Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisine [Toronto] - dim sum with a view

My brother’s family invited us out for dim sum at Pearl Harbourfront. While not rivalling the best of Markham and definitely premium-priced due to the location, we found it all very tasty, with no duds. And the view of the harbour makes for a lovely brunch experience.

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The har gow wrappers were maybe a touch thick, but the shrimp inside had that perfect just-cooked texture.

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Steamed spinach and shrimp dumplings were similar to the chive version I am used to, and equally good.

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Ground pork and shrimp, warpped in supple bean curd skin and a flavourful sauce.

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My wife loves tripe; l find it akin to chewing on small pieces of rubber, albeit nicely flavoured with ginger in this case.

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A solid version of fried turnip cake, crispy edges and creamy interior, great with the hot sauce on our table.

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Two versions of cheung fun, one with shrimp and one with scallop. No faults with the delicate rice wrapping, fresh seafood, and that addictive salty and slightly sweet sauce.

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Nor my gai is a favourite of mine and this was a nice standard version, with lotus scented sticky rice and tasty pork and mushroom bits inside.

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These are those pan-fried dumplings that are in the shape of patties, this version filled with shrimp and chives, nicely seared on each side.

Things I didn’t take pictures of included fried squid (OK, nothing special), char siu bao (a good standard version), baby bok choy with garlic (because you need a little vegetable), and spring rolls for the kids (didn’t try them).

For dessert:
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Fish-shaped lychee agar jelly, with little lychee bits and goji berries - light and not too sweet.

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Sponge cake - a fine version of this treat that I had difficulty finding in downtown dim sum purveyors over the past decade or more.

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Good sesame balls, stuffed with sweet lotus paste.

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Nice I am hoping they carry over this level at least to their upcoming location in Yorkville. Close proximity should make dim sum lunch a possibility. I still haven’t gotten over the loss of Crown Princess downtown as that was dependable spot for that cuisine without the splurge (Lai Wah Heen closed down as well and I don’t like any other spots in or near downtown).

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There is a new location “coming soon”: Pearl Yorkville, in the mini-mall at Yonge & Charles (beside the Dollarama.) Construction happening inside.

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Tried Pearl Oakville dim sum recently. Our experience with the recommended restaurants in Richmond Hill/Markham is that each has offered one standout dish (for example, the turnip cake at O’Mei, and the light and completely non-greasy taro croquette at Lobster Port) and the rest are also of good quality. However, unfortunately all items we ordered here seemed average considering the prices charged (clumpy congee, thick rice noodle wrapper). We had hopes this might be a go-to for people living in the west, but aren’t moved to return for dinner, and continue to prefer our local dim sum spot.

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Have had consistently good experiences with AYCE dim sum at August 8 locally. I note they have a location in Toronto Chinatown, which I haven’t visited.

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I also like Wok Theory. Moon Palace is quite bad compared to Wok Theory. Go to Wok Theory for taste, Moon Palace for size of dishes (too big IMO).

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I had a bad experience at Wok Theory last night. I got take-out for myself. For the amount of food I wanted, I ordered 3 shrimp and chive dumplings, 3 mushroom tofu skin rolls and the mixed vegetables.
On my way to pick up, an employee called and told me they didn’t have the tofu skin rolls. I was outside and it was dark. I asked what he recommended at the same price. He said something something pumpkin strings. It was loud outside in Kensington Market, and I thought he was suggesting another type of roll filled with pumpkin strings. He said again, try the pumpkin strings, they’re really really good. He was doing a hard sale (:rofl:) . I told him I would take his recomnendation. I had no idea what dish he was talking about.

I picked up my order, and I had tipped around 10 percent, as I do on take-out, so this order cost $39 including tip.

I took a bite of the first shrimp and chive dumpling, which wasn’t that great. The same dumplings had been fresh and good in Oct . The shrimp seemed less fresh tasting than last time. I was famished. Second dumpling definitely tasted like ammonia, like shrimp that were getting a little too old. I took a bite out of the 3rd one, and it was worse or my tastebuds were overwhelmed by then. The rest of that dumpling went into the trash, and I wondered if I would become sick with food poisoning. Luckily, I didn’t get sick.

The dumplings had been steamed to order, so it looks to me like they have a problem in their kitchen.

The pumpkin strings turned out to be about 2 lbs of fried battered pumpkin. I don’t know what the Chinese ideal is for this. I don’t enjoy fried pumpkin at Thai restaurants. It always seems like greasy filler to me. I tried 2 bite-sized strips and left the rest. Another order of dumplings, or some bao, or a wonton soup would have been a better substitution. I couldn’t find the fried pumpkin strings on the menu, and I have a hard to time believing they are charging $10.88 for it.

The vegetables were okay. Not with $16. I’ve had better at Manchu Wok and pretty much any other Cantonese spot where I have ordered them LOL. I just needed my 5-10 a day. I picked out the broccoli and mushrooms, and left the rest with the fried pumpkin strings .

This was the worst Chinese food I’ve ever had in Toronto’s Chinatown. The restaurant was empty at 6 pm on a Friday night.

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Just wanted to follow up and report a good experience trying Zoelicious in Oakville.

All the dim sum dishes were of excellent quality and arrived quickly – taro squares were chock-full of taro pieces, nice crisp to the shrimp & chive cakes, rice noodle wrapper was smooth and the soy sauce just right. Beef ho fun was also enjoyable, with unique addition of salted black beans and a bit of egg.

Downside is the very limited street parking (the rear is a row of residential condos). We will likely be back to try more of their Cantonese cuisine though.

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