Orchid

I’m surprised by all the mediocre reviews for Orchid, and it compelled me to write my own review.
My family has been going to Orchid for about 17 – 18 years, after one of my sisters saw a newspaper ad (old school-​style) and told our family we should try it out. Cut to 2016 and our original family of just 6 has expanded with husbands and children, and we eat here at least two or three times a year, if not more.
We’ve held many events in Orchid’s private room, including two of my sisters’ rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, retirement parties, etc. The people there work to have a room size to your liking. They modify the private rooms with room separators, and it’s fairly hidden from the rest of the restaurant.
My family and I went to eat here just this past Friday, and it struck me how as a kid I would look up at their mirrored ceiling and make faces, and now my nieces and nephews do too. I hope they never change the ceilings so my future kids can do it too. =) They’ve updated the décor over the past few years, with fairly recent remodeling to the bathrooms and updated wallpaper and booth seating. Sadly this means the signed picture of Susan Lucci is no longer on display. =(
The people who work here are extremely professional and caring, and I have to single out Gary and Eric, who always do a great job of taking care of my family and have done so for almost 20 years.
As far as I know, this is the only nice sitdown Chinese restaurant located in Nassau County. There are a few on Hempstead Turnpike, but they’re not as fancy as Orchid, and I don’t think they have private event rooms (?). Yes, you do have to go downstairs to go to the restaurant, but we never thought it was an issue — there’s an elevator and a carpeted stairwell with a large decoration; it’s very easy to see where you’re going once you enter.
We actually appreciated the fact that it’s a basement location because it’s handicap-​friendly, and I think the basement location allows for them to put more space between the tables… great for wheelchair access. The one drawback to it being in the basement versus ground-​level is that the combination of yellow tones in the décor/​ceilings and lack of natural light meant that our family photos over the years here have come out a bit yellow-​tinged because of the reflection.
The menu is fairly large, and we order everything family style to be spun around on the Lazy Susan. We usually get the same few dishes and try something new, but the pu pu platter and the various types of fried rices are our favorites. We have dietary restrictions in our family, from shellfish allergies to vegetarians, but we’ve always managed to find tons of stuff to eat and enjoy here. We’ve never had an issue with food being overcooked or something being overly fatty/​greasy (even by Chinese food standards), but if we did, we wouldn’t hesitate to tell them. Everyone here is extremely professional and courteous, and we’ve never felt rushed to finish at all.
I know my review is admittedly bias because of my family’s history and memories at Orchild, but out of curiosity, I wonder if the 3 or less star reviews have more to do with people expecting Americanized Chinese food (like PF Changs or Panda Express) or expecting very traditional Chinese food, like the kind you get in Queens? I’m just so surprised it doesn’t have at least four stars, considering how long it’s been in business and how fairly busy it is on a daily basis.
Regardless, I can’t say enough nice things about Orchid and I hope everyone gives it a try at least once.

It’s usually great here, but the last 2 times the chicken was so overcooked and hard, I couldn’t eat it and had to throw it out. I’m disappointed because there’s not any other local options for good Chinese food.

The food at this place is good for the area. It’s a little pricy but worth. The place is very pretty inside. I had the general tsao chicken and it was crispy and sweet. I also had the shrimp fried rice and it was good.

Have ordered from here many times over the years and it was always good. I’m not sure if they changed owners or got a bad order in, but tonight the chicken was so dark and fatty it was incredibly unappetizing. When I opened the container the chunks were all different sizes and shapes, and very hard, something you would expect from a little takeout place, but not from a restaurant. Also, the fried rice was very greasy and smoky. I do not remember them ever using dark meat, but I guess they stopped caring about quality or want to save a dollar. They could have at least given the option if they had white meat available. Some pieces were so brown, we weren’t sure if it was pork or chicken. Cutting corners with things like this will cost you longtime customers.

This is the best sit-​down Chinese restaurant on Long Island, period. It is not a buffet. It is an actual restaurant, complete with waiters… Old School Chinatown style. Can you get take out here? Sure, but I do not see why you would want to pass up eating in the comfy chairs and seeing the Chinese art that surrounds you.
The food is delicious. The waiters are attentive and friendly and there is really nothing bad can say about it.
The restaurant is a little bit hard to find and you have to go down a flight of stairs to get into the place, but it is well worth it.

I have been eating at orchid for over 20 years and will continue going back. Excellent food that is consistent. I have never had a bad meal. Staff is friendly and helpful.

No never coming here again! I ordered steamed dumplings and small fried rice! It came out to $ 30!!! I guess that garden city for you !

I have been going to the Orchid for many years, the food is high quality and tasty and serive is top notch. I only wish I have is that Jimmy would update the entrance on the restaurant seems dated and uninviting.

the food is acceptable, nothing special. I had wonton soup, steamed dumpling, spring roll and shrimp in garlic sauce. it is suppose to be spicy, I asked for extra spicy. it was mild, not even a hint of being spicy. my sister-​in-​law asked for her food to be mild. it came out spicy. she complained and they just wash it out and returned, Unacceptable, they should have given her a fresh dish. then my brother asked for the honey banana for desert, they would not make it.

Had a party of 7 and we all tried everything from appetizers to 8 different meals. Not one was bad. Never knew this place existed, especially from the outside you could not imagine what it looked like. Absolutely beautiful inside. Great dinner, excellent service, yummy tea.

I’ve been told this place has been here for about 30 years! It looks quite small from the outside but there is an entire restaurant one flight down. This restaurant is extremely fancy for a Chinese restaurant. The wait staff are in suits and there is a coat-​check area. Along with the décor, the food was amazing! Some of the most tender meats I have ever tasted and the flavoring was spot on; not too salty, not too sweet. I’ve been told a lot of famous names come to this place and I can see why. On top of it all the waiters were very friendly and quick without rushing you. Will definitely be going back to this restaurant soon.

A quality place. The food is always consistently good. I’m partial to the shrimp and chicken dishes. Once you get passed the staircase, all is good.

This is the best Chinese food around. Everything is consistently excellent. Just prepare yourself; this is not fast food style Chinese and you definitely pay for it.

Have eaten her a few times and it seems to get worse each time. Had dinner last week the waiter was pretty much non existent. We had to beg for water and a drink. We ordered appetizers and the crab Rangoon were good the steamed dumplings were gummy and the eggroll we ordered was covered with grease. We ordered two entrees for three people and I have to say the platters were very small. Bottom line poor service, mediocre food, small portions and high prices for a Chinese Restaurant. Save your money.

Very fresh, quality American Chinese food. Everything is very good and I recommend the following: Shrimp in lobster sauce, Moo Shoo Pork, Seasme Chicken, Grand Marne Shrimp, and scallion pancakes. The only dish I had that I personally did not like was the orchid shrimp, it was very bland, as I was cautioned by the waiter, so my fault for ordering it anyway.

After eating dinner tonight I thought to myself… «how in the world does this place stay open»? The only way this place stays open is to mark up food by 300% and be fortunate enough to have people pay.
The place was packed. I had missed Mother’s Day, my sister lives out east I live in Queens and this was a geographical middle point. We decide to get together tonight for a family meal.
$ 51 for duck??? I can get a whole duck in Flushing for $ 15.
$ 51 for lobster??? I can get two for $ 15 in Flushing.
We sat down and I immediately ordered appetizers. 20 min went buy. I asked my waiter, he said it was coming. 10 minutes later I grabbed someone in a suit. 5 minutes later it finally came. Pu Pu platter wasn’t that bad, in fact I would even recommend it.
The remainder of the meal… Blehhhhhhhh! Save your money. Order from the nearest take out joint and you’ll be much happier.
The place is packed with rich Garden City folk who won’t venture to Chinatown and likely don’t know what good Chinese food is (most dishes are American Chinese).
The entrance has some awards hanging, all of which are from years past. It’s possible that back in 2009, this place was good. But sadly, 6 years have gone by and this place is nothing special.
The bathrooms were gross, food was not good, service was slow and as we speak my poor mother is throwing up her greasy subpar dinner.
Moral of the story, if you are reading this and you have read prior reviews stay away. Try Asian Moon which isn’t far away and is much better.
Management, something needs to change. The old rich folk that frequent your establishment may be keeping this enterprise afloat for the moment but the dawn of the Internet keeps consumers informed. A slew of negative reviews should signal that something is wrong.

Well I have to say it has been a long time since I’ve been to orchid. Not much has changed about this place, except on the outside. If i remember correctly there was a bigger sign on the building they reside in. Needless to say, they still exist.
In my previous Chinese restaurant reviews, I am looking for that perfect old school restaurant. Sadly I have not found the perfect one. I have been only finding ones that come close to it!
So, when entering the doors, you have to go down a flight of steps as the restaurant is located in the basement. For a moment you think your going to the dungeon at first! Then you notice the bright red carpet laid all throughout! When you get to the bottom of the stairs, to the left the bathrooms, to the right, your journey begins to the dining room! When you walk in you can see mirrors lining the walls Chinese decorations, and different yet beautiful lighting.
My girl and I were quickly seated. I decided to order the roast pork with Chinese vegetables, and my girl ordered jumbo shrimp with broccoli. Since we made it for lunch, we also got wonton soups, and brown rice.
The roast pork was tender and the veggies were crisp. I thought it was very good. My girls shrimp with broccoli was pretty good, but the sauce had a tab bit too much salt, but was still pretty good. Normally I do dessert, but the portion sizes were big! All in all not a bad place. I still will be back!

Orchid, a remote and somewhat obscure location. Came here to meet with friends for dinner. They recommended this place. I didn’t even know this place existed. Thought it was an orchid flower shop every time I passed by. On to the food… pretty good traditional sit down fancy Chinese food as opposed to your take-​out variety. The clincher was the Peking duck. It was beautiful and also prepared a little differently. Instead of your usual Bahn mi style bread it was served in a burrito like soft thin wrap. It was pretty good. The other dishes we had were pretty good as well. Ambience was formal dining. Nice place if you come with large family and friends since they have banquet tables. Staff was courteous. Overall good experience made great with great friends!

Man has this place gone down hill. I have been coming to orchid for more than 10 years. The food has slipped a notch or two. The atmosphere was always bad (the location is in a basement) but has gotten even tackier if that’s possible. Even the service has eroded as well. The nasty old owner has retired leaving the place in what i think is his sons hands. This kid knows nothing about the business and boy does it show. I am looking for a new chinese place after a dozen years coming to orchid. so sad 2 bad.
My reply to owner — Jimmy — That is the most deceptive answer you provided and I call you on it — You answer as if you are the father who owns the place but it’s not, even your picture is of the son. You should be in the back learning how to cook or bussing tables instead you start at the top and ruin the place.
Your father is a mean old grouch but he ran a tight ship and he was smart enough to put Eric out front where he belongs knowing the customers and making people feel welcome. I don’t know where you hid Eric now but if he’s smart he left to go work for someone who has a future. Orchid will slip into bad food oblivion with you running it.
Don’t ask me how was the food read the review — I said it has slipped a few notches — I have been a customer for ten years and it is a fact the food but it has gone way down hill — take your head out of the sand.
Why don’t you try caring about the customer when he is in your restaurant not after you took his money for a less than satisfactory experience.

Not for nothing, not the worst and not the best. Doable Chinese good.
Tucked away in the basement leveI, the décor of the restaurant reminds me more of an western type place than chinese.
Service is quick, but the lunch specials are not cheap. $ 11.00 on average for an entrée which includes soup and a bowl of rice. Add the tax and tip and you’re looking at $ 15.00 for the meal.
The portion sizes are average in size, so if You’re really hungry, don’t come here unless you’re willing to buy more food. I guess because you’re in the Garden City area, you are expected to pay more.
Double sauteed pork, chicken and broccoli were like I said before, passable. The hot and sour soup, ok at best.
Better, tastier and cheaper places to go in the area.