Contemporary Chinese Cuisine in Canberra
For my regular followers, you know I love all things China and definitely love Chinese food, so when my friend Jen asked me to catch up for dinner at a new Chinese restaurant in Canberra, I immediately said ‘yes’…
I knew the location of this restaurant as it previously was home to one of Canberra’s fine dining institutions which has now moved to the other side of town (another great Chinese restaurant called Chairman & Yip). On this occasion, I drove into town and walked a short distance to the restaurant, which only opened up this year and is known to have a fabulous interior. Wow…when I walked inside… it really is fabulous!!
Amazing cartoon portraits of Chinese princesses and pinups cover the walls. The roof lights are contained in bamboo cases and bankers lamps hang from the walls.
The room is adorned with Chinese replica furniture and porcelain..(I know it’s replica because the owner told me after I admired some of the pieces)
(last photo above from: http://www.foodpornjournal.com)
After about half an hour of catching up, my friend and I ordered our dishes. The menu is extensive and like the restaurant; rather glamorous.
Inside the menu there is a great saying:
one cannot think well, sleep well, love well
if one has not dined well
I ordered the lotus roots and mixed greens with macadamia nuts and cashew nuts..this was an incredibly fresh and delicious dish…I loved it!!
Mr friend ordered the beef with green vegetables and onion which she said was very tasty.
The bar offers a range of wine and spirits but instead my friend and I enjoyed a lovely pot of fragrant Jasmine tea…beautiful!!
The service was excellent and I started talking to the owner who was extremely friendly. I spoke a little Chinese and she gave me her business card. As I was giving mine I saw a group of three Chinese at the next booth, all with gaping mouths…one male said they couldn’t believe I was speaking Chinese (and really it was just basic conversation)…they kept starting at me whilst I continued chatting to the owner. Of course they gave me the usual phrase when a Chinese hears a non-Chinese speaking Chinese ‘Nǐ shuō dé hěn hǎo’ (you speak very well)…I knew I hadn’t really but decided to take the compliment and thanked them. It was very sweet of them to compliment me. My dear friend was also suitable impressed with my Chinese but really I am not sure why as over the past ten years or so she has learnt to speak fluent French (very clever).
My final question to the waitress was to ask if they would make the spicy hotpot eggplant dish without pork and was advised that the chef would definitely do it for me (next time).
I loved this restaurant so much that I have organised a group of friends to celebrate the upcoming festive season in early December. Can’t wait to try the eggplant dish.
sileas said:
What a great find, the interior is very well done and the fresh vegetables look so crisp and tasty! I also love the way how they served the jasmine tea – a pleasure for the eyes! I’m sure the compliment was well deserved and I’m glad the people appreciate your attempts speaking Chinese. It must be one of the toughest languages to learn…
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Lignum Draco said:
Sounds great. Love the artwork.
It really shouldn’t be a surprise to hear anyone speak a foreign language nowadays, given modern communications and transport. I wish there was a stronger emphasis on learning a second language in our schools.
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Little Miss Traveller said:
Sounds lovely, so pleased you enjoyed it so much you plan to return at Christmas!
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CrazyChineseFamily said:
Watching these pictures and reading the post makes me so hungry once again. I really do miss good Asian restaurants here. All we got are so called Chinese restaurants but it nearly tastes like German food already…
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Lovely comments. Thank you Julia!!!! I loved the Jasmine tea in the teapot too. It was so pretty. I actually went and bought some on Saturday as I do love it. Not the exact same but just as delicious.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I agree. I find children born to two different nationalities and brought up speaking two or more languages are so lucky and what a great way to start life.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
That’s such a shame. You are right a good Chinese restaurant is a great thing.
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carentaylor said:
What a wonderful little restaurant! I love the way the interior looks and so nice to include beautiful artwork and (never mind being repros) the array of Chinese ornaments too 🙂
The owners have done a great job on the face but by the looks a brilliant job on the food!! Do ring ahead and make sure they have your dish ready for your next visit ~ and, happy festive dining Sue 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you for such a lovely message Caren.
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Sophie said:
Wow Sue, I’m really impressed by the look of these dishes!! Your vegetarian dish as well as the beef with onions all look sensational and of high quality. And please, this jasmin tea pot is so pretty!! I fully understand why you would want to gather your friends together at this place for the holidays, I’m sure you guys will have an excellent time! And now that you know the owner and can have a conversation in Chinese, it all sounds very good for your friends if they decide to follow you there! (dear, you’re too modest about your Chinese, I’m sure you speak better than you say you do, otherwise a conversation cannot last! That’s why your friend was impressed!)
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks Sophie for your great comments.
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twobrownfeet said:
Sue, your food shots always stir up an appetite. I’m missing Chinese food here. 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you. It’s such good food isn’t it.
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vinneve said:
Just one question Sue… I hope the Chinese restaurants there don’t add any “vetsin” or monosodium glutamate? It can make a difference… this ingredient makes it tasty but not good for our health though it is widely used in Asia.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Good question. My favourite little no frills restaurant (not this one) does not but some in Canberra add it because they think the westerners like it. I don’t. Very bad for you.
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vinneve said:
Oh, that means it is ok in Australia or perhaps only in Canberra? In AKL, as far as I know, it is illegal to put it in the dishes and once they found out they will close down the premises or if somebody tells the authority. Not sure now though as I have been away now for 2yrs!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Oh wow how interesting. No it’s not illegal in Australia. I hate it though.
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vinneve said:
I like the portraits too and your teapot with flowers, ornamental designs of furnitures! I like the ambiance and the foods!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thanks so much Vinneve.
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