The Duck and Dumpling

222 South Blount St.
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!

Havana Grill

404 W Chatham St
Cary, NC 27511
www.thehavanagrill.com

Sometimes it can be hard to stay objective. I tried to find something good about my recent awful time at Bluestone Cafe, and now I'm trying to find something bad about Havana Grill.

It's hard, though. The food is amazing, including pork tamales, chicken croquettes, fried plantains, yucca and garlic and several kinds of rice and beans. The Boy and I cannot decide on our favorite sides, and spend more of dinner eating from each others' plates. (Little ones can also get chicken fingers and fries). Customers can browse the complete menu or just look at the buffet-style counter and pick what looks good. Don't miss the empanadas and croquettes hidden in the back!

The prices are really good, especially for the portion size and the quality of the food. The reason for the low prices are the plastic silverware and bus-your-own-table service. Somehow it makes Havana Grill seem like a friend's cookout and not like a fast-food joint.



Don't miss the outdoor seating. Cuban music plays gently in the background, covering the sounds of traffic but not so loudly that it inhibits conversation. I don't know that we felt like we were in Cuba, but we didn't feel like we were sitting in a Cary parking lot! (I think the beach mural and real palm trees may have had something to do with that.)

We loved the food, music, and outdoor atmosphere. Overlook the styrofoam plates for an unpretentious, jeans-friendly date!