Jen P.
Yelp
Szechuan Opera is right in my hood and is constantly tempting me with full color photos of their dim sum, filling the windows as you walk along their store front.
The hubs and I finally checked it out recently, in two back to back visits for said dim sum, and we really loved it.
On visit #1, we were there in the middle of the afternoon and the place was totally empty except for some staff in the back eating and a very busy woman on the phone taking take out orders. As soon as we got someone's attention we were seated and quickly ordered. We got 6 dishes: crabmeat and spinach dumplings, pan fried chive and shrimp dumplings, sea cucumber and mushroom dumplings, xiao long bao soup dumplings, pork sio pao (steamed buns), and crispy shrimp rolls. The food came out of the kitchen one plate at a time as it was ready, and we ate everything as it was fresh (and forgot to take any photos). We enjoyed everything and were really happy with food quality, portions and taste.
On visit #2 we were 'restaurant hopping' around Park Ave with another couple, and S.O. was stop #2. This time it was around 6pm and the place was packed with groups of what appeared to be students, all eating out of huge plates being served family style. We again ordered dim sum plus carafes of hot and cold sake. This time we ordered Peking duck steamed buns, pan fried chive and shrimp dumplings, xiao long bao soup dumplings, crispy shrimp rolls, black truffle mixed mushroom dumpling, and beef short ribs. Again, food was great, service was friendly and efficient (despite how busy the restaurant was) and we enjoyed the experience.
Couple other notes I'll add:
Although it seems like every restaurant in the area has increased prices due to inflation, I still feel that this place is a good value in that the size and number of pieces of dim sum per plate is generous and satisfying.
The internal decor invites large groups to come in for hot pot or to sit under (fake) trees and pagodas - we have yet to sit in one of the more festive settings, but always enjoy seeing them from adjacent tables!
Finally, if you are driving in, there's free parking all around - front and back of the building lots and street.