Oriental Palace

Welcome to Oriental Palace, a Chinese restaurant situated at 1728 Madison Ave in the bustling city of New York, specifically in Manhattan. As a local establishment within the Chinese Restaurant category, Oriental Palace offers a range of Chinese dishes for both dine-in and takeout customers. Based on recent online feedback, the experiences at Oriental Palace appear to be a mix of positive remarks about the food quality alongside significant concerns regarding the restaurant's policies, environment, and service execution.

One customer reported that their Shrimp & Broccoli dish was "good," indicating that Oriental Palace is capable of producing satisfying standard Chinese fare. However, this positive comment is juxtaposed with a series of notable issues encountered during the same visit. The customer initially attempted to place a phone order but was unable to reach the restaurant, with the call going straight to voicemail. A subsequent call elicited an explanation that the phone line was likely in use, suggesting potential challenges with handling incoming calls, especially during busy periods.

Considering the difficulty in placing a phone order, the customer considered using Seamless for a pickup order. However, they noted that Seamless charged an additional $2 per meal, which deterred them. This highlights a potential drawback for customers who prefer the convenience of online ordering through third-party platforms but are sensitive to extra fees.

A significant concern raised by the reviewer pertains to the restaurant's policy of being a "cash only" establishment. This can be inconvenient for many customers who prefer to pay with credit or debit cards, and the reviewer explicitly stated that they would likely order more frequently if credit cards were accepted. This policy could potentially limit the amount customers are willing to spend and might deter some altogether in an increasingly cashless society.

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the review is the description of the restaurant's physical environment and its impact on customer safety and comfort. The reviewer noted that the front door was left open, which allegedly allowed "beggars" to enter and "heckle everybody for food or money." Within a short five-minute period, the reviewer witnessed three males entering the premises and behaving rudely and aggressively towards female patrons. This serious security concern understandably made the reviewer uncomfortable and explained their usual preference for placing pickup orders ahead of time to minimize their time spent inside the restaurant. This paints a concerning picture of the restaurant's environment and raises significant questions about the safety and comfort of dining on-site.

Despite these serious issues, the reviewer did mention a couple of potentially positive aspects. They noted that they were not charged tax on their lunch special, which cost $8.75. However, this was offset by the fact that they were not provided with the soup or soda that supposedly came with the lunch special, indicating a lapse in attention to detail or adherence to the advertised meal inclusions. The reviewer also made a comparison to another local Chinese restaurant, Empire Corner, which they usually frequent despite its higher prices. They mentioned that Empire Corner had recently lost its chef, and the owners' cooking was not up to par, explaining their decision to try Oriental Palace. This provides some context for their visit and suggests they were seeking a new reliable option in the area.

The reviewer also offered observations about the cashier, describing her as "pretty and young" and noting that she spoke English "fairly well." However, they also noted that she seemed "too busy and overwhelmed at times," likely exacerbated by the fact that the restaurant reportedly lacked air conditioning, making her "hot and sweaty." This paints a picture of a potentially understaffed and uncomfortable working environment, which could impact the quality of service provided to customers.

Despite the mid-afternoon weekday timing (2:30 PM on a Tuesday), the reviewer observed that Oriental Palace appeared "quite busy," suggesting that it does have a local customer base despite the various issues raised. Finally, the reviewer mentioned that the restaurant claims to have "homemade dumplings" and expressed an intention to try them on a future visit. This could be a potential specialty or feature of Oriental Palace that might appeal to dumpling enthusiasts.

In conclusion, Oriental Palace in New York City offers Chinese food that at least one customer found to be "good." However, the overall experience seems to be significantly marred by a cash-only policy, serious safety concerns due to an open-door policy leading to aggressive panhandling inside the restaurant, potential issues with order accuracy (missing items from a lunch special), and possible understaffing leading to an overwhelmed cashier and difficulties in placing phone orders. The lack of air conditioning could also contribute to an uncomfortable environment for both staff and customers. While the restaurant claims to have homemade dumplings, which might be a draw, the significant negative aspects, particularly those concerning safety and payment options, are serious considerations for potential customers. Local users might want to weigh the reported food quality against the significant environmental and policy concerns before deciding to visit Oriental Palace. Located at 1728 Madison Ave, they can be reached at (212) 534-6087 or +1 212-534-6087 for any inquiries, keeping in mind the reported difficulties in getting through by phone.