The Place: I was thrilled to hear that one of my absolute favorite Chinese restaurants in the city has expanded to Midtown. Lin & Daughters’ newest location is cornered into that strange little walkway between 26th and 27th Street. I have always thought of this as a little hub for fast casual offerings for nearby workers. But the truth is, now that there are so many hotels in this area, Lin & Daughters could become both a local lunch spot and a lucky tourists’ dinner option.
The Menu: The menu is almost identical here to the Greenwich Village location with traditional Chinese dishes inspired and created by the owner Becky’s family members. Don’t miss any of the spectacular dumplings, especially the Cumin Beef and the Shrimp with Lime Chili Sauce. I specifically asked if there was anything on the menu here that was not available downtown and so I ended up with possibly the most perfect bowl for this unbearably frigid weather.
The Dish: Becky’s mom, brother, grandma, and even daughter have a dish that bears their approval. For my recent visit, I got her Sister Lin’s Chicken Noodle Soup, which is only available in the Flatiron. If this is how she makes her soup, Becky’s sister Lili is well on her way to being the ultimate grandmother. The deeply flavorful chicken broth had notes of black pepper and celery and would have been perfect even without the additional ingredients. But the rice noodles, tender shredded chicken, and boatloads of crisp green veggies filled both the belly and the soul. Not to mention, it allowed all of my insides to finally defrost a little bit. Price: $17.49
| LIN & DAUGHTERS |
| 55 West 26th Street (between Sixth Avenue and Broadway), Flatiron District (212) 658-1746 |
| www.bubsbakery.com |
