Upscale Chinese w/ French flair. Michelin-starred, elegant tasting menus, and unique dishes like spicy chili oil ice cream.
Will Hartman reviews Yingtao, a Hell's Kitchen tasting menu restaurant offering a dramatic blend of Chinese and French cuisine, perfect for special occasions.
This Hell's Kitchen establishment offers a refined take on Chinese cuisine, blending traditional flavors with French techniques for a unique fine-dining experience. Expect elegant dishes, a focus on texture, and a dramatic presentation that makes for a memorable meal.
Yingtao offers a fusion of Chinese and French cuisine, earning a Michelin star for its elegant and ambitious reinterpretations. Dishes like a silky soy milk custard and rich crab noodles are praised, as is a memorable spicy chili oil ice cream cake. However, some reviewers found certain dishes bland, small, or too Westernized, with one mentioning a duck dish with Peking influence but not traditional Peking duck.
"Dishes highlighted include a unique soy milk custard with celery root, rich crab noodles, and a spicy chili oil ice cream cake. A duck dish with Peking influence has also been positively mentioned."
Customers generally have a positive view of the restaurant, appreciating its upscale Chinese fine dining experience and unique tasting menus. However, some find the flavors dull or the portions small, and a few feel it leans too Western.
Important Note
Some diners find the restaurant's style too Westernized, or certain dishes to be bland or lacking in flavor. The tasting menu can be expensive, and the value for money has been questioned in some reviews.
"This user listed YingTao as a recommended Chinese restaurant in the area."
Positive"This commenter recommended Yingtao as a good option for a special dinner."
Positive"This user suggests Yingtao as a one-star option worth stopping at."
Positive"This commenter found Ying Tao to be very solid and enjoyed it, contrasting it with The Musket Room which they found forgettable."
Positive"This user had a positive experience at Ying Tao, enjoying the service and a unique spicy chili oil ice cream cake, despite it being before its Michelin star. They found the environment more laid-back than other options."
Positive"This commenter states they have never been to Ying Tao."
Neutral"This user was unimpressed by Yingtao, finding it more of a Western-style fine dining experience. They recommend Tuome instead for fusion, or JuQi, Blue Willow, and Uluh for a more traditional but elevated experience."
Negative"The original poster acknowledged YingTao's photos looked very non-Chinese, agreeing with the previous comment's sentiment."
Neutral"This user found YingTao to have French influences rather than being purely upscale Chinese, with only a tofu dish being memorable. They shared this for a balanced perspective."
Negative"This user had a very satisfying experience at YingTao for their birthday."
Positive"YingTao is suggested as an obvious choice for upscale Chinese dining, noting its expensive tasting menu and unique positioning."
Neutral"The original poster is excited to try YingTao based on recommendations, noting it looks promising."
Positive"YingTao is seconded as a recommended restaurant."
Positive"YingTao is recommended as a fine dining option for special occasions."
Positive"This commenter likes Yingtao but feels it shares the same ambient considerations as Kochi, making it potentially less ideal for an engagement celebration despite its quality."
Positive"Yingtao is highlighted as a one-Michelin star Chinese fine dining restaurant in Hell's Kitchen and is considered one of the commenter's favorites."
Positive"The commenter suggests Yingtao as a recommendation that fits the budget, including taxes and tips."
Neutral"This restaurant is recommended for Chinese fine dining."
Positive"In response to the post detailing the $165 Yingtao x Kochi collaboration dinner hosted at Yingtao, this user stated that it looked worth the cost to them."
Positive"Commenting on the post about the Yingtao x Kochi collaboration dinner hosted at Yingtao, this user thought the described food and event looked good."
Positive
