La Chine VIP Grand Opening

Mar 15

Mar 15 La Chine VIP Grand Opening

The grand opening of La Chine took place in October 2015 at New York's famous Waldorf Astoria. Waldorf is hoping La Chine will eventually become the city's finest Chinese restaurant. The restaurant should be serving some of the most authentic Chinese food around town. In addition, La Chine offers a raw bar which provides amazing seafood selections including oysters, lobsters, and Tasmanian sea trout. The food is selected and carefully prepared David Garcelon, the Waldorf's culinary director, and executive chef Kong Khai Meng.

I started off by going to the bar and I got a drink appropriately named "Dream", because it was one of the best Sake mixed drinks I have had in a long time. I had around 5 of them by the end of the night. The bartender recognized me and started calling me dream man.

My favorite dish by far was the half Peking Duck. I've eaten a lot of Peking Ducks in my life and this one was comparable to the ones I had in Beijing. The duck meat was so rich and deep in flavor, and the duck sauce was one of the finest I've ever had.

This dish really blew me way. Unlike most Szechuan pepper oil dishes, it was surprisingly not greasy or salty like it would be in most other Chinese restaurants. It's obvious that they used the best ingredients for the intense flavor.

Star Anise and Soy Flavored Foie Gras Cherries

What is there to say except Foie Gras cherries.

The tasting was nothing short of amazing. All the dishes that will be served in the restaurant were served Hors d'oeurve style. I believe I would come back to the restaurant on normal occasions. I definitely recommend checking out the La Chine, although it is on the pricier side.

Photos provided by Astoria Waldorf