DaTang Venice: Grand Opening and a Taste of 8-Course Menu!

DaTang Venice Grand Canal Mall

Venice Grand Canal Mall is very dear to me as it resides just in front of my office building. I go here everyday and I get excited whenever there are new restaurants or establishments opening. Last July 26, 2017 was the Grand Opening of yet another promising restaurant -- DaTang.

a mix of modern and traditional

"Da" means Great, while "Tang" is for Tang Dynasty. This Chinese restaurant aims to celebrate and re-live the glory days of Tang Dynasty, which is considered the Golden Age of ancient China.


spacious and elegant	DaTang

The restaurant is reflective of both traditional and modern atmosphere designed in a sophisticated way. The huge murals and signs in Chinese character depict culture, while the dark walls, hanging lamps, and wall accents added a touch of elegance in this spacious and high-ceiling restaurant.

Jerry Lu (owner), Ken Xin (owner), Atty. Merceditas N. Gutierrez (VIP guest), and Henry Qian (owner)

The opening of DaTang Venice Grand Canal Mall branch was indeed grand and glorious as it was well-attended by the owners, VIP guests, and people from media.


Owner Henry Qian welcomes the guests	Lion Dance

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the celebration was made even more spectacular with the traditional Lion Dance for luck and success of this branch.

Lion Dance performance

And of course, this grand celebration wouldn't be complete without tasting the Chinese fusion cuisine of DaTang. We had an 8-course meal to sample their offerings.

Soy Sauce Chicken (260Php)

Stewed chicken leg, leek shred, fish sauce

Soy Sauce Chicken

Cold cuts for appetizer and so we had this Soy Sauce Chicken. The chicken is tender and good though I noticed some reddish parts near the bone. We were told that the chicken is really cooked that way and is well-cooked. Although those parts tasted a bit raw, it didn't bother me at all. The sauce is light and slightly sweet that it goes well with the chicken.


Soy Sauce Chicken	Cold Stewed Pork with Peanuts

Cold Stewed Pork with Peanuts (380Php)

Pork leg, peanuts

Cold Stewed Pork with Peanuts

Another cold appetizer is this Cold Stewed Pork with Peanuts. For reference, the taste is comparable to the usual pork asado (if this is not asado). The pork is tender and has nice sweetness and slight spice. The peanuts are tender also, not the crunchy kind.

Seafood Salad (280Php)

Squid, mussel, octopus, five flavors sauce, green tomato

Seafood Salad

Of all the salads, this is the most unusual I've encountered -- the Seafood Salad. Like the usual salad, it is refreshing to the palate as all the seafood used are fresh. There's a variety of seafood and all of them are tender so I really enjoyed this dish. I usually don't eat squids or mussels for the fear that they might be rubbery, but I didn't encounter that here. There are no greens except for the green tomatoes. And even the addition of that made the dish more refreshing. Be warned, though, that the orange sauce is not a dressing to be drizzled over the seafood. It is spicy and just a small dip to add a kick would do.


Seafood Salad	Stir Fried Ribs with Deep Fried Garlic and Chili

Stir Fried Ribs with Deep Fried Garlic and Chili (480Php)

Pork ribs, fried garlic

Stir Fried Ribs with Deep Fried Garlic and Chili

What I love about this Stir Fried Ribs with Deep Fried Garlic and Chili is that even though it is soaked in fried garlic, the ribs itself are good and flavorful enough, and even has crisp. But of course, if you love garlic and wanted some kick, fill your every spoonful with garlic bits for that added texture and oomph!

Datang Deep Fried Chicken Wings (280Php)

Chicken wings, sweet garlic sauce

Datang Deep Fried Chicken Wings

If it has the name of the restaurant, it has to be good. Gladly, Datang Deep Fried Chicken Wings did not disappoint. It reminds me of Korean fried chicken with its sweet and a bit tangy glaze. You'll taste the flavor all over the chicken, inside and out.


Datang Deep Fried Chicken Wings	Steamed Fish in Traditional Style

Steamed Fish in Traditional Style (480Php)

Sea fish, mustard tuber, shred pork, mushroom

Steamed Fish in Traditional Style

As the 8-course meal is about to end, it's nice to have something light with this Steamed Fish in Traditional Style. The light soy sauce with ginger taste is perfect to go with the fish -- savory yet balanced.

Chinese Yam & Ribs Soup (480Php)

Chinese yam, pork ribs, red dates, wolfberry

Chinese Yam & Ribs Soup

We usually have soup at the start of the meal but this time, we're having it at the end. I find it weird at first but when I tasted the Chinese Yam & Ribs Soup, I learned why. This soup is light yet has a distinct taste -- probably the mix of ribs broth, yam, red dates, and wolfberry. But what I like most is that it cleanses the palate which is really good after eating 6 different dishes of variety of flavors.

Golden Fried Bun with Condensed Milk (120Php)

Steamed bun, condensed milk

Golden Fried Bun with Condensed Milk

Seeing its name and how it looks, I have very little expectation about what our, supposedly, dessert is. A bread and condensed milk? That's it? But there is really golden in this Golden Fried Bun with Condensed Milk! The bun is oh-so-soft yet seemed there are no holes or air inside the dough. It is then complemented with nice thin crisp at the bottom. And the condensed milk isn't too sweet and has the right texture, enough to make the bun extra special. It is the perfect ending to this sumptuous lunch. I can easily finish an order of this... kinda addicting!


Golden Fried Bun with Condensed Milk	Golden Fried Bun with Condensed Milk

DaTang Venice isn't your traditional nor your usual Chinese restaurant. From the ambiance to the food offered, it is clear that what they present is Chinese fusion of traditional and modern culture. The sophisticated interior may look intimidating but the price point is not heavy on the pocket. So for a different Chinese cuisine experience, try DaTang.

DaTang
Ground Floor, Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City