• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • BOSTON BETTER BEER BUREAU
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • MASTHEAD
    • ADVERTISE
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Greater Boston's Alternative News Source

SICHUAN GARDEN

Written by MARC HURWITZ Posted December 16, 2015 Filed Under: Eats, LIFESTYLE

Photo by Marc Hurwitz
Photo by Marc Hurwitz

The formerly unknown Sichuan Garden II at the Baldwin in Woburn has been making waves of late, as its bar is considered by many to be one of the top drinking spots in the entire Boston area, thanks in part to its sublime cocktails. The name “Sichuan Garden II” hints at another location, and there indeed is an original spot in Brookline Village that is much different (in some ways) from the one north of Boston. And while the Washington Street eatery might not attract those who love a good pisco punch or a velveteen rabbit, it does attract those who prefer real-deal Szechuan fare to the more common Chinese-American food that’s popular with the late-night crowds and those doing takeout.

 

While Sichuan Garden II seems to have it all in the atmosphere department—history, romance, charm, coziness, and elegance—the original Sichuan Garden in Brookline is rather plain both inside and out, though it is a comfortable and serene spot, making it perfect for quiet conversation and a relaxed meal. The setup of the interior is rather basic, with a small dining area to the left, a larger dining room to the right, and a few more tables in between—and with nary a bar in sight where people can sit, which makes it a lot different from its sister restaurant in Woburn. The main dining area has large round tables, which help make the place both family friendly and a good spot for social gatherings, and the restaurant is rarely crowded, especially on weeknights.

 

Photo by Marc Hurwitz
Photo by Marc Hurwitz

While the Brookline location of Sichuan Garden does offer a handful of cocktails, the two Sichuan Gardens are worlds apart when it comes to their drinking scenes—mainly because the original location doesn’t have one. But as for dining, the two are a lot more similar, with the menus being almost identical. If you like spicy dishes, the original Sichuan Garden is a dream come true, offering sweat-inducing takes on pork dumplings, dan dan noodles, and glass noodles with minced pork—this last dish creating a literal buzz thanks to the Szechuan peppers that cause a tingling and numbing feel in the mouth. For the less daring, items such as sauteed beef filets and veggies in a savory tea sauce or shredded pork in a relatively mild garlic sauce are offered, while those who want more traditional Chinese items can choose from braised whole fish, lacquered duck, wok-roasted prawns with pepper-spiced salt, and more.

 

The original Sichuan Garden in Brookline doesn’t quite have the “wow” factor that its newer Woburn spot has, but those who frequent the place don’t seem to mind, as the food is marvelous, the prices are reasonable, and the vibe is pleasant and laid-back. Add to this plenty of parking nearby and a location convenient to Boston (whose border is only a minute away), and you have a nearly ideal spot for those who love good Chinese food.


SICHUAN GARDEN. 295 WASHINGTON ST., BROOKLINE. SICHUANGARDENRESTAURANT.COM

MARC HURWITZ
+ posts

Marc is the founder of @hiddenboston, a textbook editor, a hike leader for @AppMtnClub, and a food and travel writer and commenter for DigBoston, NBC/NECN, WBZ, WMFO and indie617.

  • MARC HURWITZ
    https://digboston.com/author/marc-hurwitz/
    Into the Wild: Finding Solace Along a Free-Flowing River a Half-Hour South of Boston

Filed Under: Eats, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: Brookline, Sichuan Garden

WHAT’S NEW

State Wire: Funds Aim To Support Municipalities With Expanded Mail Voting

State Wire: Funds Aim To Support Municipalities With Expanded Mail Voting

Parks & Checks: Wasteful, Opaque Bookkeeping At Two City Of Boston Nonprofit Arms

Parks & Checks: Wasteful, Opaque Bookkeeping At Two City Of Boston Nonprofit Arms

Surf’s Upcycled: Meet The Bay State Surfers Conserving The Oceans Where They Ride

Surf’s Upcycled: Meet The Bay State Surfers Conserving The Oceans Where They Ride

State Wire: Public Supports Changes To High-Stakes Testing For Mass Students

State Wire: Public Supports Changes To High-Stakes Testing For Mass Students

State Wire: White Supremacist Gatherings, Incidents Hit All-Time High In New England

State Wire: White Supremacist Gatherings, Incidents Hit All-Time High In New England

State Wire: Protests, Construction Continue at East Boston Substation

State Wire: Protests, Construction Continue at East Boston Substation

Primary Sidebar

LOCAL EVENTS

AAN Wire


Most Popular

  • Does Massachusetts Underestimate Its Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
  • The Most Expensive Massachusetts City For Car Insurance (No, It’s Not Boston)
  • If You Find A Mini Felted Animal Around Boston, This Is Where It Came From
  • Photo Dispatch: “Ukraine Day” Rally In Boston’s Copley Square
  • As Prices Soar, Fossil Fuel Industry Looks After Its Interests On Beacon Hill

Footer

Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Advertise

Customer Service

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an email blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: sales@digboston.com To reach editorial (and for inquiries about internship opportunities): editorial@digboston.com