Twilight Lounge 朝暮

Twilight Lounge is a fantastic find near NYU in the East Village, offering both great atmosphere and seriously good food. We ordered the BoomBoom Crunch Ribs (Lingnan pork ribs), which were incredibly juicy with a tea-marinated flavor and an addictive crispy rice crust. The Laifeng Pickled Cabbage Fish was perfectly balanced—tender fish fillets in a comforting, tangy broth with tofu and napa cabbage—while the Pickled Chili Beef delivered just the right level of heat and freshness. We also loved the wok-charred green beans and the fried eggplant in garlic sauce, both full of wok flavor. The Twilight Special Fried Rice with shrimp, sausage, egg, and XO sauce was the perfect way to end the meal. Stylish lounge vibes, generous portions, and consistently delicious dishes make this a spot I’d happily return to and recommend.

I was looking for a Chinese restaurant around the West Village, and this place popped up on Google Maps. The menu looked interesting, so I decided to give it a try. I went around 1:30 PM, and it was quite busy - probably because there was only one server handling the whole place. It felt a bit hectic when many customers arrived at the same time, but everything was still managed well. After being seated, the server explained the lunch specials and the regular menu. I ordered two lunch specials, which both came with crispy spring rolls and a cucumber salad, Kung Pao Chicken and Crispy Garlic Fish, both served with jasmine rice. I also ordered an extra dish that wasn’t part of the lunch special, Lava Salted Egg Tofu, because it sounded delicious. Kung Pao Chicken – I ordered medium spicy, but it wasn’t as spicy as I expected. That said, the flavor was good, and you can ask for chili oil on the side if you want more heat. Crispy Garlic Fish – Fried fish fillet with garlic sauce (not spicy). The fish was crispy, and the fried garlic added great flavor. The garlic was a bit salty on its own, but adding the plum sauce and chili oil on top made it amazing. Lava Salted Egg Tofu – Fried tofu tossed with salted egg sauce. The salted egg flavor was there but I was hoping for a bit more sauce to coat the tofu. It was slightly dry. Still the taste was good overall. The price was reasonable, and the portions were generous enough to share. If you like spicier food, I recommend ordering spicy or asking for extra chili oil. Lastly, the server was incredibly kind and hardworking, managing a full house all by herself. I really appreciated her effort and service.

This place was unexpectedly so good! We tried so many dishes, and everything was full of flavor. My favorite was the Duck Fried Rice — rich and perfectly cooked — and the Spicy Fried Fish was another must-try. Highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for great Thai food with a cozy vibe!

Lunch special $12-14 for entree + spring rolls and garlicky cucumber salad is great as of November 2025. One heads up, make sure to indicate what spice level you want or they’ll default to mild. I was eating the chicken and said “It’s good but mild” only to see mild on the receipt. The portions are nice for sharing. I liked the purple rice option. I might suggest a reservation.

Overall, the dining experience was quite pleasant. We arrived close to closing time, yet the staff were still warm and welcoming, showing no signs of impatience—something that truly deserves recognition. From ordering to food service, the process was smooth and efficient, with dishes arriving promptly, which is a definite plus for diners who are short on time. As for the food, portion sizes were on the smaller side, so those with a bigger appetite may want to order a few extra dishes. The flavors were generally solid and reliable—nothing particularly outstanding, but also nothing disappointing. The Suancai Fish was well-executed, with a good balance of sourness and saltiness, making it a safe and steady choice. The standout dish, however, was the Salted Egg Yolk Tofu, which was excellent and easily the highlight of the meal. Overall, strong service and efficiency are the key strengths here. If you’re looking for a place for a quick and hassle-free meal, this restaurant is certainly worth considering.