I've now eaten at three Beijing duck restaurants, DaDong, Duck de Chine, and Peking Duck Private Kitchen. Of these three, Peking Duck Private Kitchen is the only one where I want to return with company. Here's a brief explanation of why:
1) This goes without saying, but the duck is perfect. Beautifully roasted, perfectly crisped skin, beautifully plated with the traditional condiments (including sugar for the skin!). Looks fantastic, tastes fantastic, is fantastic. The separately plated skin was heavenly.
2) Staff are very accommodating. Service is brusque, but eager to please. The effort was quite remarkable, especially considering only one person spoke English.
3) The space is gorgeous. Small, intimate restaurant with couch seating, red lanterns and lights, etc. Really beautiful and intimate feel, it's a great retreat from the steel and glass of the CBD.
4) Prices are incredibly reasonable. A duck is 140 kuai, a full 100 less than DaDong or Duck de Chine. Sides start at 28 kuai and cap at 140. Also, there are set menus (all of which include a duck and duck soup) that cost about 100 kuai a person for five to nine dishes (depending on the size of the party).
I've deducted one star because one of the side dishes, a hairtail fish, was absolutely terrible. The only word to describe it is mealy. Almost no one touched it after the first few bites. The other sides were all quite good--not quite as good as Duck de Chine, but also not nearly as expensive.
Overall, a wonderful experience. I hope I have the chance to return soon.
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