Duck! Coming at You Here the Four Best Ways!

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Sublime: Duck! two ways at Chef Tony Dim Sum in Pasadena as Roast Duck and Minced Duck Lettuce Wrap. Duck! Confit at Le Vallauris in Palm Springs. Duck! Schwarma at Momed in Atwater. Chinese, French and Middle Eastern versions that are as original as they are elevated.

Chef Tony Dim Sum menu in Pasadena

Actually the word “duck” is all we needed to order any dish with it in it. Even if the description on the Chef Tony Dim Sum menu in Pasadena succinctly reads: Roast Duck and Minced Duck Lettuce Wrap (prepared two ways)(Order in Advance).” The dish, as artistic as it is tasty, is sublime.

Our dining companion, Cary Huynh, explained just how much work is involved with putting these lettuce mounds together. He knows. It was his job at a restaurant. “The leaves are carefully hand-pickled from lots of heads and then if any of the leaves are damaged, it goes into a salad.”

Every dishes made-to-order fresh right out of the Chef Tony Dim Sum kitchen. Other Signature Dishes include  Sliced Chinese Broccoli with Black Truffle Sauce, Squid Ink Shrimp Dumplings with Gold Leaf, Sticky Rice Ball with Lava Salted Egg York.

Chef Tony Dim Sum is open every Wednesday through Monday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. For more information about Chef Tony Dim Sum or to make reservations, please call 626.803.0028 directly or visit Chef Tony Dim Sum Pasadena.

Duck! At Le Vallauris in Palm Springs

How can you order duck confit and sweetbreads at the same time – and on one of the hottest days in Palm Springs? Because you can when they are on the menu at Le Vallauris. It was the most perfect combination for the al fresco dinner (with salad greens). I would do it anytime. The combination was delicate, sumptuous and unique at the same time and not too rich for a once-in-a- while treat.

Crispy Half Duck ($42) is on the dinner menu as well. It is prepared with a Merlot black fig & five spices reduction, apple potato gratin and broccolini. And the kitchen prepares a Duck Ravioli, in a wild mushroom truffle & green onion Duck broth as part of holiday menus.

Le Vallauris, ( www.levallauris.com), 385 W.Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs California 92262, T.760-325 5059 

Duck! at MOMED in Atwater Village

Dining al fresco also adds to the dining experience at MOMED. This time the oversized canopied dining area takes over most of this middle eastern, informal restaurant in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

The succulent (shredded) DUCK SHAWARMA (lavash) WRAP with cherry tomato, figs, pickled onion, arugula and garlic aioli jumped out at us in the newest MOMED Atwater location and we have ordered it ever since. Half of the order also turned out to be even more satisfying and flavorful the next day, if that was possible. We would drive to MOMEDLA just for this and the dips.

Read more about MOMED in our story //localfoodeater.com/momeds-extraordinary-immigrant-wednesday-dinner-feasts/

The Duck Confit at the then brand-new Father’s Office in Culver City was my gift when I was asked if I wanted “a salad or anything” to go with my burger. Of course, duck confit, and the best I’d ever had at the time. It was packed in a nice little box. When I returned for the same order the following week, the guy looked at me and said, “we don’t do take-out salads. What do you want me to do? Toss it in your purse?

No, but I still remember how good it was the first time!