Oh, No... Not another Chinese restaurant!
Yes, indeed, the less I want to write about them, the more I gravitate towards them. New Asian Restaurant at 258 Bank at Cooper.
Now a picture is worth a thousand words.... and there are lots of sites now with lovely pics. But do you need a thousand words to say something that is not worth saying? Pictures do lie.... as well. It’s like Stats, damn stats and lies.
Anyway, the point here is that the restaurant has some really nice pics in the front, but the food, well, it’s not quite as good. It’s not bad.... and I am here to sing the praises of this place beside the food..... Now that’s a twist, right? And Chinese food at that as well.
And so what’s so special about this place beside it being like any other greasy spoon with nice pics outside....
Had been meaning to try this place for some time, since it was close to where I worked before I started consulting. It opened around 4-5 years ago. And have been back twice since my recent visit.... It's one of those 'personable' restaurants (think Hino’s) that once you get to know the owner and cook, he can make up whatever you like and give you special treatment.... Food is not bad..., but convenience... and home cooking essentially...
They actually specialize in Sichuan Chinese (West). The food taste alright, but the cook is actually from Hebei (North) and if you get to know him... and I am not the first to say this apparently, he’ll cook up whatever you like. They have Italian food on the menu! The take out menu looks like any Cantonese (South) or Canadian Chinese place. Also they provided an interesting array of fruits for dessert... like an expensive hotel restaurant. The cook obviously has been around and has worked in different restaurants around town. Came from China 9 years ago to be with his family... wife is an engineer (came 13 years ago)....... beat that one for a curve.
But if nothing else, here is a chance of East meeting West in Ottawa and with very ‘personal’ service. Home cooking without cooking at home.
Prices are reasonable especially if you get specially prepared meals. Did not check out their washrooms, but not expecting much there. Presentation... excellent... very western... like Mekong, Ging Sing... etc.
‘Eclectic East meets West’ would be a good way to put it. But don’t expect fusion. Or its associated prices. And it’s right on what now is starting to be a restaurant strip...
Small format, so not conducive to large groups...
2007 08 02.
Read EatDrinkOttawa.blogspot.com
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2 comments:
1) I do not post anonymous questions and comments... at least give me a name... not that I follow up....
2) I did say three times, if you read carefully, that I did NOT find the food good. Feel like Peter denying Christ!
3) My mother is Hebei... didn't want to hurt the feelings of the chef/owner. So tried to play up the other aspects of the restaurant... read...
4) wanted to try the food as leftovers, before giving a comment on individual pieces.... food always look and tastes good when fresh... but leftovers is a true measure of how well the food lasts... perspective, context, legacies, etc....
5) and of course, they are my taste buds and world experiences... everyone has a different opinion...
6) they were very generous in their portions if you get to know the cook....
8) I had their 'twice cooked pork', which is a non-Sweet & Sour Sichuan dish. Rating, 2/10. My ex could make it better (my ex would only get 8/10 after much practise and comparing to best of HK) and they were missing some of the ingredients for it.
9) I had their Sichuan peppercorn chicken. Nice when new.... hard to eat as leftovers; and I like spicy and red chilies and peppercorns....3/10. Maybe 4/10. Good effort, but again not world standards.
10) Had their beef flank steak.... 3/10. Or 2/10. The taste was good, but the consistency et al was pretty bad.... Sucks as leftovers... so not really infused into the meat... the taste that is...
11) also had their cold noodles.. very ok....4/10... but quantity was small and food not infused with the tastes. Korean better in Ottawa.
12) been meaning to try their Kung Pow chicken.. but have to have the occasion..., still eating the leftovers....
So if you ask me what I thought of the food on its own, pretty low...., but it's the atmosphere... friendliness (Hino's) and the fact that he was happy to show what he could do in terms of what one likes... not many restaurants in Ottawa can do that.... and that's why you'd want to go and try....
I did say that I wanted to be more than just a '.... well this was nice... and that was fine' type of a commentator... And I am not a restaurant reviewer! Just a connoisseur of good food & drink.
whoops, forgot 7...gotta think of something smart to put int there....
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