Eton's Amazing Dumplings
Eton is a neighborhood restaurant that snuck right by me. When I first saw the awning on Sackett Street at Henry, I assumed overpriced boutique and went on my way. But oh how wrong I was.
No boutique, Eton is a dumpling shack that is serving up five fresh, hot dumplings per order--in a variety of flavors--for a mere $3.50. Did I mention these dumplings are huge? And tasty? And that the restaurant is open until 11:30pm? It's like I've died and gone to a more accessible version of Chinatown.
Yes, there's a bit of a wait for the fresh dumplings, but you can watch the skins being rolled out to pass the time. And, yes, the decor leaves a bit to be desired--do not lean onto the wall separating the entryway from the counter, it will violently wobble and threaten collapse. But there's a lot of love that goes into a neighborhood joint like this, and it shows in the customer-service details. On the day that I stopped by, the guy at the counter mixed me a to-go cup of sriracha and ginger-infused black vinegar that will be my go-to dumpling dipping sauce for some time to come.
I have yet to try Eton's other offering, shave ice, mostly because I'm so devoted to Court Street Pastry's ices, I hate to cheat, but the sheer number of flavors--and number of people walking out with colorful cone in hand--speak to Eton's popularity in the shave ice department as well.
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Yummy - had the sampler! But the special beet and goat cheese ones weren't the best. But I've never been a beet lover...
delicious dumplings AND eton will let you reuse your shave ice cup if you bring it back for another. gotta love that he is mindful of such things...
mmmmmm i want to go!
Was out and about in the neighborhood yesterday and wanted to give these dumplings a try. Called up the phone number from Google's wireless search and ended up with Eton's cell phone. He was lovely and gracious despite the random call on a Sunday afternoon. He said the restaurant is closed for renovations this week but will be back open for business after the holiday.... definitely looking forward to checking it out.
Thanks for the report. While I really want to like this place, their dumplings are way too salty. And it wasn't just an off-day. Been there several times (like I said, I really want to like it) and the experiences were all the same: I couldn't have more than a few dumplings without feeling extremely thirsty. A way to sell more shaved ice I guess.
So, I swung by this place on Saturday because I LOVE dumplings and was excited to find something like this in the hood, but when I ordered, the woman behind the counter said it was going to be a 45 minute wait! 45 minutes for 1 pack of dumplings?? I usually go to Eldridge Street in Chinatown which is ALWAYS busy and the dumplings are done in 5 minutes. I'm praying that this was a random occurrence otherwise these people need to figure out a new method to their dumpling madness...
these look not that great.