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2009-04-16
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In a school, there are teachers, and among teachers, there are always one or two with particular authority to deal with rebellious students. 15 years old a tall and lanky boy was bullied by one particular rebellious boy who has some "complicated background issues". The matter got up to this "discipline teacher" and he took care of it all, and he also taught this boy (among other students) about being good and all. Then one day, he moved abroad. Throughout so many years I couldn't believe of myse
Things have changed for the House of Canton. The location has never left TaiKoo's CityPlaza but has relocated to a more convenient spot. The decor used to be golden and bright, now with contemporary accents of dimmer lights and mostly Champagne notes and an open display of wines upfront. The Teacher was there when I arrived, and as he lowered his glasses slightly to examine the dimsum menu, I waited patiently, and respect any choices he made.
When 咸水角 first arrived, I took the pleasure of taking a few quick snaps with a camera. These dumplings were fried crispy, presented in the most bulbous olive shape with pointy sides -- almost like an American football. The crust was delicate and delightful and through the filling of pork and pickle and tiny bits of carrots -- the multiple layers of textures reach a climax when paired with the thick gooey glutinous dough encasing the filling. The filliing was well-seasoned throughout.
The Rice-noodle Rolls with Prawns (鮮蝦腸粉) arrived next -- porcelain white rolls of rice noodles freshly steamed with prawns and chives as the filling. You can make out the thick curves of the prawn from the translucent noodles from the picture here. It may not be the best rice noodle rolls when compared to other establishments, but the prawns were certainly better with a sweeter taste to it, not to mention a good accompanyment with the chives' pleasant herbalness to it,
I never order steamed riblets as a dimsum because my mother makes a killer steamed riblets on any given day. These riblets were tender with a light powdery coating on the top. The star of this dish lies beneath the ribs -- Pomelo Peel. Upon repetitive soaking and squeezing out the water and resoaking, and some more simmering for hours to rid of the bitterness of the citrus peel, this piece of pomelo peel was superb as a sponge to soak up all the goodies from the riblets. It's spongy but not mushy, and certainly one separate inspiring occasion to have pomelo peel other than pairing it with shrimp roe.
Barbecued Pork Buns (叉燒包) was a simple treat but difficult to master. Here at the House of Canton their buns were soft and pillowy, and the filling was slightly runny and thick, with a honey-sweet entrance but a savoury finish. The bits of pork Char Siu in there just came along for the ride, because the sauce itself was the key to bring the whole bun together.
Over the course of the lunch the two of us traded updates, reminiscing the days when I was that lanky boy who got bullied, and he was the discipline teacher who tamed down the 'little rebels' with his no-mercy authoritarianism that any misdemeanors would have no place under his watchful eyes. He has specifically enjoyed dining here over the years and have become rather comfortable with the manager, who arrived greeting him like old friends. The manager recommended the Glutinous Rice dumplings with Mango as a dessert. These dumplings were dainty with a distinctive coconut taste to it, and the mango chunks inside happened to be ripe and sweet. What I would suggest though, is a thicker coating of desiccated coconut on the top of each dumpling.
The meal has almost come to an end, when complimentary mung bean soup and Double Boiled Red Dates Soup with White Fungus were presented to us. The mung bean soup was thicker and fragrant with its special herbs used, while the red dates soup bears a pleasant caramel taste -- just about a perfect finish to the meal. Through the years we took turns into treating each other for our gathering. This year was his turn, and I didn't refuse either. The Teacher has given me some useful advice during school days and beyond. As we left the House Of Canton that afternoon, he patted me on the shoulder saying that on his next return I would take him out to eat...
For John (pondering on the possibilities): I just may take your word for it.
張貼
