$$$$ • Sichuan • Midtown East
Legacy of Shun Lee PalaceShun Lee originally opened in 1965, was the first upscale Sichuan restaurant in New York City. It became the first Chinese restaurant to receive a prestigious four-star review from Craig Claiborne of The New York Times, marking a significant milestone in the recognition of Chinese cuisine in the United States. According to Wikipedia and various culinary historians, dishes such as General Tso’s Chicken, Crisp Sea Bass Hunan Style, and Crisp Orange-Flavored Beef were introduced or refined by Chef Wang.In 1971, Shun Lee open a new iteration of Shun Lee Palace. Over the years, the restaurant received two-star reviews from The New York Times under the pens of three prominent critics: Brian Miller, Mimi Sheraton, and Ruth Reichl.Most recently, on July, 2025, the landmark 60-year-old Shun Lee Palace completed another renovation by architect Tao Li, reinforcing its legacy as a pioneer in Chinese fine dining and a cultural institution in New York City.
