I was so excited about DaDong that I made two reservations the first day they opened up reservations, and I'm sad to report that after the first visit, I've cancelled my second reservation.
On the good side, the food was pretty good on average, the duck was served traditionally the way I like (albeit a bit dry), and the plating/presentation was beautiful.
On the bad side, let's start with...where was the rest of the food? Beautiful presentation is nice, but it's a bit obvious that the portion sizes are extremely small when the food takes up less than half the plate...as if they're trying to remind you of how you're overpaying for teeny tiny portions. Just look at the pictures.
As for the duck, it was not carved tableside, and it seems the chefs have set carving spots along the walls so they don't block foot traffic. Okay, fine. Nicely plated, but it was the slowest carving ever, and worst of all, there was a bunch of meat left on the bone and we watched them cart the duck back. At $98 for a duck, I expect the whole duck, not just the skin/outside pieces attached to skin. Traditionally 1 duck is served across multiple courses (e.g., soup, another dish for the meatier pieces), and if DaDong NY isn't going to offer multiple preparations, at least do a better job of carving the meat off the bone and serving it all with the pancakes.
Finally, the service was a disaster. Our head waiter was super nice and attentive, but everyone else did not have their ducks in a row. They brought out the pancakes over 5 minutes before the duck came, and then one server came and asked why they were there and tried to take them away (maybe he was as confused as we were by a lone basket of pancakes on an otherwise empty table). Obviously the pancakes got cold, so our head waiter was kind enough to bring us two fresh baskets (if one is the standard serving, it is definitely not enough for a whole duck). At another point, another server took away a drink that still had a good 1/3 left without even asking if we were done. Yet another person knocked a jacket onto the floor and turned around to see us getting up to get it, and then proceeded to walk away...not even acknowledging he knocked it over, much less an apology, and forget about picking it up.
Sadly disappointed. Hope they improve and really think hard about what they're charging vs. what customers are getting. Would love to have a proper Peking duck place in NYC, but at this current state, I'm not sure I would come back.
On the good side, the food was pretty good on average, the duck was served traditionally the way I like (albeit a bit dry), and the plating/presentation was beautiful.
On the bad side, let's start with...where was the rest of the food? Beautiful presentation is nice, but it's a bit obvious that the portion sizes are extremely small when the food takes up less than half the plate...as if they're trying to remind you of how you're overpaying for teeny tiny portions. Just look at the pictures.
As for the duck, it was not carved tableside, and it seems the chefs have set carving spots along the walls so they don't block foot traffic. Okay, fine. Nicely plated, but it was the slowest carving ever, and worst of all, there was a bunch of meat left on the bone and we watched them cart the duck back. At $98 for a duck, I expect the whole duck, not just the skin/outside pieces attached to skin. Traditionally 1 duck is served across multiple courses (e.g., soup, another dish for the meatier pieces), and if DaDong NY isn't going to offer multiple preparations, at least do a better job of carving the meat off the bone and serving it all with the pancakes.
Finally, the service was a disaster. Our head waiter was super nice and attentive, but everyone else did not have their ducks in a row. They brought out the pancakes over 5 minutes before the duck came, and then one server came and asked why they were there and tried to take them away (maybe he was as confused as we were by a lone basket of pancakes on an otherwise empty table). Obviously the pancakes got cold, so our head waiter was kind enough to bring us two fresh baskets (if one is the standard serving, it is definitely not enough for a whole duck). At another point, another server took away a drink that still had a good 1/3 left without even asking if we were done. Yet another person knocked a jacket onto the floor and turned around to see us getting up to get it, and then proceeded to walk away...not even acknowledging he knocked it over, much less an apology, and forget about picking it up.
Sadly disappointed. Hope they improve and really think hard about what they're charging vs. what customers are getting. Would love to have a proper Peking duck place in NYC, but at this current state, I'm not sure I would come back.
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