Better Than American

Like in any business-oriented city, it's more about who you know in Hong Kong, than what you know. And if you have skewed priorities like me, it's more important to know the chef/owner at a restaurant than say, Li Ka-Shing. Last night we went to American Restaurant on Lockhart Rd. Despite it's name, the establishment has been famous for its Northern Chinese cuisine for decades. The owner is an adorable elderly man who is not above scurrying around replacing soiled tableclothes and refilling teapots. He also once worked for our host's father so we were able to experience some off-the-menu deliciousness. The first course was, I'm told, a Northern specialty: steamed prawns and scallops atop a bed of glass noodles with a garlic and chili soy sauce. It was accompanied by a spicy mustard sauce for dipping. "If you come here on your own, you can't order this," my host said proudly. We continued to stuff ourselves with the famed Peking duck (meaty, but not-too fatty) which was followed by one of my favourite dishes ever: the chopped duck stir-fry wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves. American Restaurant adds pine nuts to its stir-fry making for a pleasant crunch in addition to the lettuce. Knowing we don't eat pork, our kind host had the restaurant make beef-filled steamed dumplings especially for us. Any sane person with tastebuds knows, 'dem dumplings are goooood. Normally, I'd say cardboard dipped in red vinegar is tasty — that's how much I love vinegar, but these dumplings were so memorable, they didn't require any condiments. Knowing these were made-to-order, I wish I could have grown a second stomach just to stuff myself a little more. Of course, we all had more than necessary so with our bellies pressing against our belt buckles, we rolled all the way home...

Comments

[Terri]

What a great idea Andy!

it's 9:30am but i'm freakin' starving now!!

awsome blog.

terri.

[teri]

oh my gosh, i don't know how i missed this when you first announced it. i love the blog!

[Andrea Chiu]

Thanks Ter(r)is!