Xu’s Public House, Union Square, NYC

I headed to Xu’s Public House to meet an out-of-town friend in town. Xu’s offers a bargain ($15) lunch menu with a cup of soup (chicken corn chowder or scallion topped hot and sour) and a choice of almost a dozen entrees served with white or brown rice.

I chose General Tso’s chicken that came with steamed broccoli and sported one pepper, falsely indicating heat. My dining partner’s Buddhist delight — a medley of veggies — is a better choice.

Both soups arrived lukewarm, if that. The waiter served our entrees before we were halfway through our soup.

I only chose this place for its proximity to my home, not the food or service. No need to say more.

Xu’s Public House
Union Square
15 Union Square West
New York, NY 10003
212.901.9971

About the Author: Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.

Xu’s Public House, Union Square, NYC