Lucky Duck Restaurant

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Traditional Chinese-American restaurant gets a funky makeover.. The Scene


Towering ceilings and expansive white walls clash with oversized paintings of Chinese ancestors and rows of cheeky vanity mirrors. But the zealous minimalism works with the retro chic ambiance to give this urbane spot a homey touch. Smooth industry-ites relish the setting, as well as the willowy servers clad in Chinese-inspired tunics.





The Food


The brainchild of Phillip Chiang (consultant to Cal-Asian chain PF Chang's), Lucky Duck's menu takes inspiration from all over Asia. Whimsically named dishes, Capitalist Pig and Beef Outta Mongolia, are cooked with a healthy slant. Vegetable dishes scream with freshness; a spicy Szechuan sauce boosts just-crunchy string beans, while lightly caramelized carrots are enhanced with tender spring onions. Even a seemingly dull soybean pea salad is elevated by a hot-mustard dressing. Traditional dishes and Chinese-American standards are less successful, though; the roast duck is overcooked, poached scallops tend to be grainy, and shrimp potstickers are too gooey.

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AMYARCH

Joined 10 years ago

death of the duck. Lucky duck, oh lucky duck- how do I miss you. This is more of an epitaph than a review. If you did not experience the duck when she was still open, you have missed the best MISO COD that will ever ever ever melt in your mouth. One of the only restaurants to actually have STELLA ARTOIS on tap. It was empty most of the time- like the LA crowd was too stupid to recognize her beauty- just how I liked it. Only the loyal- only the lucky. Eat at the bar, damn the food was good. I cried the night the lucky duck went dark. :(

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JenBoyd_Citysearch

Joined 11 years ago

Good place for a drink. I have not yet had a full meal at Lucky Duck--but I really enjoy the bar and appetizers. It's neither overly crowded nor annoyingly empty. It's just a nice place to meet for drinks before heading out for the night.