The third location of Szechuan Mountain House is possibly its most useful one. Among the pasta and steak frites specialists on 46th Street, the chain's sizzling, numbing food makes it a particularly exciting option before seeing a play. Or, for visitors who want to experience Times Square and get a taste of a top city restaurant, both within a six-minute walk.

Spread over a couple of floors in a narrow building, this location is slightly less impressive than its more sprawling siblings in Flushing and the East Village. But you can still book for a group of up to nine people online, and the shingled-roof, faux-village theme still falls on the charming side of gimmicky. Get a table upstairs if you can.

photo credit: Sonal Shah

photo credit: Sonal Shah

photo credit: Sonal Shah

There’s a hum of conversation, but the tables are far enough apart that you’ll still be able to hear what your friends are saying. And just as at the other locations, the staff are trained to respond to the sound of a dropped chopstick within 15 seconds. The menu is the same too, and although the dishes are maybe just a notch less precise than at St. Marks, this is still some of the best Sichuan food you can find in the city. 

Food Rundown

photo credit: Sonal Shah

Dumplings in Chili Oil

We always get these at Mountain House. They’re soft and plump with shrimp, and the oil is nicely tangy.

photo credit: Alex Staniloff

La-Zi Chicken

Another go-to order, with equal amounts of fried chilis, sichuan peppers, and cubed chicken. Dig around for the bits of perfectly fried bird.

photo credit: Sonal Shah

Szechuan Double Cooked Pork

A crowd-pleaser, this pork is soft, savory and topped with plenty of green onion. Our favorite part is finding the black beans, like little fermented, salty bullets, between the meat.

photo credit: Sonal Shah

Fried Lotus Roots & Celery

A dish of two crunches: white thin discs of lotus root, plus bias-cut slices of celery. Wood ear provides a slippery contrast. Great if you have vegetarians in the mix, and even if you don't.

photo credit: Alex Staniloff

Salted Egg Yolk Corn

If you have a larger group of people, this big bowl of kernels is a fun drinking snack to add to a bigger order. Salty and eggy outside, with a burst of corn juice once you start chomping.