The Happy Crane

If you go to The Happy Crane for one thing, make it the Peking duck — it's the star of the meal, hands down. The lacquered skin arrives shattering-crisp and mahogany-dark, sliced into neat squares that crackle the second you bite in, with just enough rendered fat clinging underneath to keep it rich without being greasy. The meat itself is tender and well-seasoned on its own, so even the slices without much skin still hold their own. What really elevates it is the spread that comes with it: paper-thin house-made wrappers, a rich hoisin-style sauce, and a beautiful spread of julienned scallion and cucumber alongside jewel-toned pickled plum wedges for a tart, palate-cleansing contrast. Building your own wraps at the table turns it into an interactive, genuinely fun course rather than just a plate of meat. I'd actually met Chef James previously at a collaboration dinner at Nisei with Chef David Yoshimura, so I was curious to see his cooking in his own space — and this meal did not disappoint. His hand is precise and confident across the board. We rounded out the meal with several other dishes, all well executed: Beef shin & celery root — deeply savory, glazed and fragrant with herbs, comfort food elevated Firecracker shrimp — whole prawns with a crackly, herb-flecked shell, a fun and messy start to the meal Maine sea scallop dumpling — delicate steamed wrappers crowned with glistening ikura, elegant and briny Crispy maitake cheung fun — silky rice noodle rolls with crisp mushroom and chili crunch, a great textural contrast Chasiu iberico pork jowl — awesome. Tender, fatty, char-kissed pork under crisp apple and fennel, one of the standout bites of the night Every dish showed real technique and thoughtful plating, and the staff matched that quality — warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly throughout the meal, which made the whole evening feel even more special. But it's the duck that will bring me back — it's easily some of the best I've had in the city, and worth the trip on its own. Perfect for a special dinner or anytime you want to treat yourself to a proper duck course done right. Highly recommend requesting the duck in advance if they offer it, as it's clearly the kitchen's showcase dish.

We had such a great experience at Happy Crane and are already looking forward to coming back! The service really stood out—attentive, thoughtful, and genuinely warm. Our waiter noticed we were dining with our 4-year-old and kindly offered some off-the-menu modifications just for her, which we really appreciated. It made such a difference, and she ended up *devouring* the skirt steak dish and even asked for more (which basically says everything you need to know!). Food-wise, there were some real highlights. The pidan tofu was a favorite—super flavorful and beautifully done. The lobster noodles are an absolute MUST ORDER (if they haven’t sold out!). The live lobster was fresh and lightly fried, paired with egg noodles in a rich, savory sauce that we couldn’t get enough of. We also enjoyed the golden coins and scallop dumplings—they were tasty and well-executed. That said, at over $10 per dumpling, we did feel the portion/value didn’t quite match the price point, so we might try other dishes next time instead. The cocktails were another pleasant surprise—creative, well-balanced, and fun to explore. Overall, this was a fantastic dining experience with great service, memorable dishes, and a welcoming atmosphere for families. We’ll definitely be back for more!

Overall underwhelmed. The food is Cantonese fusion with weak execution. The beef appetizer was delicious with good textures and a subtle smoky flavor. The flavor mashups didn't work such as the bitter oysters and Mexican hot chocolate tasting sesame ball filling. The roast pork was nice but the toppings made no sense and were overwhelmingly floral. Basic execution of Cantonese dishes was lacking with a dry steamed fish. Service was below average for the price

I went for my birthday and got the tasting menu. It was all delicious and I feel like it was a lot of food. Great service. The atmosphere feels hip. It does get loud if you're trying to have a conversation. Really enjoyed the meal. Pro-tip there's a bar if you don't have a reservation.