East Manor Buffet (Elmhurst, Queens NY)
East Manor
79-17 ALBION AVENUE
QUEENS, 11373
(Train: R or V train to Elmhurst Ave and take a 10 min walk, but preferably by car)
718-803-3952
This is my second time coming to East Manor Buffet. The first time was to attend a banquet, which was located on the second floor, and this time was to go for the buffet. I usually have a real bad experience with Chinese buffets because they all tastes like fake Chinese food like the ones you’d get in those chinese fast food joints, which are limited to the same 20 or so trays of food. But I figure, those places were cheap and the restaurant’s look reflected on that which is probably why I’d expect it. Here at East Manor, my expectations are a little high because it looks nice on the outside. My cousin is a partner the other East Manor restaurants which I’ve always heard good things about, located in flushing, but I figure all the East Manor franchises should be above standard for chinese cuisine and class.
If you come here in a large group, I’d recommend you calling in advance because the wait time could be pretty long, about 20+ mins. Let me tell you, this restaurant is enormous. It literally is a manor and it gets pretty packed especially on the weekends. Of course when you come to a buffet, you don’t expect sexy ambiance. This is a loud restaurant with people chatting all around. It’s normal. But because it’s so much bigger, there’s more sound to be carried around. When I was there, there was another room on the same floor that was also holding a small banquet. It’s a festive place to be at.
During the 20 min waiting period, I walked around and took many pictures of the artwork in the restaurant. There were several statues of dolphins and some other fish, a piece of artwork on the ceiling that looks like Michaelangelo’s work, and a beautiful waterfall. Talk about decorative place, I like that. Then after walking around, I run into Stacy and her boyfriend’s family. They sat right in front of a “bar” which I thought looked cool. But that’s me because I’m easily amused.
I swear, like all Chinese people gather here on weekends for dinner. Ahh, the funniest thing. They seem to be very satisfied with the food, so then I was extra eager to try the food.
After the long wait, the 8 of us were happy to be seated. We sat in a nice round table with a generic white cloth over it and on nice comfy velvety chairs, which was not bad at all. It really did good for my butt. The waiter, who was really nice, gave us a whole pitcher of water and came by every now and then to see if we were being helped which is good. It’s probably not as good as the service at Minado’s because they’re smaller, but it was good enough for me.
This is the first buffet that actually serves “hop-goo-cho,” I think it’s called Prunella herbal tea in English, but this is how it looks like:
It’s a sweet, cold, herbal drink that not everyone would enjoy. It’s really an acquired taste, at least to me anyways because it has this strong herby taste. My parents would used to tell me that it’s good for you if you feel the need to purge the impurities in your body. I don’t know if it really does that, but it’s a soothing drink.
Anyways back to the buffet. Here are some pictures of the buffet that I thought looked nice:
This is only part of the humongous buffet. Your jellos, edamames, salads, other desserts are on this table. The part that I like about this are the decorations. I love the flowers even though it’s unnecessary. It’s the decorations that makes it look beautiful.
Actually I wished the sushi bar was bigger, this was considered to be very very small, but it’s alright because they specialize in Chinese food, not Japanese. I wonder if the sushi maker is japanese…
So this is my first helping:
I’m so addicted to the cali rolls, I just can’t help it. I’d actually like some more rice for the rolls, but this is alright. I had some dim sum to start me off and I was off to a happy start. I couldn’t wait to get some more food.
My sweet boyfriend later got me:
That’s right, Peking Duck. This is my first time seeing Peking Duck at a buffet. Call me ignorant, but it is! It was my first time having it and it didn’t taste too bad to me. I’d probably like the fatter side of the duck, but this was good for me. Not bad, not bad at all. According to my boyfriend, he tipped the server and received extra meat. You should ask for more first and then tip if anything.
Of course I can post a zillion pictures of food from this place, but you guys have to go at least once to try. I guarantee that you’ll have a grand ol’ time eating here.
I think it was 8 of us, the bill came about $35/person which wasn’t so bad. This is including tax and tips. I think it’s definitely worth the trip to go. Check it out! =)
Health Inspection Results
EAST MANOR
79-17 ALBION AVENUE, QUEENS 11373
Current violation points: 7 – PASSED
Inspection Date: 04/19/2006
No violations that present a threat to the public health or relate directly to factors which lead to food borne illness were recorded at the time of this inspection.
1.) Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. Unacceptable material used. Non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained.
2.) Accurate thermometer not provided in refrigerated or hot holding equipment.
3.) Plumbing not properly installed or maintained; anti-siphonage or backflow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly.
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4 Responses to “East Manor Buffet (Elmhurst, Queens NY)”
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what were the backflow violations?
thanks
That place was pretty crowded and the food was all right..not great…but it was just TOO DAMN crowded…first time I actually had to LINE UP to get food.
I love buffet, even as the prices go up, I still do. However, now that the market goes down, I will have to think twice.
Last night I went to East Manor in Elmhurst, again. All my friends and myself were very disappointed. On previous visits, I noticed the lady at the counter that serves peking-duck was expecting tips (otherwise, you get a cold face and a long wait). I stopped going to that counter. I can’t spend 10 minutes standing on line to wait for the food, and get the humiliation!
Be serious! How would I, a customer, know who is on minimal wage and who is not? It is not my responsibility to make sure that they make a desirable salary. The management should NOT rip off their employees (behind the counter) and make this bunch go for tipping! I paid for my food, and that is it! If I were to tip at every counter, the bill can be doubled.
The sashimi had a funny taste to it. First of all, they were not even sliced properly. Sorry, finechina, as far as cutting raw fish, they did not appeared to be Japanese, and not trained! That funny taste was also on the cucumber next to it. After having sashimi for so many years, one of my favorites, I can tell something is wrong. I am not sure if they put something (chemicals) on them to make them look ‘firm’ and ‘fresh’. But it looked very dry and definitely did not taste right. I stopped taking any, even though I love sashimi.
I then went for the raw clams and oysters. The guy was very polite, I have to say, and I tipped him generously (sadly, this is the only way I can get my clams and oysters). He was very different from the guy I saw at East Buffet in Flushing, who was very rude; I stopped going to East Buffet in Flushing, for good.
One thing I have to complain is the tipping. There is no way they should hardcode 18% tipping on the guess check! Tipping is dependent on the service. Why should I be forced to give 18% tips?
YO FUI AYERMARTES DONDE SE SUPONE QUE DEBIA PAGAR 8.99 Y ME SALIERON QUE PORQUE ERA ANO NUEVO CHINO COBRABAN COMO HOLIDAY OSEA 12.99 Y LOS NINOS DE CUALQUIER EDAD PAGAN COMO ADULTOS, NO ME GUSTO LA COMIDA, Y LA VARIEDAD ERA MUY LIMITADA Y ENCIMA LA PROPINA COBRAN EL 11% DEL TOTAL DE LA CUENTA Y ES OBLIGATORIA; NO SE LOS RECOMIENDO A NADIE SE VE BONITO Y GRANDE PERO LA COMIDA ES HORRIBLE MEJOR ES EL DE LONG ISLAND CITY.