Red Stix — originally named for its plastic, red chopsticks — is a midtown Chinese restaurant 
that I sampled recently. Decent food, odd hospitality.
The hostess originally thought I was a party of three and reserved a wonderful corner two-tiny-table area with a encompassing view of the restaurant. I liked that. After I was seated and they learned I would only two, I was shuffled to the rear of the restaurant in front of the kitchen door where the staff hung out, saying they needed that table as the restaurant was fully booked.
That was understandable until they turned the table they gave me into two tables, and my original one remained unoccupied even as we left after our meal. I did voice my displeasure about the table, but decided not to fuss as I was the restaurant’s guest, invited to sample their offerings.
Once we settled in, we ordered the Peking duck as it takes 45 to 50 minutes to prepare and should be ordered once you’re seated. Specialty cocktails ($19) were next with the tasty, but bland, “spicy” ginger (Skyy 
vodka, tripe sec, mint, red chili pepper and ginger) and a traditional margarita. I’d stick to wine.
The shrimp spring rolls (three for $20) with caramelized walnuts were perfection. These crunchy bundles are not to be missed with veggies and large chunks of shrimp in a crispy fried wrapper. The chicken satay (3 for $18), though, was flavorless; one small 
bite small bite was all we managed.
The mayonnaise prawns ($22) also with caramelized walnuts made up for the chicken. These large fork-tender crustaceans were coated with a glaze that delightfully cracked then bitten into. Don’t miss.
The Peking duck was wheeled out and carved tableside. Our server made a platter of small pancakes, slices of duck and duck skin, drizzles of hoisin sauce and julienned scallions for us to roll and dip into the plum sauce ($50 for a 4-pound duck that was way too much for two people – but they happily gave us leftovers to take home).
Since it was my dining companion’s birthday, I had asked if Red Stixs did anything special to celebrate. They offer a red velvet cake served with a sparkler that brought smiles to all who saw it.
– bonnie
Red Stixs
Midtown East
216 East 49th Street
New York, NY 10017
(646) 964-5878
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