2 dim sum meals this week with overseas guests ( okay, maybe the first one cannot be considered dim sum)
Ding Tai Fong: - Paragon
The restaurant is about 1/4 full. There were 2 sections. I section which tables were put closer and more for smaller group. The other side has tables mostly for 4 people. There were just 2 of us but lots of shopping bags. The waitress led us to the crowded section but I requested to be at the other section ( which was not closed and there were people dining there), but was told it is not possible as there were only 2 of us ( despite the many bags we were carrying) and those are for 4 people and above. Told her, "well, we go somewhere else than". Immediately we were led to the quieter section. Service was not very attentive. Took us a while to get some attention to fill up the tea, even though it was not crowded.
We ordered:
1) Deep fried Pork Rib - pretty good and tasty, though don't think it is worth ($6) per serving for a small piece of rib. I do know where we are dining, so......
2) Prawn wonton with sauce - Nice and tasty, the prawns do not taste over "marinated" ($6.50)
3) Braised Beef Soup - Average. The soup could be more robust, like the other Taiwanese style I have tried before ( eg. Lai Lai)- a little on the bland side ( 4 cubes of beef for $9.00)
4)Crab Meat Xiao Long Bao - Really smelled of crab - not exactly a good sign. They may have used fresh crab, but it tasted and smelled like frozen crab meat. (6 pieces for $8.80)
5)Glutinous Rice Xiew Mai - Eh...quite forgettable. After having one piece each, we actually forgotten about it after that. (8 pieces for $8.50)
6)Zha Jiang Mian - Forgettable also. Ample amount of noodle but not much other ingredient. Minced meat a little too tough and quite tasteless ($7)
Total including tea, service charge, tax is $52.90 for the 2 of us
Crystal Jade Golden Palace - Paragon
Was early (12nn) and did not have any problem getting a table for the 3 of us ( it got crowded and became full house by 1pm). The service was almost impeccable. Immediate attention, always someone nearby if you need something. The moment you lift up your tea pot, someone will dashed over, apologize and take over to serve.
We ordered:
1) Siew Mai ( 4 pieces for $3.80) - a little on the bland side, but nice and crunchy
2) Steam Chicken feet ( $2.80) - This is one of the best I have eaten. Even before it was placed on the table from the serving tray, I could smell the aroma. Well marinated and tender enough I could even chew on the bones
3) Steam Pork Rib ( $3.00) - Good and tasty, a little on the fat side though.
4) Char Siew Bao ( $3.00 for 3) - Very good, the dough does not stick to the teeth. Char siew filling is delicious and not overly sweet.
5) Steamed Beef Ball with vegetable ( $2.80 for 3 pieces) - One of my favourite dim sum item nowaday. The ball is bouncy and with a lot of crunch ( water chestnut) in it. Not overly beefy and not overly marinated till no beef taste at all. They used cabbage, though I preferred dou miao.
6) Scallop Dumbling ( $4 for 3 pieces) - Was made rather elegantly, looks so good with the various color ( prawns, scallop, swordfish roe and parsley). Tasted good too. Most places would have made it look like a har kow or siew mai.
7) Prawn Dumpling with salad ($3.80 for 3 pieces) - Almost the size of a mini curry puff. Packed with fillings.
8) Beancurd skin with prawn paste ( $3.80 for 3 pieces cut into 2 pieces each) - Again rather huge comparing to other dim sum place. The beancurd is deep fried till very crispy ( some place tends to be a little soggy).
9) Yam Dumpling ( Wu Gok) ($3.30 for 3 pieces) - A little disappointing, the crust is a little hard and fillings were little.
10) Abalone Chicken Pastry ( $3.50 for 3 pieces) - Like those baked Char Siew pastry except it is round but it is very tasty, though don't seems to taste any abalone ( or was it just abalone sauce they use?
) . My new favourite, though not a great fan of deep fried or baked dim sum.
11) Walnut cream ( $4 for a small bowl) - love the nutty and creamy taste of it.
12) Oh Nee with Gingko Nut ( $5) - Disppointing as it is too bland, looks like there is no lard used..and very very little.
Total cost including pickles, tea, service charge, and taxes is $56.88 for 3 person.
Guess where I will rather go next time.
by SiGinNah » Sat Apr 16, 2005 1:10 am 
Like SGN, I will not tolerate n sit through the whole meal. When you accept such services at an ex place, you are cordoning the services are acceptable.
. Better keep quiet. Otherwise her mood will be spoilt too. Reducing the chance of giving us further bad service is safer.
