Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck

I may not have had much duck confits and roasted duck in my eating rampage (so chronicled in this blog) around Singapore, but I've developed a strong liking for both and would be delighted to have more recommendations on where I could satiate a craving when it comes up again. Well done duck (as compared to chicken, which when done well is still, you know... chicken) can be sublime I tell you. One meat, two cuisines, but the same type of gastronomic heaven. I'm getting all hungry again already ;)


It was not too long ago when a fellow foodie suggested we have dinner at Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck. Tucked at a quiet corner of Paragon Shopping Centre along Orchard Road, this restaurant is often packed on evenings; table reservations are recommended. If you're doing a walk-in, as we did, be prepared that the waitresses may ask if you're fine with an hour's worth of dinner before the table is given up to the customer who had made an earlier reservation. But the food arrives fast so you have ample time to enjoy it.


So is it worth your time? Well I'm happy to report that yes, it is. Tasteful and immacautely done, the roasted Peking Duck was really quite divine, if not even R-rated as some others have put it. Even for my amateruish tastebuds for duck, I am sure many of you out there would appreciate the very tender duck meat and its accompanying light and crisp skin. It was served with the popiah wrap that you can fold the meat in, or, for a sweet treat (and something new to me as well), dip the meat in a saucer of sugar - delicious.


The waitresses recommended that we let half of the duck be cooked in Fried Rice, and we thought okay, why not. When it came in a huge plate before us, our eyes widened in amazement. I wouldn't be lying if I said my pants felt tighter just looking at that plate of carbo. It was quite nice actually, with that "wok-hei" touch and hint of white pepper. But that one plate could do for four, no make that six people. Between the two of us, there wasn't much that we could do. The friend took one bowl and was done; I had three.


We didn't stop there of course. We ordered the Cod in Ma La Soup as well, which helped to whet the appetite with its strong infusion of herbs and spices. Sour and spicy, this went quite well with the fried rice. Personally, it's not really my type of soup; then again, I've never been the biggest fan of soups. So don't quote me on any reviews on ma la soups, I really have little idea on how they should be done or how they should best taste. Sour and spicy, that's as far as it goes for me.


The Stewed Beef in Brown Sauce was even better. Stewed to tender perfection, you could feel each beef slice almost melting in your mouth.

In the end, the only "problem" we had was having to finish a whole duck between the two of us, which we couldn't. It's one of the things that Imperial Treasure sticks fervently to, to serve a whole duck and no less, which I believe has something to do with retaining the freshness of the duck.

All-in-all, a good duck-filled dinner that's definitely worthy of praise. And, if you're still wondering where I'm headed for my November holiday (isn't it very obvious already?)... It's Beijing! :)

Service
Excellent. But you have to wonder if the attentive service was only because they wanted to make sure that you could leave within the hour.

Price
$68 for the Peking Duck
$10 extra for Fried Rice
$20 for the Cod Fish in Ma La Soup
$15 for each serving of Stewed Beef in Brown Sauce
$1.50 for each pot of Chinese tea

* Prices subject to the usual 7% GST and 10% service charge.
** AMEX Cardmembers get 10% off.

Place
Orchard Paragon, #05-42/45.

Pictures taken with the Apple iPhone 4.