We had a reservation and arrived on time. At the reception, there was a sign that read, “We are short staffed. Have patience” We understood and were prepared for possible delays. However, we waited about 10 minutes without anyone greeting or seating us, even though staff were moving through the front area. When someone finally came to the host stand, another group who arrived after us was seated first.
Once seated, we initially planned to order appetizers first and entrées later. The server suggested we place the full order at once, and we agreed. The soup (best dish no doubt) arrived promptly, but the potstickers were served cold. After we raised the issue, the waitress later explained there had been a mix-up and that she had picked up potstickers that were not properly cooked. We appreciated the explanation. We requested replacement.
Our main dishes arrived before the replacement potstickers. The noodles were good. However, the mapo tofu was overly salty and difficult to eat, and the vegetable soy chicken was nearly burnt. The replacement potstickers arrived much later, after we had finished most of our main dishes, and we declined them at that point.
When the bill arrived, the potstickers were still included. We had to point this out and wait again while it was corrected.
There was also a lengthy wait when it came time to pay. While we understand that staffing challenges can happen, the overall food quality and service were disappointing. Based on this experience, we would not recommend the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Isabel Xu
Very good noodles and duck!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Zachary McDonough
We had like 13 20 year olds come into an empty restaurant and they were the sweetest people ever about it, and the food was amazing, i tried like 6 different dishes that night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emy
Worst experience ever, the dumpling wrappers were very thick and hard to eat. The shrimp and dried scallops in the seafood congee were not fresh. service was also very bad. I swear I’m never coming to this place again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mireya Gamez
I like Chinese on occasion, but I have to be candid, this Chinese food is exceptional. It’s delicious fresh healthy.. The service is quick. The food comes quickly. It’s a big restaurant so there’s never a wait. Everything is really top-notch especially for Santa Barbara but there’s no other Chinese restaurant as good as this one.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jo Kolli
The service and food were excellent! This is the type you are missing often, like the soup being served from the pot on the table by the waiter, perfect timing on when, and what course arrives at the table. Leftovers were quickly packaged by the waiter for us to take home.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brad E
Some of the worst dimsum and service I've ever experienced. They were out of several items less than 2 hours into service. And after airing 20 min for simple dumplings we didn't receive 2 of the items we did order that they didn't say the were out of. Just go to the place up on the mesa.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Guy G
Great Dim Sum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rita
SHOCKING and HORRIBLE !!! My husband ordered Capital Spareribs, I ordered Salt and Pepper Spareribs for lunch. No meat whatsoever on any bone in either dish Mine was even deep fried (yet another reason to avoid Chinese food). Before ordering I tried asking the waitress about the difference between the dishes, but she clearly didn’t comprehend nor did she seem to care. We rarely eat Chinese food and I rarely eat pork. We were visiting Santa Barbara and I remembered this restaurant from when I went to school there over 40 years ago! I thought for old times sake we would try something different- BIG MISTAKE!! After a few bites, I realized there was literally nothing to eat and lost any appetite I had as did my husband - we were in utter shock!! When the waitress finally returned, we explained there was literally no meat on the bones we had been served. She offered no alternative, said the cook was gone, apologized, and brought us a mango pudding to share while standing over us as she continued to insist we try it, which my husband finally did to appease her. At that point I was so discouraged I merely wanted to leave. My husband paid for our food and like the gentleman he is, even left a tip. We have been continually disappointed with both food and service ever since COVID. It is forcing me to rethink eating out at all considering the cost is high and quality (both food and service) so poor-it just doesn’t make sense any more!!
Some Chinese restaurants just sell noodles but Chinese providence is a different story.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sharon Chandra
I was looking for something to eat for dinner and randomly ended up at this restaurant and I'm so glad! The service was wonderful and the food was delicious. They even gave me peanuts while I waited for my food and it was really good! Reasonably priced, delicious food, no wait time and even better service! I'm definitely going to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jared
Pleasantly surprised. Great food, good price for the area. Weekend dim sum.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mikegizmo61
We were hoping for a nice, relaxing meal before a musical event and got just what we hoped for, as well as delicious food. The relaxing was in part as advertised by a sign at the front door advising not enough help so prepare to wait! Nonetheless while a bit slow, the food was deniciois. Nothing out of the ordinary was ordered but the three we ended up with were all perfectly seasoned, prepared, and served. Definitely worth a repeat.
Ahmad Alfilimbany
I had dinner at China Pavilion and it was a great, authentic experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food truly stands out.
We started with fried wontons and vegetable pot stickers—both were crisp and flavorful. For the main dishes, we ordered chicken fried rice, chow mein noodles, Kung Pao chicken, and Mongolian beef—every dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!
We had a reservation and arrived on time. At the reception, there was a sign that read, “We are short staffed. Have patience” We understood and were prepared for possible delays. However, we waited about 10 minutes without anyone greeting or seating us, even though staff were moving through the front area. When someone finally came to the host stand, another group who arrived after us was seated first.
Once seated, we initially planned to order appetizers first and entrées later. The server suggested we place the full order at once, and we agreed. The soup (best dish no doubt) arrived promptly, but the potstickers were served cold. After we raised the issue, the waitress later explained there had been a mix-up and that she had picked up potstickers that were not properly cooked. We appreciated the explanation. We requested replacement.
Our main dishes arrived before the replacement potstickers. The noodles were good. However, the mapo tofu was overly salty and difficult to eat, and the vegetable soy chicken was nearly burnt. The replacement potstickers arrived much later, after we had finished most of our main dishes, and we declined them at that point.
When the bill arrived, the potstickers were still included. We had to point this out and wait again while it was corrected.
There was also a lengthy wait when it came time to pay. While we understand that staffing challenges can happen, the overall food quality and service were disappointing. Based on this experience, we would not recommend the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 1
Very good noodles and duck!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had like 13 20 year olds come into an empty restaurant and they were the sweetest people ever about it, and the food was amazing, i tried like 6 different dishes that night
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Worst experience ever, the dumpling wrappers were very thick and hard to eat. The shrimp and dried scallops in the seafood congee were not fresh. service was also very bad. I swear I’m never coming to this place again.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I like Chinese on occasion, but I have to be candid, this Chinese food is exceptional. It’s delicious fresh healthy.. The service is quick. The food comes quickly. It’s a big restaurant so there’s never a wait. Everything is really top-notch especially for Santa Barbara but there’s no other Chinese restaurant as good as this one.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The service and food were excellent! This is the type you are missing often, like the soup being served from the pot on the table by the waiter, perfect timing on when, and what course arrives at the table. Leftovers were quickly packaged by the waiter for us to take home.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Some of the worst dimsum and service I've ever experienced. They were out of several items less than 2 hours into service. And after airing 20 min for simple dumplings we didn't receive 2 of the items we did order that they didn't say the were out of. Just go to the place up on the mesa.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Great Dim Sum.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
SHOCKING and HORRIBLE !!!
My husband ordered Capital Spareribs, I ordered Salt and Pepper Spareribs for lunch. No meat whatsoever on any bone in either dish Mine was even deep fried (yet another reason to avoid Chinese food). Before ordering I tried asking the waitress about the difference between the dishes, but she clearly didn’t comprehend nor did she seem to care.
We rarely eat Chinese food and I rarely eat pork. We were visiting Santa Barbara and I remembered this restaurant from when I went to school there over 40 years ago! I thought for old times sake we would try something different- BIG MISTAKE!!
After a few bites, I realized there was literally nothing to eat and lost any appetite I had as did my husband - we were in utter shock!!
When the waitress finally returned, we explained there was literally no meat on the bones we had been served. She offered no alternative, said the cook was gone, apologized, and brought us a mango pudding to share while standing over us as she continued to insist we try it, which my husband finally did to appease her.
At that point I was so discouraged I merely wanted to leave. My husband paid for our food and like the gentleman he is, even left a tip.
We have been continually disappointed with both food and service ever since COVID. It is forcing me to rethink eating out at all considering the cost is high and quality (both food and service) so poor-it just doesn’t make sense any more!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Delicious!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Some Chinese restaurants just sell noodles but Chinese providence is a different story.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was looking for something to eat for dinner and randomly ended up at this restaurant and I'm so glad! The service was wonderful and the food was delicious. They even gave me peanuts while I waited for my food and it was really good! Reasonably priced, delicious food, no wait time and even better service! I'm definitely going to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pleasantly surprised. Great food, good price for the area. Weekend dim sum.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were hoping for a nice, relaxing meal before a musical event and got just what we hoped for, as well as delicious food. The relaxing was in part as advertised by a sign at the front door advising not enough help so prepare to wait! Nonetheless while a bit slow, the food was deniciois. Nothing out of the ordinary was ordered but the three we ended up with were all perfectly seasoned, prepared, and served. Definitely worth a repeat.
I had dinner at China Pavilion and it was a great, authentic experience. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food truly stands out.
We started with fried wontons and vegetable pot stickers—both were crisp and flavorful. For the main dishes, we ordered chicken fried rice, chow mein noodles, Kung Pao chicken, and Mongolian beef—every dish was fresh, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Highly recommend for anyone craving classic, flavorful Chinese cuisine!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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