Boy do we have a sumptuous update for you today. New restaurants are opening, Halloween Horror Nights is on its way, and the park has really never looked better. Today we share with you our recent preview look at the brand new Dongpo Kitchen restaurant at CityWalk. This place is insane good. Next we jump into the park to check out the views from the nighttime Studio Tour and a few notes from the day version as well. Oh that Norman Bates is at it again. tsk tsk. Lastly there is a large battleship being constructed at Falls Lake.  Let’s take a look!

Dongpo Kitchen at CityWalk

This week, select press were invited to try a sampling of some of the new and amazing flavors that await guests inside Dongpo Kitchen. The concept is to bring an authentic taste of China to mainstream America. From what we were able to sample, this was some of the best food we have had at CityWalk. Authentic Chinese cuisine with a modern flare and accessibility seems to be their strong suit. Dongpo Kitchen, inspired by celebrated restaurant Meizhou Dongpo and its renowned and innovative owners, Chef Mr. Wang and his wife Mrs. Liang, join Universal CityWalk, serving up authentic Sichuan cuisine in the first-ever U.S. casual dining concept (officially opening August 8, 2016).

Dongpo Kitchen is located at the heart of CityWalk, in a completely remodeled and artisan-inspired venue. It’s upscale modern Chinese cuisine with all the comforts of a casual environment.

The new restaurant will offer both indoor and al fresco dining, serving Southern Californians and guests visiting around the globe a variety of signature dishes.

MiceChat had the chance to speak with a Xing You, Marketing Coordinator of Dongpo Kitchen about their history and what is to come with the new venue. What struck us immediately was the fusion of eastern and western sensibilities. “We are the only Chinese restaurant that is actually from China here at CityWalk.  This is exciting for us and I know it will be exciting for guests here.”

Introducing a new flavor to CityWalk is a challenge. “This is the old story. . .  do you compromise or do you adjust for the audience?” Explained You, “Our principle is that we don’t like to alter our recipe now that we are in the states. However we have this vast library of cuisine. We have hundreds of items directly from China that we chose to highlight here that we know will be popular here. That’s what we have been doing. We have been picking out the more accessible items.”

The recipes came from China and date back hundreds of years, filled with flavors that resonate throughout the ages. Mr. You explained, “Yes, some of the dishes, such as the Dan Dan noodle, is a street food from Sichuan. It was sold on the streets. A man carrying a long pole with two containers would walk through neighborhoods and yell out and people would come and buy from him.  One basket would have the noodles, the other would have the condiments.”

We have to say that our favorites were the Spicy Chicken, the Green Beans, and the Pork Buns.  While this was a tasting, courtesy of Dongpo Kitchen and Universal CityWalk, we are craving to return and try the other menu items. We sincerely hope that US audiences will embrace the traditional Chinese flavors of Dongpo Kitchen, it’s truly wonderful.

I’d like to thank Dusty Sage for many of the photos above. When our tasting adventure ended, Dusty went on Facebook live and walked those watching through CityWalk at night. It’s a neon filled journey worth watching and Dusty shares a lot of thoughts and information about this dynamic entertainment district.

Studio Tour

This week we decided to share a few thoughts on the newly available nighttime Studio Tour.  Yes, by virtue of the fact that it is the classic Studios Tour, it is good. However, it’s a bummer that they do not capitalize a little more on what might be possible on the night tours.

The tour features subtle changes at night, including new on-tram video skewed to the nocturnal. We see Frankenstaien but there are also shots from E.T. and other magical nighttime cinematic moments featured.

Not pictured, we first see notable changes at the picture car section of the tour.  Here, in the Jurassic Park 2 trailers, we witness video screens depicting a worker being attacked by Dilophosaurus. After that, of course, we are sprayed with water by the mechanical dinos.

Next we breeze through Six Points Texas.  Here again, the sets are brought to life through the use of projections and crystal clear sound. Yes, it’s a nice touch, but not something terribly unique.

The most striking moment is at Jaws. The terrifying scene in which Hooper finds Ben Gardner’s boat is replicated and we are then subjected to a fiery, dramatic attack. This is where the Nighttime tour shines.

A fine ending is the War of the Worlds set.  Of course, we are familiar with the dramatic lighting from previous Halloween Horror Nights events. Still, the flashing red lights and the blue tones washing the landscape in morose wreckage is a striking visual.

Overall, the Nighttime Studios Tour is really good. We just wish they’d add a bit more magic.  It’s a good foundation on which to build something really stunning.

New Attraction

Here is a recent look at the new attraction set to be constructed next to Transformers. It is heavily rumored to be an attraction based on the recent smash hit, The Secret Life of Pets (please don’t let it be another simulator).

 

Sound Stage

Here are the most recent pictures from the progress on the new soundstages on the lower lot.

During our recent tour we had a chance to stop by and say hello to Norman Bates.  He is so sweet at first. Then he gets stabby.

Finally, we arrive at Falls Lake. This is the area of the tour near Fast and Furious Supercharged that is used for a number of large scale, practical shots.  We see a huge battleship set on a gimbal being constructed.

That about wraps up our coverage from Universal Studios Hollywood, the Entertainment Capital of LA. We strongly recommend you give Dongpo a try. It’s a unique flavor in the heart of CityWalk that really enhances the dining experience at Universal.

We will see you soon, In the Parks.

 

 

 

 

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