Regular MEL Yum Cha Event [Shark Finn House 1:30pm 23rd March 2014]

[drewbles]

How much is a taxi from Tullamarine?

Around $50-60. Sky bus and a quick tram is far more cost effective

 

[Robbi]

Around $50-60. Sky bus and a quick tram is far more cost effective

Public transport? Yikes

Do we have a time yet?

 

[Welsh-Kiwi]

Sky bus is $30 return.

 

[blackcat20]

If Gold Leaf was where we were in Jan, then the no shrimp/pork pickings were very slim indeed. I would like to try somewhere different, as I won't bother going there again.

Same. I'm fine with pork but 90% of the options had prawns in them.

 

[drewbles]

Same. I'm fine with pork but 90% of the options had prawns in them.

Some of my all-time favourite Dim Sum include BBQ Pork Bun, Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf, Sui Mai, Shanghai Dumplings, Potstickers and the like, none of which have prawns.

You just need to know what you're asking for =)

 

[penegal]

I am ever increasingly feeling very lucky to have no specific dietary requirements.

It does make things easier, but I will admit that I can be fussy when it comes to quality.

 

[straitman]

If Gold Leaf was where we were in Jan, then the no shrimp/pork pickings were very slim indeed. I would like to try somewhere different, as I won't bother going there again.

I concur with this.

I've had Yum Cha in many locations around the world and I have to say that IMHO Gold Leaf did not stack up very well at all.

Either the choice was very poor OR the choice offered to us was very poor.

 

[drewbles]

I concur with this.

I've had Yum Cha in many locations around the world and I have to say that IMHO Gold Leaf did not stack up very well at all.

Either the choice was very poor OR the choice offered to us was very poor.

The second trip I made the other w/end was vastly improved over our January trip. That said, the regular places in SYD I used to go to varied week to week. Some weeks was amazingly fresh and vast range, other weeks were terrible.

You are always best off getting a table closest to the kitchen though, as you get the freshest and best variance. They tend to wander around until empty, but the best stuff goes quick

 

[boomy]

Regular MEL Yum Cha Event [TBC: 23rd March 2014]

You are always best off getting a table closest to the kitchen though, as you get the freshest and best variance. They tend to wander around until empty, but the best stuff goes quick

Even better if you know the owner

 

[drewbles]

Even better if you know the owner

The people I used to go with had a few who spoke Mandarin. It was amazing how much better the quality/variety was as soon as you spoke their language.

Also, you *must* obey the 'order' in SYD places (men in suits bring the bills, men in uniform clear plates and bring drinks, the girls who push the carts must only serve food). The hierarchy there is truly astounding and efficient.

 

[Ewing]

The people I used to go with had a few who spoke Mandarin. It was amazing how much better the quality/variety was as soon as you spoke their language.

Agreed. The best Yum Cha experiences I've had have been with a Mandarin speaker. It's almost like you get a completely different menu.

Also, you *must* obey the 'order' in SYD places (men in suits bring the bills, men in uniform clear plates and bring drinks, the girls who push the carts must only serve food). The hierarchy there is truly astounding and efficient.

Yep!

It's confusing until you figure it out, but once you do it works so well.

Even simple things like paying the bill. Just put your hand holding the card and it'll be taken within seconds.

 

[boomy]

The people I used to go with had a few who spoke Mandarin. It was amazing how much better the quality/variety was as soon as you spoke their language.

It's even more important when you are in China. I was lucky to have some local friends in Beijing who took me to some amazing restaurants which I would never found by myself and even if I did, I would have probably ordered all the wrong things from the menu (as most westerners usually do)

 

[drewbles]

Agreed. The best Yum Cha experiences I've had have been with a Mandarin speaker. It's almost like you get a completely different menu.



Yep!

It's confusing until you figure it out, but once you do it works so well.

Even simple things like paying the bill. Just put your hand holding the card and it'll be taken within seconds.

And to get more tea, the lid just needs to be tilted or put on top of the pot. Simple things makes it so much easier

 

[boomy]

Back on topic, how hard is it to find a decent yum cha in the food capital?!
I'm sure that if we had to decide on a fine dining restaurant, there would be a heated debate going on by now

 

[Hvr]

And to get more tea, the lid just needs to be tilted or put on top of the pot. Simple things makes it so much easier

I know that one and did it a few times at the last lunch.

Certainly agree about speaking the language, I've been with friends who can order in the native language of the owner and staff and we ate very well.

 

[Robbi]

Have we decided on lunch or dinner yet?

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Have we decided on lunch or dinner yet?

I believe the conscience is for a lunch time event, as the previous two Yum Cha events were lunch time..... As for the venue....if I can throw my 2 cents worth in..... I reckon we should try a new venue that we haven't been too before..... That way we can all be happy!

 

[penegal]

Have we decided on lunch or dinner yet?

Yum Cha is usually (almost always) lunch...

Most restaurants will only offer a la carte during the evening.

 

[drewbles]

Yum Cha is usually (almost always) lunch...

Most restaurants will only offer a la carte during the evening.

There's something very wrong with having Yum Cha at night. It's a must to have at lunch (and even better to cure a hangover!).

 

[penegal]

That said, we should do an AFF pilgrimage to Sichuan house one evening for the famous prawn and crab stack... Chilli lovers only

I usually have the braised beef with rice for lunch there.