10/30/08

one of the best chinese restaurants in town

by mvokhgelt

Have had the best food experience.

Great dishe and wonderful appetizers.

Had bon-bon chicken(not on a menu) and minced chicken - still remember the taste.

excellent service

• Pros: taste of food

04/04/08

A standout for Chinese in this area! a must try

by ohioguy

We were delighted from start to finish with our experience at the Hunan Lion. Our first visit was for weekday lunch. Hunan has a white tablecloth dining room, Dockers are probably more appropriate than jeans, but it's certainly not pretentious by any stretch. Appetizers were Thai rolls with plum sauce, and they were excellent! Our entrees were Hunan Beef and a selection from their Thai menu, Chicken Curry. Both were top quality, and the portions were just right; we had leftovers to take home. Service was very good also - we did struggle a little with the language barrier. Most of the clients during lunch appeared to be local businessmen, with a mix of locals. Overall, the best Chinese (and Thai) I have had so far in the Columbus area.

• Pros: Quality of food
• Cons: Location in a strip mall

03/30/05

My new favorite restuarant on Bethal Rd.

by blackandgold

This place didn't dissapoint me, and I'm sure to go back soon! I like my fish with thai curry sauce!

05/03/04

Yummy

by bean1978

While I will admit the food is "americanized" in that is is not nearly as spicy as authentic chinese food would be, it is by far the best I've had. When you eat the food you can instantly tell that their meat is really meat, and not some unidentified deep-fried mass. The veggies are also quite fresh and the atmosphere is cool - I especially love the rug on the back wall.

• Pros: good food, very fast service
• Cons: , not spicy enough

08/14/03

Pleasant Chinese fare in a soft atmosphere.

by Contributor

The Scene

Hunan Lion has an incredible aquarium--hope for a long wait so you can watch the precious tangs, parrotfish, clownfish and a real angelfish. Despite its macho name, the restaurant's atmosphere is a tad prettier and softer than most local Chinese restaurants. Booths, subtle lighting and upholstered chairs fill the dining space.

The Food

Don't skip the appetizer; the sampler platter includes spare ribs, crab rangoon and satay beer. Hunan Lion offers hot and sour as well as chicken corn soup--egg drop in disguise--instead of won ton with entrees. The menu is extensive, with many of the classics, such as kung pao chicken, crispy orange beef and phad Thai. The spicy triple delight with chicken, shrimp and beef is a real standout. So is the crispy duck, which is crunchy rather than grisly. Must have: The hot tea, which tastes and smells like flowers.

07/02/03

too little food for your money

by zion176

Hunan gourmet does stand out vs other chinese restaurants in their ambience but the price you pay for the food hardly covers it. You get great ambience and very little food when you dine in. If you're a traditionalist on chinese food like I am, then you're gonna be a little disappointed in the food. I like my chinese food spicy, hot and flavourful. I found Hunan's to be a bit bland and toned down for the general public's taste. But if you like cookie cutter chinese food then definately Hunan Lion is the place to be. Good ambience, decent food, but too small of portions, for me anyway.

• Pros: good ambience, friendly service
• Cons: small portions, a little too pricey