Hands-down my favorite place to dine in the Quad Cities. I remember the first few times I came in, and chef Charles and his wife, Melissa greeted me and both remembered my name as well as a few personal details about me. I was blown away by this! They are so engaging and their passion for what they do is easily felt through their food and all interactions from their staff. To this day, Chef Jeremy will always stop what he is doing to welcome me by name whenever I walk in. No place has ever been more inviting to me. My ego doesn't require this, but it sure does appreciate this! I feel like fine dining in the QC is risky, because when I would visit other restaurants, sometimes it would be really good, and other times it would be really bad. Or, maybe the food was great, but the service would be terrible, or the decor would feel too casual, or I'd visit a place that was beautiful inside but the food was lacking. Duck City is always consistent. I don't feel like I have to sacrifice anything when I go to DCB. I have learned now that if I have a celebratory occasion or I am wanting a fun night out, I will always choose DCB because I can count on the food, service, ambiance, etc being outstanding! They treat their guests like royalty, and are always accommodating to my particular needs and nuances. Great cocktails--made the correct way, delicious food, huge portions--I always have leftovers. Nam makes my martinis, because he knows exactly how I prefer them-slightly dirty, extra shaken. Melissa recommended that I order the Filet Melissa, and now I order that 80% of the time. It's simply perfect. Best steak in town, whether it's served Melissa style, au poivre, Diane, or with herbed butter. I'll eat their rockfish cold out of the styrofoam the next morning, it's that good!!! I had a veal special there for the first time in my life and it was prepared beautifully with a jalapeño jam. All of their fish dishes are unique and I would honestly feel comfortable ordering anything that was on their menu. Best shrimp cocktail I've ever eaten. Nothing compares! There is a reason it has withstood during economic highs and lows in our area, and has been a constant in downtown Davenport, even through the urban deterioration and recent gentrification. I think that signifies a lot! I always enjoy when Jeremy finishes cooking and visits the floor. Nam is truly the most gracious person in that industry. All restaurant owners should wish they could clone him. Nam is so kind, so helpful, always does anything and EVERYTHING to please the guests, never drops the ball, makes you feel like you're the most important person in the world. Rachel and Sarah also always make me feel so welcome and are so helpful to me and my guests. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Call me predictable, but I never consider going elsewhere for dinner. So long as I can pick the place, the crew and I will always dine here!!!
(5)
Michelle K.
Stumbled upon Duck City Bistro while on a business trip and I'm glad we took the hike over to check it out. The maitre d' started us out by showing us the specials for the evening in the front case. He had a great energy and everything looked fantastic. We started out with the pomme frites, fried in duck fat. You can't go wrong with duck fat fries, honestly. For our mains, my manager had the duck and I went with the horseradish crusted salmon. My salmon was covered in crispy onion straws, oh dear goodness it was great. We were so full by the end of our entrees that we couldn't attempt dessert, but I imagine it'd be delicious as well. The chef came out multiple times to joke with us and make sure we were enjoying our meal. The servers were all very attentive and everything came out in a timely manner. I won't lie, the ambiance is on the more romantic side making it awkward for dinner with your boss, but we both agreed that it was a great meal. It is a touch pricier than your average day-to-day meal, but would be great for a special occasion.
(4)
Hal L.
The chef us an infusion chef. Many great flavor to the dishes. Lamb is great. Scallops over butternut squash is great also. Give them a try. You will love it.
(5)
Craig D.
We were looking for new "date night" restaurants after moving to the area, so popped open Yelp and opted to give Duck City a chance. We were not disappointed. We tend to sample apps, so tried the shrimp cocktail and escargot. WOW...massive shrimp...be careful with the horseradish because it will punch you...in the face! The escargot was perfectly cooked. The lobster bisque was excellent though the lobster pieces were a bit rubbery. The main course was simply the icing on the cake. She had a Thai chicken strip dish (can't remember the name) with peanut sauce and rice. I had the filet which was amazing...perfectly cooked and fork tender (though I did use my knife like a gentleman). Our server was knowledgeable, polite, and attentive. The drawbacks...their table bread was extremely disappointing given the quality of everything else. Not sure where they get it but it was dry and tasted like frozen bread reheated. My wife, who typically devours bread, went no further than a couple bites of her first piece. The dining room ambience was nice but for some boisterous, seemingly intoxicated gentlemen at the dining room bar...I mean, "there's a side bar, go be loud in there and let us have a nice night in here." Perhaps some crowd control would improve this. No room for dessert this time, but stay tuned.
(5)
Lianne N.
I made a reservation for our first visit to this restaurant. They asked if we were celebrating anything, and when I said it was for my birthday, they asked my first name. Upon being greeted at the door, we agreed to see the specials. The chef was amusing enough, mostly just because he was trying so hard, but not really because his schtick was funny. He was very loud. I was glad we weren't seated near him. Walking to the table with the hostess, I remarked that he seemed to be trying to win a role on a tv show... We were taken to our table, and they had written on the butcher block paper that covered the tablecloths, wishing me a happy 21st birthday. Ahhh to be 21 again... My name was also on their chalkboard recognizing my birthday. The food... I wasn't particularly impressed with my garlic house salad. Honestly, it tasted like mayonnaise dressing. My raspberry chocolate creme brulee was just ok... I've had much better creme brulees in the past. The filet special was very good, very tasty, cooked perfectly. The mussels appetizer was the biggest winner of the night. A very generous portion of mussels. Really, you could make a good lunch out of that appetizer. As for the prices... If you agree to have them put a little bit of extra lobster on top of your bisque, it's an extra $5. My dirty martini was one of the best I'd ever had.. but it was also $12, so I'm glad I enjoyed it. A glass of basic red wine was fairly generously portioned, but also $6. I'm not sure what our entrees cost... the specials have no prices mentioned, and I admit I did not remember to look what the specific prices were for the entrees when the total bill came. Really though, it wasn't a huge surprise for the total on the bill, as I knew we'd ordered a lot, and dessert too! And last but not least... The wait staff was very nice. We had a waiter in training with our waitress, and he apologized for not being totally on the ball, but really he did fine, and the whole process was very nice. I'd like to come back again for a date night with hubby...
(4)
Justin G.
Everything was done with excellence. I had the Prime New York Strip. Super impressed with the quality, presentation, and staff!
(4)
Tyler C.
This is one super fancy place, and if you're going here you better not be afraid to spend 40 dollars per person. My initial instinct would be to give this place 3 stars or less simply because when we went, they were completely out of Mountain Dew, and completely out of almost every single item that was 20 dollars or under so we had no choice but to spend 40 per person. With that being said, I'm actually glad that was the case because I had the Cajun ribeye, and it was the best ribeye I've ever had. It was so big, juicy and tender, and the flavor was unreal. If you feel like splurging, please do yourself a favor and get it.
(4)
Mindy L.
I would have to say a little overrated. The chef is extremely passionate and presents a wonderful menu. It makes you anticipate the best meal ever...but when it arrives it is unfortunately anti-climatic. We ordered the lobster bisque and was asked if we wanted lobster pieces in the soup. In all my travels I have never experienced that...just weird. My salmon was ok. Maybe it was all the hype, but for the price it was simply "ok." Oh and when they bring the garlic and bread out, you will want the butter the garlic is way too bland.
(3)
Ashley P.
This is an experience. You receive a full visual walk through of all of the featured dishes of the night before your table is sat. We all enjoyed our dinners and wine pairings -- lots of seafood and steak choices. I come to Davenport quite often on business and was astonished to discover this place after 2 years....I felt so cheated I hadn't been sooner!
(4)
Michael K.
Best restaurant in the Quad City area. The ambiance and the character of the facility is as good as any I have been in entertaining clients around the world. I love to dine with family and clients at this wondrful establishment. The wait staff and the owners are deeply involved and make you feel special. The food is extremely well prepared and presented with great fanfair. Extremely tasteful and fulfilling. I highly recommend anyone looking for either a quiet couples engagement dinner to a rowdy business/birthday group engagement to have a great dining experience.
(5)
Katy L.
Very accommodating for our group of 12 attending an event at the Adler Theater across the street. One person in our party had to wait several minutes for her entree after everyone else had been served. Otherwise, I enjoyed their duck!
(4)
Scott M.
EXCELLENT food, just very pricey. Very nice atmosphere, staff welcomes you and explains entrees with a window of the food. We went to this restaurant as a backup since our 1st choice restaurant was too busy so we weren't sure what we were getting into. The entrees on the menu did not have any prices, nor did the combo appetizer which the waitress mentioned and we ordered, some things had prices but none of the food mentioned above. So we were surprised with the bill at the end BUT overall still enjoyed the visit since the food was so good, the chef came out and checked on guests after they got their food too which was a nice touch. My wife and I, two beers a pop, two entrees and half the appetizer was $100, add tip made it a $120 bill.
(4)
Andy G.
My favorite restaurant in town. Great food in a friendly atmosphere. A definite must-visit when passing through.
(5)
B B.
Wonderful experience here. The only thing better than the food are the owners, Chef Charles and Melissa. They know service and make sure you leave having had a memorable meal.
(5)
Flamin T.
Staff is outstanding, very nice, helpful, courteous. Even the chef comes out to check on you!!!
(5)
Tammy R.
Why go any where else? Chef is dynamic, and spot on with his spices, flavor and use of smoke and grill. He's attentive to our vegetarian diners and carnivores. Wait staff is fast but not pushy. Atmosphere is pleasant, inviting, and welcoming. Eat here now!
(5)
Graig C.
Awesome experience! The chef was very, very personable and enthusiastic. Ordered the pork brisket and it was simply one of the best meals I've ever had!
(5)
Tiphanie C.
The food and the service were BOTH excellent. Out waiter was friendly and well informed. He put our order in and the food came out (perfectly cooked) and simply delicious. My husband had the NY strip with the risotto and it was delicious. I had the stuffed pork chop and I would totally order it again. I see other fellow yelpers complaining about the price. Duck City is not Applebee's! It's Duck City! And it's 100% worth every penny!!!! Rare fine dining in the Quad Cities.
Visited Duck city for a birthday celebration and was blown away by the quality of the food and service at this little restaurant in Davenport. The chef greets you when you enter with an over the top presentation of the days specials. Our waiter Dave was super nice. We started with mussels and escargot both of which were outstanding. I ordered the Cajun ribeye for my dinner. While I usually stay away from restaurants ruining USDA prime meat with sauces I'm glad I gave this one a try. The meat was cooked perfectly and the Cajun sauce was a really good pairing. This is definitely a go to spot whenever I visit quad cities in the future.
(5)
Rachel B.
From the moment I walked in this was a great experience. Greeted by the executive chef, given a full visual run down of the specials, and AMAZING dinner! Highly recommended!
(5)
Carol E.
Stayed in Davenport at the beautiful Blackhawk hotel and Duck City Bistro was recomeended to us. The food and service was amazing! We sat at the bar and Brandon took care of us. The food was magnificent and my husband thought it was the best pork chop he has ever eaten. I had beef tips and they were delicious. Try their salad with garlic dressing. Serve homemade bread with a roasted garlic clove. Chef was trained at Cordon Bleu and it shows. My husband tried the Matso Ball soup and said it was better than his Grandma's. We drove from San Diego to Maine and heading home. Best food we have had on our trip so far
(5)
Blake B.
Oh my..A MUST! So many things to compliment: the service, the atmosphere, the attitude, and the FOOD! Came to Davenport on business from Dallas and one of the best places I've ever been too.
Came here as a member of the cast of a show across the street at the Adler. The owner was extremely accommodating. When we showed up at lunch and they weren't open, he gave us suggestions. At dinner he brought cast members to a private room. And after the show, he gave us some delicious free eats for our whole cast. Everything on the menu seems great. Good atmosphere. Intimate setting.
(5)
Eric S.
One of my favorite restaurants. The staff are exceptional and the food is fantastic. I have always enjoyed the entire experience and would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(5)
Nola L.
Duck City? More like Suck City. Greeting from host: "did you let us know you were coming?" Translation: "did you make a reservation?" Oh and don't you DARE say you've never been there before because the owner/executive chef proceeds to do an off Broadway performance/newscast of the day's specials (including impersonal and intermittent yelling and absolutely no eye contact). You are also greeted at your table by a Wal-Mart-esque duck decoy holding the wing shaped paper wine list. No words to describe this awkward and horrible customer service experience. We stayed for appetizers out of our general respect for humanity and proceeded to go to Antonella's down the street for amazing pizza and honest service. Please see that review after this one.
(1)
Ellen K.
Last night my husband and I ate at Duck City Bistro in Davenport ,and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! We went there for our anniversary, and we were welcomed warmly and shown all the entrees with a witty comment on practically each item. We were seated at our table (I had made a reservation that day), and on our table was written Happy Anniversary with our names. That was really cool! It was also posted on their chalkboard, so they really make their customers feel special. The ambiance was quaint and they played Sinatra type music. Then we ordered. We had a shrimp cocktail so GIANORMOUS the shrimp were as big as a piece of crab or lobster! (So NOT kidding!) Their lobster bisque was to die for, the horseradish crusted salmon was delectable, and the Cajun rib eye was better than the Cajun cuisine in New Orleans (we just came from Southern Mississippi, so we have something to compare it to!) We topped it off with a pineapple dessert that I'm not really sure what was in it, but it was a cross between a crème Brule and a bread pudding - totally sinful!! It was a bit pricey, but it was totally worth it! Highly recommend Duck City Bistro, which is across from the Addler Theater, if you're looking for an intimate place with absolutely FABULOUS food!
(5)
Al G.
What a great find for Davenport or anywhere on the planet. Everything we ate was the best of the best. To start off we had Artichoke fritters, french fries cooked in Duck fat, Lobster Bisque with large lumps of lobster, and for the main course we had Duck Confit (why go to a place called Duck City Bistro without trying the Duck). There were so many things I wanted to try, but did not have enough room in my stomach to hold it. I have had all of these dishes elsewhere but none have come close to the taste and experience that we received here. The Chef has been schooled in Chicago and Paris, and he is also very entertaining. It was a great experience on every level.
(5)
Ted T.
Dine here last week.. checked out the menu and prices on line... don't be fooled!! The prices are 2-7 $$ cheaper on the website for same item.. when I brought this to the attention of the server, she told me that website was old and they don't use it anymore and seemed baffled by my inquest. She went back to management who told her that it was a 10 year old webpage.. really? Came up 1st in Google search. Anyway, they didn't seem to care and did nothing about it.. oh well.. the server seemed lost and confused. Food was delicious . I had the sirloin and can't complain...
(2)
Lilly L.
Really cool concept. Greeted by a hyper chef clearly with a hankering for acting. I love how he walks you through the specials and has you salivating by the end of the short 2 minute presentation. The food itself is decent, not blow-your-mind amazing...but the service is great and the atmosphere cute. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Susan S.
My husband & I had good food but overpriced! It was extremely loud with owner chef Jeremy hawking the specials loudly, carnival style as people entered. It was a dark atmosphere, nicely decorated, but very messy/ dirty around the chefs cooking area. The waitstaff was rushing constantly - running back & forth but giving good service. We checked the Scott Co. Health Dept. Inspections & there were many serious violations almost every visit - almost lost my appetite reading those :/ we probably won't be back.
(3)
Mike And Nita B.
Excellent ! Reminds me of Chicago. Love the ambiance. Great service, drinks and food. Really enjoyed the tuna and my wife's rib eye, if you are in the quad cities, it is must do .
(5)
Dominick C.
All I can say is oh my f#$%ing god. Just about the best meal I've ever had. I ordered the Cajun rib eye and it was perfect. Highly recommend. Pricey but actually worth it.
(5)
Dicky L.
This place rules! First and only time; just visiting... The Chef Jeremy (he is a frickin' rock star!) presented the menu like I have never seen; passionate, personal & informative. He was engaging during the whole meal (not pushy at all), just genuinely concerned with every detail of the meal. I had the mushroom soup... which might be the best soup I have ever had! The Cajun Rib Eye just about knocked me off my chair; cooked perfect and flavor that danced on my tongue (really). I would come here again and again... Thanks for a great meal! Cheers
(4)
John H.
Every once in a while a restaurant blows you away. And that is exactly what Duck City does. I have been there twice, and both times left with a big smile on my face and a full belly. Jeremy understands service. Customers feel like kings while at the same time feel "small town welcome". Warning, it is hard to pick an entree, as they all look amazing. I went with the Cajun Ribeye as it was unique - unbelievable. Next time I am gunning for the scallops. Thank you, Duck City!
(5)
Roxanne O.
Had the opportunity to visit Duck City Bistro while in town for business. Despite the fact that this restaurant is known for its meaty entrees, seeing "vegetarian requests easily accommodated" on the online menu made me want to stop in. My coworker and I were given a verbal and visual introduction to the night's features. A little odd, but we rolled with it. (think circus ringmaster) We were promptly seated and I asked our server what the chef could whip up for me. Apparently, they must not get many vegetarians because it took a little while for our server to get an answer from the kitchen and the manager. The chef was able to make up a batch of their famous portabella mushroom appetizer sans whatever meat is normally mixed with them, and they were really good. I followed that up with their "famous" garlic salad, which seemed like your basic, creamy dressing coated salad to me. It was served with fresh French bread and roasted garlic. (the garlic was perhaps the best part of my meal) For my entree, the chef crafted a blue cheese risotto topped with a roasted vidalia onion and a smattering of carrots and squash. It was good...but not $25 good. As someone else noted, pricing can be a little out of whack for items not listed on the menu. (bait and switch, perhaps?) I also got a side of asparagus that definitely wasn't worth $8.50. I can see why this restaurant is popular because of its beautiful decor and innovative entrees, but I have to say that I think it's a bit overpriced for what it is. My compliments to the chef for accommodating my dietary restrictions, but I hope to never pay that much for risotto again.
(3)
Timothy N.
OMG, this place was WAY beyond what I was expecting. It was awesome. If I didn't live in Dallas I might even tell someone else about this find.
(4)
Ana A.
Family owned business, fabulous food. Love the enthusiasm of the chefs. Worth every penny!!
(5)
Brandy H.
This place is absolutely amazing!! They staff is very nice as is the cooks! They put on a great lil show when you first walk in and Chef Jeremy will usually come check on you during your meal to see how everything is! It can get expensive but it is well worth it! I recommend the lobster bisque 100%, if I lived back home I would go just for that. Also the portobello mushrooms are amazing and the meat any cut comes out perfect!!! If you're looking to go out on a nice date, anniversary, or for a special treat.. This is the place to go!
(5)
Raymond Y.
$76 for crab legs??? Needless to say we were surprised when we got the bill. Everything else was in line but that was a total surprise( that we should have been forewarned about). Massive amounts of food if you like it that way. Sauces are over the top with no subtlety at all. If you like it big and bold, go for it but ask about pricing before you order.
(2)
Marc H.
Duck City Bistro is a great restaurant. The food is absolutely fantastic and delicious! I have been here multiple times and have yet try anything I didn't enjoy immensely. The service is phenomenal, from the wonderful presentation of the specials upon your arrival, all the way through your meal. Chef Jeremy is very friendly, personable, and excellent at preparing great meals. Previous reviews claiming they prefer Applebee's over Duck City really shouldn't be writing reviews on a fine dining restaurant to begin with. Applebee's is practically the McDonald's of sit-down type restaurants. Yes, some items on the menu are pricey, but it's to be expected for the quality, atmosphere, and service that Duck City provides. For the record, there are also plenty of items on the menu that very moderately priced. Not only is the food great, but they also make really good drinks. I had several mojitos during my last visit, and they were some of the best I've had. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone I know. I'll definitely be back again soon.
(5)
Meghan H.
Let me tell you about Duck City. I worked there as a server for 2 weeks, and quit quickly for a reason. These are people that throw NOTHING away- no exaggeration. The bread and butter that they serve you at the beginning of your meal? Wait staff is instructed to throw the leftover bread and butter that you never finished into a large nasty bucket underneath the sink. The restaurant then uses this bin of dirty bread and butter and uses it to make one of their featured desserts: The pineapple crusade. The chocolate covered strawberries given to you at the end of your bill are recycled at the end of every night- wait staff has to literally take the chocolate off with their fingers, put it back in the "chocolate container" and the strawberries- which are god knows how old- are put back into the "strawberry container" all to be used the next day. The prices are too high for the quality of food that is served to you. Crab cakes are pre-frozen, The risotto is really cheap rice. The cits of meat are sub-par. All cheap ingredients used in this restaurant are covered with towels or napkins when the staff brings them up- This is an open floor restaurant remember, so you can see everything that is going on. Meanwhile you're paying at least $50 for your plate- and thats on the low end. The staff is instructed to always push for the most expensive item for all customer inquiries, so you can never get an honest answer when asking for an opinion. Don't waste your money here. They'll make you feel special, as that's what they're known for- "the show" but your time and money is better served elsewhere.
(1)
Zach H.
A surprisingly good restaurant. I went to this place while on a trip across country, not expecting to find any good restaurants at most of the places I stopped, but I was surprised. The front, along with the surrounding area, is pretty unassuming (I'm from a big city, so not everyone may agree with that). However, once you get inside, you are immediately greeted and shown the featured dishes for that night. The keyword here is shown, because they actually have them in a glass case, where the waiter shows you each individual dish. The food here is also very good. This is a bistro, so most of the dishes have some meet or fish in them. I personally had the onion rings and one of the featured dishes, a rock fish with cajun sauces, both of which were great. What makes this a five, though, is the hospitality. Not only were the waiters and waitresses very nice and sociable, but the chef actually sat down and talked with us for half an hour about the restaurant and other things (his shift was done).
(5)
Robert C.
There's no doubt about it, Yelp reviews are not "scientific polls." There are people who are biased toward writing positive reviews for restaurants they like, and other people - like me - who are more inclined to write negative reviews about restaurants which have found a way to displease them. In the case of Duck City, they have so displeased me that I must confess that I can only think of revenge. I had eaten there once before, several months ago. That night things had gone mostly well, my only problem having been monster french fries cooked in duck fat and served in rolled-up newspaper cones. Yes, I had been forewarned about that and thus it would have been most unfair to criticize the restaurant for having delivered on their stated intention; but it was still an appalling creation. The french fries tasted like, well, duck. And whatever anyone says about the ink on newspapers being edible, it was pretty rough on the sense of vision to see food served that way in an advanced western society. If that night several months ago could be judged quite nice with one appalling exception, then tonight's meal could only be described as appalling with just one exception - good bread. Even at that, the roasted garlic which had been the perfect accompaniment for the bread several months ago this time tasted twice cooked: first roasted, then boiled in the proverbial dish water that mediocre restaurants invariably use. Not in the mood for much of a gourmet meal, to the point I had told my two dinner companions I would be having "regular food," I tried to keep it simple: a garlic mixed green salad, and onion rings. Nice try. What should have been a mixed green salad more resembled a tub of cole slaw schlogged on the plate, garnished with garlic flakes from a dollar store. The unfortunate greens were immersed in a viscous and flavorless white fluid that attempted to embellish them but only wound up turning them into insipid mush. That was the good part of the meal. The so-called "onion rings" were in fact what are called "onion strings" in lousy restaurants that offer "early bird specials" in South Florida, where my parents once lived, and presumably elsewhere. No doubt there are people that like all that crispy grease, but I for one insist that onion rings actually be rings. I resisted every invitation the waiter offered to comment on the food, for fear of embarrassing my two friends, who seemed pleased with their food (although one of them later confessed that her matzoh ball had had a cold center). On the way out, the chef flashed an unctuous smile and asked how the food had been. Do they ever expect an honest answer to that question? Since my friends had already exited, I drew closer and told him that although I had ordered onion rings, I had received onion strings. Taken aback, he stated "that's how we make them here." I shot back at him "I noticed that." Not very clever, but certainly direct enough. That's it for me, Duck City. Never again!
(1)
Adrianne K.
Seriously not worth the money. The food is just okay, and absolutely not worth the high prices!
(2)
Jason M.
After a six week stint in the QC Duck City proved itself as the best and most novel restaurant in town. As the diner walks in they are greeted not with a recounting of the specials of the day, but a display. Yes, Duck City makes sure you see every single special they have on the menu that day. Do not be fooled into thinking that this is one or two items. On my visit I counted 13 different plates which crossed under my nose before I even sat down. The food quality follows with the extensive variety. Everything I ordered was amazing. I ordered the signature dish which is the Duck. To prove that every order is made special the chef writes the name of the ordering party for the duck in sauce on the plate. I can rant and rave more about my enjoyable experience, but it will just be useless flattery. Duck City was far and away the nicest dining experience I had in the QC. I have not one complaint about the restaurant and would recommend it to anyone in the area looking for a fine dining experience.
(5)
Dean K.
Duck City Bistro is hard to figure out. I ate here before I started asking around about it, which is a good thing because I probably would have skipped this place if I'd talked to locals first. It's fair to say that the owner is not going to win any popularity contests in the region. It seems to me that the bulk of his business is from out-of-towners, and, looking over the reviews on Yelp, they also seem to be the folks who are most impressed. Well, I'm one of those out-of-towners, and I gotta say that I had a good experience. Service was good, if a bit too fawning, and the entree I ate was delicious. I chose one of the specials: three jumbo shrimp surrounded by a curry sauce and resting on half of a roasted butternut squash. My main complaint is pricing. They aren't the least bit transparent about prices for the specials and don't like a lot of questions about it. My shrimp entree was $39, which seemed high, and it wasn't even the most expensive special. Add in a glass of wine and a salad, and you can easily spend $75/person including tip to eat here. So, did I have a good meal? Yes. Will I go back? No. There are other places in the region that provide a better overall experience for less money. Should you go? Depends. If you're not bothered by the prices, you'll probably enjoy the food.
I had always passed Duck City while driving through Davenport and never really knew what it was about. So I decided as a surprise to take my girlfriend out to this place we always have talked about. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. We walk into the bistro and are greeted by almost the entire staff. They then walk us through a display case full of the specials fully plated. The chef came out half way through the tour and continued on with the show. After ten minutes of specials we were seated and what follows is our order: +Two Long Islands - They were mixed well. They didn't have what we first asked for because they had run out of what ever mix it needed. So we went with our second choice. +Complimentary loaf of bread with a baked head of garlic as the spread. +Escargot - I believe there were a total of eight snails lathered in a smokey sauce. It was rich and garlicky; everything escargot should be. The sauce lent itself to be a great dipping sauce for the bread. +Matzo Ball Soup - First time I had ever tried it and I'm glad I did. The soup was steaming when it arrived the table. The soup still boiling in the bowel. (They had the bowel in the oven as well) The serving size was large. It was a meal unto itself. +Rack of Lamb - (One of the specials) This plate was amazing. Four tender slow cooked lamb ribs that were covered in a sauce similar to the escargot. This was one of the best racks I have ever had. It came with veggies and garlic potatoes. +Fish Special - I'm not sure what this was because I didn't order it. But I know that Mel loved it and she thought it was tender, juicy, and had a lot of flavor. Great place if you're willing to spend some money.
(4)
Melissa S.
So amazing! A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. It is a unique place and Chef Jeremy truly has a passion for good. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fancy dinner.
(5)
Nicole W.
Great food, fun atmosphere. Took some business customers here while in town for a meeting. We enjoyed drinks, apps, entree's and even dessert. The host and servers were very accommodating and made sure we were happy several times throughout our dining experience. The bisque is great, the Fish was amazing. The price was a little high for Davenport but being from the big city it wasn't too shocking.
(4)
French C.
Probably the best highend restaurant in town. Your experience will start at the front entrance with a warm welcome from the staff and a quick overlook of the kitchen in the back while walked thru the main menu display... Skewered thai chicken, signature duck dish, a few steak cuts and much more will get your appetite started if not already. Your table awaits in the back in a warm and inviting venue. Staff is attentive, knowledgeable and just like the owner always keep a good conversation going. Chefs will often check on your table between courses and service isn't rushed. Reservation is recommended.
(4)
Bill H.
Great dinner spot! Owner puts on quite a show and his son does a nice job as chef. Salmon on horseradish mashed potatoes is my personal favorite. Pork chop is recommended by a colleague who was with me. Big city feel.
(4)
Hannah J.
My complaints, from most egregious to least: (1. The chef. This dude was obnoxious. Not only did he schtick it up for the specials listing (which I will get to later), our table was towards the front of the restaurant, so we could hear him yelling all evening. Yelling in a restaurant is normal, you might say, but not in an open kitchen where you can hear everything that's being said. Right in front of us, he yelled at the waitstaff, the sous, and his friends (albeit a little friendlier) when they left. In the middle of our meal, we peered over and saw him EATING. EATING while preparing someone's plate. When he greeted us as we left, he asked us if everything was good and my guest said, "Yes, everything but you!" The chef alone, even given perfect food, ruined my experience. (2. The Specials. As soon as we entered (early in the evening before it got really busy), a hostess took us through the restaurant's specials for the evening, which were displayed in a clear refrigerator case at the front of the restaurant. I heard the phrase "garlic smashed potatoes" about 7 times and remembered absolutely nothing about the dishes that I was spoken to about. Looking at the menu, only 3 or 4 regular menu items were listed, along with a list of the specials (13 or so) on a separate menu. However, the additional menu didn't list all of the specials, nor did it list prices, which was an enormous surprise at the end of the meal, of course. The meals, which must be going to waste in the refrigerated case, were not labeled with what they were, and the menu only listed some of them. Come on. Be a little more specific than that. Print out a small paper insert. Describe your specials a little better. No one is going to remember the ten minute speech. Even more frustratingly, I had gone online to see the menu the day before, thinking I'd pick out what I'd eat, and the specials didn't match. (3. The food. I could've tolerated the quality of Duck City Bistro's food if I'd been eating at Applebee's. That's value. But at a restaurant that has a Cordon Bleu graduate as its executive chef? No. Our food, starting with a swimming-in-garlicy-ranch-dressing iceberg salad, was mediocre at best. The bread, served with roasted garlic, was fine. The garlic, however, was cold and utterly disappointing. I ordered a New York Strip with brie risotto and asparagus, surrounded by a sickeningly sweet reduction. The risotto was the only redeeming factor of the dish. The asparagus was extremely tough, as was my steak. Considering they touted it as "cuts like butter," I was extremely surprised when it took considerable force to cut through my steak. I asked for medium rare--it was instead cooked to medium if not medium well. Overall, extremely overrated restaurant that no one should spend hard-earned money eating at. You'll just be annoyed by the chef, confused by the specials, and disappointed at your mediocre food.
(1)
Pam H.
Stopped in without a reservation on a Friday evening and was greeted. An employee described the entrees and appetizers and we were seated. Wow! I had duck, hubs had Chilean Bass. Great mojitos, and mojito martinis! We will be back! I wish we would've stayed for dessert. I wish we would've gone here years ago.
(5)
don m.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the United States, Chef Jeremy's culinary skills are outstanding. Make no mistake; this is a steakhouse that truly stands out. I am a well traveled well trained cook, this restaurant is a must see if you are anywhere near the area. This is the only restaurant I've reviewed that I've given the highest possible rating.
(5)
John W.
Ate here twice on a trip to Moline/Davenport Illinois/Iowa. The food is surprisingly good. Try the lobster bisque, crabcakes, and the chicken. The specials are quite good though about twice the price of the regular menu items. Speaking of cost, the regular menu items are a bargain for what you get. Everything is mid 20s or less. Salmon with herb crust is $16. Can't really beat that for quality food. The appetizer combo is something to try. Their mushrooms are really interesting - worth a try. Desserts are fine but not as good as the entrees, cheesecakes, key lime pies, a giant chocolate item. There's only one dessert wine, that's my only complaint. A couple other dessert wines to choose from would be nice. They have ports though. Service is professional and if you're early you are inevitably greeted by the cooks and shown the specials. During the meal the owners (?) of the restaurant come by and check how things are going. All in all a quality experience in the heartland. The Quad cities has an excellent restaurant for a reasonable price.
(5)
zane l.
As a former, recent employee of Duck City's, I think I might be able to offer another viewpoint that many potential patrons might find enlightening. Bear in mind I worked at this restaurant for a full year, so my experience there is not a flash in the pan, nor is it based upon the animosity of a disgruntled ex-worker, for I was, until such time as I quit, a career server/bartender who prided myself upon my professionalism and skill. Chef Charles, while admittedly friendly to those with deep pockets, is quite possibly the most crooked, dishonest, ill-tempered man in the Quad Cities, though his son, the head cook (I hesitate to say 'Chef', knowing what I do of his cooking style) Jeremy, comes in a close second. I sincerely hope the moderators do not take down this review, for while it may strike them as a conflict of interest, the people that are planning of dining at Duck City need to know what they're getting into. The owner, Chef Charles, will berate any employee who does not get every person at every table to order the most expensive items possible on the menu. If the party is large and he feels he can get away with it, he will add on extra drinks, extra appetizers, extra entrees, bottles of wine, or simply adjust the prices of aforementioned items so that the customer ends up paying much, much more than they should. Woe the employee who begs to differ from this practice, he risks ridicule for certain or even termination. The hygenic conditions at this restaurant are appaling, food often spoils and is stored next to other food that is used, or the rotten parts are cut out and it is used regardless. Your filet of Salmon get dropped on the filthy floor? No worries, brush it off and serve it anyways. As for the bar, the bartender makes a regular practice of pouring well liquor into premium liquor bottles. That Grey Goose Martini you jsut paid $10 for? It was most likely made with Phillips Vodka which costs them $10 a bottle. They don't bat an eye at deception like this, and Charles, the owner everyone seems to love and respect, is aware of and encourages it all. Again, I write this not as a personal attack, for everyone in the restaurant business in the Quad Cities is well-aware of the reputation of Duck City and its staff/management. The greater public, however, seems to be completely ignorant of all the ways that they are getting fleeced when they walk through the doors, and for that reason I feel it is my duty to inform them to beware this restaurant. I feel horrible that I was for so long complicit in such an enterprise, and maybe telling people the truth is a way in which I can repent. Thanks, and you've been warned. Want more detailed information about the practices at this place? Feel free to email me. -Zane Latta
(1)
BONNIE m.
We arrived in Davenport to spend the night before a college reunion...bedraggled and stressed out from weathering Hurricane Ike in Houston. What a delight! We were greeted and shown the very extensive evening selection of beautifully prepared foods... too many choices! The salmon was superb and the duck was absolutely delish. A well prepared martini and a tad of wine from the great wine list made our evening.... Davenport is sadly a bit of a backwater when it comes to great dining... this is definitely a stop for those who like an upscale, yet funkily casual feel and a great feed!
(5)
Elaine C.
I lived & worked in Davenport for 10 years before moving to California, and now I'm asking myself "why didn't I eat at Duck City more often?" I've eaten there on 2 recent visits, and each time had outstanding food and service. Some of the prices can be on the high side (relative to the area), but most are quite reasonable, and some are practically "cheap", so choices can be made to reasonably accommodate almost any budget. For a special occasion, you can't beat Duck City - you get more than you pay for in beautiful atmosphere, fabulous food, and attentive service. My pre-dinner cocktail was about the best dirty martini I've ever had, anywhere, ever! Visiting from out-of-town and unable to take our leftovers "home", we ordered on the light side at Duck City. DH's matzo ball soup had incredible depth of flavor, my char-broiled sirloin was perfectly tender and delicious, and our shared pommes frites were amazing. We were treated like royalty, and left the restaurant grinning like fools over having had such a wonderful dining experience. A great re-discovery for me, and we will definitely be back! So now we have to figure out how to fit in a meal at Duck City AND one at Le Figaro - both very worthy dining destinations - during our occasional weekend visits to the QCs!
(5)
Jen D.
Well. The previous reviews certainly explain some things. We went to a YPN event at Duck City recently - I'd been very excited to go, having heard that it was a must-try. The event was lovely. Really yummy apps - the caramelized bacon scallop skewers and delicious filet bits were absolute standouts - and the space was very conducive to mixing & mingling with the QCA crowd of up & comers. So we decided to get dinner with a friend. After asking for a table, the chef (I assume the younger of the two owners? Son of owner?) proceeds to schlep us to the oft-referenced glass case to point out the specials. Maybe I've passed by one too many cheap LA sushi joints with faux seafood in the cases, but entrees in a cooler always look like Fisher Price food to me. I'm flashing back to a sadly chewed & abused pork chop from my Montessori days...regardless, we'd been warned about the astronomical and questionably priced specials and stuck to the more reasonably priced menu. I had the lobster bisque and mussels. The bisque was oddly brown and thick - if bisque can be overdone, it was. The mussels were very tasty - tender, not too chewy and flavorful. The husband reported back an average pork chop, but enjoyed the 1/2 of my mussels I was too full to finish (that bisque was heavy!). We cannot recall what the friend had - draw your own conclusions from that. I picked a big red to go with what they ate - Louis Martini Cabernet 2006 - & because I am a Philistine & love big reds with buckets of steamed shellfish. I was not driving that night, so all I recall about the bill was that it was more than the food was worth & even worse than that, surprising. While I thought the roasted garlic instead of just the standard butter with bread was a lovely touch, unfortunately all went downhill from there. We will go back for events, but not for dinner.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Nasreen K.
Hands-down my favorite place to dine in the Quad Cities. I remember the first few times I came in, and chef Charles and his wife, Melissa greeted me and both remembered my name as well as a few personal details about me. I was blown away by this! They are so engaging and their passion for what they do is easily felt through their food and all interactions from their staff. To this day, Chef Jeremy will always stop what he is doing to welcome me by name whenever I walk in. No place has ever been more inviting to me. My ego doesn't require this, but it sure does appreciate this! I feel like fine dining in the QC is risky, because when I would visit other restaurants, sometimes it would be really good, and other times it would be really bad. Or, maybe the food was great, but the service would be terrible, or the decor would feel too casual, or I'd visit a place that was beautiful inside but the food was lacking. Duck City is always consistent. I don't feel like I have to sacrifice anything when I go to DCB. I have learned now that if I have a celebratory occasion or I am wanting a fun night out, I will always choose DCB because I can count on the food, service, ambiance, etc being outstanding! They treat their guests like royalty, and are always accommodating to my particular needs and nuances. Great cocktails--made the correct way, delicious food, huge portions--I always have leftovers. Nam makes my martinis, because he knows exactly how I prefer them-slightly dirty, extra shaken. Melissa recommended that I order the Filet Melissa, and now I order that 80% of the time. It's simply perfect. Best steak in town, whether it's served Melissa style, au poivre, Diane, or with herbed butter. I'll eat their rockfish cold out of the styrofoam the next morning, it's that good!!! I had a veal special there for the first time in my life and it was prepared beautifully with a jalapeño jam. All of their fish dishes are unique and I would honestly feel comfortable ordering anything that was on their menu. Best shrimp cocktail I've ever eaten. Nothing compares! There is a reason it has withstood during economic highs and lows in our area, and has been a constant in downtown Davenport, even through the urban deterioration and recent gentrification. I think that signifies a lot! I always enjoy when Jeremy finishes cooking and visits the floor. Nam is truly the most gracious person in that industry. All restaurant owners should wish they could clone him. Nam is so kind, so helpful, always does anything and EVERYTHING to please the guests, never drops the ball, makes you feel like you're the most important person in the world. Rachel and Sarah also always make me feel so welcome and are so helpful to me and my guests. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Call me predictable, but I never consider going elsewhere for dinner. So long as I can pick the place, the crew and I will always dine here!!!
(5)Michelle K.
Stumbled upon Duck City Bistro while on a business trip and I'm glad we took the hike over to check it out. The maitre d' started us out by showing us the specials for the evening in the front case. He had a great energy and everything looked fantastic. We started out with the pomme frites, fried in duck fat. You can't go wrong with duck fat fries, honestly. For our mains, my manager had the duck and I went with the horseradish crusted salmon. My salmon was covered in crispy onion straws, oh dear goodness it was great. We were so full by the end of our entrees that we couldn't attempt dessert, but I imagine it'd be delicious as well. The chef came out multiple times to joke with us and make sure we were enjoying our meal. The servers were all very attentive and everything came out in a timely manner. I won't lie, the ambiance is on the more romantic side making it awkward for dinner with your boss, but we both agreed that it was a great meal. It is a touch pricier than your average day-to-day meal, but would be great for a special occasion.
(4)Hal L.
The chef us an infusion chef. Many great flavor to the dishes. Lamb is great. Scallops over butternut squash is great also. Give them a try. You will love it.
(5)Craig D.
We were looking for new "date night" restaurants after moving to the area, so popped open Yelp and opted to give Duck City a chance. We were not disappointed. We tend to sample apps, so tried the shrimp cocktail and escargot. WOW...massive shrimp...be careful with the horseradish because it will punch you...in the face! The escargot was perfectly cooked. The lobster bisque was excellent though the lobster pieces were a bit rubbery. The main course was simply the icing on the cake. She had a Thai chicken strip dish (can't remember the name) with peanut sauce and rice. I had the filet which was amazing...perfectly cooked and fork tender (though I did use my knife like a gentleman). Our server was knowledgeable, polite, and attentive. The drawbacks...their table bread was extremely disappointing given the quality of everything else. Not sure where they get it but it was dry and tasted like frozen bread reheated. My wife, who typically devours bread, went no further than a couple bites of her first piece. The dining room ambience was nice but for some boisterous, seemingly intoxicated gentlemen at the dining room bar...I mean, "there's a side bar, go be loud in there and let us have a nice night in here." Perhaps some crowd control would improve this. No room for dessert this time, but stay tuned.
(5)Lianne N.
I made a reservation for our first visit to this restaurant. They asked if we were celebrating anything, and when I said it was for my birthday, they asked my first name. Upon being greeted at the door, we agreed to see the specials. The chef was amusing enough, mostly just because he was trying so hard, but not really because his schtick was funny. He was very loud. I was glad we weren't seated near him. Walking to the table with the hostess, I remarked that he seemed to be trying to win a role on a tv show... We were taken to our table, and they had written on the butcher block paper that covered the tablecloths, wishing me a happy 21st birthday. Ahhh to be 21 again... My name was also on their chalkboard recognizing my birthday. The food... I wasn't particularly impressed with my garlic house salad. Honestly, it tasted like mayonnaise dressing. My raspberry chocolate creme brulee was just ok... I've had much better creme brulees in the past. The filet special was very good, very tasty, cooked perfectly. The mussels appetizer was the biggest winner of the night. A very generous portion of mussels. Really, you could make a good lunch out of that appetizer. As for the prices... If you agree to have them put a little bit of extra lobster on top of your bisque, it's an extra $5. My dirty martini was one of the best I'd ever had.. but it was also $12, so I'm glad I enjoyed it. A glass of basic red wine was fairly generously portioned, but also $6. I'm not sure what our entrees cost... the specials have no prices mentioned, and I admit I did not remember to look what the specific prices were for the entrees when the total bill came. Really though, it wasn't a huge surprise for the total on the bill, as I knew we'd ordered a lot, and dessert too! And last but not least... The wait staff was very nice. We had a waiter in training with our waitress, and he apologized for not being totally on the ball, but really he did fine, and the whole process was very nice. I'd like to come back again for a date night with hubby...
(4)Justin G.
Everything was done with excellence. I had the Prime New York Strip. Super impressed with the quality, presentation, and staff!
(4)Tyler C.
This is one super fancy place, and if you're going here you better not be afraid to spend 40 dollars per person. My initial instinct would be to give this place 3 stars or less simply because when we went, they were completely out of Mountain Dew, and completely out of almost every single item that was 20 dollars or under so we had no choice but to spend 40 per person. With that being said, I'm actually glad that was the case because I had the Cajun ribeye, and it was the best ribeye I've ever had. It was so big, juicy and tender, and the flavor was unreal. If you feel like splurging, please do yourself a favor and get it.
(4)Mindy L.
I would have to say a little overrated. The chef is extremely passionate and presents a wonderful menu. It makes you anticipate the best meal ever...but when it arrives it is unfortunately anti-climatic. We ordered the lobster bisque and was asked if we wanted lobster pieces in the soup. In all my travels I have never experienced that...just weird. My salmon was ok. Maybe it was all the hype, but for the price it was simply "ok." Oh and when they bring the garlic and bread out, you will want the butter the garlic is way too bland.
(3)Ashley P.
This is an experience. You receive a full visual walk through of all of the featured dishes of the night before your table is sat. We all enjoyed our dinners and wine pairings -- lots of seafood and steak choices. I come to Davenport quite often on business and was astonished to discover this place after 2 years....I felt so cheated I hadn't been sooner!
(4)Michael K.
Best restaurant in the Quad City area. The ambiance and the character of the facility is as good as any I have been in entertaining clients around the world. I love to dine with family and clients at this wondrful establishment. The wait staff and the owners are deeply involved and make you feel special. The food is extremely well prepared and presented with great fanfair. Extremely tasteful and fulfilling. I highly recommend anyone looking for either a quiet couples engagement dinner to a rowdy business/birthday group engagement to have a great dining experience.
(5)Katy L.
Very accommodating for our group of 12 attending an event at the Adler Theater across the street. One person in our party had to wait several minutes for her entree after everyone else had been served. Otherwise, I enjoyed their duck!
(4)Scott M.
EXCELLENT food, just very pricey. Very nice atmosphere, staff welcomes you and explains entrees with a window of the food. We went to this restaurant as a backup since our 1st choice restaurant was too busy so we weren't sure what we were getting into. The entrees on the menu did not have any prices, nor did the combo appetizer which the waitress mentioned and we ordered, some things had prices but none of the food mentioned above. So we were surprised with the bill at the end BUT overall still enjoyed the visit since the food was so good, the chef came out and checked on guests after they got their food too which was a nice touch. My wife and I, two beers a pop, two entrees and half the appetizer was $100, add tip made it a $120 bill.
(4)Andy G.
My favorite restaurant in town. Great food in a friendly atmosphere. A definite must-visit when passing through.
(5)B B.
Wonderful experience here. The only thing better than the food are the owners, Chef Charles and Melissa. They know service and make sure you leave having had a memorable meal.
(5)Flamin T.
Staff is outstanding, very nice, helpful, courteous. Even the chef comes out to check on you!!!
(5)Tammy R.
Why go any where else? Chef is dynamic, and spot on with his spices, flavor and use of smoke and grill. He's attentive to our vegetarian diners and carnivores. Wait staff is fast but not pushy. Atmosphere is pleasant, inviting, and welcoming. Eat here now!
(5)Graig C.
Awesome experience! The chef was very, very personable and enthusiastic. Ordered the pork brisket and it was simply one of the best meals I've ever had!
(5)Tiphanie C.
The food and the service were BOTH excellent. Out waiter was friendly and well informed. He put our order in and the food came out (perfectly cooked) and simply delicious. My husband had the NY strip with the risotto and it was delicious. I had the stuffed pork chop and I would totally order it again. I see other fellow yelpers complaining about the price. Duck City is not Applebee's! It's Duck City! And it's 100% worth every penny!!!! Rare fine dining in the Quad Cities.
(5)Eric J.
Just finished dinner. Had the blackened Cajun red rock fish. Outstanding. One of the best étouffée I've had outside Louisiana. I was by myself; since the place was very busy I sat at the bar. Not my usual preference but the new bartender Todd made it a good time.
(5)Shengte Y.
Visited Duck city for a birthday celebration and was blown away by the quality of the food and service at this little restaurant in Davenport. The chef greets you when you enter with an over the top presentation of the days specials. Our waiter Dave was super nice. We started with mussels and escargot both of which were outstanding. I ordered the Cajun ribeye for my dinner. While I usually stay away from restaurants ruining USDA prime meat with sauces I'm glad I gave this one a try. The meat was cooked perfectly and the Cajun sauce was a really good pairing. This is definitely a go to spot whenever I visit quad cities in the future.
(5)Rachel B.
From the moment I walked in this was a great experience. Greeted by the executive chef, given a full visual run down of the specials, and AMAZING dinner! Highly recommended!
(5)Carol E.
Stayed in Davenport at the beautiful Blackhawk hotel and Duck City Bistro was recomeended to us. The food and service was amazing! We sat at the bar and Brandon took care of us. The food was magnificent and my husband thought it was the best pork chop he has ever eaten. I had beef tips and they were delicious. Try their salad with garlic dressing. Serve homemade bread with a roasted garlic clove. Chef was trained at Cordon Bleu and it shows. My husband tried the Matso Ball soup and said it was better than his Grandma's. We drove from San Diego to Maine and heading home. Best food we have had on our trip so far
(5)Blake B.
Oh my..A MUST! So many things to compliment: the service, the atmosphere, the attitude, and the FOOD! Came to Davenport on business from Dallas and one of the best places I've ever been too.
(5)Lawrence H.
I have thought fondly of Duck City near constantly since my fortuitous visit on September 6th. I was in town for business and I stumbled upon DC the last night of my stay; the quality, food, mood and cheerful ambiance sent me happily on my way home. Bar service: professional and intuitive (some like there drinks less subtle than others, DC reads the customer and knows how to make what is ordered without asking), food: masterfully prepared (the owner / head chef insisted he cut my steak for me as I ordered rare; my trust was met with skillful , courteous perfection), the people: committed to delivering the pinnacle of dining experiences. The gem of Davenport cuisine is found; Duck City Bistro. 05/19/2015: Five minutes after finishing my meal, my eyes rolling too and fro, returning from la-la-land I remarked to the bartender, 'each visit to DC deserves its own separate review.' This visit featured the Steak Melissa, chef's Opus 125 to Beethoven's timeless masterpiece. I am still reeling, trying to recall its every detail, a melange deconstructed, the steak cooked elegantly warm rare, a roasted plump Vidalia onion, nearing the texture of a savory pudding, the Roquefort Brie Demi-glacé, that in-between moment when a segment of warm Brie rind teased my taste buds, the bacon twizzler, that salty molasses balance holding the melange in delicate rich balance. Formidable. Magnifique. Bravo.
(5)Mark A.
Came here as a member of the cast of a show across the street at the Adler. The owner was extremely accommodating. When we showed up at lunch and they weren't open, he gave us suggestions. At dinner he brought cast members to a private room. And after the show, he gave us some delicious free eats for our whole cast. Everything on the menu seems great. Good atmosphere. Intimate setting.
(5)Eric S.
One of my favorite restaurants. The staff are exceptional and the food is fantastic. I have always enjoyed the entire experience and would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(5)Nola L.
Duck City? More like Suck City. Greeting from host: "did you let us know you were coming?" Translation: "did you make a reservation?" Oh and don't you DARE say you've never been there before because the owner/executive chef proceeds to do an off Broadway performance/newscast of the day's specials (including impersonal and intermittent yelling and absolutely no eye contact). You are also greeted at your table by a Wal-Mart-esque duck decoy holding the wing shaped paper wine list. No words to describe this awkward and horrible customer service experience. We stayed for appetizers out of our general respect for humanity and proceeded to go to Antonella's down the street for amazing pizza and honest service. Please see that review after this one.
(1)Ellen K.
Last night my husband and I ate at Duck City Bistro in Davenport ,and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! We went there for our anniversary, and we were welcomed warmly and shown all the entrees with a witty comment on practically each item. We were seated at our table (I had made a reservation that day), and on our table was written Happy Anniversary with our names. That was really cool! It was also posted on their chalkboard, so they really make their customers feel special. The ambiance was quaint and they played Sinatra type music. Then we ordered. We had a shrimp cocktail so GIANORMOUS the shrimp were as big as a piece of crab or lobster! (So NOT kidding!) Their lobster bisque was to die for, the horseradish crusted salmon was delectable, and the Cajun rib eye was better than the Cajun cuisine in New Orleans (we just came from Southern Mississippi, so we have something to compare it to!) We topped it off with a pineapple dessert that I'm not really sure what was in it, but it was a cross between a crème Brule and a bread pudding - totally sinful!! It was a bit pricey, but it was totally worth it! Highly recommend Duck City Bistro, which is across from the Addler Theater, if you're looking for an intimate place with absolutely FABULOUS food!
(5)Al G.
What a great find for Davenport or anywhere on the planet. Everything we ate was the best of the best. To start off we had Artichoke fritters, french fries cooked in Duck fat, Lobster Bisque with large lumps of lobster, and for the main course we had Duck Confit (why go to a place called Duck City Bistro without trying the Duck). There were so many things I wanted to try, but did not have enough room in my stomach to hold it. I have had all of these dishes elsewhere but none have come close to the taste and experience that we received here. The Chef has been schooled in Chicago and Paris, and he is also very entertaining. It was a great experience on every level.
(5)Ted T.
Dine here last week.. checked out the menu and prices on line... don't be fooled!! The prices are 2-7 $$ cheaper on the website for same item.. when I brought this to the attention of the server, she told me that website was old and they don't use it anymore and seemed baffled by my inquest. She went back to management who told her that it was a 10 year old webpage.. really? Came up 1st in Google search. Anyway, they didn't seem to care and did nothing about it.. oh well.. the server seemed lost and confused. Food was delicious . I had the sirloin and can't complain...
(2)Lilly L.
Really cool concept. Greeted by a hyper chef clearly with a hankering for acting. I love how he walks you through the specials and has you salivating by the end of the short 2 minute presentation. The food itself is decent, not blow-your-mind amazing...but the service is great and the atmosphere cute. Will definitely be back.
(4)Susan S.
My husband & I had good food but overpriced! It was extremely loud with owner chef Jeremy hawking the specials loudly, carnival style as people entered. It was a dark atmosphere, nicely decorated, but very messy/ dirty around the chefs cooking area. The waitstaff was rushing constantly - running back & forth but giving good service. We checked the Scott Co. Health Dept. Inspections & there were many serious violations almost every visit - almost lost my appetite reading those :/ we probably won't be back.
(3)Mike And Nita B.
Excellent ! Reminds me of Chicago. Love the ambiance. Great service, drinks and food. Really enjoyed the tuna and my wife's rib eye, if you are in the quad cities, it is must do .
(5)Dominick C.
All I can say is oh my f#$%ing god. Just about the best meal I've ever had. I ordered the Cajun rib eye and it was perfect. Highly recommend. Pricey but actually worth it.
(5)Dicky L.
This place rules! First and only time; just visiting... The Chef Jeremy (he is a frickin' rock star!) presented the menu like I have never seen; passionate, personal & informative. He was engaging during the whole meal (not pushy at all), just genuinely concerned with every detail of the meal. I had the mushroom soup... which might be the best soup I have ever had! The Cajun Rib Eye just about knocked me off my chair; cooked perfect and flavor that danced on my tongue (really). I would come here again and again... Thanks for a great meal! Cheers
(4)John H.
Every once in a while a restaurant blows you away. And that is exactly what Duck City does. I have been there twice, and both times left with a big smile on my face and a full belly. Jeremy understands service. Customers feel like kings while at the same time feel "small town welcome". Warning, it is hard to pick an entree, as they all look amazing. I went with the Cajun Ribeye as it was unique - unbelievable. Next time I am gunning for the scallops. Thank you, Duck City!
(5)Roxanne O.
Had the opportunity to visit Duck City Bistro while in town for business. Despite the fact that this restaurant is known for its meaty entrees, seeing "vegetarian requests easily accommodated" on the online menu made me want to stop in. My coworker and I were given a verbal and visual introduction to the night's features. A little odd, but we rolled with it. (think circus ringmaster) We were promptly seated and I asked our server what the chef could whip up for me. Apparently, they must not get many vegetarians because it took a little while for our server to get an answer from the kitchen and the manager. The chef was able to make up a batch of their famous portabella mushroom appetizer sans whatever meat is normally mixed with them, and they were really good. I followed that up with their "famous" garlic salad, which seemed like your basic, creamy dressing coated salad to me. It was served with fresh French bread and roasted garlic. (the garlic was perhaps the best part of my meal) For my entree, the chef crafted a blue cheese risotto topped with a roasted vidalia onion and a smattering of carrots and squash. It was good...but not $25 good. As someone else noted, pricing can be a little out of whack for items not listed on the menu. (bait and switch, perhaps?) I also got a side of asparagus that definitely wasn't worth $8.50. I can see why this restaurant is popular because of its beautiful decor and innovative entrees, but I have to say that I think it's a bit overpriced for what it is. My compliments to the chef for accommodating my dietary restrictions, but I hope to never pay that much for risotto again.
(3)Timothy N.
OMG, this place was WAY beyond what I was expecting. It was awesome. If I didn't live in Dallas I might even tell someone else about this find.
(4)Ana A.
Family owned business, fabulous food. Love the enthusiasm of the chefs. Worth every penny!!
(5)Brandy H.
This place is absolutely amazing!! They staff is very nice as is the cooks! They put on a great lil show when you first walk in and Chef Jeremy will usually come check on you during your meal to see how everything is! It can get expensive but it is well worth it! I recommend the lobster bisque 100%, if I lived back home I would go just for that. Also the portobello mushrooms are amazing and the meat any cut comes out perfect!!! If you're looking to go out on a nice date, anniversary, or for a special treat.. This is the place to go!
(5)Raymond Y.
$76 for crab legs??? Needless to say we were surprised when we got the bill. Everything else was in line but that was a total surprise( that we should have been forewarned about). Massive amounts of food if you like it that way. Sauces are over the top with no subtlety at all. If you like it big and bold, go for it but ask about pricing before you order.
(2)Marc H.
Duck City Bistro is a great restaurant. The food is absolutely fantastic and delicious! I have been here multiple times and have yet try anything I didn't enjoy immensely. The service is phenomenal, from the wonderful presentation of the specials upon your arrival, all the way through your meal. Chef Jeremy is very friendly, personable, and excellent at preparing great meals. Previous reviews claiming they prefer Applebee's over Duck City really shouldn't be writing reviews on a fine dining restaurant to begin with. Applebee's is practically the McDonald's of sit-down type restaurants. Yes, some items on the menu are pricey, but it's to be expected for the quality, atmosphere, and service that Duck City provides. For the record, there are also plenty of items on the menu that very moderately priced. Not only is the food great, but they also make really good drinks. I had several mojitos during my last visit, and they were some of the best I've had. Overall, I would recommend this place to anyone I know. I'll definitely be back again soon.
(5)Meghan H.
Let me tell you about Duck City. I worked there as a server for 2 weeks, and quit quickly for a reason. These are people that throw NOTHING away- no exaggeration. The bread and butter that they serve you at the beginning of your meal? Wait staff is instructed to throw the leftover bread and butter that you never finished into a large nasty bucket underneath the sink. The restaurant then uses this bin of dirty bread and butter and uses it to make one of their featured desserts: The pineapple crusade. The chocolate covered strawberries given to you at the end of your bill are recycled at the end of every night- wait staff has to literally take the chocolate off with their fingers, put it back in the "chocolate container" and the strawberries- which are god knows how old- are put back into the "strawberry container" all to be used the next day. The prices are too high for the quality of food that is served to you. Crab cakes are pre-frozen, The risotto is really cheap rice. The cits of meat are sub-par. All cheap ingredients used in this restaurant are covered with towels or napkins when the staff brings them up- This is an open floor restaurant remember, so you can see everything that is going on. Meanwhile you're paying at least $50 for your plate- and thats on the low end. The staff is instructed to always push for the most expensive item for all customer inquiries, so you can never get an honest answer when asking for an opinion. Don't waste your money here. They'll make you feel special, as that's what they're known for- "the show" but your time and money is better served elsewhere.
(1)Zach H.
A surprisingly good restaurant. I went to this place while on a trip across country, not expecting to find any good restaurants at most of the places I stopped, but I was surprised. The front, along with the surrounding area, is pretty unassuming (I'm from a big city, so not everyone may agree with that). However, once you get inside, you are immediately greeted and shown the featured dishes for that night. The keyword here is shown, because they actually have them in a glass case, where the waiter shows you each individual dish. The food here is also very good. This is a bistro, so most of the dishes have some meet or fish in them. I personally had the onion rings and one of the featured dishes, a rock fish with cajun sauces, both of which were great. What makes this a five, though, is the hospitality. Not only were the waiters and waitresses very nice and sociable, but the chef actually sat down and talked with us for half an hour about the restaurant and other things (his shift was done).
(5)Robert C.
There's no doubt about it, Yelp reviews are not "scientific polls." There are people who are biased toward writing positive reviews for restaurants they like, and other people - like me - who are more inclined to write negative reviews about restaurants which have found a way to displease them. In the case of Duck City, they have so displeased me that I must confess that I can only think of revenge. I had eaten there once before, several months ago. That night things had gone mostly well, my only problem having been monster french fries cooked in duck fat and served in rolled-up newspaper cones. Yes, I had been forewarned about that and thus it would have been most unfair to criticize the restaurant for having delivered on their stated intention; but it was still an appalling creation. The french fries tasted like, well, duck. And whatever anyone says about the ink on newspapers being edible, it was pretty rough on the sense of vision to see food served that way in an advanced western society. If that night several months ago could be judged quite nice with one appalling exception, then tonight's meal could only be described as appalling with just one exception - good bread. Even at that, the roasted garlic which had been the perfect accompaniment for the bread several months ago this time tasted twice cooked: first roasted, then boiled in the proverbial dish water that mediocre restaurants invariably use. Not in the mood for much of a gourmet meal, to the point I had told my two dinner companions I would be having "regular food," I tried to keep it simple: a garlic mixed green salad, and onion rings. Nice try. What should have been a mixed green salad more resembled a tub of cole slaw schlogged on the plate, garnished with garlic flakes from a dollar store. The unfortunate greens were immersed in a viscous and flavorless white fluid that attempted to embellish them but only wound up turning them into insipid mush. That was the good part of the meal. The so-called "onion rings" were in fact what are called "onion strings" in lousy restaurants that offer "early bird specials" in South Florida, where my parents once lived, and presumably elsewhere. No doubt there are people that like all that crispy grease, but I for one insist that onion rings actually be rings. I resisted every invitation the waiter offered to comment on the food, for fear of embarrassing my two friends, who seemed pleased with their food (although one of them later confessed that her matzoh ball had had a cold center). On the way out, the chef flashed an unctuous smile and asked how the food had been. Do they ever expect an honest answer to that question? Since my friends had already exited, I drew closer and told him that although I had ordered onion rings, I had received onion strings. Taken aback, he stated "that's how we make them here." I shot back at him "I noticed that." Not very clever, but certainly direct enough. That's it for me, Duck City. Never again!
(1)Adrianne K.
Seriously not worth the money. The food is just okay, and absolutely not worth the high prices!
(2)Jason M.
After a six week stint in the QC Duck City proved itself as the best and most novel restaurant in town. As the diner walks in they are greeted not with a recounting of the specials of the day, but a display. Yes, Duck City makes sure you see every single special they have on the menu that day. Do not be fooled into thinking that this is one or two items. On my visit I counted 13 different plates which crossed under my nose before I even sat down. The food quality follows with the extensive variety. Everything I ordered was amazing. I ordered the signature dish which is the Duck. To prove that every order is made special the chef writes the name of the ordering party for the duck in sauce on the plate. I can rant and rave more about my enjoyable experience, but it will just be useless flattery. Duck City was far and away the nicest dining experience I had in the QC. I have not one complaint about the restaurant and would recommend it to anyone in the area looking for a fine dining experience.
(5)Dean K.
Duck City Bistro is hard to figure out. I ate here before I started asking around about it, which is a good thing because I probably would have skipped this place if I'd talked to locals first. It's fair to say that the owner is not going to win any popularity contests in the region. It seems to me that the bulk of his business is from out-of-towners, and, looking over the reviews on Yelp, they also seem to be the folks who are most impressed. Well, I'm one of those out-of-towners, and I gotta say that I had a good experience. Service was good, if a bit too fawning, and the entree I ate was delicious. I chose one of the specials: three jumbo shrimp surrounded by a curry sauce and resting on half of a roasted butternut squash. My main complaint is pricing. They aren't the least bit transparent about prices for the specials and don't like a lot of questions about it. My shrimp entree was $39, which seemed high, and it wasn't even the most expensive special. Add in a glass of wine and a salad, and you can easily spend $75/person including tip to eat here. So, did I have a good meal? Yes. Will I go back? No. There are other places in the region that provide a better overall experience for less money. Should you go? Depends. If you're not bothered by the prices, you'll probably enjoy the food.
(4)TJ H.
Duck City Bistro was a huge and expensive disappointment. The food was certainly good, but not great, but the prices were very high, and shockingly so. By shocking, I mean the prices are listed nowhere on the specials menu which appears to comprise most of the dining options at Duck City. Their specials are certainly what they are pushing, starting with a chef's intro to the specials prior to being seated. The chef presents the special menu items, and explains how they are prepared while showing prior prepared examples of the dishes (and although I enjoyed seeing and hearing about the specials from the chef, as opposed to the wait staff, the actual dishes they were displaying were clearly old and fairly unappetizing). However, as to the items on the special menu, no prices were listed or discussed, and I wrongly assumed that the prices would be in line with the other items on the menu... $12-$25, or even slightly higher. Big mistake. My entrée was closer to $50, and our total bill with two drinks, two entrees, one of which was a salad, and one side of asparagus was $116. There seems to be a bit of a trick going on here. A trick to get you to order more expensive items, add ons, and multiple courses. I was literally shocked by my bill. When the waiter asks, at the end of you placing your entrée order, "broccoli or asparagus?" and "soup or salad?" in a tone that implies you're to be making a choice between two options that go along with the meal; you are not. He's offering to allow you to add more to your order, and the asparagus (which I chose thinking it was a "go along" with entrée as a side dish) was $9. It was pretty much all a la carte, but seemed to be presented as a choice that went with the entree. Many people at our table felt tricked by this, and all had assumed that it was an option for a side, not an additional part of the order. This place was all about add-ons, with the phrase, "do you want _____ with that" (i.e., dressing on your salad, blue cheese in the dressing, bacon on the salad, etc.) being the most common phrase, and each adding extra cost to your extra cost. Overall, the restaurant was run down, and dirty, and the wait staff was sloppy in appearance. When refilling my water, a bus-girl spilled water across our table and on to my lap. No apology, no new napkin to replace the one I used to clean up the spill. Had our meal ended up costing $60, I think I would have had a much, much more favorable opinion of the restaurant. Or if it were a lot better, cleaner, more gracious service, I wouldn't have minded paying the $120 for our meal. But the high prices were not compatible with the experience, and our entire table was disappointed. We arrived at 6pm, and immediately advised our waiter that we had show tickets for the theater across the street for 8pm. He told us that he appreciated us letting him know, and advised it wouldn't be a problem for us to be out on time. We had to finally ask for, then demand, our bills as it got closer and closer to 7:50. By 7:58, we had to make the decision to allow one person to stay behind and pay the bills so that the rest of the group could go to the show. It was absolutely insane and a very annoying end to what was a very ordinary meal, a meal which cost three times more than it could have been imagined to cost. Overall, the "former staffer's" evaluation below appears to be right on target with our experience.
(1)James P.
I had always passed Duck City while driving through Davenport and never really knew what it was about. So I decided as a surprise to take my girlfriend out to this place we always have talked about. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. We walk into the bistro and are greeted by almost the entire staff. They then walk us through a display case full of the specials fully plated. The chef came out half way through the tour and continued on with the show. After ten minutes of specials we were seated and what follows is our order: +Two Long Islands - They were mixed well. They didn't have what we first asked for because they had run out of what ever mix it needed. So we went with our second choice. +Complimentary loaf of bread with a baked head of garlic as the spread. +Escargot - I believe there were a total of eight snails lathered in a smokey sauce. It was rich and garlicky; everything escargot should be. The sauce lent itself to be a great dipping sauce for the bread. +Matzo Ball Soup - First time I had ever tried it and I'm glad I did. The soup was steaming when it arrived the table. The soup still boiling in the bowel. (They had the bowel in the oven as well) The serving size was large. It was a meal unto itself. +Rack of Lamb - (One of the specials) This plate was amazing. Four tender slow cooked lamb ribs that were covered in a sauce similar to the escargot. This was one of the best racks I have ever had. It came with veggies and garlic potatoes. +Fish Special - I'm not sure what this was because I didn't order it. But I know that Mel loved it and she thought it was tender, juicy, and had a lot of flavor. Great place if you're willing to spend some money.
(4)Melissa S.
So amazing! A little pricey, but you get what you pay for. It is a unique place and Chef Jeremy truly has a passion for good. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fancy dinner.
(5)Nicole W.
Great food, fun atmosphere. Took some business customers here while in town for a meeting. We enjoyed drinks, apps, entree's and even dessert. The host and servers were very accommodating and made sure we were happy several times throughout our dining experience. The bisque is great, the Fish was amazing. The price was a little high for Davenport but being from the big city it wasn't too shocking.
(4)French C.
Probably the best highend restaurant in town. Your experience will start at the front entrance with a warm welcome from the staff and a quick overlook of the kitchen in the back while walked thru the main menu display... Skewered thai chicken, signature duck dish, a few steak cuts and much more will get your appetite started if not already. Your table awaits in the back in a warm and inviting venue. Staff is attentive, knowledgeable and just like the owner always keep a good conversation going. Chefs will often check on your table between courses and service isn't rushed. Reservation is recommended.
(4)Bill H.
Great dinner spot! Owner puts on quite a show and his son does a nice job as chef. Salmon on horseradish mashed potatoes is my personal favorite. Pork chop is recommended by a colleague who was with me. Big city feel.
(4)Hannah J.
My complaints, from most egregious to least: (1. The chef. This dude was obnoxious. Not only did he schtick it up for the specials listing (which I will get to later), our table was towards the front of the restaurant, so we could hear him yelling all evening. Yelling in a restaurant is normal, you might say, but not in an open kitchen where you can hear everything that's being said. Right in front of us, he yelled at the waitstaff, the sous, and his friends (albeit a little friendlier) when they left. In the middle of our meal, we peered over and saw him EATING. EATING while preparing someone's plate. When he greeted us as we left, he asked us if everything was good and my guest said, "Yes, everything but you!" The chef alone, even given perfect food, ruined my experience. (2. The Specials. As soon as we entered (early in the evening before it got really busy), a hostess took us through the restaurant's specials for the evening, which were displayed in a clear refrigerator case at the front of the restaurant. I heard the phrase "garlic smashed potatoes" about 7 times and remembered absolutely nothing about the dishes that I was spoken to about. Looking at the menu, only 3 or 4 regular menu items were listed, along with a list of the specials (13 or so) on a separate menu. However, the additional menu didn't list all of the specials, nor did it list prices, which was an enormous surprise at the end of the meal, of course. The meals, which must be going to waste in the refrigerated case, were not labeled with what they were, and the menu only listed some of them. Come on. Be a little more specific than that. Print out a small paper insert. Describe your specials a little better. No one is going to remember the ten minute speech. Even more frustratingly, I had gone online to see the menu the day before, thinking I'd pick out what I'd eat, and the specials didn't match. (3. The food. I could've tolerated the quality of Duck City Bistro's food if I'd been eating at Applebee's. That's value. But at a restaurant that has a Cordon Bleu graduate as its executive chef? No. Our food, starting with a swimming-in-garlicy-ranch-dressing iceberg salad, was mediocre at best. The bread, served with roasted garlic, was fine. The garlic, however, was cold and utterly disappointing. I ordered a New York Strip with brie risotto and asparagus, surrounded by a sickeningly sweet reduction. The risotto was the only redeeming factor of the dish. The asparagus was extremely tough, as was my steak. Considering they touted it as "cuts like butter," I was extremely surprised when it took considerable force to cut through my steak. I asked for medium rare--it was instead cooked to medium if not medium well. Overall, extremely overrated restaurant that no one should spend hard-earned money eating at. You'll just be annoyed by the chef, confused by the specials, and disappointed at your mediocre food.
(1)Pam H.
Stopped in without a reservation on a Friday evening and was greeted. An employee described the entrees and appetizers and we were seated. Wow! I had duck, hubs had Chilean Bass. Great mojitos, and mojito martinis! We will be back! I wish we would've stayed for dessert. I wish we would've gone here years ago.
(5)don m.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in the United States, Chef Jeremy's culinary skills are outstanding. Make no mistake; this is a steakhouse that truly stands out. I am a well traveled well trained cook, this restaurant is a must see if you are anywhere near the area. This is the only restaurant I've reviewed that I've given the highest possible rating.
(5)John W.
Ate here twice on a trip to Moline/Davenport Illinois/Iowa. The food is surprisingly good. Try the lobster bisque, crabcakes, and the chicken. The specials are quite good though about twice the price of the regular menu items. Speaking of cost, the regular menu items are a bargain for what you get. Everything is mid 20s or less. Salmon with herb crust is $16. Can't really beat that for quality food. The appetizer combo is something to try. Their mushrooms are really interesting - worth a try. Desserts are fine but not as good as the entrees, cheesecakes, key lime pies, a giant chocolate item. There's only one dessert wine, that's my only complaint. A couple other dessert wines to choose from would be nice. They have ports though. Service is professional and if you're early you are inevitably greeted by the cooks and shown the specials. During the meal the owners (?) of the restaurant come by and check how things are going. All in all a quality experience in the heartland. The Quad cities has an excellent restaurant for a reasonable price.
(5)zane l.
As a former, recent employee of Duck City's, I think I might be able to offer another viewpoint that many potential patrons might find enlightening. Bear in mind I worked at this restaurant for a full year, so my experience there is not a flash in the pan, nor is it based upon the animosity of a disgruntled ex-worker, for I was, until such time as I quit, a career server/bartender who prided myself upon my professionalism and skill. Chef Charles, while admittedly friendly to those with deep pockets, is quite possibly the most crooked, dishonest, ill-tempered man in the Quad Cities, though his son, the head cook (I hesitate to say 'Chef', knowing what I do of his cooking style) Jeremy, comes in a close second. I sincerely hope the moderators do not take down this review, for while it may strike them as a conflict of interest, the people that are planning of dining at Duck City need to know what they're getting into. The owner, Chef Charles, will berate any employee who does not get every person at every table to order the most expensive items possible on the menu. If the party is large and he feels he can get away with it, he will add on extra drinks, extra appetizers, extra entrees, bottles of wine, or simply adjust the prices of aforementioned items so that the customer ends up paying much, much more than they should. Woe the employee who begs to differ from this practice, he risks ridicule for certain or even termination. The hygenic conditions at this restaurant are appaling, food often spoils and is stored next to other food that is used, or the rotten parts are cut out and it is used regardless. Your filet of Salmon get dropped on the filthy floor? No worries, brush it off and serve it anyways. As for the bar, the bartender makes a regular practice of pouring well liquor into premium liquor bottles. That Grey Goose Martini you jsut paid $10 for? It was most likely made with Phillips Vodka which costs them $10 a bottle. They don't bat an eye at deception like this, and Charles, the owner everyone seems to love and respect, is aware of and encourages it all. Again, I write this not as a personal attack, for everyone in the restaurant business in the Quad Cities is well-aware of the reputation of Duck City and its staff/management. The greater public, however, seems to be completely ignorant of all the ways that they are getting fleeced when they walk through the doors, and for that reason I feel it is my duty to inform them to beware this restaurant. I feel horrible that I was for so long complicit in such an enterprise, and maybe telling people the truth is a way in which I can repent. Thanks, and you've been warned. Want more detailed information about the practices at this place? Feel free to email me. -Zane Latta
(1)BONNIE m.
We arrived in Davenport to spend the night before a college reunion...bedraggled and stressed out from weathering Hurricane Ike in Houston. What a delight! We were greeted and shown the very extensive evening selection of beautifully prepared foods... too many choices! The salmon was superb and the duck was absolutely delish. A well prepared martini and a tad of wine from the great wine list made our evening.... Davenport is sadly a bit of a backwater when it comes to great dining... this is definitely a stop for those who like an upscale, yet funkily casual feel and a great feed!
(5)Elaine C.
I lived & worked in Davenport for 10 years before moving to California, and now I'm asking myself "why didn't I eat at Duck City more often?" I've eaten there on 2 recent visits, and each time had outstanding food and service. Some of the prices can be on the high side (relative to the area), but most are quite reasonable, and some are practically "cheap", so choices can be made to reasonably accommodate almost any budget. For a special occasion, you can't beat Duck City - you get more than you pay for in beautiful atmosphere, fabulous food, and attentive service. My pre-dinner cocktail was about the best dirty martini I've ever had, anywhere, ever! Visiting from out-of-town and unable to take our leftovers "home", we ordered on the light side at Duck City. DH's matzo ball soup had incredible depth of flavor, my char-broiled sirloin was perfectly tender and delicious, and our shared pommes frites were amazing. We were treated like royalty, and left the restaurant grinning like fools over having had such a wonderful dining experience. A great re-discovery for me, and we will definitely be back! So now we have to figure out how to fit in a meal at Duck City AND one at Le Figaro - both very worthy dining destinations - during our occasional weekend visits to the QCs!
(5)Jen D.
Well. The previous reviews certainly explain some things. We went to a YPN event at Duck City recently - I'd been very excited to go, having heard that it was a must-try. The event was lovely. Really yummy apps - the caramelized bacon scallop skewers and delicious filet bits were absolute standouts - and the space was very conducive to mixing & mingling with the QCA crowd of up & comers. So we decided to get dinner with a friend. After asking for a table, the chef (I assume the younger of the two owners? Son of owner?) proceeds to schlep us to the oft-referenced glass case to point out the specials. Maybe I've passed by one too many cheap LA sushi joints with faux seafood in the cases, but entrees in a cooler always look like Fisher Price food to me. I'm flashing back to a sadly chewed & abused pork chop from my Montessori days...regardless, we'd been warned about the astronomical and questionably priced specials and stuck to the more reasonably priced menu. I had the lobster bisque and mussels. The bisque was oddly brown and thick - if bisque can be overdone, it was. The mussels were very tasty - tender, not too chewy and flavorful. The husband reported back an average pork chop, but enjoyed the 1/2 of my mussels I was too full to finish (that bisque was heavy!). We cannot recall what the friend had - draw your own conclusions from that. I picked a big red to go with what they ate - Louis Martini Cabernet 2006 - & because I am a Philistine & love big reds with buckets of steamed shellfish. I was not driving that night, so all I recall about the bill was that it was more than the food was worth & even worse than that, surprising. While I thought the roasted garlic instead of just the standard butter with bread was a lovely touch, unfortunately all went downhill from there. We will go back for events, but not for dinner.
(2)