TLDR
A chic, upscale spot for elevated Chinese fare that's a go-to for Peking duck and sophisticated group dining. Often praised for its trendy vibe in the heart of SoHo.
Instagram Posts References
This post highlights a Lunar New Year dining experience at Pinch Chinese. The user ordered from both the regular and special Lunar New Year menus, specifically mentioning XO diver scallops on crispy rice, cumin pork ribs, lucky rice cakes, black sesame tangyuan, and condensed milk ice cream & donuts. The Peking duck was a highlight, noted for its juiciness, but required advance email reservation.
Details
Known for its sophisticated vibe and elevated Chinese cuisine, this SoHo spot is frequently recommended for group outings [13]. Diners consistently rave about the exceptional Peking duck [11], [15], though some have expressed mixed feelings regarding the quality of their xlb [1], [2]. While the restaurant has earned recognition as a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient [1], recent community discussions have noted concerns regarding potential closure and gift card usage [6], [7], [8].
Food Overview
The menu is widely celebrated for its high-quality offerings, most notably the juicy Peking duck which requires an advance email reservation [15]. Other crowd-pleasers include the snow crab with glass noodles and Taiwanese beef noodle soup [4], [12]. While many dishes are highly regarded, some patrons find the xlb lacking compared to other options [1], [2].
Highlights / Recommended
"The Peking duck is a standout, juicy highlight that requires advance planning [15]. Additionally, the snow crab with glass noodles and Taiwanese beef noodle soup come highly recommended by diners [4], [12]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •peking duck(6)
Customer Sentiment
Overall sentiment is generally positive, with high praise for specific standout dishes like the duck and snow crab [11], [12], [15]. However, some diners have noted disappointment with the xlb [1], [2], and recent reports have raised community concerns regarding the restaurant's potential closure [6], [8].
Caveats
Potential diners should be aware of reports suggesting the restaurant may be closing permanently, which has caused uncertainty regarding the validity of gift cards [6], [7], [8].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About PINCH CHINESE
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Where To Go For Peking Duck Yongchuan Golden
"Surprisingly noted as having amazing Peking duck."
PositiveFrom post: Anyone Want To Share Their Favorite Dan Dan
"Mentioned as a recommendation."
PositiveFrom post: Where To Go With Parents That Isnt Fussy Hyped
"Pinch was listed as a restaurant suggestion for guests."
PositiveFrom post: Favorite Crab Dish In Nyc
"Recommended the snow crab with glass noodles at Pinch Chinese."
PositiveFrom post: Chinese Recommendation For Group Of 4
"This commenter highly recommends Pinch Chinese, specifically mentioning their duck as a favorite."
PositiveFrom post: Dinner Spots In The Sohofidi Area
"Pinch Chinese is mentioned as a restaurant option."
PositiveFrom post: Is Pinch Closing
"The user advises to urge the gift card recipient to use the gift card soon, as the website still lists Pinch as open and reservations are possible, despite rumors of closure."
NeutralFrom post: Is Pinch Closing
"The user bought a gift card to Pinch for their dad for Christmas and is now looking for suggestions on how to recoup the loss, implying the restaurant may be closing."
NegativeFrom post: Is Pinch Closing
"The user expresses sadness about not having visited Pinch yet, as it had been on their wishlist."
NegativeFrom post: Is Pinch Closing
"The user observed workers removing decorations from Pinch, suggesting the restaurant is indeed closing."
NegativeFrom post: Best Pekking Duck In Manhattan
"The user simply recommended Pinch in SoHo."
NegativeFrom post: Recommendations For Asian Noodles Either
"Pinch is recommended for Taiwanese beef noodle soup."
NeutralFrom post: Best Higher End Shanghainese Restaurant In Nyc
"The user recommended Pinch Chinese."
NeutralFrom post: Din Tai Fung Or Other Spot
"This commenter believes the xlb at Din Tai Fung are comparable to Nan Xiang but much more affordable. They also mentioned trying Pinch, but were not particularly impressed with their xlb."
NeutralFrom post: Din Tai Fung Or Other Spot
"This user recommends Pinch for 'bougie' Chinese food with a 'sexy vibe', although they acknowledge it's pricier. They also mentioned that they were not particularly impressed with Pinch's xlb."
Neutral