00pm, Sunday: 11:30am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Monday - Saturday: 3:00pm - 12:00am, Sunday: 3:00pm - 10:30pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Chinese, Asian
  • Executive Chef: Sun-Dao Man
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cafe, Counter Seating, Delivery, Full Bar, Late Night, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Takeout, Wine
  • Catering: Catering is available to anywhere in Manhattan, for 20 to 1,000 people.
  • Private Party Facilities: Private party options are available for 80 to 200 guests, semi-private events are available for 10 to 25 guests.
  • Private Party Contact: Dennis Wang or Steven Ng (212) 595-8895

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Columbus Avenue
  • Public Transit: 1 train to 66th Street.
  • Parking: No
A word from Shun Lee West
Conveniently located across from Lincoln Center and a startling revelation in shiny black lacquer, Shun Lee exudes Asian chic with grand authority.
For haute Chinese cuisine, it’s among New York City’s best. Regional offerings include crispy Grand Marnier prawns with honey walnuts (Canton),… braised sea bass in hot bean sauce (Hunan) and shredded beef with leeks and hot peppers (Szechwan). Specialties include beggar’s chicken baked in lotus leaves and clay (requires one day’s notice), Hunan tripe, sweetbreads with black mushrooms and of course, Beijing Duck.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerChinese
Diner Reviews
  • "This was our first time at Shun Lee and it did not disappoint us. The food was well-prepared, especially the spring rolls which were some of the best we had tasted. The service was prompt and attentive. I would like to try their cafe on our next visit."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "Great food, great service and perfect location to Lincoln Center. If you enjoy fine Chinese food this is the place."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "The food was fantastic! The waiter could not have been nicer. Service was excellent. Kids treated very well. You pay more and it is worth it."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "this is far and above the best chinese restaurant in NYC, or in the US for that matter. food is excellent, authentic, and one of the few places you can order Peking Duck off the menu and not a day ahead of time. I've been going since the 1970s"
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "At our previous dinner, the food was excellent. This time only the appetizer. We have eaten here several times over several years and the food was always exceptional, so this was a disappointment. The service was perfunctory, to the point where we were not even asked if we wanted dessert, even though the pre-theater rush had cleared out. There will always be more customers for this restaurant, given the location, but we may not be among them."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "Probably one of the best Cantonese style Chinese restaurants uptown. Rarely disappoints and they are super efficient in getting guests in and out quickly when necessary."
    Dined on 6/24/2014
  • "Food is always good -- tasty and fresh -- with nice twists to the Chinese recipes. Something for everyone, from meat to fish to vegetables, spicy to mild."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "This restaurant is consistently excellent. The Beijing Duck egg rolls were the best egg rolls ever! And the Grand Marnier prawns are just amazing."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Huge roach made its way across the dining floor. Ruined the meal. Fix your roach problem!"
    Dined on 6/13/2014
  • "This is a wonderful restaurant that we have dined in for many years. It is most attractive and the service is impeccable. The menu combines both the tried and true Chinese and also offers many seasonal specialities. We both ate dumplings, followed by lamb and something called "ant on a tree", noodles with beef. The cocktails are also delicious. It is a great place to feel pampered. Conveniently located close to Lincoln Center, the restaurant is perfect for before or after performances there. It is somewhat pricey, but totally worth it."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "The food at Shun Lee West is amazing and never able to decide. Our waiter made things easy by dividing up the dishes for us so that my two sisters and I were able to share each other's meals without making a mess. It's a place that never disappoints and the food is just amazing. The restaurant is also beautiful."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "have been here many times, and always have had excellent food, with very attentive service."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "The Special Lunch Set Menu is the best! More than enough quantity with excellent quality of food. The prawns with scallions as the Main was selected by all in our party and everyone raved about the taste and quantity."
    Dined on 6/10/2014
  • "We went to Shun Lee West because of its proximity to Lincoln Center. That's about all it has in its favor. Most of the food was bland - it appeared that it was prepared with virtually no seasonings whatsoever. The cold sesame noodles were especially tasteless. The scallion pancake didn't taste like there were any scallions in it, and it was much smaller than it had been in the past. The prices, however, were much larger, thus making our meal a very poor value."
    Dined on 6/8/2014
  • "Like an old friend,the food was good,predictable and service very good. Very good for dining before lincoln Center performances or activities. Crowded and noisy when we arrived at 6:30 on a Sat eve.it was almost deserted by 8pm!(opposite of many area restaurants!)think everyone went to performances nearby.. if this is not only a summer weekend occurrence, its good for anyone wanting a quiet meal to come at 7:30pm on sat???"
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "We had a delicious dinner at Shun Lee before going to the ballet. We started with Spicy Chicken Soong, which should have been spicier, and pork dumplings. For a main course, we had the Crispy Whole Fish, Hunan Style, Orange Beef, a chicken special, and the eggplant. All were delicious, except the chicken special, which was tasteless. "
    Dined on 6/5/2014
  • "My fiancee and I went to Shun Lee West for dinner, with no particular expectations. My fiancee lived in China several years and he always tells me it's not easy to find outside China the REAL chinese food...but this time he was amazed by the genuine traditional food! We loved every course we chose and the level of service has been really high, impressive. Living not so far from the restaurant, we will come back for sure! "
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "Shun Lee East and West offers a great menu (lunch or dinner) with fresh preparations, attentive service and upscale atmosphere. West is more eclectic, East more formal - both favorites for many years. "
    Dined on 5/31/2014
  • "In the mood for Chinese food, we found Shun Lee West to be perfect! Close to Lincoln Center, we could eat after a performance. Enjoyed the unusual choices available ... not your typical Chinese-American fare. As expected, a bit pricey -- but you are in NYC. Would recommend! "
    Dined on 5/30/2014
  • "The food is fresh and delicious. The waiters are very attentive. They always honor a reservation. It's always a great experience. "
    Dined on 5/27/2014
  • "Have been to Shun Lee Café, right next door, for Dim Sum. The Palace is attractively decorated but the food was "just Chinese food". Szechuan scallops with no "kick" and vegetables tasteless. Tolerable for a business lunch."
    Dined on 5/24/2014
  • "We booked this restaurant via the internet with no idea of what to expect. I must say we were very pleased with the ambience and the food and service were exceptional. All the staff were very friendly and as this was our first visit to New York we were slightly worried about the general standard of its restaurants. We need not have worried as we were made to feel at home when we were welcomed by my first name via my email. Would certainly recommend to anyone visiting New York and I am sure that when I visit again I will have no hesitation on booking this restaurant in the future. "
    Dined on 5/20/2014
  • "We were seated quickly and ushered to a lovely booth. The wait staff was anxious to please and helpful in choosing appropriate dishes for a member of our party who has many food allergies. We enjoyed two different prawn dishes and both were Outstanding and met the taste test for all of our group. The lamb dish and the beef short ribs were also a success. The portions were more than adequate and in one case, a "doggy bag" was provided for take home and further enjoyment. We had a lovely bottle of Malbec wine to enhance the food. The proximity to Lincoln Center makes this an easy go to restaurant. We look forward to returning soon."
    Dined on 5/22/2014
  • "Love going there with my kids for special occasions for its fun decor and good good. The service sometimes feels a bit rushed. "
    Dined on 5/23/2014
  • "We had not been here for many years. We had pecking duck. It was ok, a little dry and served lukewarm. The lobster out of the shell was the big disappointment, overcooked and in a dish that had no discernible taste. The soupy dumplings were tasty although not with the explosion of soup that one squally gets. Maybe it was an off night. "
    Dined on 5/24/2014
  • "Excellent meal, attentative service. Shun Lee's Soupy dim sum is outstanding. "
    Dined on 5/23/2014
  • "If I am in a mood for Chinese food then this is the place to go. "
    Dined on 5/23/2014
  • "Brought daughter for the first time. She loved everything about this restaurant from the food and outstanding service. Can't wait to go back."
    Dined on 5/17/2014
  • " this latest experience was not as good as usual. There were a few problems with service. Our waiter on the other hand was very good. "
    Dined on 5/15/2014
  • "Had a 6pm reservation - plenty of time for 8pm Lincoln Center. The Shun Lee wonton soup was very good - the shrimp with garlic and scallion was only fair - large shrimp were fine but way too much sauce - soggy scallions - couldnt taste the garlic. "
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "Have been going to original for 35 years. This one is as good."
    Dined on 5/14/2014
  • "Excellent food and outstanding service in posh surroundings"
    Dined on 5/13/2014
  • "It's tired. Needs a renovation. Better Chinese takeout in Albany"
    Dined on 5/9/2014
  • "Shun Lee is at the top for Chinese food. I recommend it."
    Dined on 4/29/2014
  • "The best ever Crispy Beef with Orange flavor! We've lived in China, Hong Kong, Singapore. Have never found such a great dish. We come to NYC (5+hours drive) for this restaurant and this dish. All other dishes are wonderful, especially the Shanghai (hand-made noodles) and Xao Crispy Shrimp. Waitstaff is friendly, helpful, efficient. Drinks are top-notch. A great place to dine."
    Dined on 5/8/2014
  • "Excellent for pre concert opera or play at Lincoln Center "
    Dined on 5/7/2014
  • "Service excellent, cocktails and ambiance great. And, so convenient for Lincoln Square in location and timing, plus it is a local long-standing institution. But...unfortunately, the food was sub-par. Our local takeout does better tasting at half the price. Appetizers were unremarkable, and the entrees were disappointing especially at the higher cost. Lemon chicken was gristly, in particular, and that set the tone. A shame that the food doesn't live up to the legacy, or the wonderful friendly service, or the nicer setting."
    Dined on 5/8/2014
  • "Food was not up to the standard we had enjoyed in the past. Dumplings were warmed over and lacking in the crisp tastiness we expect; spare ribs ditto; heavenly fish fillet was not as flavorful as in the past"
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "The food is always good here at Shun Lee West. However, if you are not in a rush, do not order all items at once. Although we mentioned we wanted "time" between courses, all items arrived almost immediately & we were done within 30mins! They need to slow down & let one enjoy the meal."
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "Shun Lee is a pro at providing a good meal fast and getting you out in time for a curtain. It is wise to ask questions about how things are prepared. With a party of four, the Bejing Shrimp was the all out favorite. The baby eggplant was terrific, as were the sauteed dry string beans. The shrimp dumpilings and the soft-shell crab were good. The orange beef was heavy and way too sweet. "
    Dined on 5/1/2014
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