Da Long Yi

With so many Chinese businesses opening in LIC, the area needed a solid hot pot spot. The second NYC location of Da Long Yi, a chain from Sichuan, fills that need. Located in a big, bright space on top of an indoor mall, the restaurant has a regular bar and a sauce bar, and beautifully carved interiors right out of an Anthropologie catalog. It’s just dressed up enough for one of those adult birthday dinners where you’re pretending you don’t want to make a big deal out of your special day. The prices are a little high compared to other hot pot places around town, but you get a lot of food. At $66, a value combo for two easily ends up being enough food for three.