The indoor and outdoor decor is very similar to Dragon Pearl with the same outdoor figurines, tall chairs, and wood tables. The set up and selection of food was also very similar. The only thing between Dragon Legend and Dragon Pearl was (1) venue size, (2) selection of food, and (3) service.
Dragon Legend is a stand alone restaurant with its own parking lot. Considering the size of the restaurant and the small amount of parking surrounding the restaurant, I wouldn't be surprised if parking is difficult to find on some of the busier days/hours (ie: weekend dinner time). In comparison to Dragon Pearl, Dragon Legend's buffet area and dinning area is also smaller in size.
Although, I only tried the lunch buffet at Dragon Legend and only tried the dinner buffet at Dragon Pearl, it's not difficult to see that food selection is extremely similar at both restaurants. The only difference is that Dragon Legend does not have the hand cut egg noodles and the large dessert ball that Dragon Pearl has to offer. Otherwise, both restaurants share a large variety of fresh sushi, sashimi, maki (including seafood - not like the 'non-raw vegetable' sushi served at Mandarin). It should be noted, that they do limit the quantity of sashimi that you can take in one visit as there is someone who places 3 pieces of each sashimi on your plate each time you go to them. Both restaurants also have a large selection of traditional Chinese dishes such as dim sum, peking duck (only at dinner), stir fry vegetables, sweet and sour pork, soups, desserts (love that they have ginger bean curd jelly), and more. They both also have fresh fruit, ice cream, and a selection of desserts.
In terms of quality, similar to Dragon Pearl, Dragon Legend's food is quite fresh and hot (not warm) since the staff bring out very small portions at a time and replenish it very often. Thus, overall I would have to say that the quality of Dragon Pearl and Dragon Legend's buffet is quite good, especially for a buffet.
However, quality is not lost without the matching price tag.
Prices are as follows:
Lunch Buffet
Adult Kid (5-12)
Monday-Friday: 11:30pm – 3:00pm $14.99 $8.99
Saturday: 11:30pm – 3:30pm $20.99 $11.99
Sunday & Holidays:11:30pm – 3:30pm $20.99 $11.99
Dinner Buffet
Adult Kid (5-12)
Monday-Thursday: 5:00pm – 9:30pm $25.99 $14.99
Friday: 5:00pm – 10:00pm $30.99 $16.99
Saturday: 4:30pm – 10:00pm $30.99 $16.99
Sunday & Holidays: 4:30pm – 9:30pm $30.99 $16.99
*Seniors 65+ with Valid I.D. 20% off. Toddlers (4 or Under) $2.99.
The only negative thing I have to say about this place is the service. The wait staff are super unwelcoming, rude, and silent. This harshly contrasts the excellent and friendly service at Dragon Pearl. The staff at Dragon Legend don't greet you nor do they have a smile on their face. It doesn't seem that they enjoy what they do and it looks like its a job as a means to an end (or they really hate their jobs). Considering that the restaurant business is also a service based industry this was quite alarming and I felt uncomfortable eating there as it seemed like I was inconveniencing the wait staff - despite the fact I was getting up to get my food myself! They don't tell you up front that if you order tea, everyone at the table gets charged for the tea - not just the individual who ordered it (so be weary!!!). They don't ask if you are done with your plate and swoop in to take it away despite there being food still on it. The only time our waitress said something to us was in Mandarin and we had to tell her we didn't speak it and she lifelessly repeated her message in English (though fluently, which is a plus in an Asian restaurant I guess?). Our waitress also abruptly took away the cutlery by grabbing all the knives, forks, spoons, and chopsticks at my table all in one hand and loudly dumping it on her tray to it take away. Even at the end she threw down our bill along with some wet wipes and left to get the credit card machine. Even upon presenting the machine she silently just handed it to us waiting to pay, watched us make the payment, and then took the machine and left without a word. We weren't even sure if we were supposed to leave yet! Until we figured she wasn't coming back we left.
All in all, had the service been better, I would have enjoyed my visit to Dragon Legend. However, due to the lack of service (which is insanely better at Mandarin - those folks are super happy - or at Dragon Pearl), I do not plan on returning to Dragon Legend nor would I recommend it to friends.
Since I was sent there to scope out the venue for a company's Christmas party, I am sending back a report of do not recommend because the rude service would definitely detriment the company's party mood for it's valued partners and clients. I think the company would want its partners or clients walking away from lunch with a 'Wow! The service and the food here is amazing!' opposed to 'The food was good... but the service was terrible!' If location wasn't an issue, I would definitely recommend Dragon Pearl in place of Dragon Legend.
Bottom line: Food is decent, great variety, terrible service. Would not put my name on a recommendation for this place.
Dragon Legend
25 Lanark Rd,
Markham ON L3R 9Y7
905.940.1811
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