Forbidden City Bistro

At first glance, this appears to be another Asian restaurant. However, in walking in, I noticed a beautiful bar, chock full of wine with a small array of beer taps. The atmosphere was very relaxing as I heard jazz playing over the speakers. So far, so good! We ordered soup as an appetizer. One had a couple big dumplings and the other was loaded with seafood and spicy. Both were very good. The entrees we ordered were very tasty and plentiful in size. We rolled out the door very satisfied. We'll definitely be back to try some other items on the menu!!

This is a favorite place to go! And while I don't go often, it's always a treat to go. I wish I could try everything on the menu at one sitting, but I go with my favorite thing they have, prawns.The Orchard Crispy Shrimp to be exact. This is like having dessert for dinner! Shrimp and melon, how do you beat it? It's sweet and delicious. The Six Hour Cantonese Pork Shoulder has to be the most tender pork I have ever had! Can I say you don't need teeth? Ok, that might be weird, but it really is amazing! And this is why I want everything on the menu here, you can't beat the way they make everything here.

Great time with friends

Food was amazing! Very classy, upscale place in Middletown. Drinks are also very good, and they have many different NEW types of drinks. I usually come Tuesday - Thursday during their happy hour but this time I went on a Friday and I was still extremely pleased with the service & food. Suggestion: flounder fritter app & scallops for dinner.

Friendly staff and great food. This is my hands-down favorite restaurant.

My wife and I have eaten here dozens of times since they’ve opened. We’ve never had a bad meal. Food is always excellent, very consistent and priced fairly. I always recommend this restaurant to friends.

If you come to The Forbidden City expecting to find your average Chinese restaurant you are either going to be disappointed (because this isn’t a normal “Chinese restaurant”) or delighted to learn what creative Asian food can be. We are here for Lunar New Year tonight, and the specials are, as always, out of this world. Crispy duck breast is awesome. Coconut crusted scallops (we split as appetizer) are to die for. But the most unique dish waits for next week (we wait for this every year) - Wok seared lobster with ginger and scallions. (You must order in advance if you want this one.) Nothing like any lobster you’ve ever had.Ever.Ever.

Their Spicy Seafood Soup and Volcano Flank Steak is phenomenal and top 3 on my death row dinner menu.

Excellent restaurant. Try the seafood soup, the short rib entrée. Service is very good. Great bar.

Awesome place to meet and eat

Forest city has great specials and a wonderful wine selection. Great for dates.

Beautiful place.. Very good food 👍

Excellent food and service at this lovely restaurant. The Chinese New Year specials were delicious and portions of bass and lamb were generous with enough for a lunch next day.

The layered tofu is a comfort food! Nice wine pairings

The flounder special was delicious

Went here for Valentine's Day. It wast packed. We got soup and pot stickers to start and it took almost 35 minutes. But the soup I got was the best I've ever had. I ended up getting extra. It was the ginger seaweed soup. But our entrees were mediocre. Mine was coconut shrimp which was so dry and came with no ssauce. His was okay. But I originally wanted a chicken lemongrass meal which they said they were out of. Overall it was eh okay. Would recommend coming for lunch not dinner.

Outstanding. Sat at the bar and enjoyed pancakes, crab cakes, chicken satay, spring roll and great drinks. FABULOUS!

Great restaurants. However, they added a lump crab cake to their starters menu I do not recommend the crab cakes all filler. If you want an excellent crab cake try Burton's Grill is South Windsor or J. Gilbert's in Glastonbury. They both have lump crabs.

My boyfriend and I went here for dinner on Christmas, everything from the greeting at the door, the food, drinks and ambiance were amazing. We sat at the bar and the bartender was fantastic, friendly and offered helpful suggestions in regards to the drinks. BEST general tso's of my life. Do yourselves a favor and stop by! (A little pricey, but worth every penny)

The customer service is consistently quick, good ambience, super nice staff members. I will visit again when I get nearby.

Love coming here the staff is super nice and always attentive..for a small menu the food that I have eaten here is always delicious..and it's not a noisy restaurant so it makes it easy to have coversations..

One of the top restaurants in Middletown. Very fresh. Never had a bad meal. & been going since it opened.

shrimps and prawns here are the best in Town! simply delicious. Love to go again and again.

Always absolutely delicious!

Great food with friendly service. The specials are always something incredibly good. The bar is also wonderful and Mario the bartender is a blast. Both the mild and the spicy foods are so original and delicious. Don’t miss it.

Excellent all around.

Excellent food. Great service. I had triple delight. My spouse had spicy shrimp special, my adult daughter had general tso's. Wine good. Prices reasonable for the portion size. Best hot and sour soup in my experience. May come again when in town. The problem is limited or distant parking on main street in Middletown.

This place is worth giving a shot. They have big portions for fair prices. Regularly well kept and with good vibes. Will visit here again.

This is the sister restaurant of Char Koon, my favorite CT restaurant, menus are similar and food is impeccable, forbidden is a bigger version with a bar, often seems empty during the week so if you want the best General Tso or Orchid shrimp, head down on a weekday and enjoy!

They have good stuffs

Excellent and authentic. Not your average Asian cuisine. Came here for Chinese New Year celebration and also a wine tasting. Fabulous meal and wine pairings both times.

Amazing food, amazing ambiance and amazing service.And check out the bathroom decor!

Food was good. Service was decent...cook was okay. Steak was cooked a little too long. Wonderful ambiance.

Nice place as far as decor and location. Food was just ok. Probably would not go back again

Service is weird but I love the food a lot.

Consistently great food!!!

Always great, always consistent, that's why I love it there.

The food is great. Not a bad meal there yet! And I don't expect one ever. The bar and drinks are incredible. Thanks to Mario the mixologist . Great guy.

My daughter and wife liked it very much it was just okay for me

Dan Dan noodles to die for!!! Great drinks and exceptional customer service

Great food and interesting wine list

Harvest rice is a must try! Duck confit. Makes me so happy

Good selections for vegetarians. Not overpriced. Good wait staff. Service is timely. Nice decor.