| rev:text
| - Dragon Pearl
My quick tips:
-Great for groups, and for more of a "dining" type Chinese buffet experience.
-Food-wise not the best in its class but still decent; and you can't beat the décor or service (again, versus its competitors that I know of)
-If going with a group, you can ask for separate bills, they are happy to accommodate and are quick.
-At lunchtime, go early, it gets very crowded by noon.
***note: sorry, this is my first review, I should have maybe read the others' before writing this so I apologize in advance for repetition on some items.
Ok, here are my thoughts:
Some background - hadn't visited the website or heard any feedback when I first entered this restaurant. Needless to say I was both surprised and impressed by the magnificent décor. I am not aware of any other Chinese buffet (let alone an authentic one) with any noteworthy décor. I feel this is the restaurant's selling point, over its food so please note I've written more about this than the food itself.
All dark wood, dark (ambient?) lighting. Interesting heavy heavy carved furniture. Seating options for larger groups include long medieval-feeling tables with end chairs looking like throne chairs - super tall backs (fun to hang your jacket on the back and have it high above you); or large oval communal-style dining, all chairs with tall chairback. Medium-sized groups can sit in bench booths, or much more fun - you can sit in a wooden boat, surrounded by blue tiles emulating water. 2-4 parties can sit at round tables (with folding leaves to accommodate more plates and table clutter) or smaller two-seater tables. All seats provide great views of the magnificent dining room. I should note there is a smaller, more modern and bright room as well but the two times I came to this restaurant they were not in use.
Other noteworthy décor notes:
-there are giant red ornate chandeliers everywhere, bringing together kitsch, recent chandelier trends, but also the Asian love of red.
-bronze heads of all the Chinese astrological signs great you upon entry.
-strangely, there are glass cabinets displaying jewellery for sale in multiple locations.
-upon entry, you will see large (volleyball-sized) round flour-based and deep-fried balls. These presumably are symbolic for the dragon "pearl". It's pretty fascinating to watch staff creating these marvellous wonder in a wok covered in glass for protection from sputtering oil. There are also pieces of broken up balls you can sample on that same counter. They taste like oily sweet cracker chips.
On to the food!
The only contenders I am aware of in similar category are China Buffet King and Starwalk. I won't even count Mandarin (yuck) or anything similar. For me, Both CBK and Starwalk have far superior variety generally speaking. Like its peers, Dragon Pearl has sections for cold salad appetizers, soups, bbq, hot foods, fried foods, dessert, waffle, ice cream. I feel these are similar to peers, but not as good.
A noteworthy station however is the small easy-to-miss noodle station located by the edible "pearls". These are hand-pulled noodles. They are similar to Udon but less chewy. You can choose a broth of either chicken broth, szechuan beef, or chicken something else (a thicker and more flavourful version of the basic chicken broth. These can be topped with green onions and coriander. I've tried the latter two, both excellent. Both times I asked for ridiculous amounts of coriander (I'm an addict) which may have been why I loved these so much but the flavours and textures really were fantastic.
Tea also set this place apart. I ordered Iron Goddess Tea and it was served in a clear glass teapot atop a tea warmer (tealight candle inside). Very much enjoyed having warm tea for the entire meal, and as a plus was fairly good quality tea as well! Far superior over the low-quality versions of Jasmine or Oolong served by its peers.
I wasn't tired after my meal which I usually am after Chinese buffet. Perhaps less/no MSG?
The meal was polished off with our server bringing us hot towels to wash our hands, and a pile fortune cookies, nice way to end a meal.
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