In downtown Flushing there are many restaurants. I’ve come to love dining at Queens Crossing’s special restaurants, especially Mulan.
Besides the artful, delicious food, there is the stunning environment. And to add to a stress-free, pleasant experience from the moment you enter the 38th Avenue lobby, there is the bonus of underground parking at Queens Crossing.
This wonderful building, with Rose House on the main level, housing gift shops; clothing stores; a fabulous glass museum and art gallery and of course, restaurants, has been my destination of choice lately, for both lunch and dinner.
Nevertheless, let me get back to Mulan Restaurant. My “WOW” girlfriends and I gathered recently for our monthly dinner there. We entered the stunning white walled, white table clothed area surrounded by a waterfall that encircled the step-up main dining room.
We were led to the rear of the attractive space to discover several private dining alcoves, each handsomely decorated. We were a group of 10 and the large round table with a Lazy Susan made it easy to share the multiple dishes we ordered.
The dishes can be prepared in four ways: Jiangzhe, Cantonese, Taiwanese or fusion cuisine. Any entrée that is spicy is clearly marked on the menu, to alert the diner.
The girls and I began our feast by asking advice from the English-speaking waiter. We wanted to be a little adventurous, but also stay in our comfort zone.
We took his recommendations and ordered a golden seafood cake; grilled sea scallops; shrimp and bean shoots; dumpling and bacon, and beef skewer.
We continued our adventure by ordering a few of their delicious soups.
There is the reliably tasty hot and sour soup, but we decided to try the clam and radish; ham and winter melon, and crabmeat spinach soups – each a delight to the palate.
There are almost 50 choices for a main course, broken up into categories: “With Wings,” “With Four Legs,” “From the Farm,” “In the Sea” and “Grain & Flour.”
That last group included a wonderful fried wild rice with dry scallops and sausage – an unusual combination that was absolutely delicious.
From the sea, we had the Chilean sea bass wrapped with rice paper. It was moist and tasty. We added charcoal grilled spicy salmon and it too was a delicious and different take on my favorite fish.
We also tried braised shredded chicken – tender and tasty. Of course, we had to have the classic Peking duck – cooked to perfection and every bite a treat.
We also had “wu-bsi” spare ribs, again a classic dish but with a wonderful spicy sauce.
For dessert, we had an attractive and tasty selection of fruits and, of course, the teas.
For those who have trouble deciding from the extensive menu, there are two prix-fixe choices, the Chef’s selection dinner at $48 for one or $88 for two, and a vegetarian dinner at $38 for one and $68 for two.
Mulan is a special dining experience and being in the heart of Flushing, is easily reached by any form of transportation.
Try it, you’ll love it.
Mulan Restaurant
2nd Floor of Queens Crossing
136-17 39th Avenue, Flushing
Phone: 718-88-MULAN (886-8526)
At downtown Flushing transportation hub
Parking in basement; municipal lot across 138th Street
All major cards accepted
Open seven days: Lunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dinner from 4 to 10 p.m.
Reservations especially recommended on weekends
Phone: 718-88-MULAN (886-8526)
136-17 39th Avenue
Flushing, NY
