Chance

We ate here twice in one week, almost back to back. Yes, it was that good. Both times we ordered from the dim sum and appetizer menu. The first evening, we must have ordered just shy of 10 dishes (soups, mostly apps and 3 dim sum orders). With the large sake and a good tip (services was exceptional) we paid about $80. Our favorites were the seabass and beef dim sum, the spare ribs and the roast duck roll. Oh, the soups were phenomenal, especially the butternut squash with pine nuts. Oozed with flavor and the portion was pretty substantial. We were stuffed and walked away very happy and satisfied. The memory of this great meal lingered with us for two days after which time we were compelled to return. This time we asked for recommendations and while not all the dishes recommended to us were great, overall we were throughly pleased. We ordered soups (the butternut squash and the tom yum, both of which were stellar), a range of dim sums and sticky rice which came highly recommended by our wait staff. Even though I was already full by the time the sticky rice came, I devoured it and was left scraping dregs off my plate and off the husk in which it came wrapped. It was that yummy. Again we walked away throughly satiated and pleased. The damage wasn't too bad. We had two soups, about 20 pieces of dim sum, sticky rice for two and a large sake. With another decent tip (service was again fabulous) we must have parted with $70. If my stomach (not to mention my wallet) could handle it, I'd eat here every other day. A real treat. No go try it yourselves!

I order from here all the time because of their fantastic vegetarian options. The food is always great and very cheap for such fresh ingredients. The lunch specials are ridiculous - I don't understand how they make money when you can get so much food for $7. Delivery has always been fast, too, which is great for when you are starving and can't think of anything to eat. I enjoy the sauteed vegetables (interesting mix, including cauliflower - I usually ask them to omit the jalapenos), the crispy tofu with black bean sauce and the pad thai is better than the pad thai at most of the thai places in the neighborhood and presented really nicely.

I had a fire and had to eat out every day for months as a result. I got tired of my usual places. Came upon this place here on Menu Pages. I met my boyfriend there and we were pleasantly surprised with the choices, tastes and service. The dim sum is amazing because there is a good mix of familiary and unusual. I delighted in the one with fish and mushrooms. It just melted. I had to order a separate order! I had the trout and coming from NC where we fish trout in the mountains and eat it on the side of the creek, I am selective. Though there was a sauce, it did not overpower the flavor. Being Jewish I couldn't taste my boyfriend's mussels, but my culinary nose and the lack of sauce left when the server picked up the bowl tells me it was divine. My beau leaned back from the table after finishing and rubbed his belly in glee. I suggest going to lunch. It's the best deal, especially the dim sum. By the way, take some dim sum home. Though it is not fresh as when served in the restaurant, it is better than the bad stuff everywhere else.

I came here for lunch one day and fell in love with the vegetarian options. I am a carnivore, but I enjoy good veggies also. I impressed my boyfried to come and we enjoyed ourselves. Everything we tried was quick and delicious. It was a great value, especially lunch. My only complaint is that it is really packed. The best place to sit is the table in the far corner by the bar. You will have to step over folks at any other table or freeze to death on a cold day. That's the reason for the low atmosphere score. I don't like to feel like people are sitting on top of me when I eat. Towards the end of the meal the waitstaff was slow to attend to our needs and we had to stand up to get someone's attention because we were trying to make a movie. It's our new little spot. We liked it!

My girlfriend and I walked down to Chance after the movies and were seated at the front window, which was very cozy. We ordered fried crab claw and snow pea leaves and shrimp dumpling, with the rainbow salad, all were excellent. Our waitresses were really busy, I guess there were only two of them, and one was also mixing the drinks, so I'm glad that we arrived and ordered when we did, right before a huge rush of patrons. My rose chicken was moist and flavorful with a delicious crispy skin. My girl's pad thai was perfectly done. The crispy tofu is good as well. Try the Lychee Lemondrop, cirtus vodka, triple sec and lychee juice. Overall, we were really happy with the quality of food and atmosphere, and we'll be going there again.

Chance is great, I've only dined there a few times, pleasant staff, simple but clean and comfortable space. tables are not too crowded, front window spot is best. Delivery is my choice most often though and it is alwasy very speedy, these lunch specials are the BEST value on Smith, truly fresh and tasty, today for example my lunch box of orange chicken with tip was 9 bucks! highly reccommended.

My partner and I took a chance with this place and we were pleasantly surprised, The lunch specials are a good bang for the buck and the food is very delicious. If you have a cocktail, try the purple haze - Chambord and sake (yummy).