I grew up eating homecooked Chinese food by my parents (specifically, Cantonese). My parents also…read moreowned and operated an Chinese American restaurant. With that being said, I like to believe I have a good palate for Chinese food. If you're coming here expecting authentic Chinese food, you won't necessarily be disappointed but just know that your expectations also may not be met. However, if you're looking for upscale Chinese American food then Teddy Wongs is certainly the place to go.
I came here on two different occasions - one for a friend's birthday and another for a date. In short, both were great. Both times did require reservations or at least strongly implied so. I did see one couple that seemed to have gotten turned away on a busy night, so just keep that in mind. Additionally, parking may be a bit of an issue as other reviews have noted. However, if you plan accordingly and park at a nearby lot where it's past hours and marked, then it's not an issue. That's at least how it was for me in both instances.
Now, when you walk in, the space is more of a dimly lit environment. Perfect for celebrations or date nights (at least from my two visits). With reservations, we were quickly seated. I will say that we were seated quite close to another table during the date so for smaller parties, you may get to know your neighbors. Both servers in the visits were phenomenal - knowledgeable with the menu, friendly with interaction, and quick overall. Could not ask for better!
Having been here twice, especially for the birthday, I'd say that I got to try a good amount of their most popular items. In terms of the dumplings, what stood out to me were the pork and crab soup dumplings, spicey wok-fired har gow, and the truffle pork soup dumplings. An appetizer that I will say was a standout was the cucumber salad. It has a good amount of spice that is well complimented by the cold temperature of the dish with a satisfying crunch. Perfect palate cleanser, especially before the dishes that come ahead. For mains, the spicy cilantro cod was a standout with just the right amount of heat. Of course, you have to get the peking duck. It comes in half or whole options. During both occasions, in parties of four and two, we got the half and it was enough. Sure, it wasn't necessarily the quality that you'd get in Beijing but it's certainly up there for a Chinese American restaurant. For dessert, we got the chocolate dumplings. It's exactly what you would imagine... melty rich chocolate contained within a dumpling wrapper. If you've ever had Din Tai Fung then it's more or less that.
Lastly, in terms of drinks, I did get the Lucky Emperor at one visit. It's sweet, crisp, and tart. Great drink that I believe complimented the meal!
Overall, I do recommend Teddy Wongs. The food is good but the atmosphere, vibes, and service are what really make this a worthwhile visit.