When it comes to spicy, numbing hot, ‘mala’ Northeastern style Chinese food, my wife and I are definitely not fans.
The opening of this brand new, highly rated, Northern Chinese BBQ mega complex just around our corner triggered a curiosity and desire amongst my kids to give it a try. Despite a departure between our tastes and palate in this area, for the sake of bonding with them, appreciating their weekly visits and cherishing the subsequent precious family dinner gathering, my wife and I decided to tag along.
Occupying the former location of Turtle Jack, this new establishment offers a humongous, contemporary, bright and high ceiling dining environment. The business model essentially comes in two segments.
The first one, predominantly focused on BBQ skewers. From a centralized, refrigerated display area, patrons can pick their favorites from a vast array of individually priced, raw, seasoned/marinated or bare skewer choices…..the usual chicken, beef, lamb, pork, seafood, vegetables options were offered. Afterwards, the selection is to be handed over to the staff manning a central collecting station who will then process and pass them onto the open kitchen for execution.
The second part was the cooked dishes. This is where the food excels! Featuring mostly stir-fried or deep fried options. A few, like the rarely seen ‘ Fried savory whole, heads and shell on, river shrimps ‘, Northern style sweet and sour pork, Fried crispy shell prawns and spicy marinated clams were all delectable, stupendous and really shine!
Overall, though the initial eye-opening food display, arrangement and selection was impressive, the dining experience was only so-so. The mediocre quality BBQ products were one dimensional tasting and exhibit similar flavour profile Thankfully, the meal was rescued by some well executed vegetables ( Eggplant, Enochi Mushroom and Chives bundle ) and aforementioned cooked dishes.
However, for my wife and I, it’s the company of the kids and bonding with them that counts!
