I think that Mandarin Sun deserves its own thread. While there is a relation to Ed's Potstickers, I think there are enough differences that they need to be separate threads for each restaurant. I copied over some of the initial insights on Mardarin Sun from this earlier thread:
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... c&start=30
BrianD wrote:My wife and I tried Mandarin Sun last night in Brookfield.
Excellent.
We started out with a small order of shui-mei (4 pieces).
For the main course, we had Hunan Pork and Bamboo shoots with black mushrooms.
The Hunan Pork was a dish similar to that served at Ed's. The differences were no sausage, none of the small, very crunchy vegetable, and much less oily. The pork is smoked in house at this location, so it was much more tender than at Ed's.
The atmosphere and menu is more upscale. Ed was there, and explained the Halsted location was more family style, while this location was more special. The menu is about 4 pages, with American-Chinese dishes on the first two pages, and "Chef's Recommendations" on the last two.
I look forward to my next visit.
Cheers,
Brian
Marija wrote:Stopped by the Mandarin Sun today for a carryout. Both the pork Hunan style and the mushroom casserole were great. Ed was there and was very excited about Ed's Potsticker House being featured on Check Please tomorrow!
I thought visiting for Mother's Day in the western suburbs was a great reason to rally the troops over to Mandarin Sun for a celebratory dinner of some decent Asian chow. I've never been to Ed's Potstickers. I've wanted to go, but just hadn't gotten there yet. Before heading over to Mandarin Sun, I reviewed the boards here to see what's good at Ed's, assuming I could order similarly at Mandarin Sun.
Arrived at the restaurant for a 6pm reservation for a table of 5. It's a stand alone building that's been retrofitted to an Asian restaurant. The inside is actually pretty nice. We sat in the far dining room, which is definitely nicer than most Asian dining rooms.
We started with the potstickers and soup dumplings. The potstickers were good, but different than the cigar looking ones pictured from Ed's on this forum. The soup dumplings were a bit disappointing, as no soup was present. I'll have to go to Ed's and see how they are at that location.
I really wanted to order the pork pancake appetizer that's pictured on this forum from Ed's. I didn't see it on the menu, and they thought I was referring to Mu Shu when I inquired. Since I was looking for the exact thing I've seen pictured here and they didn't seem to have it at Mandarin Sun, I passed on that.
This location appears to have a different menu and chef than Ed's. I think that explains the less good soup dumplings and the absence of the pork pancake dish I wanted.
We also ordered some peking duck. We did a full service. We probably would have been fine with 1/2 service. That was the only thing that we doggy bagged. I'm not an expert on this, but it was enjoyed by all. It was accompanied by soup, which is made using the dripping from the duck. It's basically a broth with some other things added in, such as mushroom.
We went for the Mango Chicken entree. I wasn't too hopeful on this one, but it was good. Two hallowed mango halves, filled with a combination of mango, chicken, and pea pods, lying on a bed of chopped cabbage.
We ordered a whole fish prepared black bean style. It think it was some sort of yellow fish. The black bean was a bit different than the one I'm used to, which is more salty, and when you actually see the black beans. My hubby, the Singaporean, explained there are variations. It was delicious - fish, sauce, bamboo, and mushroom too.
The service was a bit off. We had to ask for chili sauce a couple times before getting it. We also had to ask for chop sticks twice. However, they seemed well intentioned and just opened within the last week, so we didn't make a fuss over this.
The prices were reasonable. They take reservations, and it's not too far from the Oakbrook area. We'll be back. And now, I'm even more interested in visiting Ed's Potstickers.
Mandarin Sun
9414 West Ogden Avenue
Brookfield, IL
Tel: 708/485-7199
708/485-6949