Chinese Food

Okay- here is my take on this subject. I am a huge snob when it comes to Chinese food. I admit it. Keep in mind, this is just MY opinion, but there are really no great chinese restaurants on Long Island, with the exception of two.

Now, remember, I am a Jewish girl ,so I grew up on Chinese food- as Billy Crystal once said in his fabulous show "700 Sundays" : "Jews eat Chinese food on Sunday- its written in the Talmud"

Growing up, when most of my friends & neighbors were going to the local chinese restaurant on Sundays for combination plates of egg rolls, spare ribs & fried rice, or chicken chow mein and egg foo young (whatever that might be), my Dad ,who was also a HUGE SNOB when it came to chinese food, would drive us to the Five Towns to Hewlett where we would have "special" soup-not your ordinary wonton soup- this came in a large bowl with loads of wontons and greens of course, but also gigantic shrimp, chunks of lobster, sliced roast pork, sliced chicken, and tons & vegetables . By now you can tell we were not Kosher.

Anyway, then we would have jumbo butterflied shrimp wrapped in bacon , sizzling sirloin steak & whole lobster cantonese with "special fried rice"

So, that said, I was never a fan of take out or local joints, although throughout the years, many many people have told me & tried to convince me of this place or that place they they say is great- I have tried most- not true. They are all basically the same typical cuisine.

If you are willing to venture into Manhattan for the BEST Chinese food-hands down- ( and I don't mean Chinatown- that is a different story) then do go to Phillipe ( my #1 Favorite on the upper east side) followed by Shun Lee Palace, and then Mr. Chow).

This is the real deal- superb cuisine and any different choices on the menu which you can decided for your self or, if you are a bit more daring, they will ask you want you like or don't like & bring you dinner- lots & lots of incredible items! A bit pricey but Outstanding!!

However, if you chose to stay here on the Island, and want the BEST- then go to Manhasset on Northern Blvd. to 'Pearls'- the closest you will ever get to top notch Asian cuisine here on LI. The food is really sensational. Truly wonderful.

The place is very pretty- a sushi bar in front, a large dining room and another large room in the back either for a private party or overflow on a busy night & when you go with large group, you get a lazy susan in the center of the table to make sharing much simpler.

Now, on the South Shore, there is Wild Ginger, which recently opened in Rockville Center after being so succesful in Great Neck.It is not as good as Pearl's or even similar in style, but very good, and far superior from ANY place here- no matter what anyone says or thinks- again, in my opinion.