Oriental Garden (across from Margate)

[Commodore]

Talking about the restaurant and not the bar or lounge.

We used to like the food at Oriental Garden and looked forward to the Sunday buffet the first few years it was open. But we have not dined in at Oriental Garden for several years. The last few times we went we were very disappointed by the decline in quality and variety and service of the dinner buffet and Sunday buffet. Then we tried take-out from the menu a few times in the 2002 season and they did not get the order complete or correct any of those times. What we got (even the itmes we ordered) was adequate but nothing I would go back to get. When we picked up the to-go order we glanced at the buffet. It looked even skimpier than we remembered and several items had little or nothing left.

What experiences have others had there recently? Should we try again this year or just write Oriental Garden off our list forever?

[Rattlesnake Gal]

I would have to agree with your assessment. It used to be pretty good years ago, but has gone way down hill since. We have taken it off our list of places to eat.

[Aquadeziac]

We used to dine there regularly but their "100 item buffet" has gotten smaller and smaller as the prices went up. We now go to the Peking Tokyo in the Gilford Plaza on Rte11. They may not have a buffet but the food is wayyyyy better, eat in or take out.

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

I would have to agree with your assessment. It used to be pretty good years ago, but has gone way down hill since. We have taken it off our list of places to eat.

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Peking Tokyo hands down. Excellent Mai Tias too

[Long Bay Guy]

I'd have to agree, Peking Tokyo is the best in the area.

[Joe Kerr]

Originally Posted by Commodore

Talking about the restaurant and not the bar or lounge.
What experiences have others had there recently? Should we try again this year or just write Oriental Garden off our list forever?

I agree with those who have commented so far. Oriental Garden is no where near as good as it once was. Prices have gone up while the quality and choices have declined. We took Oriental Garden off of our places to eat. No need for details of chewey beef, over cooked food and the like.

I have not tried Peking Tokyo as others have suggested but will try it this summer.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Joe Kerr

I have not tried Peking Tokyo as others have suggested but will try it this summer.

As I've said in prior posts, P-T is the place for Chinese and Mai Tai's. "Mee" says don't forget they do sushi (very well) also.

[george b]

We have always had a excellent food and service at Wes Lake's in Wolfboro.

[Lexxi]

Can you tell me where Peking Toyoka is ???? Is it the one up by Walmart ??
Thanks

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by Lexxi

Can you tell me where Peking Toyoka is ???? Is it the one up by Walmart ??
Thanks

You are correct. Peking-Tokyo is in the "Walmart Plaza" in Gilford.

[Skipper of the Sea Que]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

I would have to agree with your assessment. It used to be pretty good years ago, but has gone way down hill since. We have taken it off our list of places to eat.

I must agree with you RG and all those who made similar comments about Oriental Gardens. We no longer even consider eating there.

Last time we were there we had friends visiting and they really wanted a Chinese buffet. We all were dismally disappointed. Now they laugh about the place. The long wait for buffet items to be replenished, the quality of the food, some create your own dish to WOK (also a long wait and then the watery sauce and tasteless resulting food). Won't waste my time recalling other Oriental Gardens disappointments. We just don't go there anymore.

[NHKathy]

Agree with most everyone's comments on the Oriental Garden - back in the late 80's/early 90's, this used to be one of the best Chinese Restaurants in the Lakes Region. Shortly after the last big renovation, the place started going downhill. If you were not staying for the live band or other entertainment, you were treated as if you were wasting their time. Service was poor, food was barely edible, and the buffett selection was limited. The last time we went the table was dirty, the ceiling tiles were badly stained, the food was cold, and the service was slow (had to go to the hostess to locate my waitress several times.) The restroom was something you would find on a backstreet alleyway - GROSS !! We voiced our complaint and have not been back since. Many other people we know say the same.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by NHKathy

Agree with most everyone's comments on the Oriental Garden - back in the late 80's/early 90's, this used to be one of the best Chinese Restaurants in the Lakes Region. Shortly after the last big renovation, the place started going downhill. If you were not staying for the live band or other entertainment, you were treated as if you were wasting their time. Service was poor, food was barely edible, and the buffett selection was limited. The last time we went the table was dirty, the ceiling tiles were badly stained, the food was cold, and the service was slow (had to go to the hostess to locate my waitress several times.) The restroom was something you would find on a backstreet alleyway - GROSS !! We voiced our complaint and have not been back since. Many other people we know say the same.

Just wanted to add a photo from the hayday, when the food and service was great. Some may even remember an awesome manager there.
Her name was Te Te, pictured to the right in this photo.
Just after six, and the place was packed.