Although Mao's Kitchen doesn't look like any other Chinese restaurant I've been to (the decor could easily fit either a hamburger joint or rustic bistro), it provides an excellent dining experience. The People's Potstickers and the Orange-Ginger Chicken were terrific, but both were completely eclipsed by the house fish specialty. The ginger, garlic, and cilantro were a fantastic complement to the fish.
Parking can be iffy--it's Venice--but we avoided a crowd by arriving slightly early. At 7:15 we had no trouble getting a table for four, even though only half of our party had arrived. The service may not have been perfect, but it was accurate and friendly. I'd eat at Mao's Kitchen again.
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