Jiajing Du Imperial Roast Duck is another venue trying to lure customers with an Imperial theme, staffed with a group of princesses, dressed in colorful outfits adorned with less than authentic high-heel shoes. Guests are instantly greeted upon arrival with ‘huangshang jiadao,’ or ‘Your Majesty has arrived’. A flowing stream in the middle of the dining area creates a loud waterfall sound.

Four types of set meal are offered and each category is written on an ‘Imperial Edict’ at a hefty price of 199RMB, 299RMB, 399RMB and 599RMB per person. Every set meal includes a roast duck.

The 199RMB imperial course starts with a selection of dried fruits and nuts that include crab apple, Kiwi, local almonds and peanuts. This is followed by cold appetizers consisting of meat and vegetables, sweet snacks made with broad beans, red beans, sweet potatoes, each said to be a favorite of the Empress Dowager Cixi, a claim that’s fast becoming more and more common. No shark’s fins in the Changchun gen, ‘everlasting spring soup’, just a thin bit of bamboo shoot. The The deep fried shrimp garnished with ginger slivers, which although tasty, are quite greasy. Stewed black chicken – served warm was not a favorite since the red dates, which accompany the chicken, are not pitted, thus lacking any flavor.

Before it is cut up into pieces, the roast duck is brought to the table to prove that it is the same one that you have marked earlier with a brush and molasses before it was put in the oven. Served with plain and vegetable pancakes, the duck is the only dish that stands out at this restaurant.

Before the set meal ends with a platter of fruit, two more snacks are presented – steamed glutinous rice cake and a kidney bean cake. The imperial entourage provides a ceremonious escort to the door and bows to diners as they exit.