"I've ordered takeout from here twice. As noted by another reviewer, consistency isn't their strong suit. The first time, the chicken and broccoli was surprisingly good. The second time, however, it was subpar and the chicken had an odd flavor that reminded me of ham. I can’t recall any Chinese dish that should include ham, and frankly, chicken just shouldn’t taste like that at all. That alone makes me hesitant to order that dish again.
On the other hand, the fried rice had a mixed experience; the first time it was bland, but the second time it was quite tasty. The one consistent item in both orders was the small carton of steamed white rice, which was quite decent. But then again, it's just steamed rice; how hard can it be to get that right?
Ming Moon isn't really a place to dine in, as the dining area is poorly decorated and rather uninviting. The stained tiles, poorly painted walls, and dusty glass case filled with cheap knick-knacks create a dreary atmosphere. The view into the kitchen is even less appealing, as it looks grungy and the two cooks appear quite glum. The teenage girl at the register also seemed quite lifeless, which added to the overall somber mood. This less-than-cheerful environment definitely detracts from my rating.
In all honesty, I would probably give this place two stars if it weren't for the fact that it seems to have a steady stream of business, even during difficult economic times. During my brief visit one evening—only about two minutes—there were three takeout orders waiting, the phone rang three times, and a woman came in to collect her order just as I was leaving. So while the food might be mediocre and the ambiance uninspiring, Ming Moon remains the only option in Cold Spring if you're suddenly craving Kung Pao chicken."
