First visit to this Yum Cha outlet in Chinatown. Location is rather tricky if you are in a cab. It's on the right along Temple St. Almost missed it today. Also, the restaurant is located on the 2nd level. Thankfully, there is a lift but once out of the lift, you have to use instinct to decide which direction to get to the restaurant (my friend turned to the wrong direction upon exiting the restaurant!). My suggestion would be to put up a signage near the lift area to "point" customers to the correct direction.
First sight of the restaurant was welcoming - marble tables! I always liked marble tables where I can rest my hands on and "cool off" a little. There's a decent selection of dim sum. For a group of 3, we ordered the following:
Deep Fried Prawn Dumpling - a little disappointing as it looked dull and its taste is no better than those 3 for $2 at Koufu foodcourts!
Crystal Chive Dumplings - Another disappointing item. The skin was too thick. Felt like I was chewing on an edible rubber tape!
Xiao Long Bao - This was good! The soup within is very flavourful. I really enjoyed this dish!
Fried Beancurd Skin Roll with Prawns - Average. I've tasted crispier ones elsewhere.
Prawn and Mango Sesame Roll - This is not bad. Just be careful in eating immediately once served. The mango within is really hot!
Chee Cheong Fun with Fish - Sounds different right? That's why I tried it. It's nothing exotic really. Will still go for prawn filling for future visits.
Ee-Fu Noodles - No, this is not a dim sum item but we ordered it as we wanted a staple to fill our stomachs for the rest of the afternoon. It's not bad too.
Pomelo Sago in Mango Juice - This dish is a good end-off to my lunch. However, I thought it could be presented in a nicer serving bowl instead of what looks like a cheap plastic glass (no weight!). Also, the dish could be chilled further so that it's ice-cold when served. That would make me over the moon in today's hot afternoon!
Service was prompt at this outlet, even during lunch-time peak hours. The teapot gets refilled and dishes were served quickly. At least, the waiters/waitresses knew what we need/are waiting for, and not the usual "Oh, that's not served yet? I'll go check it out!" response/look you get from most eating places. Good service!
Total Cost (including 2 char siew paus, 1 tangyuen in ginger tea and 1 red bean paste not consumed by me): $69.30