Red Peony

Connie Zhang knows the draw of boisterous, Chinese banquet-style restaurants with its large plates of food meant for sharing (she runs the successful Royal Queen in Flushing). With Red Peony, she brings a more contemporary approach to her native cuisine in Midtown with a focus on Shaghainese fare and an occasional nod to Sichuan and Cantonese favorites. Soup dumplings are a must-order at this two-floor restaurant, where other signature dishes include the Peking duckk and a King Crab.