"The Old Chengdu design is jaw-dropping at this two-story paean to hot pot, as are the myriad protein, vegetable, noodle, sauce, and condiment options. The all-you-can-eat format includes a massive buffet station where you can pick items to cook in one of four available bases: tomato soup, stewed mushroom and bones, spicy sour fish, and xiangzi spicy soup (or a combination of any two). Among the more than 300 ingredients are lamb tripe, beef balls, Spam, quail eggs, and pork blood tofu, as well as sesame oil imported from China and seasonings flown in from Sichuan. There’s also a hot table with dozens of cooked sides and small desserts. Premium ingredient upgrades include lobster, crab, scallops, marble beef cubes, and more. Getting messy here is a given, so don’t wear white or, if you do, get a complimentary apron. Note: During the pandemic, everyone gets their own individual hot pot. [$$]" - Faiyaz Kara