Congee Village

This is a cheesy Chinese restaurant and as a Chinese I actually like this place. I don't recommend eating there but the place itself is interesting.

 I walked pass one night and quickly noted this place because I love congee. A congee place is typically shabby for a quick and easy meal. This place is nothing normal at all. It's 2 floors and huge.

 See, you would have thought this is an Italian place?!...

 ...Until you turn around and see this massive pot of tangerine tree on a table.

 The upper floor.

 A dedicated cubicle in a fake bamboo open pantry for storing and serving tea and utensils.

 All of a sudden staff sneaked in behind me and accessed this little hidden door and took out stuff like a massive round glass tabletop. How cool?!

 I was too shy to walk up to take a better pic but this painting on the wall (as well as other paintings in the restaurant) was actually made of little square tiles. That's some Chinese pixel art for you!

 Shredded pork and century egg congee. Meh. The silver ladle is amusingly long.

 The engravings mean wishing you peace.

Fried mantou. The Chinese name of the restaurant is printed on the plate. As far as I know, only Chinese eating places do that.

Last time I had Chinese in NYC was about 4 months ago and it was against my will. This was my choice though. Let's see if my next Chinese restaurant is as fun as this:)

www.congeevillagerestaurants.com/

100 Allen St, NY