| rev:text
| - From the outside, Lee Garden is an unassuming restaurant. When you enter and see their offerings and menu, you realize it's a bit more fancy than a typical Chinatown place. They've been around since 1978. I'm not sure if that's a big deal since I'm not familiar with the history of Toronto's Chinatown.
I decided to go to Lee Garden, on Monday, for my first dinner on this current T.O business trip after reading positive Yelp reviews. I would agree with the general consensus that the food is authentic and decent, but also agree that it is pricey. I didn't see many Chinese customers, which leads me to believe that there are other restaurants that are just as good as Lee Garden, or better, that are more affordable in the area. Lee Garden seemed gentrified, which makes sense from what I've been reading on Yelp (that the prices here have gone up a lot).
Their menus are available online, in pdf form, at:
http://www.leegardenrestaurant.ca/menu.html
I ordered Dish #44: Sauteed Shirmp with Chili Pepper & Eggplant ($16). The portion was large, so it was enough to serve as lunch for the next day. The shrimps were good. However, I was disappointed that the dish was not spicy at all, which was the reason for me ordering it.
Adding in steamed white rice cost another $2. I realize it's standard, in Toronto, for rice to be tacked on as an additional cost. I'm just used to rice and tea usually being free, in most other places.
I'm not sure if Lee Garden is supposed to be a Catonese restaurant since I did see Sichuan dishes listed on the menu.
I am willing to give Lee Garden another try to see if I like the place or not. The next time I go, I would like to order the Grandmother's Roast Duck and Chicken.
|