"Mala Class is a cute spot to take a date, even if everyone here is doing the same thing. This tiny Sichuan restaurant is walk-in only, so expect to wait for a table when date night is in full swing. And if you can handle some pre-dinner small talk (and eating noodles in tight quarters), you’ll be rewarded with a small selection of fragrant Sichuan dishes. The bean curd and cucumber salad is dressed with a punchy housemade black vinegar, the plump pork dumplings have a dual sauce of chili oil and aromatic-infused soy, and the dan dan noodles with minced pork is one of the city’s best (and spiciest). All of Mala Class’s nine or so dishes are under $20 and come out quickly, which makes lingering in this charming plant-filled space with a few crowds of dumplings all too easy." - brant cox, sylvio martins, andrew ryce, cathy park
