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2013-02-10
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Had CNY dinner here after a movie at Causeway Point. Surprisingly, this Chinese restaurant is open during this festive period. The 5 of us were ushered to our seats immediately, even though the restaurant looked full. Once seated, the waitresses promptly approached us at least twice to take our orders, but we weren't quite ready then. The signature dish was a 8-pc multi-coloured Xiao Long Baos (4 different tastes; 2 of each colour) and was first on the menu. Without hesitation, we agreed to
Had CNY dinner here after a movie at Causeway Point. Surprisingly, this Chinese restaurant is open during this festive period. The 5 of us were ushered to our seats immediately, even though the restaurant looked full. Once seated, the waitresses promptly approached us at least twice to take our orders, but we weren't quite ready then. The signature dish was a 8-pc multi-coloured Xiao Long Baos (4 different tastes; 2 of each colour) and was first on the menu. Without hesitation, we agreed to order that (the colours were very attractive!). We then decided on a communal dinner and ordered the following:
8-pc Multi-Coloured Xiao Long Baos (there is a name for it, which I didn't take notice of)
8 Xiao Long Baos, 5 of us. I only managed to taste the Crab Roe-flavoured one (orange-coloured). First off, the Xiao Long Baos looked a little bigger than that of Din Tai Fung. The skin was thin, yet it does not tear when I scoop up the Xiao Long Bao. Good! The broth within was flavourful! The only thing which left me bizarre was where the Crab Roe was (echoed by another of us too!), cos' I couldn't taste it at all!
There was a small note given to us when the Xiao Long Baos were served, where it recommends a numerical sequence in how the 4 different flavours should be tasted. However, we didn't order enough to follow through (not even being able to taste all 4 flavours!). There is also a separate set of instructions on how to eat Xiao Long Baos. Briefly, it requires one to scoop the Xiao Long Bao with a spoon. Chew off a bit of it, and suck the broth within, then eat all of it!
My way - Scoop, dip the Xiao Long Bao in vinegar (preferably drench it completely!), chew off a bit, slurp up the broth in the spoon (the broth is hot, mind you!), then eat the Xiao Long Bao as a whole!
Another challenging way - Scoop, dip in vinegar, dunk the whole Xiao Long Bao in your mouth and let the hot broth burn your mouth! Scalding Thrill! Haha!
Stir-Fried Spinach with Garlic
Good! Spinach was soft. No rave about it, though it was a welcoming side dish to all the festive foods we have been indulging in.
Scrambled Egg with Fish and Scallops
We ordered this cos' we have never seen a scrambled egg, with its egg yolk not scrambled in! Haha! Turned out it looked like Mapo Tofu with fish meat and scallops! The egg yolk was raw in the middle. Not as special as we thought it to be!
Drunken Chicken
This was the best side dish we ordered (it was meant to be an appetiser). I never really liked this dish as the ones I have tried before were served cold and the chicken was a little raw. This one brought back my confidence! The chicken was cooked just right, with the wine all soaked in. The wine was rather strong! My nostrils flared the moment I tasted the chicken! Absolutely good!!!
Shanghai Fried Rice
No shout about this dish. It doesn't seem to have enough "wok-hei". Not the best fried rice I've eaten thus far.
Yangzhou Fried Rice
Same comments above, though the fried rice above tasted better (probably due to the soy sauce)
The service here is good, as the waitresses were really efficient. They were all busy serving customers, and we didn't need to request for a tea re-fill as they would do it promptly. What also captured my attention was that some of the waitresses were senior folks - very polite ones! Their good service warmed my heart and made the food tasted better!
As for the signature dish - Xiao Long Baos, I'd choose to go to Din Tai Fung. But since the prices fall in the range of $10-$20 here, coupled with good service, I would want to dine at this place again, and probably give a go at their special menus.
Total Cost: $83 for 5 pax
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