With Uncle Paul (frequently mentioned in these parts) and my Aunt Elena in town for the better part of a week, we decided to hit up one of Utica's many Asian restaurants.
Admittedly, this wasn't my first time to Sunny. I had been there once before, with a handful of friends, but plum forgot to post up my thoughts after the fact. All for the better I suppose, this allowed me to sample a few more dishes to mention here. Either way, the fact that I wanted to take my guests to this spot is pretty good indication of what I thought of it.
Sunny Restaurant is located in east Utica, just off of Bleecker Street, one of the main drags in the city. It doesn't look like much from the outside (admittedly, most places in Utica don't) and it can be easy to miss, the sign isn't immediately visible from the street. Remember to go in the door FACING Albany Street, as some might be tempted to go around to the other side.
Anyway, Sunny features a small cozy interior, with perhaps a dozen small tables (maybe less). It fits the description of a hole-in-the-wall, but germaphobes need not worry, Sunny is kept pretty clean, and the glass-top tables were spotless.
Sunny's menu features Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese dishes. The menu, as you could imagine with such a lineup, is extensive, featuring a good five pages of various fare. Images of little chili peppers, 1 (mild) 2(medium) and 3 (hot), are placed next to each dish for those conscious of spiciness. The menu also has a long list of appetizers, though I failed to try any of these either time.....too many entrees were on offer.
Well, I am no expert at reviewing restaurants (this is the first one, after all), but I can say this: Sunny Restaurant's food is VERY good. I cannot speak for the Japanese food, but my two times to Sunny have seen me sample all the others, and I wasn't disappointed with any. Any of the Thai and Vietnamese noodle dishes are a safe bet (though my friend Nick wasn't a massive fan of the Udon (very thick) noodles that came with our Satay (a Thai dish), but mainly because their texture put him off.....no-one else took issue), though I recommend the strangely named Strange Flavor, a semi-spicey (it earns 2 chili peppers) Chinese barbeque sauce over Udon noodles, veggies, and your choice of meat (noodle dishes generally come with either chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or a combo of the first three). It is definitely a unique taste, and was a hit with everybody. The stir friend Cantonese noodle, chosen wisely by my Aunt Elena, was another favorite. The dish, again served with your choice of meat and an array of vegetables, features fat noodles, almost like the kind put on lasagna, and a tangy sauce. The only Cambodian dish tried thus far was something called the Beef Loc Lac-cubed beef stir fried in an oyster sauce and served on a bed of lettuce. This wasn't as interesting as some of the other dishes, but also didn't disappoint. A Chef's Special, Loc Lac was one of the pricier items at 13 bucks. Most of the others come in around 8 or 9 bucks, making Sunny an affordable night out. Also, dishes also come with the obligatory bowl of rice.
Wait staff is minimal, unsurprising, given the small size. However, they are all very friendly and attentive. The first time there it took more than a half hour to serve our food, really the only complaint I can have (they of course apologized). With Paul and Elena though, service was much more prompt. There isn't much of a desert menu, only fried ice cream, but this isn't the type of place one should come looking for an awesome sweet.
Sunny Restaurant is a revelation in an area that is over taken with sub-par Italian or American food joints and chain restaurants. The food is delicious, interesting, authentic (none of the greasy, oily, hastily-made food so often found in Asian restaurants in the US) and quite cheap. All those who joined me (besides Paul, Elena, and Nick, my friends Walter and Elizabeth) also gave it a high thumbs up (Nick didn't let his dislike of the Udon noodles sway his overall opinion). Its not in the nicest of areas (it looks a bit rough around the edges, but any time during the day and early evening you really don't have anything to worry about). Parking isn't very convenient, you have to park on the street, but don't let this turn you away. Sunny is a place that really shouldn't be missed.
Score: 5/5
Location: 530 Albany Street, Utica, NY.
Link to Menu: http://sunnyrestaurantasiancuisine.com/menu.pdf
Admittedly, this wasn't my first time to Sunny. I had been there once before, with a handful of friends, but plum forgot to post up my thoughts after the fact. All for the better I suppose, this allowed me to sample a few more dishes to mention here. Either way, the fact that I wanted to take my guests to this spot is pretty good indication of what I thought of it.
Sunny Restaurant is located in east Utica, just off of Bleecker Street, one of the main drags in the city. It doesn't look like much from the outside (admittedly, most places in Utica don't) and it can be easy to miss, the sign isn't immediately visible from the street. Remember to go in the door FACING Albany Street, as some might be tempted to go around to the other side.
Anyway, Sunny features a small cozy interior, with perhaps a dozen small tables (maybe less). It fits the description of a hole-in-the-wall, but germaphobes need not worry, Sunny is kept pretty clean, and the glass-top tables were spotless.
Sunny's menu features Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese dishes. The menu, as you could imagine with such a lineup, is extensive, featuring a good five pages of various fare. Images of little chili peppers, 1 (mild) 2(medium) and 3 (hot), are placed next to each dish for those conscious of spiciness. The menu also has a long list of appetizers, though I failed to try any of these either time.....too many entrees were on offer.
Well, I am no expert at reviewing restaurants (this is the first one, after all), but I can say this: Sunny Restaurant's food is VERY good. I cannot speak for the Japanese food, but my two times to Sunny have seen me sample all the others, and I wasn't disappointed with any. Any of the Thai and Vietnamese noodle dishes are a safe bet (though my friend Nick wasn't a massive fan of the Udon (very thick) noodles that came with our Satay (a Thai dish), but mainly because their texture put him off.....no-one else took issue), though I recommend the strangely named Strange Flavor, a semi-spicey (it earns 2 chili peppers) Chinese barbeque sauce over Udon noodles, veggies, and your choice of meat (noodle dishes generally come with either chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or a combo of the first three). It is definitely a unique taste, and was a hit with everybody. The stir friend Cantonese noodle, chosen wisely by my Aunt Elena, was another favorite. The dish, again served with your choice of meat and an array of vegetables, features fat noodles, almost like the kind put on lasagna, and a tangy sauce. The only Cambodian dish tried thus far was something called the Beef Loc Lac-cubed beef stir fried in an oyster sauce and served on a bed of lettuce. This wasn't as interesting as some of the other dishes, but also didn't disappoint. A Chef's Special, Loc Lac was one of the pricier items at 13 bucks. Most of the others come in around 8 or 9 bucks, making Sunny an affordable night out. Also, dishes also come with the obligatory bowl of rice.
Wait staff is minimal, unsurprising, given the small size. However, they are all very friendly and attentive. The first time there it took more than a half hour to serve our food, really the only complaint I can have (they of course apologized). With Paul and Elena though, service was much more prompt. There isn't much of a desert menu, only fried ice cream, but this isn't the type of place one should come looking for an awesome sweet.
Sunny Restaurant is a revelation in an area that is over taken with sub-par Italian or American food joints and chain restaurants. The food is delicious, interesting, authentic (none of the greasy, oily, hastily-made food so often found in Asian restaurants in the US) and quite cheap. All those who joined me (besides Paul, Elena, and Nick, my friends Walter and Elizabeth) also gave it a high thumbs up (Nick didn't let his dislike of the Udon noodles sway his overall opinion). Its not in the nicest of areas (it looks a bit rough around the edges, but any time during the day and early evening you really don't have anything to worry about). Parking isn't very convenient, you have to park on the street, but don't let this turn you away. Sunny is a place that really shouldn't be missed.
Score: 5/5
Location: 530 Albany Street, Utica, NY.
Link to Menu: http://sunnyrestaurantasiancuisine.com/menu.pdf
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