La Salle Dumpling Room

La Salle Dumpling Room is a distinctive Chinese restaurant located at 35 W End Ave in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City, NY 10023. They can be contacted at (212) 586-2000 or their mobile number +1 212-586-2000. It is important for local users to note that La Salle Dumpling Room has merged with Friedman's West and now operates within the same establishment. This unique setup allows diners to enjoy two completely distinct cuisines under one roof.

The merger of La Salle Dumpling Room and Friedman's West presents both an advantage and a potential challenge for patrons. The primary benefit is the ability for individuals with differing culinary preferences to dine together, as one location now offers both Chinese cuisine from La Salle Dumpling Room and the presumably Western-style fare of Friedman's West. This fusion concept caters to a broader range of tastes and makes it a versatile option for groups or couples with varied cravings.

However, a notable downside, as pointed out by a reviewer, is that those unfamiliar with the merger might find it "nearly impossible to locate the restaurant." This suggests that La Salle Dumpling Room may not have a prominent separate signage or entrance and is identified primarily within the context of Friedman's West. Therefore, local users specifically seeking La Salle Dumpling Room should be aware that they need to look for Friedman's West at the listed address.

Despite the unconventional integration, customer reviews indicate that La Salle Dumpling Room excels in preparing its Chinese offerings. The establishment is described as offering "two completely distinct cuisines, prepared to perfection." Specifically, the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are highlighted as "exceptional." Xiao long bao are a Shanghainese specialty known for their delicate wrappers filled with flavorful broth and meat, and receiving such high praise suggests that La Salle Dumpling Room executes this dish particularly well.

In addition to the dumplings, the "Chinese-style noodles" are also lauded as "exceptional." This broad category implies that La Salle Dumpling Room offers high-quality noodle dishes, which are a staple of Chinese cuisine. The positive feedback on both the dumplings and the noodles indicates a strength in their core Chinese menu items.

Beyond their main courses, La Salle Dumpling Room also receives accolades for its brunch menu, which "exceeds expectations." This suggests that they offer a well-regarded selection of brunch items, potentially with a Chinese twist or alongside more traditional brunch fare. The quality extends to their beverages, with both the "coffee and iced tea" being described as "outstanding." This attention to detail in both food and drinks contributes to a positive overall dining experience.

Another reviewer corroborated the information about La Salle Dumpling Room being located inside Friedman's. This reinforces the importance for new visitors to be aware of this co-location. This reviewer specifically enjoyed the "pork soup dumplings," describing them as "fresh, tender, and hot, with a tasty filling." This further validates the earlier praise for their xiao long bao, confirming the quality and appeal of their dumpling offerings.

This same reviewer also commented on the "General Tso chicken," another popular Chinese-American dish, stating that it was "great" and noted the interesting use of "2 kinds of peppers" which added flavor without making it "over-spiced." This indicates that La Salle Dumpling Room pays attention to flavor complexity and balance in their more familiar dishes as well.

Finally, this reviewer also mentioned "friendly staff and attentive service!" This is a crucial aspect of any dining experience, and positive feedback in this area suggests that the overall customer experience at La Salle Dumpling Room is enhanced by the welcoming and attentive nature of their service team.

Based on these reviews, La Salle Dumpling Room offers a unique dining experience by operating within Friedman's West, providing high-quality Chinese cuisine alongside another distinct culinary style. Their xiao long bao and Chinese-style noodles are particularly praised, and their brunch menu and beverages also receive positive mentions. The service is described as friendly and attentive. The environment is likely shared with Friedman's West, suggesting a potentially casual yet welcoming atmosphere. However, the lack of separate visibility might make it challenging for first-time visitors specifically looking for La Salle Dumpling Room to locate it.

There is no specific information available in these reviews regarding any unique features of La Salle Dumpling Room, such as signature dishes beyond the xiao long bao, a particular regional Chinese cuisine focus, or any special dining experiences. Similarly, no promotional information, such as discounts, special offers, or events, is mentioned in the provided feedback. Local users interested in such details would need to contact the restaurant directly or explore any online presence they might have.

In conclusion, La Salle Dumpling Room offers a compelling reason for local users in the Upper West Side to visit Friedman's West. With exceptional dumplings, delicious Chinese noodles, a noteworthy brunch, and praised beverages, it provides a high-quality Chinese culinary experience in an unexpected location. The friendly and attentive service further enhances its appeal. Potential diners should simply be aware that La Salle Dumpling Room is situated inside Friedman's West at the given address. For those seeking a fusion dining experience or simply excellent Chinese food, La Salle Dumpling Room appears to be a hidden gem worth discovering.