I came here on two occasions, 1 for a chill place to drink at the bar before hitting the club and 1 for a dinner party/event for a friend.
Drinks were delicious and the bartender was extremely courteous, hooking it up with drinks and making sure we were satisfied. Â The food was tasty - at our dinner, they promptly made sure we never ran out of anything. Â Everything arrived fresh, warm, and delicious. Â Love those crab wontons!
All in all, this is a really chill place for drinks. It's got a HUGE bar with large TVs for all you sports lovers. Â Definitely come by and check this place out!
I cannot get enough of this particular papal conclave, can you?
I am glued to the interwebs, especially the "White Smoke cam" (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.istherewhitesmoke.com&s=feda5ca644a029e844824c2a0970e60763fbc55b16eec03adfae48ed36aba377" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.istherewhites…</a>) just waiting for the news!
I was in line to become the first middle aged, Norwegian, non-Catholic Pope (being the 132nd most interesting man in America does carry a certain prestige, after all), but I removed my name from consideration when I discovered that the Beautiful Carin wouldn't be able to come along.
It's a boy's club...sometimes a little boys club...and I'm just not into that.
I had hoped the papacy was going to be a little more "Borgia" and a little less "Benedict" this time around...it seems I was mistaken.
In any event, I must remain at my station eagerly awaiting the puff of white smoke that signals another old guy getting to don the papal robes and mitre and becoming "infallible".
That's what I most wanted for my papacy...infallibility...all the rest is just window dressing, from my point of view.
If you can't have invisibility, infallibility is the next best thing.
At any rate, I need to keep up my strength during the conclave and what better way, than to get some Chinese take out!
Chinese takeout for the Pope watch...I do like to mix and match my religious and cultural stereotypes.
There aren't very many Chinese takeout joints in Greater Newport Beach (and no delivery, save the little outposts for Pick Up Stix but they don't really sell "food"), but CP will do nicely.
Carin and I have occasionally dropped by CP for an egg roll, a little chow mien and some egg foo yung...they do nice job on the standard Cantonese dishes and they can toss a little Kung Pao or Szechuan Chicken at you from time to time.
We've always had good service and the sort of odd combo of sports bar/dance club/Chinese joint, never fails to provide an entertaining group of patrons (with all the attendant antics) for us to chit chat about during dinner...so fun!
The takeout is easy...they have an online menu and (unless you live right next door) they'll have everything ready to go when get there (BTW, how do they do that so fast???)
The next thing you know, you're hoovering down your pot stickers and fried rice and watching Brian Williams tell you how terribly important this next Pope is to the Catholic Church...for hours.
The next time they elect a new Pope (or maybe even sooner) and you are jonesin' for some Sweet and Sour Pork in the comfort of your own living room (or maybe even at the restaurant itself), give CP Restaurant and Lounge a try.
Tell them Cardinal Donald sent you.
We went in on Friday night thinking that we would have a few drinks, dinner, and hang out with a couple of our friends. Â All the food was brought to the table at the same time. Â Appetizers, entrees, and sushi- all at once. Â The girls hadn't even gotten the chance to order their drinks and I had only been able to drink about half of my beer. Â
The food was pretty bad. Â We ordered a couple appetizers, a few entrees, and some sushi. All of which was inedible. Â Never in my life have I had to get up from the table to ask for the manager since the waiter never came back to check on us since delivering the water. Â The manager insisted I was wrong about the food and service until I asked her to try the shrimp herself. Â She refused and allowed us to go on our way only having to pay for 2 beers. Â We did appreciate her gesture of not charging us but unfortunately we will not be returning to "Closing Palace".
Love sports but hate sports bars? Me too. Especially for NFL games. Too many loud mouth dudes and meh bar food forces me to search out places like China Palace, er CP, which is now their name.
They underwent extensive renovations several years ago and now have many huge flats, and a great sound system that they crank up for the bigger games. Happy hour I believe is 7 days a week from 4-7:00 (<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cp2800.com%2F%23%21__happy-hour&s=49a4e3c019c8d1d42402bc0bff57fc627b86ebaeaca6a69ff5842a9acb273adc" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.cp2800.com/#!…</a>). The salt and pepper calamari, soups, and fried dumplings are all good choices. I love their egg rolls as well that come with some kick ass spicy mustard.
The service is mostly good at the bar, but not exactly friendly, especially by the owners son (to steal a line from Eugine Y) who acts like he was "forced into labor." Guess that's the trade off vs a real bartender and a waiter lending a hand at the bar. They also have decent sushi, and all of your favorite Chinese dishes, and even burgers and (huh?), fish tacos. I tried making light of the fish taco offerings to one of the stern bartenders, and without smiling he indignantly replied, "they are very good." OK, thanks! Know any good jokes? Ah, never mind.
I will take that trade off any day so I don't have to tolerate a bunch of louts screaming at every play. Damn, am I old and grumpy or what?
My husband and I decided to give this place a try. Being Newport locals, I have no idea...but we thought why the hell not.
We walked in and the smell was absolutely horrific. Like a sewer line was open somewhere. We sat down at a table for about a minute and couldn't take the stench anymore so we left.
If the food is anything like the smell...avoid at all cost!
I've stopped by here a few times now. I had no idea it even existed until my hubby pointed it out to me. It's across the street from Billy's and Rusty Pelican. They have about 8-9 TV's throughout the restaurant, which you can view while sitting out in the patio as well. The food is a great price during happy hour and some drinks are on special all night. I hope this place sticks around because everytime I go, there is hardly anyone there.
Review Source:I was so excited when this place remodeled but have been disappointed every time I go in. Honestly I think the problem at this place is the owners rather than the kitchen or the staff, so I don't see anything changing any time soon.
1st time back after the remodel was when they did Sunday brunch last summer. The vibe was fun & it was busy. But the menu selection for brunch made me want to vomit. My group of 20 left had brunch somewhere else & then came back for the brunch party atmosphere for Sunday Funday.
I've been back a few times for lunch & dinner and the food is pretty good Chinese food, I am usually happy with all of our tables selections. But if your on a time schedule or have only an hour lunch break this is not the place for you. Everything here is defiantly slow paced.
The last time I was there was for their Halloween party. I went with a large group that had made a previous arrangement with the owners (this group usually rents places or sections of places out) I'm not positive the what entire arrangement was but from my understanding our group had their on list blah blah blah. The portion of the group I arrived with had 16 ppl & got there at 915. They were already "at capacity" even though we were on that separate list. The owners were all over the place, no one knew what was going on, the bouncer was being bombarded & there was no separate door VIP person. After waiting for over 15-20 min. We decided to go to the bouncer & ask if we bought a table could we just get in (keep in mind our groups organizer had already made those previous arrangements). He grabbed an owner & she sold us a table for a 3 bottle minimum but at a discounted rate. Seemed fine, sucks but hey I know what a nightmare Halloween can be for venues/bars (I have been in the bottle service/ bar industry for 11 years). Once we were walked in, she removed people from a table & told a busser to get us set up. He got everything we needed, but then brought us all 3 bottles of Ketel at once! thank gawd my gf & i had big purses to stash the other 2 bottles so they didn't get swiped. We never saw or had a waitress, every once in a while we would find a busser & ask him to bring us more mixer etc. When the night was close to the end the owner appeared with our bill & she had already ran the card that our table was held with. And she had put an automatic 20% grat. I'm all for tipping, I actually always over tip. but there was NO waitress & NO busser actually there for us. I would even kind of be ok with it if the tips went in to a bar/ busser pool. But it was not (as i knew 2 bartenders working that night). The owners just kept it for themselves.
I also came to find out that the workers here do not get to count their own tips nor do they get to take their tips at the end of the night. The owners count it, dived it up  & then have you pick them up in a few days. Something seems real fishy/ illegal going on here!
The only reason this place got 2 stars is because I love the remodel & layout! I just hope someone else takes over or buys this place sometime soon!
We haven't gone to this place since before the remodel/rename. Ordered several items for takeout. They forgot one of the items (baked scallop casserole), we had to go back. Came back home. Opened the food. The baked scallop at $12.- had the components of perhaps one anemic scallop, if you were to put all the small scallop slivers together. What. A. Rip-off. The other dishes were "meh". Wow. What a change. Won't go back.
**Addendum: The small pieces of scallop were, in fact; not all scallop pieces, but chopped onion. I don't know why I'm surprised.
I suppose they are counting on naive summer people & PCH traffic to pay for the remodel, instead of the people that had been customers since the '90's. Sad.
This place sucks. The service was good though. But I didn't come here for good service. I came for good food, and I did not get that.
Their food reminds me of Panda express, but way over priced for that kind of food. I would have rather ordered from Pick Up Stix that night, instead of eating at CP.
My boyfriend and I usually rack up a bill of around $32 for good food. We ended up pay $50 for crap at CP. I was just let down with ever dish that came out.
We don't plan on going back. Sorry.
Even though I've driven by it a million times, I just started going to CP and absolutely love it. Â They have the best TV's and sound system in the area bar none, drinks are incredibly fairly priced and all the food I have tried has been awesome! Â I was admittedly a little worried about the sushi as it's not your typical sushi bar, but the sashimi was awesome... very highly recommended the sashimi and tataki salads btw! Â Also love their new bartender Abbi as it's impossible for you to finish a drink before the next one is one the way.
Review Source:Oh Good Lord. Here for a wedding rehearsal dinner which is great. It's nice to see old friends. Â The food is a bit disappointing though - buffet style and average quality with the exception of the seared ahi - it's great. The rehearsal dinner went off without a hitch and we are very happy for the bride and groom.
Review Source:I'm not going to lie... I dug this place. Â I dug it a lot.
#1 - We arrived at 9:15PM on a Monday and they still served us food.. No rush what-so-ever. (We stayed until close to 11 something)
#2 - Our waiter/Server was super attentive without being creepy stalking.
#3 - Food was plentiful and good.  This is probably  more Americanized than what you would find in SGV, but the flavors were juuuuust right.
#4 - We were so loud and obnoxious (Talking about Porn/Marriage/Nostalgic years in HS/Making fun of people.. etc) Â and we were left in our annoying peaceful corner.
#5 - CHEAP food in Newport... seriously!! Â We had Fried Calamari (with Spicy Salt), Hot & Sour Soup, Fried Rice, Wontons, Sweet & Sour Pork and Deamame.
For less than 30 bucks per couple (4 people)!! Â Crazy.
The one thing is the Edamame was a bit overcooked, but everything else was good.
One thing people should know - This is by no means comparable to SGV for food, but for Newport Beach "Chinese" - It is good.
Trust me.. I'm a Chinese eating machine. :)
The Eggplant with hot garlic sauce and Scallops in black bean sauce were both excellent with minced ginger for a unique twist on those classic flavors. I liked having brown rice as an option at no additional cost; however, it was slightly overcooked. Â The new patio is very comfortable and the best part of their remodel.
Review Source:Nasty and a sham. Â I ordered the roast whole duck and they show me the duck and brought me 8 pre made duck wraps, and claimed that was the whole duck.. Â I have cooked duck and that wasn't!! Â But still charged me for a whole duck. Overpriced and my kids got sick after!! AVOID THE PLACE!!!!
Review Source:Took a group of 43 people for happy hour. Â Food was okay, orders mixed up. Â Owners are neurotic. Was yelling at a customer because he didn't order a drink just water, hostess (wife) made a comment to one of the people that sh could only take 1 tootsie roll instead of 4. Â Very poor communication skills. Â It's a nice bar but I will not go back and neither will the rest of the group. Â This is probably why it is usually empty.
Review Source:Popped in for a bite while my husband went to a meeting close by. Â Service was great. Â Combo fried rice was good. Shrimp tasted fresh. Â Felt very relaxed. Â
I overheard someone say they came in to see the renovation. Â I looked around and saw many things in disarray. Â Paint chipped, upholstery in desperate need to be updated. Â However the bar area and patio looked great.
I'm surprised by the number of negative reviews. Â I have been to CP twice, once before the remodel when it was called 'China Palace' and again after, the food was excellent both times. Â I tried CP on a recommendation from a restraunt owner in Irvine who told me it was the best in Orange County.
Things I recommend: Â Serrano Chicken (spicy), Garlic Eggplant (lots of garlic), Aromatic Shrimp. Â I tried one of the sushi rolls (Tataki Roll) and it was definately above average.
The food was fresh and hot. Â I have had a lot of Chinese food, I used to frequent Sam Woo when I lived in Irvine. Â CP doesn't quite have the variety or the ambiance, but as far as food quality, its better then the majority of Chinese food I have tried in OC. Â I would recommend it.
Chinese + Japanese (sushi) + Burgers
I've dined here about half a dozen times. Â The owners are really nice and friendly to us and our kids every time.
The sushi has been consistent and great every time! Â
The Chinese food I've had is good but not fantastic. Â I have yet to try the burgers but they sound great.
I go to CP because it's close, has great sushi, and has a nice atmosphere right on PCH. Â Great outdoor patio on PCH as well.
Excellent sushi rolls - relatively priced meaning the price is in line with most sushi places in the area. The Chinese food was better than the other yelpers said  and not overpriced.
The bartender was hot - always a good reason to return. Service was good, one of the best martinis in a long time said the guy next to me.
Decor is very nice and I would definitely return.
SMALL UPDATE:
They really should market themselves as a sushi house and not so much as a chinese restaurant.. I just read the other reviews and i noticed that most of the low marks are around the chinese food. Â Haven't had any chinese dishes here other than a shrimp dish that was really good in my opinion! The sushi is some of the best around. A unsuspecting.... suspect? yes. But you wont be sorry!!!! do it.
This place has been newly remodeled and looks great inside, but thats about all I can say thats positive. Â
Sat at the bar and the bartender, a blonde, had no knowledge of the dinner menu. Â She had to keep going back to the kitchen to "ask the chef", for questions like "what does that come with" and "whats the special of the day". I finally settled for the crispy spicy garlic chicken. Â It was neither spicy nor garlicky, and their idea of crispy is heavily battered and deep fried ( it was more like the type of chicken you get with sweet and sour chicken). Â The edamame they served was cold and mushy. Â It would be much tastier served warm (steamed) with some good sea salt or old bay.
I hope they make some good changes soon, this place has been here a long time and I would like to see them succeed.
I felt totally jipped after going to this restaurant! We ordered take-out from here when we first moved to the area. When we arrived the bill was $70! Typically at our old spots this amount of food would be around $40. Even worse the food was awful! It doesn't even compare to your typical Chinese spot. The food was bland and missing the certain something. The chow mein, kung pow chicken, and potstickers  all left a nasty taste in our mouths. Needless to say, I will not be back nor do I recommend this place to anyone. It is too expensive for less than average food.
Review Source:I have worked near this restaurant for over 10 years, and I China Palace takes care of my craving when I'm in the mood for Chinese food that is close by.
First off, their staff has always been friendly and helpful. Â Kudos for that.
Here are some menu items worth noting:
-Hot and sour soup is really good. Â I sometimes order just the soup to go.
-Crab and cream cheese wontons. Â I understand this is not a typical Chinese dish, but they are really good.
-Mushu pork/chicken. Â Also very good, and this is another one of the items I order to go.
-Orange chicken, Serrano chicken, Crispy garlic chicken--all delicious, and the lunch portions are huge.
-Walnut shrimp are amazing.
I've had other things on the menu, but they've just been so-so. Â I've also only been to China Palace for lunch, and I've never tried any of their sushi.
The prices are great for the amount of food you get. Â I normally have enough food to take home for another meal.
The outside is pretty deceiving.  Kinda garish, Las Vegas daylook style.  Trashy  business neon sign included.  The interior is much nicer.  Very Rainforest Cafe.  Lots of plants (not sure how they dust those off) handing overhead.  A little dark but well lit where you eat.  Lots of well spread seating in circular booths and tables.
There was also what looked like a bar section. Â Will check it out one day.
As a previous reviewer mentioned, the food is average. Â Nothing bad but nothing spectacular.
Sizzling fried rice soup. Â I have a hard time finding a place that will dump the sizzling rice in a large bowl in front of you. Â It makes the food and experience soo much better. Â Broth was good and it was well packed with goodies like shrimp & veggies.
Crispy noodles - very strong ginger flavoring. Â They were a little too crunchy and dark brown. Â It was okay.
Walnut Shrimp - I noted a very strong wasabe flavoring. Â A bit much for me. Â Wished the walnuts were candied. Â Shrimps were large and yum tho.
End of meal was a very well presented orange nicely cut up in its own exterior and topped with sugar syrup (forgot what it's called). Â Then we got almond cookies and fortune cookies. Â
Service was nice. Â We were properly greeted when we first walked in and thanked at exit time. Â Our server made sure we had everything we needed and periodically checked up on us. Â
Not my 1st pick but if it's close enough and I'm craving some Chinese that's not Panda, I'm down.
***update*****
The birthday bot requested we come here for an early Sunday night dinner. Â Uuuggghhh! Â I hate this place. Â As usual, mediocre to sub-par Chinese food. Â Crappy service. Â I ordered a cucumber roll from the sushi bar for an appetizer. Â They don't even use sushi rice! Â It was the same long grain that they serve with your food. Â The only reason I bump the rating to 3 stars is that it is a prime location with a decent view of traffic on PCH which can be pretty entertaining if the restaurant is dead.
My husband thinks this place is dirty. Â I think it has to do with the empty fish tanks and strange smells coming from the bathrooms. Â But my daughter and I love the veggie fried rice. Â So when he is out of town we order it to go. Â We have had some of the other dishes, too. Â They have the usual Chinese classics and they are neither stand outs or sub par. Â They also have a sushi bar but we haven't tried it. Â On the few occasions that we dined in, the service has been lacking. Â The last time we were there we had a cute surfer boy waiter. Â The looks couldn't make up for the fact that the food was slow coming out, the order was wrong and when we pointed it out that the order was wrong he replied "My bad". Â
Be safe, order to go, stick with the classics.
Back in the late '80s, China Palace was a new type of California twist on traditional Chinese cuisine. Â When you enter, there were huge fish tanks full of exotic fish, a large sushi bar, and then a jungle of a dining room - aqua colored booths with large ferns and plants growing everywhere. Â Very friendly wait staff, relatively quiet except for the strange Kenny G songs playing in the background.
A decade plus later, the same friendly staff is there, and in general the restaurant is functioning under the same concept - but it's just gotten a bit strange. Â The fish tanks are now empty, except for an ill looking fish now and again. Â They let children write their heights all over the walls at the entrance, and they purchased a giant tacky sign for the front (the front of the restaurant looks out onto PCH), where they slide in notices about their daily lunch specials, or whatever. Â But Kenny G remains in the background...
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