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| - I'm fairly confident that this place has received a bad wrap given the skew of past reviews. OK I can understand how the minimalist, eclectic interior design might be offensive to those of more highfalutin tastes... but seriously guys, what do you care more about when you're eating somewhere? The colour on the walls, or the food on your plate? My sentiments exactly!
Thanks to the lovely Jennifer K and the dashing Wayne C for organizing a UYE here last night, exhibiting what Yelp is truly about, putting a spot light on small businesses who might need some exposure. Admittedly I would have dismissed a place ranking 2.5 stars, but after last nights dinner performance, heed my words:
The design may be quirky BUT the food is nothing less than "Elegant."
I also learned last night that given my privilege as a Yelp CM, my community tends to keep secrets from me, such as
1) the fact that not everything I eat at a Chinese restaurant is "snake soup", and in following this
2) My easily swayed opinion in the above has dubbed me my communities very own "Token White Guy".
That being said, being a TWG isn't necessarily a bad thing. While I might try a dish, and like a virgin not know any better. At least you know that when I say something is delicious or in the off chance (not so good), it's an honest opinion. So "Token" I shall be from now one when encountering any and all ethnic foods
Now that, that is out of the way, let's dig into last nights menu, and to show that i am somewhat discerning I will point out the dishes that I didn't enjoy as much.
We began with an Imitation Snake soup made with assorted seafood (and chicken) while this dish was served on a heating element right at our table, I was not a fan of the taste and the texture was a little difficult to get past. (2/5)
The next dish that came out was the Honey Mustard Beef Tenderloin served in a crispy taro/bread stick like basket. The beef and sauce were quite good but what pushed this dish over the edge for me was when the basket was broken and it was revealed it was entirely edible! (4/5)
The coolest dish aesthetically was the Oyster Stir Fried w/ Port Wine. It had a sweet glaze and the oysters were massive. What made it a marvel to look at was the fact thta the dish came surrounded by a ring of salt engulfed in flames! Of course boy(me) + fire + immaturity = Squeals of delight! However, firey tricks aside this dish was "ok" for me, not a home run but certainly not something I would turn down! (3/5)
To follow threee dishes were brought out at once, a)Braised Seasonal Vegetables w/ Mushrooms, b) Braised Duck with Taro in Plum Sauce, and c) Sweet & Sour Pork w/ Pineapples. The first was good, coming with braised bok choi and shitaki mushrooms (3/5), however the next two dishes (duck and pork) were easily the best I've had in my life! The duck was tender and moist, well cooked, and beautifully seasoned (5/5), the best I've had to date. The Sweet & Sour Pork was amazing, not overly sweet or battered, yet lightly crispy with bright citrus flavours! A far cry from the late night Chinese food downtown on Spadina or the low grade take-out in foil containers. No sir, the owner was not Bullshitting us when he said this was the best Sweet and Sour Pork in Ontario! (10/5). It was SO good I was literally fighting with other dinner guests for the last few morsels.
I felt bad for the Fried Fish w/ Pine Nuts & Orange, which followed shortly, as the war had already been won and I forgot about this dish much like that of the middle child in a traditional Irish Catholic family (8+ kids.... what was his/her name again.. Sheamus? Emily?). This dish was ok but I only had a bite and wrote it off quickly so I could get back to the pork (3/5)
Dessert followed and we were served a tofu pudding and Basil Seed, Jackfruit, and Green Tea gelatinous square. I feel it unfair to give these dishes a rating as I am not a fan of Chinese desserts at all generally, however what I will say is that these were the best of all the puddings, bean mixes, buns, etc etc etc. Not overly sweet and not heavy on the crazy ingredients.
This place merits a reexamination by those quick to dismiss it, a big thank you to the owners and staff for being as attentive as they were and thanks for the Yelpers in attendance. Can't wait for my next Chinese Food Eat-up!
Token White Guy... OUT!
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