Esquire Middle East venture’s into Alvin Leung’s Demon Duck
Navigating menus at the Middle East’s finest restaurants can be tricky without a field guide. When looking for the standout dishes that make the indulgence of a high-priced night out worth it, making the decision can sometimes last as long as the food itself takes to eat.
At Demon Duck, the newest concept restaurant from highly decorated Asian chef Alvin Leung, our advice should be rather easy to remember: Get the duck.
This might sound obvious, but we need to be extraordinary clear, because the part of you that pushes you to order a diverse array of proteins will soon start setting off alarm bells. Seriously, get the duck. Get all of the duck. Start with the duck soup, and follow that up with the Slow Roasted Peking Duck. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
If anything, you’ll regret not ordering more. There’s been many times in my life when I’ve ordered a Peking Duck—it was always our father’s favourite growing up, a must-order every time we found ourselves near a city’s Chinatown—but rarely have I finished an entire a plate, even with help.
At Leung’s new spot, the Peking Duck was both delectably moist and expertly crispy, and my dining partner and I had almost inhaled it entirely within minutes, looking at each other with pathetic eyes hoping we’d gain clearance to have the last piece for ourselves. Dem Duck’s is easily the best we’ve had in recent memory.
At some point, once the food was gone, we managed to looked up from the plate, finding ourselves in a speak-easy style spot, inspired by Hong Kong restaurants of the like, with classic British and American rock blasting over the ceiling speakers and a clientele all geared up for an ambiance we’d describe as elevated casual.
These are not casual prices though, so decisions must be made. If you’re looking to spend your weekly splurge, a birthday or a special occasion with a loved one with an unforgettable view, or a feeling of top-tier elegance, this is not the place to choose. But each of us has different priorities.
If your date night is food-focused, and you can bob your head through a bit of ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ to enjoy a devilish bit of Peking duck, this is a must try. It might not feel like one of the best restaurants in Dubai sitting down, but it sure tastes like it.
Demon Duck, Caesar’s Palace Dubai Bluewaters.