Modern Chinese-American Fusion Done Right
The first time we went to DanDan, located in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, was years ago, and even then one thing was immediately clear about the modern Chinese-American restaurant: you should definitely bring friends. Because the more you have dining with you directly correlates to the amount of dishes you get to try. And with DanDan’s menu, every dish is great for sharing, and every dish should be experienced.
DanDan is the collaboration of co-owners Dan Van Rite and Dan Jacobs. Jacobs claimed local celebrity status this summer when he competed against Bobby Flay in a cooking competition on Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay”. And while he didn’t end up beating Bobby with his signature Beef Chow Fun dish that he proudly serves on his menu, many Milwaukeeans know that DanDan ranks as one of Milwaukee’s best, and they didn’t need a cooking show to prove it.
For us, Best Dish has always been the dumplings
For us, Best Dish has always been the dumplings, which we usually start the meal with. The type of dumplings on the menu tend to change, but this past Saturday we really loved the Kimchee Dumpling with pork and glass noodle served on top of a delicious Kimchee mayo.
The saucy General Tso’s Cauliflower with chili oil, ginger and bok choy is also a regular for us, and was a great pre-entree dish for the lightly crispy walnut shrimp made with candied walnuts, honey and condensed milk.
Other items pictured were the crab rangoons (so delicious they may have actually been worth the $14 price tag), smashed cucumbers, and the short rib foie gras potstickers. And we apologize if we sound like a broken record, but it again has to be said that all dishes are extremely well executed and just delicious bites. Even the dessert, a flourless cake with crunchy cookie bits and white chocolate cream felt Michelin-level.
Needless to say, we cannot wait to try out Fool’s Errand, Dan and Dan’s next adventure into being restaurateurs. Fool’s Errand will serve “indulgent comfort food” and aptly opens April 1st (well we hope it does- what a mean trick that would be!). EsterEv, DanDan’s tasting menu experience is at the top of our list as well. The restaurant is cleverly named after both Dans’ great-grandmothers, Evelyn and Ester, in the spirit of the women that inspired them to spark joy with their passion of cooking for loved ones.
Best Dish
Both - Dumplings (any kind - you seriously can't go wrong)
Comentarios