Review: Quality Dining for Less at Hunan Dynasty

The busy waiting area of Hunan Dynasty tells first-timers all they need to know. It's usually filled with people coming to eat in or pick up their take-out meals.

Open in its Levittown location for seven years, Hunan remains a town favorite for good reason. The service and quality of the meals at affordable prices is a rare find, so it's no surprise that it's won Best Chinese Food in the Long Island Press' Best of Long Island Contest for three years in a row. Much of the restaurant's welcoming atmosphere is largely due to the staff, who greet each customer warmly and seat them at a table with tea and chow mein noodles while they peruse the menu.

The recently redecorated interior is warmly lit and flowers accent each table. The soft background music adds to the calm and serene but cozy atmosphere. It's a place to share an intimate dinner with family and friends and a great spot for a romantic date. 

Drink orders are taken promptly and the drink menu boasts 10 signature drinks. The dragon royale ($9) is a nice choice to start, with rice vodka, Chambord liqueur and a hint of lime. Other drinks include cosmos and martinis, plus beer and wine are also available.

Hunan is a traditional Chinese restaurant with a sushi menu that's just as extensive as the rest of the fare. The menu is divided, with appetizers and salads to match both styles. The spring roll ($1.50) is served crispy and piping hot and the fried wontons ($3.95) are generous enough to split; eight are served with a side of sweet and sour sauce.

The sushi bar has yet to disappoint. The rainbow roll ($10.50) is a California roll with tuna, salmon and yellowtail on the outside. The unagi maki roll ($5) works well with the rainbow and both rolls have the freshness and the taste Hunan has come to be known for. There are also a number of great meals to split, like the dragon boat ($49.95) which feeds about three people and includes 20 pieces of sashimi, six pieces of nigiri sushi and three rolls.

The tangerine beef dinner ($12.95) is served in a large portion and the citrus flavor is just strong enough to flavor the dish without overpowering it. Along with a number of other menu items like chicken with asparagus ($11.95), this meal can be upgraded into the dynasty combo ($16.50) which is served with fried rice, eggroll, ribs and a soup of your choice. 

Hunan offers a complimentary dessert with any entrée. Customers can choose to end their meals with ice cream, fresh fruit or both. The ice cream, available in chocolate, vanilla or pistachio, is served with fruit on the side.

The service at Hunan is a big part of what has made it so popular in the community. With plenty of staff on hand at all times, plus attentive owner Kevin Chen never too far, diners see their every need taken care of in no time, whether it's refilling glasses, clearing empty plates or checking to see if each meal is exactly what it should be. 

Hunan Dynasty

2993 Hempstead Tpke.

Levittown, N.Y. 11756

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