Szechuan Impression - Alhambra

Delicious homemade dumplings and the smoked tea ribs are incredible.

Not sure got there ordered after 10 minutes was told the kitchen is not able to make food. Had to go elsewhere.

Food could be spicier. Be sure to ask for full spicy before you order.

OK, that 's not actually quite true. Szechuan Impression, which serves more of a modern take of Szechuan food compared to Chengdu Taste, is actually not as spicy as Chengdu. The main question on everyone 's tongue is: Is it better than Chengdu Taste? The short answer is that they are each better than the other on different dishes! One of my favorite dishes at Szechuan Impression is the mung bean jelly noodles, which I think they do much better than Chengdu Taste. This restaurant sure uses the word impressive on the menu a lot, perhaps in relation to the restaurant 's name, or perhaps just bragging. Anyway, this dish is called the Impressive Bean Jelly $5.99) I thought it had a lot more flavor than the one at Chengdu. It 's also not overly spicy while still having that numbing effect and bold kick. The slippery noodles have a cooling effect that tempers the spiciness for me. My other favorite dish there was the garlic pork $8.99) This spicy, garlicky slices of fatty pork were very addictive! I would come back for this dish and the jelly, for sure. There are also quite a few non-spicy dishs, like the popular Tea smoked ribs I think we should 've eaten this before all the other dishes. The meat on the ribs were tender and while it still tasted wonderful, it felt underwhelmed by the spicier dishes. Toothpick lamb $15.99) This cumin-crusted lamb cubes are one my favorites at Chengdu, but I think the ones here were equally good. Boiled fish filet in chili sauce $9.99) This is a dish you 'll see at most Szechuanese restaurants. It 's good at Szechuan Impression, but I 've had better versions of it. Fuqi Feipian beef lungs in chili sauce, $8.99). I don 't think there 's actually any lung in here though

Walking into Szechuan Impression, you might be a little surprised. This is a very new looking, very modern joint. Imagine a space with modern Chinese art on the walls, and reggae playing over the speakers. Actually, you don’t imagine that, that’s what’s going on in here, and it’s gives the place an interesting vibe. Especially since the food is so tradition, so hard core Shicuan. I’m in Alhambra, but I could swear I was in Santa Monica. The service is a little scattered. I walked, helped myself to a menu, and couldn’t get the attention of one of the waitstaff behind the counter, working on a To-Go order. (Oh yeah, they do a decent bit of To-Go business here). There was one guy running stuff in and out of the kitchen, and another guy outside talking on the phone. What can you say, it was slow. But a couple of minutes after I got there, people started coming in. After I sat down, the Waitstaff turned on, and once they turned on, they stayed turn on. Szechuan Impression is a good place, a different place. And the food is not for everybody, not for the faint of tongue. I still think I like Chengdu Taste just a little bit better, but I think Szechuan Impression can grow on me.