Chef Guo - 小国宴

In the middle of Manhattan where everything feels rushed, Chef Guo’s restaurant slows time. No walk-ins, only reservation and bell-entry, you step into a world of stillness, intention, and artistry. Every dish tells a story, with ingredients chosen for meaning as much as flavor. The attention to detail awakens every sense and transports you to a different state of mind. Servers in embroidered robes share the cultural significance of each course, adding depth to the experience. This is not a regular restaurant! It is dining for Royals. A hidden sanctuary where calm meets complexity, and minimalism becomes pure meaning.

Chef Guo was, without exaggeration, one of the worst dining experiences we’ve ever had. For the price point, what you receive is the culinary equivalent of dog food. The dishes were shockingly bland, uninspired, and completely devoid of flavor. Nothing was balanced, nothing was memorable—except how disappointing it all was. There is absolutely no justification for charging premium prices for food this tasteless and poorly executed. If you are expecting refinement, creativity, or even basic seasoning, you will leave frustrated and angry at yourself for not going elsewhere. Save your money. Steer clear. This restaurant is all hype with none of the substance.

An unforgettable fine dining experience! Chef Guo offers a modern take on traditional Chinese imperial cuisine, blending stunning presentation with incredible flavors. Every dish felt like a piece of art, both visually and taste-wise. The service was impeccable—attentive, professional, and warm. Truly a hidden gem in Midtown Manhattan. Perfect for special occasions or anyone looking to be wowed!

My review for this restaurant is awesome!!!!🤩 As soon as I entered the restaurant I was shocked by the decorative style inside, which simply arrived at the feeling of a palace dinner. I have rarely seen some restaurants so richly decorated with Chinese cultural characteristics. For the food, I don't even dare to break its shape🤣🤣because the food is as exquisite as if is fake, and at first glance thought it was a painting. Overall, the environment and the food are top-notch, at least one of the tops in my case. Compared with Michelin's three-star restaurant, I prefer Chef Guo, more to my taste. I really really really really super recommend trying it! 🥹😋

WOW. I had an amazing, exquisite, imperial dinner experience at Chef Guo’s midtown namesake restaurant. The restaurant environment, reinforced that imperial feel. I definitely felt like royalty, entering through the restaurant’s private gate, being greeted by a white gloved server. A server who was dressed in gold trimmed, traditional, imperial Chinese outfit. The dinner that followed was nothing short of incredible. Exquisite, a “Once in a lifetime” sort of an experience. BTW everything on the plate is eatable, including the butterflies and the $100 bill 💵. 😳

I had such a great time at Chef Guo! The food was amazing—beautifully presented and full of flavor. You can really tell how much thought goes into each dish. The staff were super friendly and made the whole experience feel special. Definitely worth it if you’re looking for a memorable dinner in NYC.

The incredible dining experience. After numerous meals at Michelin-starred restaurants, I must say that ChefGuo is one of the best overall high-end restaurants I have experienced... from flawless service, meticulously prepared dishes, to the breathtaking and unique environment that immerses you in an outstanding gastronomic journey. I highly recommend 3 Michelin stars!

the food was good, but compared to other high price point places such as jua or le bernadin it falls flat of that “wow” factor. the best dishes we had were a kungpao lobster tail and a truffle pea soup, though i understand the menu will likely be different for everyone. the portions started small and got bigger, with the qian kun hotpot style soup being the largest course. sometimes the flavor combos did not make sense. the restaurant interior was beautiful, and so was the dish and silverware. the servers were friendly and attentive, given you have the dining area to yourself.