Da Dong

Jinbao Palace, Beijing, China

There's a debate on where's the best Peking duck in Beijing. After Chu-Toro's long research and walking proximity to our hotel, we selected Da Dong in Jinbao Place.  A beautiful modern upscale Chinese establishment on the 5th floor of the fanciest mall in the area. The entrance is large and grand with the stone fire stoves centered in the restaurant surrounded by a moat of koi fish. It may have been one of the nicest, cleanest Chinese places I've ever been. I'm not much for expensive Chinese, so I was skeptical going in.

Entrance at Da Dong

Large dining area

We knew what we came for, but the rest of the menu was just as impressive. Very long with descriptive captions for full length food porn images of each dish. The quality of the menu was like a wedding album.

Ducks in the stove

Delivery on its way

  Skillful knife work in action.

Table side carving

Slice and Dice

It takes a while for the carving to complete, but it is never rushed and done precisely. Extremely impressive.

Our accompaniments included the following.

Duck flavor enhancers

Wrappers and Sesame bun for duck 

After all that, here's the verdict. The skin was really crispy but the duck was dry. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be, but its not the way I like it. Where's the fatty juices, the oily goodness? It was a fun show, it was a great experience, but without the carcass, i think it loses a lot of flavor.

Da Dong Peking Duck

While the duck show was going on we were also served the highlight of the night, although I cannot remember the name of the dish. Basically, it was fillet mignon cut beef with diced lime and salted red onions. This is probably a fusion dish, which I generally frown on, but the steak was cooked perfectly, was juicy and delicate, an amazing blend of prefect meat and unique flavors with the lime and onion salt. I also don't recall the cost, but I know it was expensive. You were given the option of the grade of meat and since it was recommended, I'm sure they brought us out the most expensive one. Oh well, it was tremendously enjoyed!

Fillet with lime and salted diced red onions.

The next dish had a bit of presentation as well. Salt baked cod wrapped in tea leaves.

Table side cod buried in salt

Salt baked cod 

The fish was moist and well balanced and again, the presentation and delivery was superb. We also ordered the mandatory veggie, pea sprouts which were very good and were presented with duck soup, kind of random, out of sync and unnecessary. 

Pea spouts

Duck soup

The desserts were included, a plate of chilled lychees and sorbet cleanser.

Lychee

Sorbet cleanser

All in all, lots of fun except the price. The total came to approximately $200 USD, highway robbery for the costs of all our other Beijing meals, but a memorable, enjoyable experience nonetheless.

Rating 7/10

July 5, 2010