Ping Pong Dim Sum introduces their new brunch menu with an eastern flare. Dim Sum is already considered Chinese-style brunch but fusing it with the western brunch style makes it a Ping Pong brunch to remember. Dupont Circle’s location introduced their newest East West Brunch dishes and cocktails in late October. They flew their Beverage Director, Daniele Ziaco, from London for a quick mixology lesson on how to make one of their signature cocktails, Lemon Grass and Lime, a complicated cocktail of 5 different ingredients (vodka, lychee sake with fresh lemongrass, lime and lychee juice).
Daniele Ziaco, Beverage Director of Ping Pong Dim Sum
Ziaco brings 15 years of experience to Ping Pong, and has developed regional bar programs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. Before joining Ping Pong’s first store in London in 2006, Ziaco managed the bar programs in London for the critically acclaimed Hakkasan restaurants by Alan Yau. Born in Tuscany, much of Ziaco’s inspiration for his methodology, and appreciation for quality and freshness, comes from his childhood in Italy.
Ping Pong Bubble
My favorite cocktail of the night was their Brunch Champagne with Bubbles. Think of it as an adult beverage Bubble Tea although instead of your typical tapioca bubbles it’s filled with poppers. And if you’re unfamiliar with poppers, I highly suggest that you go out and try them. It’s unlike it’s tapioca counterparts because instead of being a solid ball of tapioca, the center is filled with fruit juice; the skin encasing the juice is so light that when bitten, a burst of juice fills your mouth.
Egg & Cheese Spring Rolls
But now for the important part…the food! I’m not a huge fan of western brunch foods as I’m not really a breakfast person, but these dishes really did wow me. So here’s a take on my favorite dishes on the menu. Let’s start with their egg and cheese spring rolls, which is a fried egg roll wrapper filled with scrambled eggs, sharp white cheddar, peppers and spring onion, and served with a five-spice tonkatsu sauce. This dish will make you rethink your breakfast burritos.
Chicken & Green Tea Waffles
Next up is their chicken and waffles. Who doesn’t like chicken and waffles, but how about green tea flavored waffles with an Asian spice kick? It is a sweet and savory matcha made in heaven (see what I did there?) Matcha green tea belgian waffles topped with sesame seed crusted fried chicken with lemongrass and ginger maple syrup! Doesn’t the description alone get your mouth watering? It has mine watering so much that it makes me want to drink the syrup.
Black Mango Tea French Toast
Do you have a sweet tooth for breakfast? I certainly do. In my non-executive chef mind, an eastern French toast would just be French toast with some Asian Fruit compote. but this is why I’m not an executive chef. This French toast is no ordinary french toast; it’s a mango black tea steeped brioche French toast topped with exotic fruit and served with a ginger maple syrup. It’s that ginger maple syrup that brings you to tears of happiness.
Char Sui Bun
And my final top dish would be the Char Sui Buns, an ultimate favorite dim sum dish of mine made up of honey roasted pork in a mantou (fluffy white Chinese bun). Although I don’t feel that Ping Pong’s rendition beats the original version, it is rather tasty and I’m a fan of the open face mantou.
So with all that’s said and eaten, I highly suggest that you grab some friends and run, don’t walk to the nearest Ping Pong Dim Sum and have yourself a East West Brunch.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE MENU:
Dumplings
Sichuan Hanger Steak “Loco Moco”
Shanghai Shrimp and Grits
Braised Pork Belly Bao Sliders
Sesame Beef and Sweet Chili Meatballs
Edamame and Truffle Dumpling
Wild Mushroom Puff with Sweet Potato
Assortment of Steamed Items
Chinese Chocolate Sesame Donuts
Mochi Ice Cream
-ADT
