Raleigh, NC 27601
www.theduckanddumpling.com
(This is another Boyless post, since he is not a big fan of Asian food.)Duck and dumplings are possibly my favorite Chinese food. While I'm in constant search of steam baskets of real xiao long bao, I really prefer the foreigner-friendly special lean duck, made famous by Da Dong in Beijing.
The Duck and Dumpling offers the American-Asian staples of kung pao, pad thai and udon noodles, and a collection of truly inspired Asian fusion dishes. Duck dumplings with a cherry zinfandel sauce, or Thai basil pork wontons.
Americanized Chinese food can often involve taking ingredients, adding soy sauce, sugar, peanut oil and MSG, and serving with rice. This is why the Boy tends to dislike it. Authentic Chinese foods have great flavors, but always taste overcooked to me, sodden vegetables thoroughly infused with marinade into a one-taste, one-texture bowl.Dishes at The Duck and Dumpling incorporated exotic Asian flavors, like star anise and cumin, without cooking it into a too-authentic mush. Even the basic pad thai was a great mix of flavors and textures (and colors, for people like me who eat with their eyes)
Definitely worth returning, and maybe even talking the Boy into coming along!
Have you tried Dalat in Mission Valley? The Dalat Roll (gỏi cuốn) and any Phở. mmmm
ReplyDeleteI agree with the commenter above. You should check out Dalat, especially for the Pho. ALso, I enjoyed your review, as we are both big fans of Duck & Dumpling. Check out our review:
ReplyDeletehttp://rdugonnaeatthat.wordpress.com/2009/08/26/restaurant-week-the-duck-and-dumpling/