The east end of the GTA is supposedly the go-to region for "superb" Chinese food.
I tend to disagree with this statement on the bases that not a single restaurant has convinced me - a non-lover of rambunctious, greasy Cantonese diners - to willingly act as company on more than one occasion and that there are unarguably classier dishes to be found in Metro Vancouver.
I tend to disagree with this statement on the bases that not a single restaurant has convinced me - a non-lover of rambunctious, greasy Cantonese diners - to willingly act as company on more than one occasion and that there are unarguably classier dishes to be found in Metro Vancouver.
Alas, an invitation to a winter wedding sent us to an unexplored Chinese banquet hall, just nestled between Dayali and the space that once belonged to HOPO . It went by the name of Elegance, ironically enough.
To be frank, the chosen appellation was far from fitting. The night started off a tad chaotic, but otherwise adhered to schedule. The restaurant's true colours were revealed with the delivery of the ten-course meal.
To be frank, the chosen appellation was far from fitting. The night started off a tad chaotic, but otherwise adhered to schedule. The restaurant's true colours were revealed with the delivery of the ten-course meal.
Commencing the meal was the all-too-typical spiced jellyfish slaw. Many prove wary against waxy, dangly bits of collagen, but I personally find much enjoyment in the dish. That is, if it hadn't been coated in preposterous amounts of red pepper flakes. Heavily pickled wakame salad wasn't a great accompaniment either.
On the positive side, the roasted pork had been executed to perfection: uniform marbling of fat and flesh were sealed underneath crispy, amber-toned skin.
On the positive side, the roasted pork had been executed to perfection: uniform marbling of fat and flesh were sealed underneath crispy, amber-toned skin.
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Next up were angular chunks of celery and tough segments of squid - both tossed excessively in oil to obtain the dine-out shine standard. These elements were already underwhelming, but even more so with the unnecessary addition of pepper flakes and black pepper. Only the quality of the scallops had been maintained.
Spinach stalks and shiitake mushrooms were passable albeit greasy; the abalone boasted a suppler texture than anticipated.
Spinach stalks and shiitake mushrooms were passable albeit greasy; the abalone boasted a suppler texture than anticipated.
A lack of consistency was witnessed throughout the evening. Dishes could fall within two categories: 100% Miss or 70% Miss. Offering neither bite nor burst of flavour, the Battered Shrimp Balls with Slivered Almonds was another disappointment.
Steamed Tilapia was a decent dish, in spite of its terrible plating and serving methods. I, for one, did not appreciate being served scraps from bottom of the dish after every other plate had earned their rightful portion.
The waitress carried about her division business in an unprofessional, hurried manner which involved flinging bits of the food left and right, until all that remained was sauce stains. Other members of waitstaff presented the same attitude, even daring to stride across the main stage as performances and heartfelt speeches were taking place. Not a shred of elegance was to be observed here!
The waitress carried about her division business in an unprofessional, hurried manner which involved flinging bits of the food left and right, until all that remained was sauce stains. Other members of waitstaff presented the same attitude, even daring to stride across the main stage as performances and heartfelt speeches were taking place. Not a shred of elegance was to be observed here!
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As the evening progressed, the bathroom grew increasingly filthier. With each visit, the bottoms of my two-toned oxfords saw a stickier - and grimier - stall floor.
I skipped the lobster, rice, and noodle dishes as a result of satiation, and only returned to the table when dessert emerged. Red Bean Soup, Lotus Paste Pastries, and Mango Jelly made their way over. I opted out of the first two, then came to the realization that the third wasn't worth the calorie intake either
Might I also add that an open bar serving drinks from cloudy plastic pitchers instead of pressurized spouts was an absolute outrage. Beverages such as ginger ale and club soda are never intended to be served flat.
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