"Coconut Grove needs a great Chinese restaurant, but this NYC import isn’t it. Compared to the space’s previous tenant, where the moose juice flowed (don’t ask) and college kids passed out on swing benches, it’s innovative stuff. But outside of that context, RedFarm is a restaurant that serves mediocre food with a lot of flair for exorbitant prices. But if you’re really dying to check it out—or sit on a heated toilet (they have those)—there is a way to have a decent meal here. photo credit: World Red Eye Stay away from their more popular and visually appealing dishes. The kitschy stuff like colorful ghost-shaped dumplings fleeing a fried potato Pac-Man, or the lavish Peking duck. The more straightforward versions of these dishes are better (and cheaper). Stick to the duck lettuce wraps, pork soup dumplings, or duck wontons with Malaysian curry—dishes from the top half of the menu that don’t look like they belong in a toy box. And come here with three other people. Most of the dumplings and starters are plated in fours, so each of you gets one, and the check will feel less shocking. But we certainly wouldn’t recommend coming here on a date, unless you don’t want to hear anything your partner has to say. The dining room echoes with booming voices ricocheting off walls plastered in what looks like the lazy search result for “Miami wallpaper” (and that’s exactly what it’s called). If you’re still curious about this place, or get dragged here by someone who is, just stick to the strategy we laid out above. Food Rundown photo credit: RedFarm Ed's Pastrami Egg Roll On their own, the egg rolls taste like fancier, less soggy Flanigan’s rib rolls. They’re OK, but what saves them is the creamy honey mustard sauce that has a little kick to it. photo credit: World Red Eye "Pac-Man" Shrimp Dumplings This dish consists of four ghost-shaped shrimp dumplings being chased by a fried potato Pac-Man, which is held up by guacamole and has blueberries for eyes. We’re still not sure if we were supposed to eat that part. And the ghosts look exhausted—their eyes drooping and bodies so greasy they slip through the chopsticks. video credit: Virginia Otazo Pork Soup Dumplings The soup dumplings are $4 cheaper than the Pac-Man variety and so much better. They’re filled with tons of pork and a rich broth that oozes from their warm bellies. video credit: Virginia Otazo Whole Peking Duck The duck itself is just fine. But the pancakes it comes with are more like stale tortillas and the sauces are waterier than our eyes after watching any movie where the dog dies. Plus, it costs $105. photo credit: Virginia Otazo BBQ'd Duck Lettuce Wraps Once again, a cheaper, simpler version of a RedFarm dish outshines its more famous sibling. It’s the same meat from the Peking duck sauteed with vegetables, leeks, and crispy rice. It comes with a refreshing mango salad and thick hoisin sauce. You should wrap everything up in lettuce leaves, but the sauteed duck is good enough to have on its own (and only costs $22)." - Virginia Otazo
