Yingtao

Yingtao continues to be the crown jewel of Chinese fine dining in NYC. The new menu by Chef Emily Yuen is phenomenal. Each dish in the Tasting Menu was thoughtfully balanced. The Black Cod with fermented bean and pickled greens was a masterclass in texture and savory depth. I also loved the Plum Duck—the kumquat and red dates added a refreshing sweetness that rounded out the dish perfectly. For dessert, the Nian Gao with walnut and lime was a creative and delightful ending. If you are looking for an elevated take on traditional flavors, this is the place. The optional wine pairing ($100) was also very well-curated and enhanced the meal significantly. Truly a 1-star experience that lives up to the hype!

From the moment I walked into Yingtao, I knew this experience was going to be special. I loved being greeted by the entire staff when I entered, and the service and hospitality were genuinely some of the best I have experienced anywhere in the city. I came in feeling curious and a little unsure of what to expect, but I have been wanting to try Yingtao for a while and I am so glad I finally did. Every single dish was thoughtfully curated with unique flavors that paired and blended together beautifully. The progression of the courses was incredible. Each dish somehow got better than the last, which I honestly did not think was possible. Every course had me finishing the plate completely, which says everything about how good the food was. The atmosphere truly sets the tone for the entire ex

One of the best dinners I’ve ever had in the city. My family loved it and can’t stop talking about the food. Definitely bringing others back. Chef Emily’s new menu is impeccable and went above and beyond my expectations.

If you’re dairy allergic, think twice—surprisingly, this Michelin one-star Chinese restaurant couldn’t adjust anything, even though most Chinese main dishes rarely use dairy. The replacement beef was really tasty. The plating looked amazing! The staff seem unhappy after I told them beef was too salty. Service:poor Food:good

Please note that this was entirely my personal experience. I do hope Yingtao continues refining and improving - there’s potential. Service: Two tables that arrived after us were seated first, which made me wonder whether the table settings hadn’t been properly prepared in advance. There were small handoff issues - we were asked twice what water we wanted, and it took about 15 minutes for someone to confirm our wine order/add-ons. Including the wait to be seated, we didn’t receive our first course until 7:30pm. The course component introductions felt stiff, almost like they weren’t fully memorized yet, and there was no guidance on how the chef suggested each dish be enjoyed😅 The space itself felt slightly at odds with the food - an odd smell near the entrance, and a constant draft blowi