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Restaurant Critic & Food Blogger
If there are some curious foodies out there and would like me to join them so I can show you how to really try authentic Dim Sum, let me know by emailing me at info@chefwoocan.com. I'll be more than happy if your not sure where it is or how to approach the restaurant in terms of ordering. it can be a little overwhelming.
As a food critic and having worked in NYC Chinatown, authentic Chinese food is hard to come by when you leave NYC. I would remember my family going to Chinatown to visit my grandparents and all we did was go out and order Dim Sum, sort of like Chinese tapas for breakfast but not really breakfast like bacon and eggs, but its so delicious. It's in my blood once you try it. Such a selection of all different goodies.
Since I left NYC, I haven't found a Dim Sum Place locally. Until........ about 6 months ago, by accident I was driving around 66th St in Rosedale and low and behold I saw a big building with 2 Chinese Lions on each side of the stairs, I think marble stairs. You walk through a hallway and to the right is a very expensive Aquarium, but nice to check it out. The fish are huge! Then you get to the entrance and the host greets you. She'll ask you are you here for Dim Sum or a regular meal. You tell her for Dim Sum. She'll take you to a booth or table. Then a waitress will ask you what you'd like to drink. Tell them "Bowlay Cha) (phonetically speaking). She'll be shocked. Then the adventure starts. A cart will come down the aisle, a card is placed on your table keeping track of all your orders. You'll wave her down, you'll see hot steamed containers covered with delicious goodies. Ask fo the following: HAR GOW (shrimp wrapped in a thin rice dough and steamed so it looks transluscent), add some soy sauce, then ask for SIU MAI (ground seasoned pork wrapped in a wonton wrapper topped with flying fish eggs or ground carrot. delicious. You'll have to try this fried ball treat HOM SUEW KOK (ground pork, mushroom and tiny shrimp inside and if still hungry ask for Pan Fried Noodles with Chicken and ask for a little vinegar on the side. The establishment is hidden in an industrial place. It's so authentic that they have an arrangement with the Horseshoe Casino that if the high rollers want a break and hungry for a delicious meal, they will send a van to pick them up and bring them back. Oh, by the way, the best time for dim sum is 11-3 Monday thru Friday, Sat and Sun are the busiest. You've never seen so many Chinese people in one spot. Price: Reasonable. On average about $3.00 for 1 dish portion. TYPE OF CUSTOMER: Willing to try anything! The place is clean and waitress are friendly and willing to help you with your selection Rating: 10 (Excellent): www.chefwoocan.com and www.chefwoocanmaryland.com The residents of Bel Air, MD were so glad when David Hwang opened up his restaurant in Bel Air. Everyone used to flock to The Orient in Perry Hall.
If you never been, hopefully after my review you'll try it. A little bio about the owner which you could all appreciate. David is originally from the People's Republic of China, he lived thru the Cultural Revolution so he knows what its like to struggle to survive. He came to the United States and worked as a waiter and worked hard and saved his money. His now wife and him went to college, studied Accounting and eventually started in the restaurant business in Maryland. He opened his restaurant in Towson, Perry Hall and Bel Air. He's a great guy, very sociable and loves to meet people. He strongly believes that if you offer a quality product, you will do well. He never skimps on the ingredients. His sushi bar carries only quality fish. Everything is made fresh daily from the delicious shrimp toast to the California rolls that my daughter loves. Popular dishes of course are General Shao Chicken, Orange Chicken or Orange Beef, Shredded Beef. The noodle dishes are good too like Singapore Mai Fun or wide rice noodle with beef (dried), hot and sour soup is delicious and savory. The Orient restaurant my be the only one that offers a Pu Pu Platter. A combination of various appetizers on a skewer and surrounded by a little kettle that has a nice mellow flame. If your going on romantic date, this is the place. Order the Pu Pu Platter and she'll remember the date. Some restaurants don't talk to the customers but David loves to talk to everyone. Just tell him Chef Woo can sent you. He does have a TV in the dining area and bar a great place to watch football on Monday night, Thursday night and Sunday night. Very subdued compared to the typical sports bars around. Overall, everything on the menu is delicious, ask him if he has some authentic Chinese vegetables. Try one of the Specialty items and of course, order a fancy cocktail. He works hard to make "The Orient" the best place to eat. The atmosphere is calming and relaxed. Reasonably priced. Rating: 10 (Excellent) www.chefwoocan.com, www.chefwoocanmaryland.com When you talk about sports bars, you think of Buffalo Wild Wings, Green Turtle, Looney Pub in Maryland but lately a new sports bar opened up near Wegman's in Abingdon, MD called Boston Restaurant and Sports Bar. I took my daughter there and she had the pizza and love it. Crunchy and chewy. They carry different sizes. I had the wings. They offer 3 styles of how they prepare the wings. I chose Deep fried and the savory asian sauce. They were hot crispy and sauce was delicious.
The have hamburgers, calzone and a very nice menu. I did have the Caesar salad, it was ok seemed like it was refrigerated for awhile. Although the restaurant is fairly new , it was always clean. There are 2 rooms, one for family dining with booths and the other side is the sports bar will bar type stools with TV's in both rooms. Bathroom is imaculate, service quality is excellent, with waitresses and waiters courteous and professional and always smiling. Spent Sunday football there at 4 PM, waiter programmed our game on what ever TV was most convenient to us from viewing standpoint. Rating: 10 (Excellent) A food critic not only reviews the food but also reviews the cleanliness and service quality.
I have to say that the Red Lobster in Bel Air, MD is a perfect example of consistent service quality and cleanliness. Time and time again the waiters and waitresses were very professional, courteous and always has a smile. This is truly a reflection of management. It's always a pleasant experience and middle management is always on the floor asking, about the customers experience. Carpet sweepers are always in use to guarantee cleanliness. The bathrooms are the first indication of how management takes care of their premises. It's always a pleasure going to Red Lobster in Bel Air, MD. As for the food. In my opinion I understand there must be standardization so every Red Lobster is the same in the food process. I feel if Red Lobster gets back to the old fashion way of making their food, customers will notice and they will notice a major increase in sales revenues. Food is always hot never cold, biscuits are hot and delicious. I tried the surf and turf and it was delicious too. For example, Butter is butter but butter flavor is a noticeable difference even though it cost less. But if real butter is used, everyone will notice the difference. In other words don't skimp on ingredients and incur the labor cost to do things right. Yes, expenses will go up but the bottom line is Red Lobster will be different from the rest. I can make additional suggestion with appetizers and entrees. My Rating: 10 (excellent) Along with the introductory offer, I have slashed prices for the various menu items. I understand this is a new cooking course concept via Skype but remember I'll always be there throughout each phase of the cooking process and can answer any questions you may have "LIVE", so check our prices out. You'll be glad you did.
Did you ever hear about Dim Sum? It's the Chinese version of Spanish Tapas eaten during brunch time between 11 am to 3 PM. and weekends are extremely busy with Asian people from all over enjoying tea. From steamed meats marinated with black beans, to steamed shrimp dumplings, fried taro filled with meat to delicious desserts like coconut jello to egg sweet custard in a flaky crust to steamed roast pork buns to a chicken pan fried noodle dish, crispy noodles crunchy and chewy with sliced chicken with a nice light gravy.
Did you ever try Lobster Cantonese style? Delicious lobster cut up and stir fry with either scallion and ginger or black beans, ground pork, egg, ginger and fresh garlic? Or what about fresh pea pod vines that are tender and crispy with a bright emerald color tossed with fresh garlic and ginger. We will arrange groups of 5 for weekend dining. |
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