The chef carved the duck right in front of us *
We did a lot of walking around today!! After resting our weary bones for awhile in the hot tubs, (The hot water jets feel great on sore legs and feet!) We went upstairs to get changed and ready for dinner. The concierge had recommended a place called Beijing Wangfujing Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant. They were within short walking distance of the hotel, and were highly recommended because they had great Peking Duck, which we wanted to try. We had been told that no reservations were necessary, but still had to wait a little while when we got there. It was a very nice place, and crowded, too, even though it was after 8:00 pm when we got there. We ordered the duck, and a white fish dish to go with it.
The chef came out with the duck on a rolling tray, and proceded to carve it right in front of us.
We wrapped the duck in little tortillas, with lettuce, greens and Hoisin sauce *
The hostess gave us bamboo steamers of round tortilla-like bread wraps, a plate of lettuce, and a plate of greens (cucumber and scallions, or green onions..not sure which) She taught us how to put the duck meat on the tortilla after dipping it in a brown "hoisin" sauce, and make a wrap with the lettuce and greens. Delicious!! None of us had ever tried Peking Duck before, but we all loved it! While we were busy making our little duck wraps, the hostess brought over a plastic shopping bag, and held it up to Dave (probably because he had placed the order) Dave, engrossed in his food, had just glanced over at this bag that was being offered to him, and held up near his head. Suddenly, the bag "jumped"-- and so did Dave, right off his chair!! We all laughed at Dave, (who was NOT expecting a jumping bag, none of us were!) The hostess opened the bag, and we saw that the fish Dave had ordered was still alive, and flipping around inside the bag!! Either she was showing us the fish for approval, or just trying to show it was fresh.
"Try The Chicken!"
Either way, it scared the hell out of Dave for a second! We don't expect to find living creatures flipping around inside a shopping bag! Dave gathered himself, nodded his approval, and the fish came back about 10 minutes later, fully cooked now and garnished and covered in sauce. The fish was on a tray, "intact" (with eyes and head), and "looking" at me... I felt a little guilty that we were now eating this critter that had only moments before had been fighting for it's life, and had been killed and prepped especially for us. Oddly, I didn't feel guilty about the duck- although I suppose if they had waddled it out of the kitchen prior to cooking and it quacked at me, I most likely would have ordered the salad!
After a wonderful dinner, we tried to order dessert, but it was after 9:00PM now, and the kitchen was now closed. ( I don't think she really understood what we were trying to ask her, anyway) We left there and walked around the shopping district a little, and picked up a few trinkets at a souvenir shop there. Then, there was nothing left to do but head back to the hotel. We could all use a good sleep tonight! We will have some more walking to do tomorrow, as we will be headed to the Great Wall!
* not my photo (forgot my camera!) :-(
