"Cha Cha Tang is the first place that we’ve been served spam noodle soup by someone in a full button-down and server jacket. This West Village restaurant makes food inspired by cha chaan tengs, the casual diners that originated in Hong Kong, serving a blend of Cantonese and Western cuisines. Here, that food is deconstructed, reimagined, and upgraded before it hits the pink tablecloths in their semi-formal dining room. photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte photo credit: Kate Previte A meal here can add up, but the fancy presentation and ingredients in dishes like macaroni soup, siu mai, and cheesy pork chops feel worths it. That pork is cooked with steakhouse specificity, the soup is loaded with juicy wontons, and the siu mai come on a skewer, doused in a smoky-sweet pineapple sauce. It’s a fun spot for a low-key birthday dinner, with plenty of booths for groups. Food Rundown Crystal Shrimp Dumpling Silky smooth dumpling wrappers swaddle some sweet, bouncy shrimp. This should absolutely be on your table. photo credit: Kate Previte Cantonese Roast Duck Slider Another dish that should definitely be on your table. Sesame is the overwhelming flavor here—from the seeds on the bread, to the creamy sesame and hoisin mayo that goes perfectly with the roast duck and crunchy veggies. Steamed Branzino The good: this fish comes to the table steamed to a state of juicy, tender perfection. The less good: the flavors here are just a bit muted—especially the Cantonese black beans-ginger-scallion-cilantro condiment." - Neha Talreja
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