The duck is probably the only dish that is worth a try although interior staging really gives you the feeling of a high end restaurant. Other than that, you can probably get the same quality of food at a much cheaper price in most Chinese restaurants, even in Irvine. Smoked duck meat is really special and the best dish of all. The reason I gave two stars for the service was mainly because the waiter kept telling us that what we ordered was not enough for everyone and pushed us to order more. In the end, we couldn't finish all. Also, one of the veggie dishes he recommended was actually soup. But we already had one soup for everyone, why would we need more soup? It's something he could remind...
First, the restaurant is nice. Enlightened, finally a new restaurant in this long free place. Empty when we arrived. Bad start no alcohol. We ordered it. Food came extremely slowly, from order, long waited before the first appetizer arrived, then several dishes at once, then another appetizer. Like the “Rush” only 3 tables are occupied. The food in general is quite good, although a little under seasoned. Portions decent. The big shock is the price. Numerous dishes over $100. Cod at $65 per person. Ordinary dishes $38 50. We are not afraid of high prices, but this place is not worth it. It won't go back. I don't see this place surviving more than 6 months.
This upscale Chinese restaurant is truly a rarity. The decor is elegantly designed, creating a sophisticated ambiance. If you visit, be sure to indulge in the Peking duck—ordering anything else would be a missed opportunity. The presentation, flavor, and texture of the duck surpass any other version I've tried. They even smoke a portion right at your table, making for an unforgettable experience. While their other menu items are also excellent, they tend to be a bit pricey. The staff is very professional, adding to the overall positive experience.
Interestingly, our friends dined there just a few days later and had the exact same experience: they too found the food quality acceptable but were frustrated by the aggressive upselling of dishes. I also came across similar reviews from other customers, suggesting this is a recurring problem. It feels like the staff aren’t operating in a way that supports long-term success for the restaurant. Unfortunately, I will not be returning due to these unethical practices, and I will advise my friends to avoid this place as well.
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As for the food, it was overall quite good, but lacking in seasoning. The portion sizes were decent, but the prices were a real shocker. Many dishes were priced over $100, with cod costing $65 per person and other regular dishes priced around $38 to $50. While we don't mind paying high prices for good food, we didn't feel this restaurant delivered value for the cost. Given the experience we had, we won't be returning, and I doubt this place will last more than six months.
My experience at Chang 'An was delightful for my 13 and 11-year-old sons. They typically stick to burgers and pizza, so high-end dining isn't something they're familiar with. However, our visit to Chang 'An introduced them to authentic Chinese cuisine, and they thoroughly enjoyed it. We'll definitely return, but not on a regular basis due to the prices.
My 13 and 11-year-old sons had a delightful experience at Chang 'An. They usually eat burgers and pizza, so fine dining is a new concept for them. However, their visit to this restaurant was a fantastic introduction to authentic Chinese cuisine. We will definitely return, although not frequently due to the cost.
We had pre-ordered the Peking style duck, and it was perfect for the four of us. The duck was excellent, and the presentation was beautifully done. For dessert, we shared a Blue Pear, which was a delightful and light option—ideal for us since we only wanted a small taste of something sweet.
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You don't have an alcohol license, so you should be sure to bring a bottle of wine to dinner.
The only suggestion is the food served too fast and must slow the pace to keep the food hot.
