Mandarin Sun (Brookfield) - Ed's Potsticker's new restaurant

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

I went to Mandarin Sun for lunch today to see what they have to offer. First, an admission: I have never been to Ed’s Potstickers. Thus, I was a little disappointed that they did not have the Chive and Bacon Pancake or Cigar-Shaped Dumplings, but I did expect the disappointment thanks to kithat's post. On the upside, however, is that they do have some interesting offerings in the portion of the menu stating Chef Recommendation (creative and unique dishes):

Smoked Beef Maw, Radish and dried shrimp soup, noodle with wood ear and lily flower, Tofu and meatball in casserole, sautéed sliced duck with bean pasty(not a typo - did they mean "pastry"? - pasty is what the menu lists), shredded chicken and jelly fish, fish glue and crab meat, shredded abalone with mushroom, etc.

They also have a lunch special, and feeling economical as well as suddenly realizing I haven’t had it in forever, I opted for the Shrimp and Beef Egg Foo Young (please, no booing). It actually was quite good. I also got the Water Dumpling with Chinese Chives and Shrimp. The dumpling skins were excellent, although the Chinese Chives were a little watery for my taste (I guess I should have paid more attention to the name). They did give me a hot sauce (Szechuan hot bean paste, I believe) to help perk things up. They also served tea in a gorgeous lavender and gold teapot that they left on the table – easily the nicest teapot I have seen in a Chinese restaurant.

The place was pretty empty, so I do recommend more people try it so they can get some footing. If anyone wants to meet me for lunch on a Friday sometime to try some more of the “unique” dishes, just let me know!

Hubby and I stopped over here on Tuesday night to avoid the horrible traffic between western burbs and Lakeview. We made it no further than the car. The building was dark, and then we saw a sign saying they are "temporarily closed." What gives?

I called the number posted on the door last week, and the owner stated that the chef had gotten sick, and there was no one else there who could cook.

I hope they reopen.

Cheers,
Brian

BrianD, thanks for doing the homework. I was just concerned that maybe businsess wasn't good.

Anyone been recently? Any recs for my 2nd visit there, once they reopen?

HI,

Josephine and I were at Ed's Potsticker House on Friday night. I talked to the owners who advised Mandarin Sun is closed after being open only 4 months, though they expect to reopen by Thanksgiving.

The issue is the Chinese chef hired to run Mandarin Sun is ill. They didn't find a replacement they liked, which is why they closed.

Regards,

Hi,

Those who were fortunate to try Mandarin Sun should count their lucky stars. I learned it will not be reopening. The restaurant is being leased to someone who will open another Chinese restaurant.

Regards,