Peking Duck/Thanksgiving

[davide169]

My family and myself will be visiting San Fransisco during Thanksgiving. One of the requests is that we have Peking duck on Thanksgiving. We are landing the day of so I've already ruled out the Great China in Berkley. My top choice seemed like it would be Five Happiness. I called and found out they are indeed open on Thanksgiving but they are not taking reservations. Is this normal for them, do they usually not take reservations? There will be 6 of us so I'm somewhat concerned about getting a table.

Does anyone else have any other recommendations out there for a place for Peking duck on Thanksgiving? I just want a place that is going to have decent to great Peking duck and other Cantonese dishes that will be a part of the meal.

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Great China Restaurant
2115 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704

Five Happiness
4142 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

[sumimao]

Had dinner at Five Happiness a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night and they took a reservation a couple days prior for 10 people. They asked me if I wanted a duck which was good because I did want one and I would have forgotten to preorder. So not taking reservations may be just a Thanksgiving day thing.

We ordered one of the set menus which included a duck, substituting salt and pepper fish for the sea cucumber dish, which I thought would not be to the liking of all. The entire group was very happy with the food, including five kids ranging in age from 9-16. I prefer my duck served with pancakes and Five Happiness had nice wheaty housemade-looking ones. Other places mentioned in this thread will likely serve the duck with steamed buns (SSSV does for sure).

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Five Happiness
4142 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

[moto]

there are two other places w. pretty good Peking duck ; they are southern/Cantonese style with the soft buns, and the other foods we've had in both places were well prepared. South Sea Seafood Village on Irving (Sunset dist.), and Lichee Garden on Powell nr. Broadway (chinatown border w. north beach). SSSV will make on request a soup course from the duck bones; Lichee Garden would not, but taken home the bones still functioned for that use.

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South Sea Seafood Village
1420 Irving St, San Francisco, CA 94122

Lichee Garden
1416 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133

[PeterL]

Why are you ruling out Great China? How about R&G Lounge?

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Great China Restaurant
2115 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704

[saucedjen]

Five Happiness may not be taking reservations but it's their policy that anyone who wants Peking duck needs to order it a minimum 24 hours before and be at the restaurant on time to make sure it's served at the optimum moment. If you call the restaurant back and explain that you want to bring in a group and pre-order duck, the restaurant will likely give you a time slot to be there.

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Five Happiness
4142 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118

[calalilly]

I'm guessing they don't take reservations because it's one of their busiest days of the year since many restaurants are closed. I've heard of several that do not take reservations that day.

[felice]

It's not in the city, but I like the peking duck dinner at Coi Palace. Their other dishes are excellent as well.

[Cynsa]

Koi Palace

365 Gellert Blvd

Daly City, CA 94015

650-992-9000

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Koi Palace Restaurant
365 Gellert Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015