It’s not often that a restaurant in New York City lasts long enough to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Philippe New York is one of the few spots that has achieved this honor. The Beijing-style cuisine that put this spot on the map has attracted everyone from local New Yorkers to some of the hottest celebs, including Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Ophrah and Queen Bee. Named after owner and executive chef Philippe Chow, the restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner seven days a week.
It’s hard not to go overboard here, as everything on the menu sounds delectable. We were definitely not disappointed starting off with the Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Scallion Pancakes. The wraps were refreshing, yet flavorful, while the pancakes were hearty and decadent when dipped in sweet and sour sauce. We also tried out the Wok Fried Pork Dumplings, which were gobbled up very quickly and cooked to perfection.
The main course was supplemented with wine from their extensive menu, which only made the high class food go down smoother. The House Mignon (crusted & sliced thin topped with black pepper and brown garlic sauce) and Nine Seasons Spicy Prawns (wok fried and sauteed in a sweet & sour spicy sauce with crushed dried red pepper) made for a winning combination. The mignon was reminiscent of fried chicken on the outside, giving it an interesting crunch that was unexpected but delightful. The prawns were in a league of their own. I don’t think I could ever eat enough of this tangy dish. It was definitely one of the favorites of the night. The family style dishes meant that we didn’t leave empty handed – leftovers allowed us to enjoy the tastes we loved so much for an extra day. Plus, we topped the night off with their Chocolate Molten Cake (warm, flourless, bittersweet chocolate cake served with vanilla ice cream), which is never a bad choice.
The space is large, but nicely separated into six different dining rooms, making it seem much more intimate. In fact, the venue also has private dining areas as well as exclusive wine cellars for those looking to escape from prying eyes. We recommend starting your night off with a cocktail or glass of wine at the bar before you make your way to your seats. Our only regret is that we weren’t able to try everything on the menu.
Twisted Talk: Have you dined at Philippe New York before? What’s your favorite dish? Discuss below!
