Summary: decent dumplings, mediocre appetizers, BIG portions on their noodles, and a BOLD location down the street from DUMPLING KING is comfortable, spacious, but ultimately lacking the flavour and kick to challenge the King.
Top Get: Lamb Noodles
Top Regret: Lamb Dumplings
What I'd Try Next Time: Pork and Cabbage Dumplings
Feeling dumplings AND a sense of adventure, we made a radical decision to try dumplings somewhere other than Dumpling King or New Northern Dumplings... and the results left me still craving dumplings.
We ordered Steamed Lamb Dumplings, Beef Rolls, Green Onion Pancakes, Lamb Noodles, Zucchini and Egg Dumplings (like I said, adventurous!)
FOOD
Lamb Noodles came first. if you're wondering about the price tag, it's because it can feed a VERY big eater like myself. I really enjoyed their wide-style noodles, and the soup base was pretty tasty. The actual pieces of lamb weren't very tender, but overall this was a pretty good albeit pricey dish!
Next, the Lamb Dumplings: REAL bland and not that juicy - I ended up adding in a chunk of chili oil to it, which might be the first time I've ever done that with lamb dumplings.
The Zucchini and Egg Dumplings were slightly better than the lamb (now there's something I never thought I'd say) but still below my standard of Dumpling gobbling. Definitely a unique option, though!
The Green Onion pancakes were actually decent, but compared to other local spots, decent just doesn't cut it anymore.
The Beef Rolls were oddly and inconsistently sauced. I had one piece that was completely lacking in sauce and another piece that had more - suffice to say, the first bite was meh and the second bite was better.
SERVICE
Service was a bit slow on the uptake (in terms of getting water, taking an order, and following through on orders), but I think we had a new waiter.
SPACE
Nice and open. Maybe a bit dark. It was pretty empty on a Tuesday evening, which is why the slow service was more noticeable.
If you want good noodles from a Dumpling spot, come here! Any thing else (appetizers/dumplings), there are probably better options.