Before I went to London, I had heard that London is famous for roast ducks. Four Seasons Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant located at Bayswater, London, is one of the most famous for its roast ducks.
First thing first, this Four Seasons is not THAT Four Seasons chain of luxury hotels. It is an ordinary-looking Chinese restaurant, with a Chinese name of Wenxing 文兴酒家. When I first saw the Four Seasons name, I thought it would be very expensive, but luckily it is not the case at all.
If you take the tube in London, get off at Bayswater metro station. Once you come out of the station, you will be on Queensway. Turn left and walk along Queensway for about 50 meters, you will see the restaurant.
We arrived there early, at around 5.30-6.00pm. The place was already buzzing with business. The patrons are varied. Chinese British, Chinese-speaking Chinese, Chinese from South East Asia, and some Caucasians. Quite a mixed crowd.
We ordered their famous roast duck. When it came, it was a bit unexpected. When we talk about roast duck, we will think of Beijing Roast Duck, with that signature crispy skin. The roast duck here is very different. The skin is not crispy, and the meat is not dry. Instead, it is immersed in a special herbal sauce which gives it additional fragrance, and the skin and meat juicy. Unlike Beijing Duck, which you mostly only consume the skin, you can eat both the skin and the meat for London Roast Duck.
The duck they use is a local breed. As England's weather can be quite harsh and cold, the ducks tend to accumulate a thick layer of fat, as a storage of energy as well as a layer of protection from the cold weather.
My friend picked up a piece of duck meat with chopsticks, and you could see that fat trembling. Wow... you can imagine when you put that piece of duck meat in your mouth...Good heavens! It melt in your mouth, the fragrance lingering around. This is THE BEST roast duck that I have ever had. Ok, it is not very healthy, with so much fat, but I must give the thumbs up to the master who produced such a nice dish.
Give it a try when you are in London next time!
First thing first, this Four Seasons is not THAT Four Seasons chain of luxury hotels. It is an ordinary-looking Chinese restaurant, with a Chinese name of Wenxing 文兴酒家. When I first saw the Four Seasons name, I thought it would be very expensive, but luckily it is not the case at all.
If you take the tube in London, get off at Bayswater metro station. Once you come out of the station, you will be on Queensway. Turn left and walk along Queensway for about 50 meters, you will see the restaurant.
Four Seasons Restaurant at Bayswater, London
We arrived there early, at around 5.30-6.00pm. The place was already buzzing with business. The patrons are varied. Chinese British, Chinese-speaking Chinese, Chinese from South East Asia, and some Caucasians. Quite a mixed crowd.
Fat Fat Roast Duck
We ordered their famous roast duck. When it came, it was a bit unexpected. When we talk about roast duck, we will think of Beijing Roast Duck, with that signature crispy skin. The roast duck here is very different. The skin is not crispy, and the meat is not dry. Instead, it is immersed in a special herbal sauce which gives it additional fragrance, and the skin and meat juicy. Unlike Beijing Duck, which you mostly only consume the skin, you can eat both the skin and the meat for London Roast Duck.
The duck they use is a local breed. As England's weather can be quite harsh and cold, the ducks tend to accumulate a thick layer of fat, as a storage of energy as well as a layer of protection from the cold weather.
My friend picked up a piece of duck meat with chopsticks, and you could see that fat trembling. Wow... you can imagine when you put that piece of duck meat in your mouth...Good heavens! It melt in your mouth, the fragrance lingering around. This is THE BEST roast duck that I have ever had. Ok, it is not very healthy, with so much fat, but I must give the thumbs up to the master who produced such a nice dish.
Give it a try when you are in London next time!
