Panda Bar

I love the ambiance and the service here. The drinks are excellent and the vibe and décor is awesome !

The very inflated star rating for this restaurant leads me to write that while the staff is friendly, the food is totally forgettable. We really wanted to like and support the place but there are many better Chinese options for this price or less, even within HP. I give an extra star for courteous service. And in some ways, it is an easy option because it’s not crowded but unfortunately I don’t think we would go back.

We discovered this place shortly after it opened in summer and it instantly became our favorite neighborhood bar. The owner Brian is incredibly genuine and friendly — he stops by and chats with patrons whenever he is in. The bartender Philip is attentive and laid back, professional and cool at the same time.
Panda Bar and Green Panda restaurant are connected and you can get any restaurant menu item in the bar with much better atmosphere. As for the drinks, try some of their specials. The Angry Panda and Grow a Pear are especially good.

What a find!
It was a rainy night and Hubby and I wanted something easy peasy. It was a saturday and we hadn’t made reservations anywhere (what was I thinking???). We used to go to Jade Café (hadn’t been back in almost a decade) but we never tried this place since it changed owners.
There are actually two venues:
1. The Bar where you can get «pub food» or order from the Green Panda menu
2. The Green Panda Restaurant.
We sat in/​at the bar. It was dark and cozy. Perfect for a rainy night.
I got an Angry Panda. Spicy and great. Hubby got a manhattan. He really liked the way this bartender made it. All of our food was from the Green Panda menu.
Pot Stickers: They dough is thick and chewy. I liked them… but know that’s what you get. It’s not like the light crisp ones you get at some other places.
I had hot and sour soup and hubby had egg drop. Both were ample portions and come with the entrees. Mine was tasty, but they need to add more stuff in it… like more bits of tofu (I didn’t find any) or pork. Hubby loved his egg drop. It looked thick and rich.
I had singapore noodles and hubby had orange chicken. Both dishes were GREAT! My noodles had a mild curry flavor. I added a bit of heat and it was just right for me. So good, I am dreaming about it. Hubby’s orange chicken could have had more orange flavor, but it was still crisp and flavorful.
The owner came over and chatted with us. He is a nice man and really is trying some new fun things with the bar. In November, there will be live music on Fridays.
He gave us a complimentary «gooey butter cake». I couldn’t resist. It was delicious. They serve it heated in the microwave, so make sure you don’t burn your tongue. I didn’t mind a little pain for something this good…

If this is the place that I’m thinking of, I love this place! I was here a bout two weeks ago. Me and my friend were walking around at around 10 at nigh in the freezing cold. The owner and his friend were the only ones inside. My friend and I saw that they had TVs so we looked through the windows and watched. The owner noticed and let us inside so we wouldn’t freeze. They offered us water and welcomed us inside. Very classy! Thank you!

Pandas are listed as endangered in the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species.
There are about 1,600 left in the wild. More than 300 pandas live in zoos and breeding centers around the world, mostly in China. Recently one was was born in Highland Park, IL.
The Panda Bar lives in a commercial area. It’s size and shape is typical of other bars. His diet is almost exclusively alcohol based, with some Asian food available from his neighboring sister, Green Panda. The Panda Bar can be solitary and other times social. If approached by the a friendly individual one will have fun with the Panda Bar. Unlike some bars, the Panda Bar does not hibernate and is active year round.

Hidden gem that opened this summer. Great bar well stocked, lots of seating, big screens and the food! Supplied by next door Green Panda Restaurant. The best Asian food we’ve ever had, such variety! Plus great American bar food and desserts. something for everyone!