John C.
Yelp
Chef Jiang is a popular restaurant in Farmington, CT, that recently opened a second storefront in New Haven. Located in a rather inconspicuous location, next to Shiny Salon and BBQ Chicken, it offers a repertoire of dishes that transcends the common expectations one might expect compared to the other Chinese restaurants nearby.
Upon entry, the ambiance of Chef Jiang exudes a simple elegance. Much nicer than neighboring restaurants (I'd say very similar to Taste of China a few blocks down). The bright and inviting interior is quite a contrast to its exterior. It's a place where large groups can comfortably gather around the round tables, reminiscent of traditional Chinese banquet halls, making it a suitable venue for family gatherings!
The Hot Green Pepper Chicken offered a pleasing blend of flavors. This was the most authentic in terms of taste and presentation. 4.5/5.
The Mapo Tofu, a dish which, while lacking the vigorous spice one might anticipate, still delivered a comforting, home-cooked essence. Its subtle flavors, although somewhat underwhelming for lovers of Sichuan cuisine, present a satisfactory option for those with milder palates. It was too bland for our liking, but portions were relatively bigger. 4/5.
While somewhat tasteful, the Sautéed Slice Lamb in Hunan Style was way too salty. I'd ask for easy on the salt next time. It shied away from the boldness and complexity typically associated with these regional Chinese cuisines. While well-prepared, it would likely not satiate those seeking an authentic experience. 3/5.
I suggest skipping on the Crab Yellow with Pork Soup Dumplings. While the presentation is visually appealing, they may fall short in satisfaction. The dumplings lacked the rich, brothy interior one might anticipate (there was no soup inside despite being a soup dumpling), and the filling was minimal, offering a less fulfilling experience than expected. 2.5/5.
The Steamed Dumplings were not unsavory per se, but not worth the price. Despite an employee telling us so, they were not homemade, and the portions were REALLY small. I suggest you skip or choose another appetizer. 1/5.
Despite the courteous staff (they were all very friendly and helpful!), the wait time was notably long. We sat down immediately because they were not busy, but it took over 45 minutes for our orders to arrive, a delay that might test the patience of many diners. I noticed some people have left negative reviews for Chef Jiang on here due to the long wait time. However, as a new establishment, it's not uncommon to experience initial operational hiccups, and we should all be more considerate. The staff's friendliness and helpfulness suggest a promising future. Service and ambiance were nonetheless 5/5.