Mafalda Oliveira
Google
Very very nice food!
We made a reservation the day before for a Friday night and pre-ordered the half duck.
When arriving they have valley parking right at the entrance (free for 3h), they say us at a round table for 2 but we found the table to be too big for talking comfortably during dinner so asked to move to a smaller square table - much better.
The staff is attentive and gives good suggestions.
We ordered 2 cocktails to start - the yuzu mescal and the gin basil. 1st was much better but both balanced and tasty.
For starters we got the flaming wagyu (found it quite average, didn’t like the kumquat on top as it would overpower everything else), the assorted dim sums (very very good), and the Hutong crispy prawn (didn’t particularly like it, too fried). The food all came fast, hot and well prepared.
The half duck came right after, staff cuts it in thin slices on a plate, served with the classic hoisin sauce, crepes and cucumber. The duck was delicious, super crispy, dripping fat, still warm. The crepes were really good and hot aswell, extra thin.
With the remaining of the duck they prepare a sweet stir, served with lettuce crepes. Also good, but I prefer more clean flavors.
To end we ordered the dessert platter for 2. Good quantity and very nice presentation looking like famous Chinese dishes, but for me the flavor was not there in many. It is rare for an Asian restaurant to have good desserts unfortunately. It came with a date cake (the best of the platter but very below average), a sesame and salted caramel sweet (underwhelming), a chocolate tart (for me terrible but I also don’t love chocolate desserts), some fruits and 2 ice cream scoops (coconut and strawberry, okayish).
We paid 1500aed, which is on the expensive side for sure (3 starters, half duck, dessert platter, 4 cocktails, sparkling water). We slightly over-ordered, but ate all.
All & all, good restaurant with balanced flavors and excellent preparation. Fast and attentive service, good cocktails, ok ambience, expensive.
