The BEST of China in NYC
China's most famous and influential chef, DaDong, has opened his first U.S. restaurant just east of Times Square and Dream Catcher Event Planning was here to witness the magic unfold. Located at 3 Bryant Park, the iconic upscale Asian dining restaurant has the most perfect view of Times Square with the most Asian warmth.
Meet Chef Dong
Chef Dong (Beijing-born chef) has travelled far and wide in pursuit of what his menu proclaims is his “artistic conception of Chinese cuisine,” also known as DaDong YiJing cuisine. While global culinary trends went from authentic to fusion, from traditional to molecular, DaDong proceeded further involve the mental and spiritual pleasures in dining with his Yijing cuisine. His “transcendental” culinary creations are the visual metaphor of poetry on the plate, embarking the senses on a gastronomic journey from the table to the landscape of farms and nature from where the ingredients are gathered.
Meet the Venue
Located in the world’s most eminent location, just east of the heart of Times Square, the restaurant occupies 12,932 square feet on the second and third floors of The Cube Building. The restaurant has two main dining rooms with the second floor offering an energetic, stylish, sexy, and slightly gritty atmosphere and the third floor offering a more refined and elegant dining room. Designed by George Wong Design, it includes a 3,785-square-foot outdoor garden (which we had the pleasure of joining for their garden affair) on the second floor and an 858-square-foot outdoor terrace on the third floor, along with a few private dining rooms.
Not to mention the refined elegance of the third floor with an additional smaller outdoor space. For a private dinner or event, book one of the exquisite private dining rooms.The entire venue accommodates over 400 guests. The main floor located in the second level features a large rectangular bar, dining room and an upscale lounge space. This floor serves a la carte menu and multi course Chef’s tasting menus (full table participation required for tasting menus).
Whether you are in for lunch, our sunset menu, or dinner, we are certain you will enjoy the beautiful design and art that embraces this floor. Some of the artists represented here are D’Art from Hong Kong and Moss & Lam from Ontario. The third level is the Chef’s Tasting Floor. On this floor, an a la carte menu is served and multi course Chef’s tasting menus (full table participation required for tasting menus). Providing a more subdued upscale environment and features art from Beijing and other parts of China. Here you may choose to join the dining room or retreat into one of the private dining rooms. For those beautiful warm nights, enjoy dinner al fresco overlooking 42nd Street and Bryant Park.
With an expansive thirty-two seats, the bar offers guests the opportunity to have a luxurious tasting menu featured on the third floor or any al la carte item on the menu. The menu is accented with over twenty wines by the glass such as Krug Grand Cuvee Champagne, White Burgundy and a number of selections from all around the world. Dont forget the curated cocktail program featuring numerous local spirits and Baiju as well as seasonal cocktails.
My favorite section of this amazing restaurant has to be the garden.
Giving oasis feels in the middle of Manhattan, The Garden at DaDong features an outdoor bar, dining and lounge spaces. You can enjoy a delicious lunch under their wooden pergolas or visit for an afternoon cocktail. The Garden showcases a water fountain like sculpture with beautiful art piece by Chinese artist Zheng Lu.
Meet the Menu
A full menu of refined Chinese offerings are served, such as the Braised Sea Cucumber, Snowflake Wagyu with Sichuan Preserved Vegetables, Braised Abalone with White Truffle, and White Chocolate with Cream Cheese, to name a few. With nine restaurants in Beijing, and two in Shanghai, DaDong is world famous for his Roast Peking Duck,
which is a main feature in the New York City restaurant. Roast Peking Duck is the specialty in addition to chef, DaDong, full menu of refined Chinese cuisine.
Several prime ministers, presidents, princes, and First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as Chefs Feran Adria, Heston Blumenthal, and Alain Ducasse, are counted among many of DaDong’s loyalists.
I hope you enjoyed this review , below are images of this lovely place and their amazing Garden event we were cordially invited to. Until next time Dreamers.
