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2011-01-20
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Made reservations for a table of 5 but turned out it wasn't necessary, because we were one of the few parties at Bamboo on this chilly winter evening. Nevertheless, food was good and warmed us through, being sichuan cuisine. Nice bossa nova (Ye Lai Xiang) music greeted us as walked through the narrow entrance. Service:Very good. The manager, whose name I could not catch, is attentive, eager to recommend dishes, eager to talk about his food, ways of cooking, and very friendly. The other waiters a
Service:
Very good. The manager, whose name I could not catch, is attentive, eager to recommend dishes, eager to talk about his food, ways of cooking, and very friendly. The other waiters are also hospitable and polite. A laid-back, no-fuss, casual atmosphere good for those who want a bit of good home cooking.
Environment:
It's unlike any conventional Chinese restaurant. It has a somewhat retro, seventies feel to the interior design. The lighting is not bright, there are antiques adorning random corners, and a bamboo ladder near the entrance. Quite tasteful and it added a different kind of flavour to our dining experience. Food:
Wild vegetables with diced dried bean curd $48 7.5/10
The so-called 'wild veg' is 'Ma Lan Tou' (mandarin), which I love, with diced and dried bean curd (not flavored). I think there was some peanut/sesame sauce mixed with the bean curd. Although this dish tasted great, it was a bit dry. It would be great if next time they could make it a bit more moist, so that the stuff is easier to pick up using chopsticks.Drunken Chicken in Hua Diao sauce $68 8.5/10
This dish was so tasty we had 2 orders of exactly the same thing. Good things about this dish: (1) Served cold. Just came out of the fridge. I don't like lukewarm drunken chicken. (2) Wine used to soak chicken was slightly sweeter than the average wine used. I like sweeter wine. (3) The rice used to ferment the wine was served together with the chicken. This way of serving the dish I have not encountered elsewhere in Hong Kong. The grains were delicious, soaked through with wine and very juicy. The chicken itself was nice and tender. No rough bits at all. Two servings, friends. Minced duck with lettuce Canton style $108 6.5/10
I myself am not a huge fan of this dish, no matter who makes it. Somehow the stuffing in the middle I'm not entirely sure about. Sometimes at home, they'd put in some liver, which I detest, and a bunch of other weird ingredients. I believe this one only contained minced duck, mung beans, spring onion, chili. So i was OK in terms of ingredients, but I did not enjoy it 100% because it was a bit hot. I'd rather everything were milder, without the chili. Sadly this is a sichuan restaurant and you can't exactly request a non-spicy dish when it's meant to be spicy. The iceberg lettuce leaves were fresh, large and crunchy - really healthy leaves. Bamboo crispy duck $148(half) 8.5/10
Regardless of whether or not this duck was cooked on, with, or in bamboo, it is a signature and a must-try. The meat is extremely tender, but wasn't very most - and you could flake the flesh with the back of your fork. The crispy skin is delicious. It isn't too oily. It didn't have the 'gamey' smell/taste which I am sensitive and aversive to. I really like this dish. It wasn't spicy so it suits my palate. Steamed shrimp and garlic shoot dumplings 5/10
I did not try these because I don't eat shrimp. I gathered, however, that the skin was too thin and broke easily. They didn't comment on the fillings. Apparently the state of skin was so appalling that they'd forgotten what the filling was like. :/Steamed Fish Hangzhou style $148 6.5/10
Fresh water fish - 'Lo yu' - steamed in honey and vinegar thick sauce. The meat quality wasn't the best but it was fresh fish and the meat was firm and smooth. It was a thick fillet. Had a bit of bite. Not bad, but not a must-try.Steamed aubergine with black bean sauce $88 8.5/10
Very, very simple ingredients, great blend of flavours, cooked to perfection - I could consume an entire dish of this! As you can see, the portions are generous. The soy sauce was thin enough for the insides to soak up like a sponge - and it did - eat it in one big bite with a bit of spring onion and chinese preserved olives. Healthy, very little oil, delicious, variation on the regular aubergine dish. Sichuan jumbo ribs $138 8/10
This dish smells very good and cannot be eaten elsewhere (so they say). The floss you see on the surface is a mixture of bread crumbs, chili pepper, sesame, and perhaps a bit of pork floss. I'd have preferred it less hot! The manager explained to us that the pork ribs had been marinated overnight in a chili marinade, and then cooked in mild chili oil before serving. The meat was flaky, soft and flavorful. For those who can't stand heat, you could request for a milder version of the dish when you place your order. I would've given this dish a higher rating, but for the heat. Pea shoots in superior broth with garlic 8/10
Surprisingly sweet, tender and delicious. The pea shoots we have at home are blanched and then fried with a bit of garlic, which ought to yield a somewhat similar flavour but these ones were yummier. Perhaps it's because they are very sweet, and the superior broth was delicious. Maybe it's got to do with the quality of pea shoots as well. in any event, I recommend this dish to whoever needs veg to complete a meal. Place 2 orders for parties of 5+. Chrysanthemum Jello
Tastes good but texture is unusual. It's not the normal translucent jelly-like chrysanthemum jelly. This one is opaque, more floury, more solid. There was less 'juice' than the normal jelly-like pudding. I prefer the normal kind actually. Feels more refreshing and...dessert-like. not a must-try. Sweet eggy steamed bun8/10
Apparently a specialty of Bamboo, recommended by the manager. Pretty impressive. The skin was sweet, soft, thin; the eggy flowing batter was piping hot, sweeeet and satisfying. A very good flowing eggy bun. Yes, recommended. Do try. Conclusion:
Will definitely return! For lunch next time perhaps. Looks pretty economical.
Wish you all the best!
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