B got his way this time round… Chinese food from a little known Chinese take away at the Palms shopping centre, Kingfisher Road, Sunward Park. Personally Chinese is the last thing I would eat but hey, you don’t always get what you want.
We arrive at the sparsely furnished restaurant at about 12:20 and I noticed that it was definitely laid out for Take-away, no toilet facilities available but a few chairs and tables were around so we opted to “EAT IN”.
The menu was on the window outside (take away style), I read it before entering, and both B and I chose Sweet and sour pork, Diet coke to share (I hate dieting but someone has to do it) The food was fantastic, for someone who doesn’t do Chinese I really enjoyed it and B “ate his fingers off”.
Before we received our meal we were offered either chop stix or forks, I took the fork (no idea how to operate chop stix) and B took the chop stix (expert), really nice touch for those western people wanting to try eastern cuisine.
There was loads of food, a bowl of fried rice to share and two separate plates with the pork and sweet and sour sauce. This was a fantastic idea as we got to add as much or as little pork to any amount of rice with our own amount of sweet and sour sauce…..
Choose your own style, really nice touch.
The rice was sticky with a small amount of veg, namely peas, incorporated, pork was fried to perfection and the sauce was thick and rich. I could only eat one bowl full but B successfully ate seven bowls, four of his own, three of mine and still there was half a bowl of rice left over.
The owner/waitress checked up on us often offering more rice and more sauce at regular intervals, “ Can I fetch this on for you” cute little words made with a very Chinese accent. Friendly service from a genuine Chinese person.
Whilst eating lunch we heard the sounds of the owners having a heated conversation in Chinese coming from the kitchen, this definitely added to the authenticity of the meal.
I asked B about a strange looking table, sushi style with a glass turnable top, we wondered if they sold sushi but we hadn’t seen it on the menu so we assumed not.
Once finished we went to the counter to pay the bill, R78.00 and only then did
I notice they did in fact sell Sushi, more advertising in this department would go a long way.
Great take away restaurant for evening food, quiet little sit down restaurant for the middle of the day. Authentic Chinese atmosphere in the heart of the western world. If you ever wanted to try eastern food this is definitely the place to do it.
Here’s to good eating.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Live the Gypsy life
We had been wanting to stop there for ages, we had seen the signs and thought it would be good for a change, don’t always wanna go to the same old places, gets kinda boring. So Gypsies Diner in Henrick Potgieter Road, Dalview it was.
We walked in the Café style diner and asked if they were open, it was only 11am and a lot of places only operate from 12 onwards. We took a seat in the middle of the room at a wonky table and were supplied a menu.
The variety on the menu was mind blowing, from Starters of shrimp cocktail to steaks, curries, seafood platters to burgers toasted sandwiches and slap chips. Fully licenced or Tea and coffee, at this place anything goes.
B and I each ordered a Coke whilst looking over the menu and struggling to decide, eventually I chose Beef Cordon Bleu and B had a chicken Curry. The prices were reasonable, ok I would say cheap by comparison, I did not feel ripped off which I often do.
We only had to wait half an hour, even though the kitchen was obviously not yet ready as we were the first customers for the day….
….. The Chicken curry, not too hot, except a slight catch at the back of your throat every now and then, was good, potatoes slightly underdone but not raw and B’s biggest complaint was that he had to carve the chicken himself (chicken curry was served on the bone) he ordered a medium and anywhere else it would have been classified as a large.
The Beef cordon bleu was huge, I could not finish it even after giving B testers, I found the Ham slices placed inside rather thick (I would have preferred chopped pieces) and the chips very crispy but it was delicious, upon beginning our meal a large bowl of creamed spinach was placed in front of me, I could not even consider eating it as there was way too much food. Seems large portions are the norm at Gypsies.
The waiters/bar lady checked up on us twice whilst we ate and was quick to take the plates, B ducked off to the bathroom twice, typical B, and upon completion of my meal I headed that way to.
There were no signs indicating the direction of the bathroom so B had guessed and I headed in that direction, luckily easy to find but not too pleasant once found. The bathrooms need a lot of work but are clean for the bad state they are in – bad state like doors not closing properly and cigarette burn marks all over the basin, badly stained porcelain is everywhere, a little upgrade would go a long way.
Upon return to the table B ordered a coffee, tea for me. The cups were enormous, great for coffee but terrible for tea, I felt like was drinking tea from a soup bowl.
We asked for a bill, which came quickly with delicious smoothie sweets (orange flavoured, hard on the outside, soft on the inside) and only amounted to R110.00.
All in all a pleasant experience, delicious food, quick service and a simple atmosphere. Only the bathrooms need attention. Try it – you might just like it.
Here’s to good eating.
We walked in the Café style diner and asked if they were open, it was only 11am and a lot of places only operate from 12 onwards. We took a seat in the middle of the room at a wonky table and were supplied a menu.
The variety on the menu was mind blowing, from Starters of shrimp cocktail to steaks, curries, seafood platters to burgers toasted sandwiches and slap chips. Fully licenced or Tea and coffee, at this place anything goes.
B and I each ordered a Coke whilst looking over the menu and struggling to decide, eventually I chose Beef Cordon Bleu and B had a chicken Curry. The prices were reasonable, ok I would say cheap by comparison, I did not feel ripped off which I often do.
We only had to wait half an hour, even though the kitchen was obviously not yet ready as we were the first customers for the day….
….. The Chicken curry, not too hot, except a slight catch at the back of your throat every now and then, was good, potatoes slightly underdone but not raw and B’s biggest complaint was that he had to carve the chicken himself (chicken curry was served on the bone) he ordered a medium and anywhere else it would have been classified as a large.
The Beef cordon bleu was huge, I could not finish it even after giving B testers, I found the Ham slices placed inside rather thick (I would have preferred chopped pieces) and the chips very crispy but it was delicious, upon beginning our meal a large bowl of creamed spinach was placed in front of me, I could not even consider eating it as there was way too much food. Seems large portions are the norm at Gypsies.
The waiters/bar lady checked up on us twice whilst we ate and was quick to take the plates, B ducked off to the bathroom twice, typical B, and upon completion of my meal I headed that way to.
There were no signs indicating the direction of the bathroom so B had guessed and I headed in that direction, luckily easy to find but not too pleasant once found. The bathrooms need a lot of work but are clean for the bad state they are in – bad state like doors not closing properly and cigarette burn marks all over the basin, badly stained porcelain is everywhere, a little upgrade would go a long way.
Upon return to the table B ordered a coffee, tea for me. The cups were enormous, great for coffee but terrible for tea, I felt like was drinking tea from a soup bowl.
We asked for a bill, which came quickly with delicious smoothie sweets (orange flavoured, hard on the outside, soft on the inside) and only amounted to R110.00.
All in all a pleasant experience, delicious food, quick service and a simple atmosphere. Only the bathrooms need attention. Try it – you might just like it.
Here’s to good eating.
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