Mandarin Restaurant is an Award-winning, all-you-can-eat buffet that is family friendly and an excellent restaurant choice when you are heading out for a meal with your family. I love that they accept reservations to ensure no line ups, this is important for us as we are a family with young, impatient children! They have a great selection of fresh food that caters to a variety of tastes (even picky eaters, which my kids definitely are!).
My two kids, hubby and I ventured out to our local Mandarin Restaurant to enjoy a buffet dinner together. I have never been to a Mandarin Restaurant before, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect other than buffet food. I definitely didn’t realize that it would be decorated as nicely as it was!
Immediately after being seated, we were greeted by one of our friendly servers with hot, wet towels to wash our hands. I absolutely LOVED this added touch! At the end of the meal, we were also given towels.
They even had fish tanks EVERYWHERE for the kids to look at. This provided the kids with great entertainment as they were waiting for their next turn to head back to the buffet.
Right now, Mandarin Restaurants are celebrating with their Dumpling Festival from January 16 to February 24 (while quantities last)! They have added special features to the buffet including: Thousand Year Old Egg Salad, Goji Berry & Chrysanthemum Jello and Ginger Ice Cream. For dinner you can also enjoy Chicken Ginseng Soup, Seafood Bird’s Nest and Shrimp Balls.
I was VERY impressed with the beautiful layout of the food. It was all labelled really well so there was no guess work for us “Mandarin newbies”!
There was definitely something for everyone in the buffet from a huge salad bar to traditional Chinese Food to prime rib (along with all of the fixings) and even plain cheese pizza! My son hasn’t been feeling 100% for the past week so he stayed pretty safe, enjoying the variety of fresh breads and the pizza. I was impressed with my daughter’s willingness to try out some new food!
My favourite dish was the General Tso Chicken!
Dare I mention the huge dessert options? I couldn’t believe how many beautiful and delicious desserts they had displayed. My kids LOVED the finger food jello and the ice cream bar.
The buffet was constantly being cleaned up and re-stocked. I was very impressed with how efficient the food staff were!
My 7 year old daughter had such an enjoyable time and knowing that we were visiting the Mandarin Restaurant for the purposes of this blog, she wanted to share her thoughts with you:
Note: I did not ask her to write anything! Click image to see it larger.
We each received a special, lucky coin and a fortune cookie at the end of the meal. As well, on the way out the door, we were offered a mint. My fortune says, “Home is where your heart is”, isn’t that the truth!
Mandarin Restaurant Website
Multi-Testing Mommy visited the Mandarin Restaurant for a complimentary visit as part of a SheBlogs campaign. Opinions shared on this blog are not influenced in any way. See MTM’s Disclosure for more details.
LOVE IT!!! We had a Mandarin opp a few months ago and we had a blast! It was so nice to have a family meal at an establishment that is super family-friendly!
That is so cute! We haven’t been in awhile but oh boy your photos made me so hungry. I like buffet style. It reminds me of being on vacation.
The food does look so good doesn’t it?!
It sounds like you had a great time & I love your daughter’s review, especially “warm, wet towels”! I also have a 7-year old son & his writing always cracks me up.
Jenna
http://www.snymed.blogspot.ca
Thanks Jenna! My daughter loves to help out with reviews – she did a super fun one for FORD one here: http://www.multitestingmommy.com/2012/11/driving-fordtaurus-from-fordcanada.html
I am hungry! LOL We love the Mandarin, so glad you got to experience it with your family. Your daughter’s review is awesome! I love the fortune cookie too!
Love The Mandarin… you can always find things to eat even it you have a picky eater like I do. One daughter loves sushi the other stir-fry and my hubby loves the prime rib… gotta love it!
Aw nice pictures!! I love the Mandarin – it never disappoints, and it’s definitely a good time!
I LOVE the Mandarin, I miss having one near by! Love that they gave you a little coin!
Great review and pics! It does look like a great, family friendly place to take the kids. The only Mandarin style restaurant that we had here (that I know of) is now an antique store.
Great review and pics! It does look like a great, family friendly place to take the kids. The only Mandarin style restaurant that we had here (that I know of) is now an antique store.
Looks and sounds fantastic! Brandy from http://notsoaveragemama.com
I love her little “review” of the restaurant. It looks like you all had a great time!
Oh I would love a restaurant like that one! Oh goodness me! I love mandarin food! And it looks delicious and well laid out and very appealing to visit!
It looks like a great time! And I love mandarin food. I need to find a similar restaurant near us!
We love the mandarin! Oh and…it looks like you found yourself a second blogger to help out on the blog!
Aww! It looks like you are raising the next up and coming blogger!
Wow – this restaurant is impressively better than the versions we have in BC. Im guessing they are not the same chain. Maybe I should come visit yours 😉