"Walking into Mandalay is the cure to a sh*tty day. Ornaments and hanging umbrellas decorate the bright yellow space, and the staff treats you like a regular even if you’ve never been in before. The hearty Burmese food will make your day, too. Tea leaf salad is nutty and crunchy, the balada has buttery layers, and jalapeños and chunks of mango balance out a sweet and savory mango chicken. Getting into a family-style spread of shareable dishes is the best way to forget about whatever you’ve been commiserating about." - julia chen 1