It's getting hot in the kitchen (food appreciation thread)

[kstanb]

Does someone have advice on a great Chinese (not hotpot) restaurant? good Indian?

Also, are thee any good "buffet" restaurant in MTL? I have only found options for Sushi, Korean BBQ and Chinese hotpot

In Toronto/ GTA there were a lot of good Indian buffets, Chinese and even Italian all-you-can eat buffets

 

[LeDodo]

Does someone have advice on a great Chinese (not hotpot) restaurant? good Indian?

Also, are thee any good "buffet" restaurant in MTL? I have only found options for Sushi, Korean BBQ and Chinese hotpot

In Toronto/ GTA there were a lot of good Indian buffets, Chinese and even Italian all-you-can eat buffets

Chinese food is a bit wide. Do you like Cantonese style? Szechuan? Noodles? Seafood?

As for the good Indian restaurants, my go to are usually around Rue Jean Talon Ouest right after you passed Boulevard de l'Acadie. For example "Maison Indian Curry". But be careful their level of spicy is high even they tell you it's not spicy lol

 

[kstanb]

Chinese food is a bit wide. Do you like Cantonese style? Szechuan? Noodles? Seafood?

As for the good Indian restaurants, my go to are usually around Rue Jean Talon Ouest right after you passed Boulevard de l'Acadie. For example "Maison Indian Curry". But be careful their level of spicy is high even they tell you it's not spicy lol

I would say Cantonese,
I mainly go to "La Maison Kam Fung" at Brossard; a big banquet hall turned restaurant, it is always packed, which is a good sign, but I always leave pissed because their service sucks: they are always "busy"; mostly small things like a soup that is not warm enough or not bringing the food together (like we got the rice, and the chicken, but the noodles and beef came 10 minutes after)

and I live in the Verdun area, I go to restaurants mostly in between the areas of downtown-StCatherines-Wellington-Brossard

I know the Jean Talon area has probably the best ethnic foods you can get in this city. but it is kind of far, is this Maison Indian Curry that good to justify a long drive?

 

[Julia Sky]

But be careful their level of spicy is high even they tell you it's not spicy lol

I'll have to try this place. I'm a sucker for spicy food. (Even won a hot wing challenge once despite being the only white person + only woman at the contest table haha)

 

[LeDodo]

I would say Cantonese,
I mainly go to "La Maison Kam Fung" at Brossard; a big banquet hall turned restaurant, it is always packed, which is a good sign, but I always leave pissed because their service sucks: they are always "busy"; mostly small things like a soup that is not warm enough or not bringing the food together (like we got the rice, and the chicken, but the noodles and beef came 10 minutes after)

and I live in the Verdun area, I go to restaurants mostly in between the areas of downtown-StCatherines-Wellington-Brossard

I know the Jean Talon area has probably the best ethnic foods you can get in this city. but it is kind of far, is this Maison Indian Curry that good to justify a long drive?

If you are looking for Cantonese food, few options:
- DT Chinatown, Restaurant Keung Kee, in the pedestrian area on the first floor.
- On Décarie, Namur metro station, Oriental Fusion (they also have dim sum in the morning)
- At the edge of Saint Laurent right before Laval,
Restaurant Tong Por Reception (they also have dim sum in the morning)
- In Brossard, Restaurant Impérial (they also have dim sum in the morning)
- Brossard/Longueil, Papa Jackie. Though this one is a bit more expensive than the other on the list
- In West Island, Pointe Claire, Restaurant Impérial (same chain) (they also have dim sum in the morning)

Also in terms of service and politeness, Cantonese restaurants are not known for that or would I say well known for impatient and rude waiter lol

As for driving to Maison Indian Curry from Verdun I find the driving time reasonable lol

 

[EagerBeaver]

Le Dodo,

I saw this dessert on a local dim sum menu. It's called Mango Grapefruit Sago Coconut Milk. Looks like a tapioca dessert. What is this? Should I order it? Is this the Chinese response to the Thai desert called Mango with Sticky Rice? Is it good?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORE16TmpBNE13RUVRbXh2WWdBPS0taDNLbmZMV1htSG0vak5aRGdQeEx1QVMvMi9KOG1WbWZOWWhpbFhzQkc2ND0

 

[EagerBeaver]

Le Dodo,

I saw this dessert on a local dim sum menu. It's called Mango Grapefruit Sago Coconut Milk. Looks like a tapioca dessert. What is this? Should I order it? Is this the Chinese response to the Thai dessert called Mango with Sticky Rice? Is it good?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORE16TmpBNE13RUVRbXh2WWdBPS0taDNLbmZMV1htSG0vak5aRGdQeEx1QVMvMi9KOG1WbWZOWWhpbFhzQkc2ND0

 

[LeDodo]

Le Dodo,

I saw this dessert on a local dim sum menu. It's called Mango Grapefruit Sago Coconut Milk. Looks like a tapioca dessert. What is this? Should I order it? Is this the Chinese response to the Thai desert called Mango with Sticky Rice? Is it good?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORE16TmpBNE13RUVRbXh2WWdBPS0taDNLbmZMV1htSG0vak5aRGdQeEx1QVMvMi9KOG1WbWZOWWhpbFhzQkc2ND0

It's a famous Cantonese dessert that it's widespread throughout south Asia nowadays.

It's made of mango, chewy tapioca pearls, and creamy coconut milk. Normally it also has pomelo.

It's completely different than the Thai mango sticky rice which more a dessert to eat whereas the mango sago is more a drinkable dessert.

And yes try it! It is a refreshing during summer especially.

 

[EagerBeaver]

And yes try it! It is a refreshing during summer especially.

I was tempted to, but after eating Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, Beef Short Ribs in Black Bean and Pepper sauce, Pork and Shrimp Shu Mai Dumpings, and Sticky Rice with Pork Sausage stuffed in Lotus Leaf, I was stuffed, and had no room for dessert. Next time I will try and leave room. It looked the best of all the desserts.

 

[LeDodo]

I was tempted to, but after eating Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, Beef Short Ribs in Black Bean and Pepper sauce, Pork and Shrimp Shu Mai Dumpings, and Sticky Rice with Pork Sausage stuffed in Lotus Leaf, I was stuffed, and had no room for dessert. Next time I will try and leave room. It looked the best of all the desserts.

Yes! It's not too heavy

 

[LeDodo]

YIN JI (銀記腸粉) in Brossard provides Cantonese breakfast like congee and rice noodle rolls (however it's more the Chinese way than Cantonese way) among other dim sum and noodles (either in soup or stir fried).

In the same mall there is a Taiwanese restaurant "Casse Croûte Bubble Bubble" serving more Taiwanese dishes

 

[LeDodo]

I was tempted to, but after eating Crystal Shrimp Dumplings, Beef Short Ribs in Black Bean and Pepper sauce, Pork and Shrimp Shu Mai Dumpings, and Sticky Rice with Pork Sausage stuffed in Lotus Leaf, I was stuffed, and had no room for dessert. Next time I will try and leave room. It looked the best of all the desserts.

I just tried the Meet Fresh who just opened at T&T near Ville Saint Laurent. Today was their first day of soft opening. And I sacrificed myself to try that one for you

Their grand opening is the 26 with a special offer

 

[EagerBeaver]

i do not see any grapefruit in it?

 

[LeDodo]

i do not see any grapefruit in it?

It's pomelo
I always mix pomelo with grapefruit lol

 

[EagerBeaver]

It's pomelo
I always mix pomelo with grapefruit lol

It's supposed to be grapefruit- that's what the place I went to uses- observe:

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORE16TmpBNE13RUVRbXh2WWdBPS0taDNLbmZMV1htSG0vak5aRGdQeEx1QVMvMi9KOG1WbWZOWWhpbFhzQkc2ND0

Pomelo should not be confused with grapefruit, its younger, smaller, meatier, juicier and more acidic first cousin:

What’s the Difference Between a Pomelo and a Grapefruit?

Pomelos and grapefruits are both in the citrus family, but they have their own unique attributes.

www.thekitchn.com

 

[Julia Sky]

It's supposed to be grapefruit- that's what the place I went to uses

The original, traditional recipe uses pomelo. Mango sago contains pomelo more often than it contains grapefruit - grapefruit is the variation. So I suppose (lol) that "supposed" was not the correct word to use. The place you went to isn't the authority on mango sago, the majority of Asia eats it the traditional way, with pomelo!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Interestingly enough, the restaurant I went to just changed both the name of the dish on the menu ("Mango Pomelo") and the photograph that accompanies it:

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhOVEEzTURFeU13RUVRbXh2WWdBPS0tZUozUUJEVmdUKzJUQWF5cDZEV2xGZU93ZC96TzA4ZzZxYkVnRGJIT3E5RT0

Another dessert they have that looks appetizing is Hong Kong style Pumpkin Cake. Ever have this?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORFl4TXpReE5RRUVRbXh2WWdBPS0tZ3llc040T0JsUHVZcm9iN0NGcVN5TVp4ajJvcXhmSEM0S2xyTXpEbDN5VT0

 

[EagerBeaver]

Le Dodo you ever try this? Coconut Lava Custard Bun- if it's coconut and custard it has to be good right? Is this the Chinese answer to Coconut Custard Pie, an all time favorite of mine?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORGMyT1RJMk9RRUVRbXh2WWdBPS0tZDJUQzI1OTZqNlZwV09YQ20xRkRGZTc0ejFUNytIeUJaZ0M0N3Era1NQcz0

 

[LeDodo]

Interestingly enough, the restaurant I went to just changed both the name of the dish on the menu ("Mango Pomelo") and the photograph that accompanies it:

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhOVEEzTURFeU13RUVRbXh2WWdBPS0tZUozUUJEVmdUKzJUQWF5cDZEV2xGZU93ZC96TzA4ZzZxYkVnRGJIT3E5RT0

Another dessert they have that looks appetizing is Hong Kong style Pumpkin Cake. Ever have this?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORFl4TXpReE5RRUVRbXh2WWdBPS0tZ3llc040T0JsUHVZcm9iN0NGcVN5TVp4ajJvcXhmSEM0S2xyTXpEbDN5VT0

Pumpkin cake doesn't look like a regular HK dessert. However the picture you shared looks like a Ma Lai Gao or Malay Cake which is common on HK dim sum menu. It's a steamed sponge cake.
It has quite evolved throughout the years with its original recipe made with brown sugar and/or gula melaka (coconut palm sugar) which gives it its brown color.

One of its evolution, the one that looks pictured, is custard that give that yellow-ish color.

 

[LeDodo]

Le Dodo you ever try this? Coconut Lava Custard Bun- if it's coconut and custard it has to be good right? Is this the Chinese answer to Coconut Custard Pie, an all time favorite of mine?

https://api.chowbus.com/compendium/api/v1/image_proxy/blobs/Skg4REFRRUhiV1Z6YzJGblpRSC9nQUFCQWdFQ1NVUUJEQUFCQkZSNWNHVUJEQUFBQUJML2dBRUhORGMyT1RJMk9RRUVRbXh2WWdBPS0tZDJUQzI1OTZqNlZwV09YQ20xRkRGZTc0ejFUNytIeUJaZ0M0N3Era1NQcz0

Yep tried it but I'm not a fan of the gooey texture. It's actually a variation of the canto dim sum lava custard bun which I prefer the bun texture and the sweet (often hot, beware!) lava custard: