As much of a Beijing standard as the Forbidden City and hutong alleyways, roasted duck is an indulgent meal of rich golden skin and juicy, tender meat.

Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant is considered one of the most popular restaurants in town for serving up this signature Beijing entree. Recently taking its unique recipes for "super lean" roast duck and dishes with a healthy spin, Da Dong opened a new branch at Nanxincang, a revived place based on the site of royal granary of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The new outlet does not fail to deliver on the original hotspot's success.

The new branch takes up two floors at the south side of Nanxincang International Building. Compared to its other site at Changhong Qiao, which retains the look of a high-end, state-run restaurant in the 1980s, the new branch is far more modern and spacious.

Despite the updated decor, splashed with black and white, the place retains classic Chinese cultural elements.

The decorating theme is that of a royal Chinese library. The 23 private rooms on the second level, which can accommodate from four to 120 people, are named after different sections of the Imperial Collection of Four, which was compiled by Qing Dynasty (1639-1911) court official Ji Xiaolan.

The food will not fail the expectations of a 5-star restaurant. It is said that Da Dong, long before the new branch opened, had two sets of cooking and waiting staffs at the old branch. Half of the experienced staff transferred to the new branch to ensure the quality of food is consistent at both places.