Renowned D.C. chef Tim Ma is transforming his COVID-era Chinese American take-out concept, Lucky Danger, into a new full-service restaurant and community hangout in Penn Quarter, opening May 21. It’s got a completely new menu, cocktail bar, and high-tech mahjong parlor at the back. “It’s like an upscale version of my house,” Ma told us.
Opening In a Struggling Chinatown
Lucky Danger is opening up amid a shrinking D.C. Chinatown. Long-standing Asian American-owned restaurants have been closing left and right. Jackey Cafe closed in May. Now, Full Kee and Gao Ya, have been asked to vacate to make way for a new luxury hotel.
Ma, a long-time advocate for D.C.’s Chinatown, is hoping Lucky Danger will bring a sense of community and authenticity back to the area, despite having more modernized dishes. “ I really wanna put my money where my mouth is. Obviously, I’m not in the middle of Chinatown, but I still want to be part of the revitalization part of it.”
What’s On the Menu
Lucky Danger fans will recognize a few classic menu items like the crab rangoon and lo mein, but the vast majority of the menu will be completely new. Large format dishes like peking duck and whole crispy flounder with chili oil encourage family-style eating. But Ma advises you don’t leave without trying their homemade Taiwanese pulled noodle dish based on a classic egg and tomato stir-fry.
Spread at Lucky Danger in Penn Quarter. (Courtesy of Lucky Danger)
Behind the Restaurant
The most exciting part of Ma’s new concept might not even be the food. Behind the restaurant will be a cocktail bar where bar director Sunny Vanavichai will be whipping up creative cocktails with Chinese influence along with some larger, multi-person drinks.
And, behind that will be a moody green mahjong parlor named “Lucky Club,” with futuristic automatic mahjong tables and a menu with only over-proof cocktails. The room is inspired by Ma’s childhood family game nights, as well as his love of Jackie Chan’s “Rush Hour.” Most hours will be open to free play, but Ma and his father will also be teaching weekly mahjong classes.
“ We're building up the Mahjong community … It’s a Chinese family tradition. Like my uncle's entire second floor of his house is just a Mahjong room,” said Ma.
What’s Next For Tim Ma?
It’s been a busy year for Ma, opening new locations of both Lucky Danger and Any Day Now. He also just helped open the new super club Kata downtown. Also planned for this year is Sushi Sato, an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on H Street NE.
😋 Inside Scoop: Where In DC Is Tim Ma Eating?
Despite operating a Chinese takeout joint, Ma still gravitates to Chinatown's classic mom & pop restaurants. New Big Wong is a particular favorite and Ma even made it to the top 1% of their UberEats customers during the pandemic. He claims it was because of his love for one dish: the squid and sour cabbage.
