Midtown Lunch » Panda Restaurant

Panda Restaurant Closes After Less Than 2 Months

Zach Brooks — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:45:51 +0000

Mentioned in the forums, and confirmed by the photo, Panda Restaurant (the Chinese food/Italian food mashup on 46th btw. 5+6th) has closed. It always saddens me to see a Chinese food place of any kind fail, but this isn’t much of a surprise- Panda just wasn’t really that good. And if I’m saying that, you know it’s pretty bad. (I discriminate against no Chinese food!) According to the sign, a pizza place is coming soon.

My Name is Zach, and I Am An Addict

Zach Brooks — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:15:49 +0000

I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it. I have a problem. The funny thing is others stopped by the newly opened Panda International (on 46th btw. 5+6th), took one look at the food, and walked out. From Lunch’er “Gustad”

“Went with some coworkers, and just as we were walking in, 3 guys walked out laughing. so i asked what was wrong, and they said it looked too sketchy. we continued walking in to come to the same conclusion. in their warm trays, i saw meatballs and other italian dishes. what the hell!!?? their menu had chinese dishes for 10-11 bucks (the stuff that is usually 6-8 at a real chinese joint). and heros, smoothies, etc… very odd. i saw a mexican in the kitchen and two white people up front. i can eat at the junkiest of chinese places, and i’m not saying this place looks junkie, but it was very far from appetizing. we left without food.”

I stayed and ate.

In fairness to Panda International, the lunch specials were not $10-11. And I did see a Chinese guy bringing food out while I was there. The rest of what he said is pretty much true.

On the Chinese side $8 gets you one meat, rice or noodles, an egg roll, and a soda. Not bad, unless you don’t want the egg roll and soda. Then you’re just going to wish it was cheaper.

If you want the Italian food, it’s $9 for one pasta, one meat, bread (and I think also a soda).

None of it looked that great, and with Sun Yip and Hing Won not too far away (for Chinese) and Park Italian and Little Italy Pizza on 45th btw. 5+6th (for Italian) I doubt Panda is going to replace any of those four as your go-to.

I got noodles and sesame chicken. “Chicken” is kind of misleading (it was mostly breading), and there was waaaaay too much sauce (and I actually liked the sauce.) No sesame seeds to be seen, egg roll was a little too doughy, and an hour later I was fighting off a headache. It’s probably the worst cheap Chinese food option there is in Midtown. And yet… I still enjoyed every single bite. What is wrong with me?

Panda International, 9 W. 46th St. (btw. 5+6th), 212-921-2323

Panda Restaurant is Open

Zach Brooks — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:45:31 +0000

via NYC Foodie: “It is now officially called Panda International Restaurant (not Chinese)…that’s actually kind of scary!! It looks open-but shitty.” Shitty in a good way (see today’s previous post), or shitty shitty? I’m still not deterred.

Panda Restaurant Will Open Tomorrow; Crisp Next Week

Zach Brooks — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:15:17 +0000

Neither of the two new places we thought may open today are opening. The new location of Crisp (on 40th btw. 6+B’way) didn’t get the visit from the gas company they were promised, so they’re planning on opening next Monday. Panda Restaurant (on 46th btw. 5+6th) said they need one more day, but will definitely be opening tomorrow… and, we’re hearing it’s not just Chinese food- but also Italian take out. Weird. I think I may have to be there on opening day.

Panda Restaurant to Open on 46th Street

Zach Brooks — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:15:52 +0000

So it’s not a Panda Express, but I suppose we’re getting closer. Chuan Garden (on 46th btw. 5+6th) is finally reopening as “Panda Restaurant”. Thanks to Profiled Midtown Lunch’er Josh from NYCFoodie, who sent along the photo above. No word on whether or not it is the same owners, same food, or when it’s going to be reopening… but we know it’s still Chinese food- and as far as I’m concerned, the more Chinese food in Midtown the better.