Yangtze Restaurant

Welcome to Yangtze Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant located at 5625 Wayzata Boulevard in St Louis Park, Minnesota. As a part of the Chinese Restaurant category, Yangtze Restaurant offers a diverse menu that appears to specialize in authentic dim sum, alongside other Chinese dishes. Situated conveniently near hotels and the Shops at West End, it caters to both locals and visitors seeking Chinese cuisine.

Yangtze Restaurant can be contacted by phone at (952) 541-9469 or via their mobile number +1 952-541-9469. These contact details can be used to inquire about their menu, make reservations (especially recommended during peak hours or holidays), or ask about takeout options. While the reviews primarily focus on the dine-in experience, particularly the dim sum, it is reasonable to assume that Yangtze Restaurant also offers takeout services for many of its menu items.

Customer reviews provide a nuanced perspective on the dining experience at Yangtze Restaurant. One particularly insightful review comes from an individual with extensive experience living and working in China for nearly two decades, including time spent in Guangzhou, the heart of dim sum. This reviewer noted that Yangtze Restaurant's dim sum is "possibly the closest you’ll get in terms of authentic dim sum flavor in Minnesota," estimating its authenticity to be around 85% compared to what they had experienced in China. They suggested that a higher level of authenticity might only be found in cities with larger Chinese communities like Chicago, New York, or San Francisco. This strong endorsement of the dim sum's authenticity is a significant positive aspect for those seeking a genuine taste of this Cantonese cuisine.

However, this same reviewer also pointed out a significant drawback: a "lack of transparency with the dim sum menu in terms of pricing," as no prices were displayed. While they acknowledged that they could have asked, they felt it would be rude to inquire about the cost of each item, especially as it was their first visit. This lack of clear pricing is an area for potential improvement, as it can lead to uncertainty and potentially a higher-than-expected bill for customers. The reviewer also noted that the restaurant was "really busy" on Easter Sunday, which likely impacted their overall experience.

The final bill for four adults and one child amounted to $270, including tip and tax, which averaged to about $90 per person for the three who split the bill. When an itemized receipt was requested, it did not detail the specific dim sum items ordered but instead categorized them under "medium, large and X-large prices." This lack of itemization further contributes to the pricing transparency issue, making it difficult for customers to understand the cost breakdown of their meal.

In addition to the pricing concerns, the reviewer also recounted a negative interaction with the host, who "decided to lecture us on how to fill out our dim sum order form." While they admitted it was an honest mistake on their part, they felt the host's demeanor was unnecessarily rude. They speculated that the host might have been stressed from dealing with a busy Sunday morning and numerous customers. In contrast, the reviewer praised their server, a gentleman, for being "very nice." This highlights a potential inconsistency in the service provided by different staff members.

The reviewer concluded that while the dim sum was authentic, they would not immediately choose Yangtze Restaurant for their next dim sum outing, as they wanted to explore other options in the Twin Cities for comparison. They also suggested areas for improvement, specifically recommending that the restaurant improve its dim sum menu by displaying prices or at least indicating which items fall into which price categories. Additionally, they suggested improving the host's customer service, especially when the restaurant is busy, noting that the host's interactions with other waiting customers made them feel uncomfortable.

Another customer expressed disappointment, stating that "for the price, the food wasn't worth it." They acknowledged that the restaurant provided a good amount of food and generous portions of protein but found the flavor to be lacking. This customer had ordered the Hunan triple crown based on a recommendation but felt it was not a satisfying dish for the cost. This review suggests that while some dishes might offer generous portions, the flavor profile might not meet everyone's expectations, and the overall value proposition could be a concern for some diners, especially given the restaurant's proximity to hotels and the Shops at West End, which might lead to elevated prices compared to other Chinese restaurants.

On a more positive note, this same reviewer did commend "the guy at the front desk for being an excellent host." They described him as "very courteous" and noted his effort to remember the names of frequent patrons. This positive feedback aligns with the other reviewer's positive experience with their server, suggesting that while there might be inconsistencies, some staff members at Yangtze Restaurant are indeed providing good customer service.

Based on these reviews, the environment of Yangtze Restaurant is likely that of a traditional Chinese restaurant, possibly bustling, especially during peak hours like Sunday brunch or holidays. Its location near hotels and a shopping area suggests it might cater to a mix of tourists and locals. While one reviewer noted a cleanliness issue (not included in the provided text but sometimes implied with busy environments), the overall ambiance isn't extensively described. Given its focus on dim sum, the dining area might be set up to accommodate the traditional small plates and sharing aspect of this cuisine.

The services offered by Yangtze Restaurant include dine-in, with a focus on a traditional dim sum experience where dishes are often ordered from a menu or sometimes from carts (though the ordering process from a form suggests the former in this case). They likely also offer standard menu items beyond dim sum. Takeout service is probable, allowing customers to enjoy their dishes at home. Reservations might be advisable, especially during busy times, given the feedback about the restaurant being crowded on a Sunday. The presence of a courteous host and a nice server indicates a baseline level of customer service, although there might be inconsistencies depending on the staff member and the busyness of the restaurant.

Features of Yangtze Restaurant include its potentially authentic dim sum, which is a significant draw for those seeking this specific type of Chinese cuisine in Minnesota. The generous portions of some dishes, particularly those with protein, might also be considered a feature. The recognition of a courteous host who remembers frequent patrons suggests a personal touch in customer service. However, the lack of price transparency on the dim sum menu and the potential for inconsistent service are areas that could be seen as negative features from a customer perspective.

Promotional information is not explicitly mentioned in the provided reviews. Restaurants in this location might offer lunch specials, early bird discounts, or promotions for local hotel guests or shoppers at the nearby West End. To find out about any current promotions at Yangtze Restaurant, it would be best to check their website (if available), call them directly, or look for any advertisements in local publications or online directories. Given its popularity for Sunday brunch (implied by the busy Easter Sunday visit), they might have specific brunch offerings or pricing.

In conclusion, Yangtze Restaurant in St Louis Park appears to be a notable Chinese restaurant, particularly for its dim sum, which is considered by at least one experienced reviewer to be highly authentic for the Minnesota area. However, potential customers should be aware of the reported lack of price transparency on the dim sum menu and the possibility of inconsistent service, especially from the host during busy periods. While some customers found the food to be of good quality and portions generous, at least one felt the flavor did not justify the price, especially given the restaurant's location near hotels and shopping. The presence of courteous staff members, such as the front desk host and at least one server, is a positive aspect. For those specifically seeking authentic-tasting dim sum in the Twin Cities, Yangtze Restaurant is worth considering, but it would be prudent to inquire about pricing beforehand and be prepared for potential crowds and service variations, especially during peak times.