Have to say, we haven't had XLB in many places except dintaifung (?sp.). I do think their soup dumplings are excellent, but I also love their other dishes -- the vegetable dishes are superb, as is the sesame noodles -- something for some reason I don't find too often in beijing! Being in a clean environment is also a big plus.

It is expensive for dumplings, but only when compared with a 'dumpling joint'. All other dish prices are on a par/competitive with any half-way decent/ clean chinese restaurant.

Having said all that, I would be open to go to other places. Since there are so many restaurants, and so many of them look vaguely dodgy, it's easy to just go with the familiar. OT to this thread, but good 饺子 recs would also be welcome: lots of the ones I've had in WDK are sub-par.

tb