It’s been years (since late 2019) since I’ve savored Hangzhou’s cuisine. The city, especially its famous West Lake, holds timeless allure, cherished by poets and artists since the 9th century. Although situated in New York City’s Flatiron District, Grandma’s House evokes memories of modern Chinese dining back in the homeland. Blending modern and traditional decor, it exudes a familiar ambiance. Vibrant contemporary Chinese paintings adorn the walls, while clusters of paper lanterns in the main dining area bear inscriptions about West Lake, creating the ambiance of dining in an upscale Chinese home.
Their menu is concise and well-curated, featuring classic regional dishes such as soy-glazed crispy fish (西湖酥鱼), hong shao rou (红烧肉), or red-braised pork belly (admittedly a Shanghainese specialty, but neighboring cities often share similar culinary traditions), and claypot chicken. The soy-glazed crispy fish, served piping hot and wonderfully crispy without overcooking, surpassed my previous experience in Hangzhou, where it’s often served cold or at room temperature. We also had the braised duck leg which was incredibly succulent. The rich, sweet soy sauce elevated its deliciousness. Accompanied by fluffy steamed baos, the hong shao rou featured melt-in-your-mouth, tender pork belly. As for the claypot chicken, a crowd pleaser indeed, it dazzled with its perfectly seasoned, flavorful meat that was both succulent. It was effortlessly pried apart with just a spoon and fork, albeit slightly saltier than ideal. While you might be tempted to dismiss it as “just a chicken dish,” this version arguably one of the best chicken dishes I’ve had the pleasure of savoring at a restaurant in quite some time.
Overall, the dinner experience was superb. The wait staff exhibited knowledge of the menu and they were proficient and efficient. However, there were moments when they seemed slightly overwhelmed, understandable given the bustling nature of the restaurant. Despite this, I would definitely come back for dinner in the near future.
