05/11/09

Overrated

by scottschied

I have heard about Cin Cin for years and whenever I have been in the area the restaurant has been packed. I called from my car on a busy night and they told me that they could accommodate my party of two without a reservation and to come in. I arrived 5 minutes later. I was then told to wait at the bar for 30 minutes.

The room was dingy and dirty. I was impressed. Why the reviews that highlight the decor? The table settings were nice but my table wobbled and I noticed the table next to ours was kept level with a large piece of cardboard which was not the most attractive sight. I've been to food courts in Singapore and Palladar's in Havana so I am happy to put food above setting any day of the week. A Tony Luke's Pork sandwich while sitting under I 95 can't be beat.

The service was inattentive yet rushed. I've was eager to try different things and asked our server to suggest some items. Her response "everything". That helped narrow it down.

The food was not very good. I could get much better with less bs from a half dozen places in my NYC neighborhood. The crab salad was overdressed and the pieces of crab were very small. The spring roll was like any other spring roll I've had at typical take out restaurants. I had a seafood and chicken roll wrapped in seaweed and it was bland visually, texturally and in taste. The wonton soup was very good. I saw the Peking duck and it did look great but my date was not into it so I ordered another duck dish that was no different from any other take out place that serves over cooked and over salted food. My date had a salmon dish that looked great on the plate but it was over cooked and the sauce as cloying and the accompanying vegetables were very oily.

I don't understand the fuss. I had meals and drinks in 4 other Philadelphia area eateries in the previous 36 hours and Cin Cin was the only let down. Dirty establishment, disinterested service and mediocre food. I'd rather pay more and eat at Susanna Foo or pay less and eat in Chinatown or at any local asian restaurant.

• Pros: Interesting and Mixed Menu
• Cons: Decor, Food, Service

02/21/09

Extremely disappointing

by Tansey81

I read the reviews on here so I decided to give it a try. I went with my girlfriend on a Saturday night. The service was bad; we felt rushed throughout the dinner. However, I can tolerate poor service as long as the food is good. Well, the food was terrible. The wonton soup was watery and bland. We had the grilled thai chicken as an appetizer -- it was $6 for about five tiny strips of chicken drenched in some strange-tasting sauce. Then as the entree' we tried the orange beef ... let me tell you, this was the worst tasting thing I've ever had. It had a weird, burnt smell to it and it tasted like an old sponge. There is no other word to describe it other than "awful." I guess people get so caught up in the ambience of places that they overlook bad food, I don't know. This place is overrated and definitely not worth it.

• Pros: Decent ambience
• Cons: Awful food

Refined Chinese food with a dash of Gallic panache in serene, distinctly upscale surroundings.

by Contributor

In Short
CinCin's bland outside gives way to a peach-and-teal interior that's still attractive but decidedly ready for a redo. Low ceilings, oak paneling and a pared-down sensibility lend to tasteful and relaxing environs in this typically busy room. CinCin likes to tout its "French flair" and some dishes--Merlot veal scallops, grilled filet mignon--apparently bypass Asia altogether. Start with shrimp and chicken seaweed roll appetizer, pureed seafood and fowl wrapped in sheets of dark green nori, a combination that is pure manna.

• Pros: nice atmosphere
• Cons: crowded

06/25/07

great food and cheap dinner

by tdn115

My boyfriend and I came across Cin Cin yesterday while driving through Chestnut Hill. We stopped in and got some dinner. I was surprisingly good, no frills. I highly recommend the barbeque spare ribsto start and the crab cake. He had the sweet and sour pork which he also enjoyed. We aren't normally a big fan of chinese cuisine, but it was a definate great find. The service wasn't the greatest, being that it was a lazy sunday evening and there were not a lot of patrons, but we were not in a rush so it was tolerable. It was a nice way to wind down the day.

• Pros: good food, well priced and great location.
• Cons: parking, slow service

12/05/06

As good as it gets

by erzabet

This is a fabulous asian restaurant. We have been here several times and the food and service are always impeccable.

I adore the sushi and sashimi

• Pros: Grest Sushi

11/22/06

Excellent!

by majxn

This is a must-have when I am in the area. The food is outstanding, not greasy and heavy like some asian food. The location (Chestnut Hill) can't be beat. Can't recommend enough!

• Pros: outstanding food
• Cons: parking

11/04/06

The best asian cuisine in Philly

by tgrossman77

This has the best combo of Asian (Chinese gourmet) and the best drinks. The parking is a bit of a pain,but worth it.

I adore their Szezhuan specials and the martinis!

• Pros: great food

08/11/06

Great bridal shower location

by jgutmaker

My bridal shower was held here in April '06, and it was wonderful. I'm a fan of CinCin's food, which is every bit as good as what you will find at Susanna Foo without Center City prices. It's Chinese-French fusion, expertly prepared, and very tasty.

I arrived to find that my family and bridal party arranged to rent out the restaurant (apparently it was very reasonably priced and far less than most other restaurants or caterers charged -- they had several banquet menu options). We had a four course lunch served family style, and every dish was fantastic. The staff were friendly and helpful, and everyone had a lovely time.

For dinner, I recommend the Peking Duck, which they will carve and plate tableside.

• Pros: Great bridal shower location, wonderful dinner date, excellent duck
• Cons: their parking lot fills up quickly

07/26/06

Wonderful food and a great bar

by k_colehammer

We spend many terrific evenings at Cin Cin and have only great things to say about their food,the service and especially about the bar. The great bartenders make even a long wait tolerable and actually fun.

08/10/05

Cin Cin

by harambee00

The food is incredible. I love the atmosphere. I love the spring rolls duck and dumplings.