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    Empress M

    3.9 (351 reviews)
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

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    EMPRESS M ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
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    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Empress M

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    Potstickers, wine and their ever-playing cooking show from rural China.
    Robert A.

    Fantastic Happy Hour, for example, six potstickers for six bucks! High-end chinese by a cheff that worked with Martin Yan and has a Sister Restaurant in Sacramento with a Michelin Star. I highly recommend Empress M in Napa, CA.

    Dom N.

    Today, I'm in Napa again. It feels good to be back in Wine Country. It's a very beautiful day in Napa, it feels cool right now like Fall. I'm here at Empress M for some Dim Sum this Friday at Noon. This location is just beautiful, kinda charming, and there's a really nice seperate Banquet Dining Room for Parties and Celebrations. I got Black Pepper Beef Ribs, Mushroom Dumplings, Spinach Dumplings, Sautéed Garlic Green Beans, and Stir-fried Noodles. Everything was exquisite. I want to give this a 4.4 stars, but I'm going to give this 4.4/4.5 stars out of 5 stars. It was amazing.

    Takumi A.

    Empress M -- Where Cantonese mastery meets Tang-style calm and Sichuan fire Stepping through the red gates of Empress M, you feel an unusual balance - the grandeur of Tang-style architecture paired with a quiet, almost meditative calm. My companions even described the space as having Zen energy - soft light, red lacquer, and a subtle elegance that frames the dining experience beautifully. But once the dishes arrive, calm gives way to excitement. The chef here is unmistakably a Cantonese master, yet his craft extends far beyond Guangdong - weaving in Sichuan, Hunan, and even Southeast Asian nuances while keeping every flavor in balance. The Salt & Pepper Fish Fillet was unforgettable - made with authentic Jixin chili, the fiery slender pepper beloved in true Sichuan kitchens. It's spicy, yes, but the fragrance comes first, layered and complex, followed by a clean, elegant heat that lingers like incense. This isn't fusion heat - it's the soul of Chinese fire. The Eggplant & Long Bean Claypot was pure mastery. Fragrant, oily in the right way, with that deep wok aroma that defines great Cantonese stir-fries. I'm convinced the chef infused it with dou-su - the same soy crumble used in steamed cod - to recreate that signature fish fragrance without fish itself. You don't see the dou-su, but you taste it - rich, nutty, umami, woven into the oil. Even the green peas stayed crisp - a small detail, yet a true mark of control. The Beef Brisket Curry is an homage to Hong Kong's cha chaan teng roots - comforting, nostalgic, yet refined. Knife work shines: tendon cut small enough to melt, brisket braised to velvet. The spice blend unfolds in layers - aromatic, warm, quietly persuasive - the kind of curry that makes even those who rarely eat rice reach for seconds. Empress M is that rare restaurant where Cantonese precision meets Sichuan soul, framed in Tang-style serenity. Refined, soulful, balanced, confident - a place where calm and fire coexist in harmony. Five stars - without question. A master at work. -- Dr. C Only writing for what truly earns the stars.

    Martin A.

    we live just around the corner from Empress M, and this has become one of our go to spots. Such a good spot. Great bar, great food, great drinks. Love the big TV to come down here and have a drink with some great appetizers and watch the game. The chicken wings are always bomb, the fried fish is a 10 out of 10. my wife is a big fan of their dim sum especially on the weekend where it's all you can eat. It's such a great deal and an easy place to bring the whole family, including our teenagers. Friendly service, good atmosphere and consistently good food. Definitely worth checking out.

    Chow Fun with Tofu
    Prath C.

    We came here on Friday night for dinner and we had a reservation. We came here a bit early but were able to get seated. The ambiance was friendly but not too lively. We ordered: - Fried Impossible Wontons - this was the first time I've gad wontons with impossible beef and they were delicious! Very crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. - Mushroom Dim Sum - the mushroom filling was very flavorful and the wrapper was super soft and chewy; the combination was great - Wood Ear Salad - I really liked the crunchiness of the wood ear mushrooms and the slight citrusy flavoring. - Pineapple Fried Rice with Beyond Beef - the pineapple fried rice was my favorite entree! The beyond beef was a great combination with the pineapple rice. This usually has seafood, but we were able to ask to take out seafood and egg and beyond beef instead. - Chow Fun with Tofu - was not super flavorful in its own but it was good when eaten with the chili sauce. - Thai Milk Tea with Boba - honestly my favorite part of the meal! The boba was super soft and the tea was delicious and super fresh! One thing I really liked about this place was how customizable and vegetarian friendly it was. Most of entrees we ordered were either primarily meat or seafood based but we were able to ask for beyond beef and tofu substitutions. The portion sizes are also very generous. What we ordered was more than enough for 4-5 to share with leftovers. Overall, this was a great experience and I would love to come back to try other items on the menu!

    It was so good I forgot to take a picture!
    James R.

    Came here on an absolute whim tonight. I didn't even know this place existed (I bowl at the alley literally a minute away from here). It is a very clean spot and the service was great. Food was so good too! We ordered War Wonton Soup, Chicken Chow Mein, Rice and Mongolian Beef. Easily fed three of us. Everything was nice and hot. It's a bit pricey, but honestly you get what you pay for!

    Wonton Soup
    Christine R.

    We went in to Empress M for a quick bite in the late afternoon on a Sunday. Environment is always welcoming and transports you into the mood for Chinese cuisine. The restaurant seats a lot but there was only one other 2 top in the entire restaurant. Food is served family style and is meant to be shared. Which is good because it can become pricey. Our service was friendly and efficient. We had the Sichuan Calamari to start and enjoyed the freshness along with the nice batter with hints of spice that traveled around each bite. We shared Wonton Soup and the Sauteed String Beans w/Garlic. Everything came out hot and was delicious. The green beans caused our eyes to pop open with delight and the soup warmed our souls. It would be a nice place to celebrate a slice of life like a birthday, anniversary, etc. We are glad we stopped in on impulse. Thank you!

    Chicken Soup
    Calvin L.

    Empress M was a wonderful experience! We reserved a beautiful private dining room and they were very accommodating of all our needs. We had a custom menu and the chef nailed every dish. Coco and team provided amazing service, going above and beyond throughout the lunch. They even have a fun karaoke bar to enjoy!

    Dave L.

    Had a chance to meet up with some friends and share a fantastic meal here. The service was attentive and the food was as usual, quite amazing. Our favorite tonight were the rack of lamb, walnut shrimp, and the Chilean sea bass. The sea bass was especially outstanding! This is without a doubt some of the best Chinese food on Northern California.

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    5 months ago

    Not worth $60 super small containers the food was just ok for all the hype it had on Facebook

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    8 months ago

    Wonderful food and the staff is sweet. The large TV in the bar is a great visual when grabbing a happy hour drink

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ask the Community - Empress M

    Hi, is dim sum available all day?

    Yes. But happy hour you get better prices on selected items and drinks.

    Do you have a happy hour?

    Yes, every day from 2pm to 5pm. We hope to see you here. :)

    It's March 21, 2022 and even vaxxed and boosted people are still getting omicron, yet county restrictions are being relaxed. Are the servers currently vaccinated and, more importantly, masked?

    I don’t know if they are vaccinated but they were wearing masks.

    Is there live music every Friday, if what time does it start? Where can I find who is performing?

    Every Friday there is a live music that starts around 7 pm. Best way to find out who is performing is to call the restaurant in advance to ask them.

    Do they allow pets?

    Yes, they do. I brought my dog and we dined in the outdoor patio.

    Are there any gluten free menu options?

    Hello Emm, I am sorry but I have to answer no.… 

    View All 10 Questions

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    I really like this spot. It is a solid staple for Chinese food in the area. I also love the…read moretraditional decor inside. Service is friendly and efficient. Their lunch specials are available every day (including weekends) so they are my go to. Each special comes with the soup of the day, an egg roll, and your choice of fried rice or chow mein. I usually order the kung pao chicken, but I have also tried the cashew chicken and the three delicacies (beef, shrimp, and chicken) which are also great. The portions are very generous, and I usually have enough leftovers for a second meal. Overall, a great local spot with good value and consistently satisfying food!

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    Szechuan Chinese Cuisine - Szechuan Chinese Cuisine, Vallejo: 2026 Jul 11 
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    Prosperity Szechuan Cuisine

    4.0(225 reviews)
    56.5 mi
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    Large group friendly
    Catering service

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    Pros: the portion size for the general Tso chicken at least was pretty good. It's not a lunch plate…read moreso obviously it's not meant for just one person. Nonetheless I ate a lot of it but there was still plenty to take home. Flavor and the type of heat was a bit different than I'm used to but overall I still liked it. Decent amount of tables. Cons: the pieces were inconsistent; there were pieces that had some decent crunch and pieces that had none whatsoever. Place could be a little cleaner and the menus could use some updating but nothing too crazy. Notes: they've been on my radar for the longest time and the one time prior that I came here I found out that they took General Tso off of the lunch menu. At the time I came just for that so it took me a while before I eventually came back. While I did say I liked the flavor, it's a bit less common than what I'm used to. Is that more authentic? I dont know just something to keep in mind.

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    I accidentally found this place while sitting in traffic on Contra Costa Blvd and Taylor. I noticed…read moretheir sign, and it was perfect timing as I was hungry. At 12:30pm, at the height of lunch time, there were only 2 customers in the restaurant. I was greeted by a pleasant lady who led me to my table. I ordered their lunch special Kunpao Chicken that came with hot and sour soup, a small tasty egg roll and steamed rice. The Serving was generous and the chicken was delicious! The soup wasn't too sour, authentic but not overpowering which I liked. After my meal, I had enough delicious leftover for dinner. There were just 3 customers, including myself, the whole time I was there. It's sad because the place looks nice and clean, and the food was great. Give this place a try and I promise you won't be disappointed.

    Came here by accident and wished it was closer. Service was no frills but quick and efficient…read more Westlake beef soup was fragrant with cilantro and hot in a soothing way. You don't see this soup often on menus and it didn't disappoint. Xiaolong bao was a pleasant surprise. If you are from Shanghai you know there is a specific taste that is always lacking in most dumpling places. But it's here in this Sichuan restaurant so a pleasant surprise. Garlic pea sprouts were tender and fragerent. Beef rolls had the most delicious braised beef. The salt and pepper chicken was basically popcorn chicken but came in a huge basket and pretty decent. Overall great food in a no-frills environment with decent portions and prices. Would return to try other dishes.

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    Szechuan Garden - House Special Fish Fillets with Green Pepper

    House Special Fish Fillets with Green Pepper

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    After a long day of travel, a delayed flight, and then sitting in rush-hour traffic, I was…read moreexhausted and honestly had very little appetite. My husband ordered DoorDash, and I asked for the Chongqing spicy fried chicken. He got the pan-fried dumplings for himself and our daughter. Then the food arrived. The moment I smelled that aroma from the red chili peppers, my appetite magically returned . The Chongqing chicken was tasty and had the spicy, fragrant kick I was craving. My only suggestion, if the restaurant team actually reads Yelp reviews, would be to make the chicken pieces a little bigger. I found myself wishing there was more meat with each bite. My husband and daughter both enjoyed the pan-fried dumplings. I did notice that the bottoms of a couple of the dumplings were quite dark brown--borderline burnt--so those could have used a little less time on the pan. Overall, a solid DoorDash dinner that managed to revive my appetite after a very long travel day. And honestly, any dish that can accomplish that deserves some credit.

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    A group of Asian American ladies met here for lunch, and it was such a fun experience! We decided…read moreto share our individual choices family-style--much like eating dim sum--which allowed us to get a taste of every dish. We all left knowing we'd definitely be back with our families and friends. The ultimate highlight for me was a surprisingly unique Salt and Pepper Squid. I am not usually a squid lover, but this beautiful dish instantly enticed me. The squid was presented almost like cauliflower and cooked to crisp perfection, complemented by vibrant red and green peppers. What is often a tasteless ingredient was bursting with rich umami flavor! The Changsha Chicken Clay Pot was packed with flavor and tender chicken. Similarly, the Seafood Tofu Clay Pot--a Cantonese classic--was exceptionally well prepared. The Cumin Lamb was incredibly tender; while I don't eat lamb myself, the rest of our table absolutely loved it. Even the Orange Peel Chicken (or General Tso's)--a classic Americanized Chinese dish with fried chicken in a sweet and sour sauce--was a big hit with those who ordered it. Lunch was also served with their signature pickled vegetables, fried peanuts, and a choice of hot and sour or corn soup--all of which were delicious. Located in a quiet corner of the Countrywood Shopping Center, Sichuan House is a spinoff of the highly popular Sichuan Fortune House in Pleasant Hill. Over the years, the menu has evolved to suit local tastes by incorporating popular Cantonese specialties and non-spicy options alongside traditional fare. Regardless of what you order, the competent kitchen delivers consistently delicious food. Between the tasty, well-executed dishes, the clean and calm interior, and the friendly, attentive service, Sichuan House will easily make you a return customer!

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    Sichuan House - "Amuse bouche": I do like the mildly spicy pickled veggies, same as Sichuan Fortune House

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    Empress M - dimsum - Updated September 2026

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