Chef Guo - A Premier Fine Dining Experience in New York City

Chef Guo - 小国宴 Introduce

In a city known for its incredible culinary diversity, Chef Guo - 小国宴 stands out as a true gem, offering a fine dining experience unlike any other. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, this is a destination for those who appreciate the artistry and precision of high-end gastronomy. Chef Guo transcends the typical restaurant experience, presenting a unique fusion of traditional Chinese imperial cuisine with the refined techniques of Haute French dining. This innovative approach results in dishes that are not only visually stunning but also rich in history and flavor. Every plate tells a story, carefully crafted to delight the senses and leave a lasting impression. From the moment you step inside, you are transported to a world of elegance and taste, where the atmosphere is as trendy and sophisticated as the food itself. It’s an ideal place for a special occasion, a celebration, or simply an evening dedicated to exceptional food. The commitment to quality and creativity is evident in every detail, from the exquisite plating to the impeccable service.

The dining experience at Chef Guo is built around the tasting menu, a journey through a curated selection of the chef’s best creations. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the culinary philosophy of the restaurant, experiencing a symphony of flavors and textures across multiple courses. The reviews from real customers highlight the thought and effort poured into each dish, describing the food as “beautifully presented and full of flavor” and “a modern take on traditional Chinese imperial cuisine.” It’s a place where you can be truly wowed by the skill and passion of the chefs. The service is often described as “impeccable—attentive, professional, and warm,” ensuring that your visit is not just a meal but a complete and memorable event. For New Yorkers seeking a truly unforgettable fine dining experience that breaks the mold, Chef Guo is a must-visit.

Chef Guo is conveniently located at 135 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022, USA, making it highly accessible for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Situated in the bustling Midtown East area, it is within walking distance of many major landmarks, corporate offices, and transit hubs. The central location makes it an excellent choice for a post-work dinner or a celebratory meal. For those driving, paid street parking is available, which, while typical for a busy city, provides an option for guests. The restaurant’s prime address ensures that it is easy to find and reach, eliminating any travel-related stress and allowing you to fully focus on the dining experience ahead. This strategic placement in one of the city's most vibrant neighborhoods adds to its appeal, positioning it as a top destination for those seeking high-quality cuisine in a convenient location.

Chef Guo offers a range of services designed to provide a luxurious and seamless dining experience.

Dine-in Only: The restaurant focuses exclusively on providing an in-house dining experience. This allows them to maintain the highest standards of quality and presentation for every dish, ensuring that you receive the full artistic and culinary vision of the chef.
Reservations: Dinner reservations are highly recommended and accepted. Given the restaurant’s popularity and focus on providing a personalized experience, booking ahead is essential to secure your table. This system helps manage the flow of diners and guarantees that each guest receives the dedicated attention they deserve.
Table Service: Enjoy full table service throughout your meal. The staff is trained to be attentive and professional, guiding you through the tasting menu and ensuring your every need is met from the moment you are seated until you leave.
Beverage Offerings: The restaurant offers a selection of alcohol and wine, carefully chosen to complement the intricate flavors of the tasting menu. This curated list enhances the overall dining experience, allowing for perfect pairings with each course.

What makes Chef Guo a standout choice in New York City's competitive dining scene? Here are some of its key features and highlights.

Exclusive Tasting Menu: Unlike many restaurants with extensive à la carte options, Chef Guo’s focus on a single tasting menu is a bold and rewarding choice. This approach allows the kitchen to perfect each dish, offering a consistent and exceptional culinary journey. The menu includes unique and intriguing dishes like "THE BUTTERFLY LOVES THE FLOWER," "BRAISED BLACK GOLD LION HEAD (MEAT BALL)," and "FLAME SMOKED DUCK BREAST," promising a dining experience full of surprises and delights.
Blend of Cuisines: The fusion of Chinese imperial cuisine with Haute French techniques is what truly sets Chef Guo apart. This creative blend results in dishes that are both deeply authentic and refreshingly modern. The meticulous attention to detail in plating and flavor profiles elevates the food to a form of art.
Trendy Atmosphere: The ambiance is described as trendy, making it a perfect spot for those who appreciate a modern and sophisticated setting. This stylish environment complements the innovative food, creating a cohesive and memorable sensory experience. The elegant decor and comfortable seating contribute to a high-end feel without being overly stuffy.
Payment Flexibility: The restaurant accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, providing convenience and ease for all guests.

For more information or to reserve your table, you can contact Chef Guo - 小国宴 at the following details.

Address: 135 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022, USA

Phone: (212) 866-9888

Choosing Chef Guo means opting for an unparalleled fine dining experience that is both unique and deeply satisfying. The restaurant's exclusive tasting menu, which showcases a masterful blend of Chinese imperial and French culinary techniques, provides a cohesive and artistic journey for your palate. This is a place where every detail, from the presentation of the dishes to the attentive table service, is meticulously curated to ensure a memorable evening. The trendy and elegant atmosphere makes it an ideal venue for celebrating life's special moments or simply treating yourself to an extraordinary meal. The glowing customer reviews speak for themselves, highlighting the exceptional quality of the food and the professional, warm service. Unlike many other restaurants, Chef Guo's commitment to a single, perfected tasting menu allows it to maintain an incredibly high standard, making it a reliable choice for a truly special dinner in Midtown Manhattan. For New Yorkers in search of a hidden gem that promises to “wow” them with incredible flavors and artistry, Chef Guo is undoubtedly a top-tier choice.

Chef Guo - 小国宴 Menu

tasting menu
tasting menu
tasting menu
HUNDRED HAPPINESSES AND EIGHT TREASURES IN A BEAN CURD SKIN POUCH
In this dish, we used our specially made Thailand rosewood box as a container. This box has a faint wood aroma, and the inside has 101 different versions of the Chinese character for ‘happiness’ from various eras. The eight treasure pouch is made of bean curd. In China, this pouch symbolizes a bag of money. Inside the pouch is eight different types of ingredients. The meaning behind the hundred happinesses is that you will make a lot of money and your family will have a fulfilling life.
THE BUTTERFLY LOVES THE FLOWER
This course is called ‘The Butterfly Loves the Flower’. It is made of beef, chicken breast, squid, flavored roasted seaweed, carrot, radish, prawns, cucumbers, broccoli, and dozens of natural ingredients. These express a wish for you to lead a happy and fulfilling life and that everything will have a successful start. When you eat this course, it is best to start on the bottom and eat upwards as well as from left to right to maintain this appetizer’s beautiful appearance.
PAN FRIED FOIE GRAS AU JUS
This dish is made of French goose liver (foie gras), which is also one of the world’s ‘three main culinary treasures’. It is the best choice for enriching your blood. Our method of making it differs from other restaurants since we fry it to eliminate the liver’s excess fat. At the same time, we maintain its softness, smoothness, fragrance, as well as its internal crispness and external tenderness. Those who enjoy eating foie gras will find that this luxurious and delicious dish is incomparably amazing.
SILVER COD STEAKS
This dish is our chef’s modified version of famous Chinese baked carp. Its main ingredient is superior quality silver cod that is marinated for 8 hours to enhance its flavor. It is covered with house-made dragon beard noodles and flavored with sweet and sour seasonings. These noodles are crisp and tasty, crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, sour and sweet, and have a rich aftertaste.
PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS AND MORELS
Morels are one of the world’s most precious culinary ingredients and were given as tribute to several dynasties of Chinese emperors. In Italy, they are known as ‘Lamborghini Mushrooms’. They have an unusually large amount of nutrients, can enhance your immunity, and are able to prevent aging. These mushrooms also symbolize your honorable status!
TOFU AND CAVIAR
This dish includes caviar, one of the world’s ‘three main culinary treasures’ and the edible version of ‘liquid gold’. We cooked the tofu on the bottom at a low temperature for 8 hours to enrich its flavor and combine the tofu with the caviar. When you eat the caviar, your mouth will feel like it is exploding, while the tofu has a sweet and aromatic aftertaste.
BRAISED BLACK GOLD LION HEAD (MEAT BALL)
This dish is ChefGuo’s modified version a famous Chinese dish (braised meat ball in brown sauce). It was well known as Lion Head in China because of the shape, named by a Tang Dynasty Duke – Wei Zhi (韦陟). It uses high-quality organic black pork, organic flaxseed, water chestnut, cuttlefish meat, salted egg yolk, cuttlefish juice and other ingredients. The taste is layered & clear, but also a perfect combination of delicious taste & rich nutrition. Edible gold leaf as garnish.
AUTHENTIC AND TRADITIONAL WAGYU BEEF
This dish is made of AAAAA wagyu (Japanese beef). While making this dish, besides adding some salt, we do not add any extra seasonings, which maintains its original flavor. When eating it, you put it in your mouth and taste it from the top of your tongue to your palate. This beef melts in your mouth, which is an enjoyable aspect of this gourmet dish.
MUSTARD GREEN,BLACK RICE, AND PREMIUM LOBSTER TAIL
In this dish, we have used wild-caught Australian lobster tails. When eating this mustard, you will experience a spicy sensation in your nose. To emphasize the lobster’s freshness, when making the mustard sauce, the mustard greens enrich the lobster’s aftertaste, which strengthens its flavor.
GUO SE TIAN XIANG
This dish is made of prawn meat and grouper paste, it looks like a peony flower, and tastes very elastic and tender.
CHEF GUO’S BLACK BEAN NOODLES
This dish is made based on a secret recipe passed down from the imperial palace of the late Qing dynasty’s House of Aisin-Gioro. It is very different from Beijing-style black bean noodles, as Chef Guo does not add any extra ingredients, which enables him to fully blend the ingredients with the black bean sauce while emphasizing the sauce’s main aroma.
TRICOLOR SEA SWALLOW
This dish is one of the world’s most precious ingredients, known as the sea swallow. This is a cartilaginous fish that lives more than 4,000 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, and it has an unusually high nutritional value. There are two ways of eating it: 1) Put it into three types of fruit juices to create three different flavors. 2) This is our recommended method that uses a combined flavor to create a layered taste that constantly changes.
FLAME SMOKED DUCK BREAST
For this dish, we have selected high-quality duck breast meat and smoked it over an open fire with stones. This can more effectively integrate the fuel’s flavor into the ingredients. It also enriches the duck meat and makes it more aromatic while enhancing its flavor and leaving a pleasant aftertaste.
TAIJI BLACK TRUFFLE
This dish is made of chicken and beef soup, and is called ‘Taiji Black Truffle’. We use France’s best black truffle. Truffles are the best of the world’s ‘three main culinary treasures’. They are a fungus that has been acclaimed as ‘the ghostly gourmet food’, and cannot be artificially cultivated. Moreover, they have a uniquely aromatic scent, can strengthen immunity, prevent aging, and fight fatigue.
CHEF GUO’S PORK CHOPS
Chef Guo created this classic combined Chinese-Western dish during a cooking-related cultural exchange with French chefs, and it won the ‘Special Gold Medal’. This dish has a golden luster with a crisp taste as well as a crunchy exterior and tender interior, along with a delicious and delightful flavor. When biting into it, you can taste a crisp lotus root and chew fragrant pickled mustard. Its aftertaste is a lingering odor of pickled orange peels.

Chef Guo - 小国宴 Details

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery

Popular for
Dinner

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Trendy

Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Parking
Paid street parking

Chef Guo - 小国宴 Photos

Chef Guo - 小国宴 Location

Chef Guo - 小国宴

New York New York County New York East 50th Street

135 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022, USA

Chef Guo - 小国宴 Reviews

An average rating of ★4.8 from 167 user reviews.

work of artchinese restaurantanniversaryculturaltraditionaltasting menuplatingwagyu beefinnovationdesign

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I had such a great time at Chef Guo! The food was amazing—beautifully presented and full of flavor. You can really tell how much thought goes into each dish. The staff were super friendly and made the whole experience feel special. Definitely worth it if you’re looking for a memorable dinner in NYC.
September 16 · 陈玉娟
An unforgettable fine dining experience! Chef Guo offers a modern take on traditional Chinese imperial cuisine, blending stunning presentation with incredible flavors. Every dish felt like a piece of art, both visually and taste-wise. The service was impeccable—attentive, professional, and warm. Truly a hidden gem in Midtown Manhattan. Perfect for special occasions or anyone looking to be wowed!
August 05 · tuan hoangtuan
Chef Guo is such a gem! The place feels classy but also very welcoming. Every course we tried was delicious and unique, not something you find every day. Service was top-notch and really added to the experience. I’d highly recommend this spot for anyone who wants to try something different and truly special.
September 16 · 長田朋子
Dining at Chef Guo is like experiencing edible art. Every dish is beautifully plated, delicately balanced in flavor, and tells a story of Chinese imperial cuisine. This is not just dinner — it's a once-in-a-lifetime tasting journey. Worth every penny!
August 06 · Zengxiu Wang
From the moment we walked in, the service was flawless and warm. Chef Guo himself greeted us and explained each course with passion. The food is refined, elegant, and deeply authentic. A must-visit if you’re looking for world-class Chinese fine dining in NYC.
August 11 · 魏翠峰