It’s a Beijing-themed restaurant where you can have several dishes that is rare to see in other Chinese restaurants in the US.We had their signature dish Peking Duck and also randomly ordered a 酸汤肥牛 (Shabu Beef ribeye in Sauerkraut broth? This is the best localization I can think of).The Peking Duck was the best I’ve had in the United States. It came with three cuts: a cut for crispy skin, one for duck meat on crispy skin, one for just duck meat. The skin was definitely done correctly. Very crispy. It’s closer to the 全聚德-style. I’d rate it 8.5/10.Also the duck soup that came with the Peking duck tasted fresh, very likely from the duck bone of the duck we had. Some places (including 全聚德 of Beijing) today put everyone’s duck bone in one giant pot stew/soup in order to add more water to them and reduce cost. God knows how old the soup is.Onto the sauerkraut beef soup. It was the best we have ever had in the U.S. as well. The broth was sour and spicy to the right amount. We are a fan of the B2J sauerkraut fish Chinese restaurant, but Courtyard Cuisine’s Chinese sauerkraut broth is even better.Last thing, some reviews say they are pricey. Yeah I hate how Chinese restaurants nowadays have this price gauging practice in general, but this restaurant is definitely not pricey comparing to other restaurants. $24.95 for half a Peking Duck is ok (used to be $20.95, I think). Here in Austin, half an inferior Peking duck is $27.95. In cities like Seattle, an inferior whole Peking duck is $90. Crazy!
I read the reviews before coming and saw praises on the Peking Duck. So I made the reservation for 4. We only ordered the Peking Duck and whole fried squid in sauce. The squid came out quickly and it was tender, crispy and with sweet & sour sauce went nicely with hot rice. Chopped hot pepper in sauce could be too spicy for the kids. The squid nevertheless was devoured in no time. Peking Duck came out with soup, more like duck broth made out of duck carcass and a few pieces of soft tofu and Chinese cabbage. I wish the soup had a bit more duck meat and tofu since the whole duck was supposed to contain in the order. Tofu & cabbage are cheap so Chef, take my advice and put more of these into the soup. It won't look so cheap broth only and more like a soup.The Peking Duck itself was arranged nicely on a duck shaped plate. It didn’t look like an entire duck since the carved legs and wing pieces were missing. Seemed like only the breast & thigh parts were arranged on the dish.The skins were crispy with golden color, different from all of the Peking Duck I used to taste at all other restaurants with reddish color. It had a plain taste like it was never marinated with salt or soy sauce, hence the golden color. I had no idea if that's what real Peking Duck was supposed to taste like, in Peking China. They gave 10 pieces of Tortilla like thin wrap but I liked Bao better at other restaurants. The hoisin sauce looked different too, more like a thick sweet soy sauce used to enhance cooking color. I had to spread it more on the Tortilla wrap to suit my taste.Four of us didn't get full. Other restaurants would also give a stir-fry dish with the rest of the duck meat. Then you would know you've got an entire Peking duck with nothing held back.Therefore I say this restaurant is a bit expensive and Peking Duck is not worth it. For sure they roasted the ducks themselves (I suspect many other restaurants don't, they probably just buy it from the specialty BBQ places like Sinh-Sinh and served their customers for double the price). I'd rather go back to my acquired taste of Peking Duck at my usual restaurants. Those I know would give me a whole Peking duck. That's why Peking duck is an expensive dish. I should get all that I paid for.
Really enjoyed the lamb w/cumin. Dad ordered a house specialty fried rice (chivken,shrimp,beef).He already wants to go back for the pineapple fried rice this weekend - or maybe for lunch one day with friends from his hang out!Definitely on my short list of things I love in Texas!
The waiter counted how much we gave her for a tip in front of us and asked rudely why didn’t we give her more. Tips are not mandatory. Never coming back again.Reply- No, my whole family was there and we all heard her demand for more. If she asked about the quality of her service that would have been no problem. We tip according to service.
Amazing Peking Duck! Golden squid is crispy and flavorful with sweet and sour sauce！nice decor and plates! A bit pricy consider portion.
I read the reviews before coming and saw praises on the Peking Duck. So I made the reservation for 4. We only ordered the Peking Duck and whole fried squid in sauce. The squid came out quickly and it was tender, crispy and with sweet & sour sauce went nicely with hot rice. Chopped hot pepper in sauce could be too spicy for the kids. The squid nevertheless was devoured in no time. Peking Duck came out with soup, more like duck broth made out of duck carcass and a few pieces of soft tofu and cabbage. I wish the soup had a bit more duck meat and tofu since the whole duck was supposed to contain in the order.The Peking Duck itself was arranged nicely on a duck shaped plate. It didn’t look like an entire duck since legs and wings were missing. Seemed like only the breast parts were arranged on the dish.The skins were crispy with golden color, different from all of the Peking Duck I used to taste at all other restaurants. It had a plain taste like it was never marinated with salt or soy sauce, hence the golden color. I had no idea if that's what real Peking Duck was supposed to taste like, in Peking. They gave 10 pieces of Tortilla like thin wrap but I liked Bao better at other restaurants. The hoisin sauce looked different too, more like a thick sweet soy sauce used to enhance cooking color. I had to spread it more on the Tortilla wrap to suit my taste.Four of us didn't get full. Other restaurants would also give a stir-fry dish with the rest of the duck meat. Then you would know you've got an entire Peking duck with nothing held back.Therefore I say this restaurant is a bit expensive and Peking Duck is not worth it. For sure they roasted the ducks themselves (I suspect many other restaurants don't, they just buy it from the specialty BBQ places like Sinh-Sinh and served their customers for double the price). I'd rather go back to my acquired taste of Peking Duck at my usual restaurants. Those I know would give me a whole Peking duck. That's why Peking duck is an expensive dish. I should get all that I paid for.
Excellent customer service.
Golden Squid is excellent, along with Boiled Fish Fillet, Sauteed Chinese Eggplant in garlic sauce, Salt and Pepper Prawns, and Peking Duck of course. Everything came out piping hot. Service is very fast.
Service is great but food is just average. Probably one of the least tasty Peking Ducks that I have had. My wife can do better than that at home.
I feel like kind of pricey. Very clean and great service too. Only one thing I do not like they are using plastic plate and hot tea cup. Thats why hot tea goes fast to be cold. I do not like duck but it was so good. Definitely I like to go back with my family.