Private Kitchen

Private Kitchen serves some of the best food you can find in St. Louis. 5 years ago I took my future wife on one of our first dates here. We had Peking duck and steamed fish, which were both to die for. A little over a year later we returned, and, while enjoying same delicious Peking duck, I asked her to marry me. Just a couple of weeks ago, we returned for our anniversary dinner, our very first dine-in restaurant experience since the beginning of 2020. It probably goes without saying we got the Peking duck again. The first time we ate that duck it was a transcendent experience. Years later, somehow, it was even BETTER than the first time. Private Kitchen has a special place in our hearts and we are grateful for our wonderful experiences there.

The Peking duck is really good, must order! The chili fish looks very spicy but is not, it has very nice chili fragrant but it won’t numb your taste. We have tried more than these dishes but we eat it too fast and forgot to take photos. This is a good Chinese restaurant in St. Louis. The chef is from Shanghai so some dishes are more sweet taste than others. You have to know Chinese food so you won’t end up eating all sweet taste dishes.

Because the restaurant is small (serves 3 tables max at a time) and you order in advance, the service is almost immediate starting at your reserved time, and every dish is made individually with a lot of attention. Tastes like the best Chinese home-cooked food, and presentation is often nice as well (like the smoked salmon pictured). Some favorites of mine are the crispy beef, the squirrel fish, and the soup dumplings with crab meat.

Wasn't really what I expected. Definitely a family business, kids were eating at a table across from us, & just kinda wondering around. I was with my parents, & my father knows alot about Chinese & Vietnamese food, seeing as part of his law practice was immigration law. He has dealt with a great number of great chef's. Overall, I think it didn't stack up to our expectations.However, prices were very reasonable

I love this place. Best dishes: 1) Peking duck, 2) Pea Tips in Chicken Broth, 3) Lion's Head Meatball (for 1), 4) Pork Soup Dumplings. I've had everything on the menu though and whether you are new or an aficionado to Chinese cuisine, you'll find something to please your palate here. BYOB is a definite plus - they do have wine and beer if don't want to bring your own.