Uncle Ted’s, unlike the name suggests, is an authentic, modern Chinese restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village. Just around the corner from New York University, this unique establishment blends traditional Asian cuisine and curated American flavors to create a tasteful experience. My friend Tenzin and I spent an evening pouring over their descriptive menu, under gilded lamps and glowing lights. The romantic atmosphere was perfect for a date night, or a much-needed catch-up between close friends.
We began with two show-stopping appetizers. First was the crunchy, mouthwatering sweet and spicy crispy beef. These thinly sliced pieces were golden brown and generously seasoned. Our second shared platter was a dish of cold sesame noodles seasoned with peanut and cucumber.
“The cold noodles were plated very nicely, even aesthetically, with the peanut sauce and cucumbers on top. The peanut sauce went unexpectedly very nicely with the slippery noodles,” Tenzin reviewed honestly. “The sweet and sour beef was light and crunchy. It also had a nice balance of the intense flavors that weren’t too overpowering.”
The next platter presented had four pieces of pork-shrimp shumai—soft, delicate, and bite-sized, perfect for a small appetizer. I appreciated their vibrant colors and careful wrappings, which were a perfect transition to the equally appealing entrees.
“It had a very smooth texture and had bright color in the middle. I was able to eat it one bite and it was a great option to start with,” Tenzin stated.
We shared a sautéed flank steak with broccoli, with such elevated flavors on a classic dish. This classic beef platter is often found on the menus of Chinese takeout restaurants, retaining its popular seasonings but with a beautiful presentation.
”Beef and broccoli is always a good combo that can’t do no wrong! Uncle’s Ted’s steak tasted great coupled with the broccoli. It had a mixture of chewy and crunchy textures,” Tenzin consulted.
As for the second main course, a large serving of double-cooked pork belly was set on the table with mixed vegetables and varying flavors. We washed down our meals with an ice-cold peach drink for Tenzin and a sweet brown sugar beverage for me. My glass had an excellent presentation, with a dark chestnut-colored syrup lining the rim.
“The pork belly with greens was crispy and light. It had just enough spice that didn’t overdo it,” Tenzin concluded.
Our delightful experience as Uncle Ted’s was unmatched by other New York City Chinese restaurants, as the establishment was chic and classy, yet affordable and tasty. It would serve as a perfect date spot with a partner or an easy choice for a group dinner, particularly for students in the NYU area. This underrated and overlooked sit-down restaurant offers a wide assortment of flavors for its customers, made more accessible with their coupon from the Campus Clipper. Students are able to redeem a discount when they present the image below with their valid student ID.
