ZAGAT SURVEY 2005
Something of a "best-kept-secret" on the Upper West Side, this affordable "mix 'n' match Asian pleases all palates" with both Japanese and Chinese offerings. Some say the "nothing-to-look at" décor proves you "can't judge a book by its cover", but aesthetes still find it "best for takeout."

THE NEW YORK TIMES
January 28, 2001 by William S. Niederkorn
Ivy's Café supplied all the Chinese and Japanese cuisine for back-to-back visits by President Jiang Zemin and the Parliamentary Leader Li Peng; a total of 3,900 meals... "No catering jobs," Ms. Lin says, "now, will be too big."

TIME OUT NEW YORK
October 25 - November 1, 2001
...Small steamed buns, a Shanghai mainstay, are unusually flavorful and light. The Lotus Delight lives up to its moniker with sliced lotus, black mushrooms and other veggies artistically served on a bed of star-shaped fried tofu. Even more beautiful are the spicy Red Rose Scallops, cooked with seaweed and arranged in the shape of a fish. If you want to eat what Jiang ate, try prawns in a minced garlic or sour cabbage with bean sprouts. Plus, you can choose from a fair amount of Japanese food (and Jiang's favorite dish, by the way, was reportedly sushi).

THE WEST SIDE SPIRIT
September 28, 2001 by Tom Steele
It's quite pleasant to dine in the restaurant, unlike most take-out in the area...General Tso's Chicken, is given a regal rendering here, Ivy's begins with nice chunks of luscious leg and thigh meat, carrot and tomato chunks are turned into flowers by a clever cleaver wielder.

NEW YORK MAGAZINE
"Take Out Guide: The Best Delivery in 16 neighborhoods"
May 14, 2001 by Liza Jernou, Food Stylist
This new Japanese spot, which shares kitchen facilities with the Chinese Ivy's Cafe, surpasses the other neighborhood sushi spots in quality, price and presentation.... They do a mean beef negimaki here; the sushi arrives fresh; the banana filled with red beans and fried with honey flour is amazing. And O-I-Shi-I honors special requests from both the Japanese adn the Chinese menus.