The space feels big, but that's mostly because it's got triple or quadruple height ceilings…read more Overall, it's really not a very big space - there's probably only seating for about 30 people. Two waitresses are easily handling the whole room - then again, despite the "oh, you don't have a reservation, all I can offer you is the bar" routine at the beginning, it never gets more than about half full, and it's clear that most people walking in don't have reservations. I think they just sit solo diners at the bar, period. While I probably would have asked for the bar anyway, I hate that approach.
I'm here for dumplings, and none of my local friends have joined me, despite a broadcast offer on Facebook and Twitter. Silly people. Going out dumpling diving with me is something you shouldn't miss.
I order a gin and tonic and... umm... wow. That must be close to a liter sized cocktail, it's massive. I mean, it still probably has no more gin than a standard cocktail, there's a fair amount of ice, and a lot of tonic water, but hey, I won't be ordering a second one. It is good. I turn to the menu. It's clear my waitress is relatively new - she has no idea if they accept credit cards or not, and when it comes to ordering, even after repeating my order twice, I have to show her on the menu which things I want because she goes blank, and then she still manages to get two out of four wrong.
They have an array of dumplings (all 170 pesos), from various cultures, and I order up a trio, letting them arrive in whatever order the kitchen wants to put them out. First up are the beef and nira (garlic chive) wontons, five of them, crispy fried. Great texture and flavor - the beef is flavored not only with the garlic chives, but with fermented black beans and green onions, a combination that really works. We're off to a good start, especially after I ask for and get some housemade hot sauce in front of me.
I'd ordered the prawn, bok choy, and chili gyoza, but got the prawn and pork potstickers, which was immediately obvious from the browned bottom surface. First waitress error there. But they were good, actually very good, just not what I'd ordered. I thought about sending them back, but I'd already eaten one and I could always order more....
And the third round came with the pork and kimchi mandu. I mean, they don't really look like traditional mandu, but so be it, I've seen enough different styles that everyone has their own version. The kimchi could use a lot more punch in it, these are pretty mild. They're tasty, I just hoped for more of that tangy, spicy flavor inside. At least there's more kimchi flavor than the kimchi dumplings above.
I debated at this point going back and ordering the gyoza that I'd wanted in the first place, or another - they have eleven different kinds of dumplings on the menu, so I've got a ways to go. But...
...I decide to go with the classic pork belly guabao to see how theirs stacks up against others that I've tried in town. Second waitress mistake, I get prawn guabao. This time, I send them back. I really want the pork belly ones. And, in short order, with apologies from the chef, I get the ones I ordered (I should have just ordered from him directly). Big plus, they steam the buns to order in a big steamer kettle, which is the way it ought to be - they come out light and fluffy, and... hot. Second, the pork belly is slow cooked, melt in your mouth, well spiced, thick slabs of the stuff, the way it should be, and then garnished with a tangy sweet housemade hoisin sauce, and pickled cucumbers. Add a dollop of hot sauce and these are really excellent, and so far above the ones I had at the place above it's like night and day. And, you get two of them for 180 pesos. Now we're talking.
Overall - the space is fine, it's a bit industrial made over with Asian stuff, but that's to be expected. The music was a mix - in fact, kind of non-intrusive, and the overall volume level much lower, running about 68dB (like the sound of a shower running) pretty consistently. You could hold a conversation here, without having to lean in to hear what someone is saying to you. I can't say I was impressed with the service, it was friendly, just inept, but I'm chalking that up to a somewhat clueless waitress who was clearly new to the place. The other waitress seemed to be much more on top of things.
The food? I liked it all. The dumplings were all well made and flavorful, and they were all cooked right, the same for the bao. The pricing is mixed - 170 pesos for 4-5 dumplings is a little stiff, but they're great quality and there's a lot of variety; on the other hand, 180 pesos for two excellent bao is a very fair price.
