Clean, hospitality is Great, food is excellent. Can't wait to go there. ?
Since my last review in 2017, I find that Restaurant Peony has upped its game a notch. The dim sum is noticeably better, but is also pricier. Their other foods, mostly cantonese style, are also now very good, but with slightly more expensive prices than its local counterparts. Most probably, the best chinese restaurant in Oakland's chinatown in terms of quality of food, but most probably also the most expensive. Peony also has the best ambience and would fit in well in Hong Kong and Kowloon.
Nice place to dine with friends and family. Palatial decor with special tearoom. Great venue for large banquet as well as simple family gathering. Great dim sum lunch. Lots of variety. All the standard steamed dumpling dishes, plus more. Try the pan fried rice noodle rolls. For dinner, our must have is the smoked black cod. Also on our favorite list are the steamed tofu in a basket; typhoon style Dungeness crab; squab; and crispy fried chicken. Steamed fish with ginger and scallions is always great, but do ask for price. Some exotic fish can run up the bill significantly, though many seafood aficionados would gladly pay these prices.
I used to enjoy coming here for special events. I had my daughter’s wedding banquet here 11 yrs ago. Since then, Peony has changed cooks and management. I find dishes not as tasty with increased price and smaller portions. Their dim sums prices are also on the pricey side.
The food is great! The dining hall is nice. I have ordered ginger oyster steamed and fresh veggie. The taste is to die for. I am so surprised there is no patron but me in the restaurant considering it is the prime time dining hour. I think two primary reasons for fewer people here. One the signage is pretty lack luster, it took me a while to find it, have to call to get directions. Two there is this stinky smell from the over worn carpeting. Other than that the food and service are good. Therefore I only give it a four star rating. I’d say bring your family and friends, food is good and moderately priced. The beer is on the pricey side.
Great dim sum and also a la carte selections in a huge and well decorated setting in downtown Oakland,
Palatial decor with special tearoom. Great venue for large banquet as well as simple family gathering. Great dim sum lunch. Lots of variety. All the standard steamed dumpling dishes, plus more. Try the pan fried rice noodle rolls. For dinner, our must have is the smoked black cod. Also on our favorite list are the steamed tofu in a basket; typhoon style Dungeness crab; squab; and crispy fried chicken. Steamed fish with ginger and scallions is always great, but do ask for price. Some exotic fish can run up the bill significantly, though many seafood aficionados would gladly pay these prices. If you park your car in the parking garage beneath the restaurant, they will validate your parking token right before you leave. Just make sure you drive out within the effective time.
In China Town , Oakland, We have found this restaurant is superb compared to ones in China Town, San Francisco in variety-wise. Very clean and big restaurant with quality food. Always crowded but organized very well for guests to have food in timely manner. In walking distance from 12th street City Center BART station. To me, you can experience real tasty HongKong style Dim Sum. This is one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in Bay Area. Recommend dish along with ordinary ones is Stuffed mushroom and eggplant.
Peony was highly recommended as the best Chinese Cuisine Restaurant in Oakland, California. Dining room ambience, nicely dressed floor managers and servers were bustling. Quality of food was above average. Food service was below average. For a Thursday afternoon, the staff was either under trained, understaffed or mis-managed. Improved table customer service would have elevated this rating to 4 stars. Repeated requests for beverages, hot tea, napkins, clean dishes went unfulfilled until I walked over to the bussing station to grab our own. Untrained servers were spread too thin?
Really enjoyed the experience of eating at Peony. Very popular place especially for families. The dimsum was outstanding and service very good. You may want to make reservations due to a wait-this was Saturday afternoon.