Crispy Duck, Gerrard Street, Chinatown

Crispy Duck, Gerrard Street, Chinatown
Wednesday 6 September, 2006

I've never been to Chinatown in London before. There's currently a lot of construction going on, fixing the pedestrian malls and revamping the look/ feel of the place. Nevertheless, it's still a fascinating place to wander through.

There were staff out in the pedestrian mall trying to encourage you to enter their restaurant but our plan to eat at the Crispy Duck. Tonight I was meeting another London based Aussie for dinner followed by a play (Fool for Love at the Apollo Theatre with Juliette Lewis and Martin Henderson).

The Crispy Duck is typical of most restaurants in Chinatown. There are ducks hanging from the front window and a carver permanently placed in the front section to slice your duck whatever way you want it. The entrance is non-descript, the decor simple and the atmosphere fast. It's a place you visit for a quick feed on the way to somewhere else.

We ordered a feast - Grandmother's beancurd, flat noodles with seafood and 1/2 a crispy duck. The staff are very laid back and casual. They forgot our Chinese tea, but were happy to bring it when asked a second time. They were jovial and observant - they noticed when we were struggling with duck bones so bought us larger plates to accommodate.

The food was good - the beancurd was as good as I have had in China or back home, the flat noodles were a little oily but the seafood was cooked to perfection - the scallops & calarmari were cooked on the BBQ. The duck was delicious but very boney, so we had to down chopsticks and attack each piece with our fingers (how barbaric!).

We didn't feel rushed even though they were getting busy and when we requested the bill - it was a very reasonable £15 each.

Crispy Duck - 7 Gerrard Street, Chinatown - 020 7434 1888