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Bodhi Village
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Bodhi Village
8.1
A full-service, date-friendly room where cocktails and a broader menu make it feel like an actual night out rather than a counter run. Fries land best as a shareable starter—use them as the crispy bridge between drinks and mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Truffle Fries (when available), Signature cocktails, Seasonal small plates
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A real sit-down night-out option in 11355 with shareable starters.
Who should go: Cocktail people who want fries with a vibe
When to visit: Evenings for full bar-and-kitchen energy
What to order: Truffle fries, one signature cocktail, one main
Insider tip: Sit deeper inside for the best ambiance and quieter table talk.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; manageable earlier in the evening but competitive after 7pm. Plan extra time or use nearby paid lots if dining peak hours.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—nice jeans work, but this is a heels/blazer-friendly room.
Noise level: Moderate—lively bar energy up front, but you can still hold a clear conversation at seated tables.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak evening hours
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or a short 5–10 minute pause
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple vegetarian-friendly starters and mains make this workable beyond just fries.
Vegan options: Limited—some starters and sides can be adapted, but expect a small selection.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free dishes, but no dedicated gluten-free prep or menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—dim lighting, cocktails, and shareable starters make it easy to ease into conversation without feeling rushed or awkward.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Possible on weeknights or early evenings, but reservations are strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday nights.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal—this skews adult and cocktail-focused, better for teens or older rather than young kids.
Best For
Better for: Atmosphere-driven dining—this beats casual counters and cafés when you want fries paired with cocktails and a polished night-out setting.
Skip if: You just want fast, inexpensive fries or a quick takeout run—this is about ambiance and pacing, not speed or budget value.
Bodhi Village
8.3
A vegetarian Chinese dining room where the play is dim sum-style bites and comfort dishes that don’t feel like compromises. The outdoor seating is a real win here—quiet enough for longer meals, especially if you keep the order focused on the best-known plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pan fried turnip cakes, Cedar fried rice, Taro bowl delight
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Vegetarian Chinese comfort food with legit dim-sum-style hits outdoors.
Who should go: Groups mixing vegetarians and omnivores.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner for easiest seating.
What to order: Turnip cakes, cedar fried rice, taro bowl delight.
Insider tip: Start with 2-3 small plates before committing to big mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on nearby residential blocks; manageable midday but tighter after 6pm. Allow a few extra minutes to circle.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual. Comfortable clothes are fine; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Low to moderate, especially outdoors—easy conversation even with a group.
Weekend wait: 20–40 min for outdoor seating during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — fully vegetarian menu with broad dim sum and comfort-dish coverage.
Vegan options: Yes — many dishes can be ordered vegan; confirm sauces when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited — rice-based dishes and some veg plates work, but soy-based sauces are common.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for daytime or early evening dates—the outdoor seating is calm and the food encourages sharing without feeling heavy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, particularly at lunch or early dinner. Weekend evenings may require a short wait for outdoor tables.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—dim sum-style plates and mild comfort dishes work well for kids, though there’s no dedicated play area.
Best For
Better for: Vegetarian Chinese comfort food with outdoor seating that feels relaxed and unrushed, especially good for mixed-diet groups.
Skip if: You want high-end plating or a fully gluten-free menu—this is more about familiar flavors and steady execution.
Bodhi Village
8.2
A spacious vegetarian Chinese dining room that feels modern, calm, and built for lingering—especially when you play the dim-sum-style lane and a couple of comfort mains. The strongest approach is ordering like a mixed table: crisp bites first, then one rice/noodle anchor to finish.
Must-Try Dishes:
Turnip cakes, Cedar fried rice, Taro bowl delight
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Vegetarian Chinese comfort food with dim-sum-style hits in a big room.
Who should go: Groups mixing vegetarians and omnivores.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner for easiest seating.
What to order: Turnip cakes, cedar fried rice, taro bowl delight.
Insider tip: Start with 2–3 small plates before committing to big mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; expect to circle during peak hours. Nearby municipal lots and small paid garages are the most reliable backup.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed outfits are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate—large room absorbs sound well, easy to hold a full-table conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—entire menu is vegetarian with broad coverage across dim sum, mains, and rice/noodle dishes.
Vegan options: Good options available, but confirm dishes individually since some items use dairy or egg-based components.
Gluten-free options: Limited—rice-based dishes and vegetable plates work, but soy-based sauces are common so staff guidance is essential.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want something calm and low-pressure. The space is comfortable, the menu is approachable, and the vibe encourages conversation rather than rush.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially at lunch or early dinner. Weekend evenings can fill up, but turnover is steady due to the large dining room.
Is it kid-friendly? Very. The spacious layout, mild-flavored dishes, and flexible ordering make it suitable for school-age kids and family groups.
Best For
Better for: Vegetarian-friendly group meals where you want variety, comfort, and space without sacrificing flavor.
Skip if: You’re looking for high-drama spice, meat substitutes that mimic meat closely, or a fast solo meal—this place rewards lingering and shared plates.
Bodhi Village
8.4
A large, calm dining room built around Cantonese-style Buddhist cooking—think dim sum and banquet classics reimagined with tofu skin and mock meats instead of pork and seafood. It’s the kind of place locals use for group meals when they want “Chinese restaurant range” without breaking vegetarian rules, with a menu deep enough to repeat-visit without ordering the same lane twice.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan dim sum (turnip cake), Black bean “fish” fillet (vegetarian), Crispy taro basket
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Big Cantonese menu translated into vegetarian dim sum and classics at scale.
Who should go: Groups and families eating vegetarian Chinese
When to visit: Midday for dim sum; early dinner for calm pacing
What to order: Dim sum, black bean “fish”, taro basket
Insider tip: Order dim sum-style plus one “banquet” main—best balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Primarily street parking in the surrounding residential blocks; generally manageable midday but can tighten during weekend dinner hours. Allow extra time after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual. Jeans and comfortable shoes are fine; no need to dress up unless you’re hosting a formal family meal.
Noise level: Low to moderate. Large dining room absorbs sound well, so normal conversation is easy even with multiple tables seated.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, even during peak dim sum hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — fully vegetarian menu with extensive dim sum, stir-fries, and banquet-style mains.
Vegan options: Good coverage. Many dishes are naturally vegan or can be ordered without egg or dairy; confirm sauces when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited. Some vegetable and tofu dishes work, but soy sauce and wheat-based mock meats are common—ask staff to guide you.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a relaxed, conversation-focused date than a romantic one. The room is calm and comfortable, but the scale and family-style vibe make it feel more like a shared meal than an intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or earlier in the evening. For weekend dinner with a group, a reservation helps but isn’t strictly required if you’re flexible.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. The spacious layout, round tables, and familiar Cantonese-style dishes work well for kids, especially those used to Chinese restaurant dining.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, family meals, and diners who want the full Chinese-restaurant experience (dim sum plus banquet dishes) while staying strictly vegetarian.
Skip if: You’re looking for a trendy, intimate vegetarian spot or a quick solo meal—this place shines most when you order widely and share.
Bodhi Village
8.1
A calm, spacious dining room doing Cantonese-style Buddhist cooking—dim sum and banquet classics reworked with tofu skin, vegetables, and mock meats. For family dinners, it’s a smart pick when you want “Chinese restaurant range” with plenty of options across tastes and dietary preferences.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegetarian dim sum assortment, Taro basket, Black bean "fish"
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Big Cantonese menu translated into vegetarian dim sum and classics.
Who should go: Families sharing lots of dishes
When to visit: Midday for dim sum pacing
What to order: Dim sum assortment, taro basket, black bean "fish"
Insider tip: Order dim sum-style first, then add 1–2 mains for the table.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on side streets but can get tight during weekend meal peaks.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans, sweaters, and everyday wear are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Low to moderate—spacious room and calm crowd make conversation easy.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes at peak times; shorter if you arrive early.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a brief 5–10 minute pause.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—fully vegetarian menu built around Cantonese-style Buddhist cooking.
Vegan options: Yes—many dishes are naturally vegan or can be ordered without dairy or egg, but confirm when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some vegetable-forward dishes work, but soy sauce and wheat-based mock meats are common, so careful ordering is required.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a relaxed, low-pressure meal than a romantic first impression—the calm vibe is comfortable but not intimate or buzzy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays and earlier dinners; weekends are easier if you arrive before peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—quiet atmosphere, large tables, and mild-flavored dishes make it suitable for kids of most ages, especially families sharing plates.
Best For
Better for: Group-friendly vegetarian Chinese dining with a wide menu that accommodates different tastes and dietary needs.
Skip if: You want high-energy atmosphere, heavy spice, or meat-forward Cantonese classics—this is a calm, plant-based experience.