If I had my way, this would be an article about the best Peking duck in the city. To say that china kitchen has raised the bar in an understatement they’ve set the standards so high that matching them (at least anytime soon) appears high on impossible. For starters they have imported a PD specialist from one of top PD restaurants in china – he had been delicately carving this roasted delicacy for over 10 years. But more impressive still is their meticulous attention to detail and all methods traditional. No platter of precooked slices here, but the specialist himself who rolls his little cart over to your table and carves perfectly crackly strips of glistening red-brown skin and tender meat, (freshly roasted in their apricot wood-fired oven). No sugary plum sauce; instead a deeply flavorful black bean sauce. Translucent pancakes, which are as fragile as they appear; crisp thinly sliced cucumber and leek; an addictive garlic laden paste and fine sugar comprise the remaining condiments, and …..OK, I should move on!

It is this eye for perfection that defines China Kitchen – airy, sun drenched space designed in accordance with its name around an open glass kitchen, which serves up traditional Chinese cuisine with slick contemporary touches. From the décor (a singularly harmonious blend of antique Chinese elements and chic minimalism) and the waitstaff – refreshingly well-informed and enthusiastic without being obtrusive to the layout itself which skillfully integrates poolside views, an interactive dinning area, intimate nooks scattered all over, a relaxed tea room, cozy sequestered cubicles with comfy couches and needles to say very stylish private dinning rooms – each detail about China Kitchen strikes the right cord.

Enough of the décor and other things lets move on to the food – the main thing. The PD (Peking duck) (Rs.1666) will assure you that you are in for a treat; with this you can enjoy the Tsingtao beer (Rs.300), believe me. Soon, a piquant aroma announced the arrival of the fried string beans (Rs.380) which gelled well with the veg. fried noodles (Rs.380), a savory tangle with Sichuan veggies. Another favorite – Soft Shell Crab (Rs.950) –came buried under a fragrant, crunchy heap of garlic flakes (yummy) and wearing a super thin batter crust, while the Sizzling Seabass (Rs.850), with its crispy exterior and tangy sauce turned out to be yet another thing to gush about. If you’re a desert enthusiast like me, the Desert Combination (Rs.680) which allows you to sample practically every desert on offer, is the way to go – the egg tarts and the chocolate ice-cream laced with Chinese wine are particularly good.

China Kitchen is a restaurant for all occasions; go for a quiet evening with your significant other or a lively drinking session with your buddies. Go for that criminally overdue family-bonding meal, or an official business lunch. Or go just for the Peking duck or PD.

Meal for 2: Rs. 3300 (approx.)

Where:
Hyatt Regency
Bhikaji Cama Place