Saturday, September 20, 2008

Peking Duck III

This restaurant with its banner for Peking Duck House on Mott Street in Chinatown supposedly serves one of the best Peking ducks in NYC. I was invited to dinner there a few years ago and I have to admit, it was a classy joint.

The duck was served three ways: (1) the whole duck was carved table side to yield pieces of crispy skin with a layer of fatty meat, and served in paper thin crepes with scallion and hoisin sauce; (2) the skinless duck was then taken back into the kitchen and the meat cut into small pieces and stir-fried with shiitaki mushrooms and other vegetables, served with rice; (3) the rest of the duck (bones and all) was then stewed to make a light soup, which was served last.

It was probably the most decadent Chinese meal I've ever had in NYC. Thank goodness I didn't have to pay for it. The host did.

So where did you eat your most decadent meal?

17 comments:

b13 said...

So where did you eat your most decadent meal?

Grandma's house... God bless her soul.

Kate said...

If you want to read a memoir with a wonderful description of Sunday dinners at a Czech grandmother's house (in St. Paul, MN) read Patrica Hampel's _A Romantic Education_. Certainly not decadent, but colourful. Your Peking Duck sounds wonderful!!! Your description certainly makes my mouth water. My most decadent meal? Not exactly decadent, but then maybe so..I had ostrich meat at an animal reserve in South Africa. Thin and chewy.

Neva said...

I have 2 Russian girls living here for a few more weeks and they were shocked we don't refer to Beijing as Peking......and your dinner sounds fabulous.

Saretta said...

Decadent or delicious? I think it's decadent to eat anything that's still alive...like the fish I was served in Japan - still gasping for breath as it lay spiked to my plate!

Delicious? Well...I do live in Italy...the list would be very long indeed!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to try the duck here. Sounds really good.

Paz

Missy,Mrs and Mum said...

I'm not really into duck. I just keep thinking of the little cuties at the pond near where I live.
Got SATC the movie today, the extended cut. Guess what I'll be watching tonight!
Have a fab weekend

GMG said...

Hi Ming! After a short break but a long absence, I’m finally back to the blogosphere and to your excellent blog.
Now, Chinese meal: Fangshan Restaurant in Beijing!
Used to see that Pepsi sign when a friend lived at 52nd and 1st...
It would be a great idea to organize a bloggers' meeting in NYC for out of town visitors... ;)
Many thanks for your comments on Blogtrotter, while I was off. It’s now still in Kos on the way to Crete! Hope you enjoy and wish you a great weekend and a nice week ahead!

Virginia said...

The restaurant that I feature on my blog today would probably be it. Your dinner sounded delicious as well. Lovet the bright red flag.

marley said...

Wow! What a meal all from one duck. It all sounds very tasty indeed :)

Ming said...

Hmmm... I don't know about decadent, but I just took a picture of Gamma Korea on St.Marks 'cause I had a great lunch there today!

Shammickite said...

Oh yes, I have had Peking Duck, the skin with Hoisin sauce is wonderful. I had the full meal at a Chinese New Year banquet at the famous Sai Woo restaurant in toronto.
My most decadent meal.... when YoungerSon and the Beloved graduated from Uni and then went on their Europe trip, we all went out to Ruth's Chris Steak House in TO, spent a fortune!

NormanTheDoxie said...

I feel bad for the poor duck. It breaks my heart when I see the ducks hanging in the windows of Chinatown's restaurants.

The most decadent meal I can remember was at Del Posto in the MPD.

Chris said...

I've never had duck, Peking or otherwise. My husband likes it, though . . . .

Most decadent meal - Michael Mina at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. $75 for a steak. Thank heaven we weren't paying.

teahouse said...

The most decadent meals I've had have all been at some sort of Brazilian churrascaria. Ohhh, the meat!!

Unknown said...

Oooo.. Peking Duck!

They don't serve any soup with the bones here in Singapore. Maybe I should request for it next time!

tigerfish said...

You are a lucky man to have it paid by the host? Can we befriend your host? :P

www.DeltaMovies.com said...

OMG...this sound sooo good!

Wish we had something like this in Louisiana.

My most decadent meal would have to be at one of a handful of amazingly good steak houses in Dallas, Texas. That city has some of the finest restuarants in the south..if not the USA.

I think the Antares Rest. serving a 9-peppers filet which literally melts in your mouth, would be my favorite.

Laterz,
B.